Find your next step

Choose the options that fit your situation. You can be in more than one stage and have several concerns at once. Each link leads to practical steps and related guides.

Business stages

• Exploring an idea: You are looking for a problem, customer or business idea to test. Guide to exploring an idea.
• Preparing to launch: You have an idea or prototype and are preparing your first offer or sale. Guide to preparing to launch.
• Already selling: You have started selling and want to make operations more reliable. Guide to already selling.
• Growing or hiring: You are considering more customers, staff, capacity or locations. Guide to growing or hiring.
• Paused or under financial pressure: Sales, cash or other circumstances mean you need to stabilise or pause. Guide to paused or under financial pressure.

Concerns

• Finding customers: You need to understand buyers or find a reliable route to sales. Guide to finding customers.
• Cash and runway: You need to understand the money available and upcoming commitments. Guide to cash and runway.
• Setup and compliance: You need to choose a structure or check registrations, permits and records. Guide to setup and compliance.
• Funding: You are comparing money or support to start, operate or grow. Guide to funding.
• Taxes: You need to understand tax questions and organise the right records. Guide to taxes.
• Expertise and networks: You need useful people, advice or organisations for a particular challenge. Guide to expertise and networks.