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How to Start a Business in Romford

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Romford

Starting a business in Romford

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

Start Your Own Business in Romford 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 Romford

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 Romford

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 Romford and Business Mentors in Romford.

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: Romford 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 Romford 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: Romford 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 Havering

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 Romford

Key Contacts in Romford

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

Romford 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.

Web design

Perfect Layout Digital Marketing
Are you looking for a personalised web design and digital marketing agency? With so many brands offering quick and easy website platforms, many start-ups see these as a quick and affordable way to get a website. But will it get seen? Will it be found in the top spots of organic search? Unlikely! As with all things that look easy, there is an art and a science behind it. Perfect Layout Digital Marketing is a website design agency and digital marketing company based in Romford. Our aim is to create a visible online presence for all our clients, not just a pretty looking website. We offer affordable packages that enables your website to alter as your business evolves. If you want a website that will bring you leads, call us and let us help your business generate new revenue.
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Advice

Federation of Small Businesses
Federation of small businesses are experts in business and were formed in 1974 and are here to help by providing SME's with COVID-19 advice/ legal help & advice covering HR / H&S / Taxation / Business Insurance / Debt Recovery / Access to Funding / Cyber Protection / Crisis Management / Webinars / Networking and much more. In these times of uncertainly, the last place you want to be when it comes to business, is on your own! Membership with FSB means you are never alone and have access to experts in many different fields of business. If you have any more questions just drop me a text or call me direct on 07956 365903
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Property

Able Surveyors Limited
Able Surveyors provides an exhaustive number of services in property and land management in commercial and private property to clients across London. Our team of RICS approved chartered surveyors understand that your property is a massive investment, therefore we ensure our expert advice is honest and fully informative. Visit our website today for a full list of services.
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Networking

Romford Ilford Essex Business Network
EBN is an informal, no gimmicks organisation that values everyone as equal dedicated networkers. If you are serious about networking and wish to develop relationships with people who you know and can trust, without any of the pressures that are associated with some groups, come along and give us a try. Meets at the Rouge Restaurant at Redbirdge College every Wednesday morning at 7am.
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Funding

IGF Invoice Finance Ltd
The major banks are failing to meet the needs of the SME market. They are inflexible, expect high levels of security for all their lending, and lack any sympathy with, or understanding of, their SME customers. Does your bank spend time listening to your business needs? If your business experienced any financial difficulties, can you rely on their support? Unlike the major banks and major commercial finance providers, IGF is available when you need us. We will ensure we really understand your business and its needs. We will listen and we will care about your goals. We see the relationship as a long term partnership and your success is our success. We value your business; so we do what we promise and wont let you down. We work in a friendly yet highly professional way; championing the needs of the SME. Its why we are so often recommended, not only by our existing clients, but also by accountants and financial consultants throughout the UK. Its why we are challenging the established finance providers and big name institutions; and, its why we are clearly a better finance partner for your business IGF are a leading independent Invoice Finance provider and have been established for over 15 years. The business is part of ABFA (Asset Based Finance Association) and is wholly owned by The Greater London Enterprise (GLE). This solid backing not only gives us a strong pedigree but it means we are ultimately owned by all of the London Boroughs. IGF offer a broad suite of Invoice Finance and related services including Factoring, and Confidential Invoice Discounting along with sundry services such as payroll, direct debit collection, and short term loan facilities.
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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

University of East London
With our Start-Up series of workshops we will help you learn all the fundamentals of business start-up. On completion of the programme you should have the first draft of your business plan and a better understanding of where you would like to take things next! No experience necessary.
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Advice

Stradling Training & Consultancy
Stradling Training & Consultancy has been providing professional business support for over 20 years and is dedicated to guiding all types and size of business and their people including start-ups and multi-nationals, government departments and even island communities. This experience allows us to look at every aspect of client operations, from effective leadership and management through to employee motivation, managing change and Corporate Social Responsibility. Our intial, no obligation, meeting is free of charge (within 100 mile radius of Romford).
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Networking

SmartNet Essex
SmartNet Essex is a networking group for men and women who meet once a month for a lively, productive and informal lunch.
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Networking

Fore Business Romford
“FORE” Business are delighted to welcome you to our Romford Group which is hosted at the Maylands Golf Club, Essex. The business networking event in Romford has been established since May 2014 and business and friendship within the group is flourishing. If you would like to attend a “FORE” Business golf event at our Romford group, please click on the below link. We have members eagerly waiting to pass referrals and at the same time enjoy an amazing round of golf at Maylands Golf Club.
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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