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How to Start a Business in Ripon

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Ripon

Starting a business in Ripon

If you are thinking about starting a business in Ripon or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Ripon contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Ripon

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

Starting a Business in in Ripon

Business advice and support

"Two heads are better than one."

Whether you have been trading for some time, are new to the market or are just thinking about starting a business of your own, it has been proven that your chances of success are considerably improved if you seek support from an experienced business advisor or mentor. You can find out more about both options at Business Advice in Ripon and Business Mentors in Ripon.

Funding and grants

Running out of money is one the most common reasons why businesses fail. This risk of this happening to can be avoided (or minimised) by careful planning and cashflow forecasting. If you need additional funds to start or keep your business going, you can learn more about your options and download our free funding factsheet at: Ripon Business Grants and Business Funding

Business networking

Does the idea of business networking fill you with delight or dread? Either way, it can be beneficial for both your business and you as an entrepreneur. See Business Networking in Ripon for details of local groups and our free Networking Factsheet.

Business premises

Working from home is appealing to many new business owners but not practical for many others. Even if you are running a business by yourself, you might like to consider the option of 'hot desking' or co-working in one of the many flexi-workspaces that have emerged in recent years. Find out more at: Ripon Co-Working and Business Premises.

Finding new customers

Paying customers are the lifeblood of any business. Knowing how to find, satisfy and retain them is vitally important and best achieved with the help of experts in the field.

Accountancy, tax and law

While starting a new business is very exciting, this should not disguide the fact that there are some very important legal responsibilities that must be considered. See: Bookkeeping, Accountancy, Financial Planning and Law

FREE startup workshops

If you are thinking about starting a business, our FREE three-hour ONLINE workshop is definitely for you!

Open to everyone, our sole aim is to increase your chances of success. We do that by explaining:

The reality of running a business; the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them; which legal status is likely to be most suitable; funding, grants and managing your money; business planning and cashflow forecasting; finding and keeping customers.

Free startup guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don’t become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
Starting a business in Ripon

Key Contacts in Ripon

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Ripon is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

Funding

Wattsford Commercial Finance
Wattsford Commercial Finance is an Independent Specialist Consultancy, providing Commercial Finance and Business support to clients throughout the whole of the UK who wish to access finance and funding to grow their business. Whether your business is well established or a new start we can help you with Commercial Mortgages, Property Development Finance, Business Loans,Short Term ‘Bridging’ Finance, Factoring, Equipment Leasing and advice on Grant Funding and how to secure funds via the Government Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFGS). Wattsford Commercial Finance are genuinely independent, wholly impartial and offer straightforward honest advice, given freely and without obligation. Through our established Lender Partner Network we manage senior level relationships with over 250 alternative lenders’ and offer our clients a true whole of market proposition. Our lending and funding partners rely on us to introduce new and well qualified business opportunities for underwriting approval. These include High Street Banks, Merchant and Challenger Banks, Private Funding Groups, Investment Trusts and high net worth Personal Investors who are all keen to lend on the right proposition. When your own Bank has been unable to offer the finance or at the terms you need, then Contact Us. We will quickly assess all the available options for you and do everything possible to find a workable and affordable business solution, tailored for your business. Time and again we prove to our clients that we can secure funding where others fail and in the majority of cases our advice and support will save you significant amounts of money over the course of the loan. The vast majority of specialist lenders in the current marketplace only accept qualified and packaged mortgage and loan proposals from Specialist Brokers who are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority such as ourselves.
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Web design

Liam Pedley Design
Expert web design and results-driven digital marketing across Yorkshire. Expand your online audience through responsive website design, content marketing, SEO, PPC and digital design. All tailored to your business and delivered through an honest and personal service.
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Web design

HarryAdney Internet Services
Reliable, professional and affordable web design, hosting and domain name registration. We have a package to suit every budget - if nothing seems to fit, just get in touch and well build a personalised package just for you! Our infrastructure uses fast SSD to make your website display faster on Dell and Cisco hardware. 99.99% Uptime Dell & CISCO Hardware OnApp Cloud-Powered UK Hosted servers Daily Backups Firewall Security Protection SSD-Powered Packages from
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Marketing

GPM Ltd
Supporting companies to fulfil any aspect of business promotion, Graeme Powell Marketing (GPM), can fulfil any marketing need, large or small. GPM has an acknowledged reputation for providing a cost-effective route to professional marketing and assisting any size of business to promote their products and services - to build their brands and create sales growth. Our services include: - Marketing strategy - PR & content copywriting - Website design & build - Search engine optimisation (SEO) - Graphic Design (for adverts, brochures, binders, flyers, posters, stationery, etc) - Printing - Studio & On Location Photography - eNews design and eMailing - Pop-up, vertical banner, and exhibition stands - Promotional giveaways For further information on GPMs comprehensive range of marketing services, please contact us to discuss your needs supply a competitive quote.
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Advice

Business Starts North East and Yorkshire
Business Starts provide a well-qualified and accredited business advisor to business owners who want to start, grow, access funding, manage projects and plan for success. Some of our programmes are government backed and structured, others are independent, flexible and tailored to you. Business Starts will not only help you access funding but will help you use and manage if for the best interests for your business. Based in Birtley and Northallerton, we work with local clients across the North East and North Yorkshire, including Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, Hartlepool, Peterlee, Saltburn, Redcar, Thirsk, Bedale, Catterick and Harrogate. We also work on government funded programmes across England, Scotland and Wales.
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Property

Bradley Mason LLP
Bradley-Mason LLP are an experienced team of commercial property surveyors operating across all areas of the UK, offering a wealth of specialist building consultancy and project management skills for commercial property transactions and building projects. Visit the website for full details of our services and get in touch to find out how we can help.
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Networking

Network 15
Quite simply, Network 15 was established with the goal of providing an informal and relaxing environment for any Ripon (& surrounding area) based business people to meet, and do business with other like-minded business people. To add a little variety, different event locations around Ripon are used, with the next venue being confirmed by pre-event email (please subscribe to the Network 15 eNewsletter to sign-up to our distribution list). Each informal Network 15 networking event takes place from 6pm - 8pm and includes a brief Get to know you 60-second round-robin introductions. They also include a free to enter business card prize draw, and at most events, we organize a fun competition, for all to take part in. These range from quizzes, through to darts matches and even golf putting competitions! Were always open to ideas for event competitions. Network 15 also holds Host-a-night events, where a business opts to host the event at their premises, with the opportunity to promote their products or services. This event format allows any Business Member to host and welcome the Network 15 group, and give a 10-minute presentation about their organisation. Hosts often organise an informal competition based on their business and provide special prizes for the winners. Food and drink is available at most of our event venues, so our attendees can relax and recharge after a hard days work. Visit our website at www.network15ripon.co.uk for event details.
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Accountancy

Inglis Chartered Accountants
Inglis Chartered Accountants are a proactive, professional and practical firm of accountants based in York. We specialise in taking the pain of numbers away.
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Advice

Harrogate Business Advisors
Harrogate Business Advisors aim is to help small to medium size companies to increase their sales and increase their profit. They are among the best at what they do - being a friend and trusted advisor, working side by side with business owners. They can provide all the hlpe you need to start your own business.
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Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Advice

Harrogate Business Advisors
We differ vastly from other business consultants. We roll up our sleeves and work alongside you. We put skin in the game and our reputation on the line. We have walked in your shoes. We know what it is like to head up a small business in these tough times. We dont just recommend a course of action, we help make it happen and we have a strong history of success.
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Education

First Aid & Safety Training
First Aid and Safety Training provides high quality and regulated First Aid, Mental Health First Aid and Health & Safety Training Courses at your place of work or an external venue. With over 20 years experience in education and training, we deliver regulated courses to HSE standards in First Aid, Mental Health and Health & Safety, including mini Medics for children. First Aid and Safety Training offers a comprehensive catalogue of qualifications, which are accredited by OFQUAL and regulated by First Aid Awards Ltd (FAA) or we can tailor bespoke training courses to suit your specific requirements or environment. We pride in delivering high quality training in a professional and supportive environment. We are passionate about these courses and the impact that an awareness of these subjects can have upon people in their everyday lives.
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IT

Gritstone Computers
We are here to help you see IT clearly. By providing a proactive friendly service from computer repairs, computer support & PC repairs to full IT support, we enable you to get what you want. We believe in real solutions for real people. Using a combination of personal visits, remote management and telephone advice, we can seek out problems before they occur. Whether you are a home user with a small technical problem such as a computer repair or a business with a large network to support requiring high level IT support, we can provide the technical solutions, and peace of mind to let you get on with your life, with equipment that works for you and not against you. We are on hand to provide local IT support, PC repairs, computer support & network support to homes and businesses whatever time of the day or night, at affordable rates.
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business