Starting or Running Your Own Business in the UK?

I've built three businesses from scratch. A wax melt company, a B2B workwear business, and an eBay reselling side hustle. No funding, no business background, just learning as I went and writing down what actually worked.

Whether you're exploring an idea, launching your first product, or growing what you've already got, this site gives you practical guidance you can use today.

Free UK guides, case studies, online selling advice, equipment reviews, tax and legal info, supplier lists, calculators, and tools, all built from real experience, not theory.

The Makers Lab

Covers the ins and out of starting and running a business from home

The Ops Room

Free business tools and calculators to help efficiently and effectively run your business.

Business News and Events

What's happening in the UK business world. From local, regional and national event news, to current and upcoming issues and initiatives you should be aware of.

The Makers Lab

Real world examples of side hustles that work. Complete guides and resources for anyone looking to start or grow thier own business

Enter Lab

The Ops Room

Handy tools and resources for tracking your business activities and maximising your efficiency

View Ops

News & Events

National and regional small business news and events that we think may be of interest to our proper hustle audience.

We are based in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire and hope to keep you upto date with local goings on too in and around our surrounding area.

Autumn Fair trade show at the NEC Birmingham with attendees browsing exhibition stands

How to Find Reliable Suppliers for Your UK Business: 10 Methods That Actually Work

Finding reliable suppliers can make or break a business. Discover 10 practical methods I've personally used to source trusted UK suppliers, from trade shows and Companies House filings to Google search tricks and wholesale marketplaces

Billy Giles

Jun 3010 min read

Person in apron packs a handmade gift box while a phone shows a TikTok Shop page in a cozy craft studio.

How to Set Up a TikTok Shop UK for Handmade Products

Ready to launch your handmade business on TikTok? This step-by-step guide covers everything UK sole traders need to know to set up a TikTok Shop, from gathering the right documents to avoiding the most common verification delays.

Billy Giles

Jun 204 min read

An infographic in purple with photos depicting people in various business engagements, the photo has text advertising canva's business pitch challenge 2026

Canva's Small Business Pitch Challenge 2026

Got a business idea or a side hustle you're already running? Canva wants to hear about it — and they're putting £4,000 on the table for the businesses that impress them most.

Billy Giles

Jun 182 min read

Notebook and calculator on a desk with an icon grid showing the eight sections of a UK sole trader business expenses guide

Allowable Business Expenses for UK Sole Traders: The Complete Guide

A plain-English guide to allowable business expenses for UK sole traders and partnerships. Covers everything from stock and mileage to working from home and keeping your records straight.

Billy Giles

Jun 176 min read

Collage of business book covers featuring Trunki, James Dyson, Sara Davies, and Bootstrap Your Life.

15 Business Books For Side Hustlers & Budding Entrepreneurs

A curated list of 15 business books and audiobooks for side hustlers and budding entrepreneurs. This guide breaks down the key takeaways from founders like Sara Davies, James Dyson, Lord Alan Sugar, and Phil Knight, covering essential lessons on product design, marketing, and bootstrapping your own business.

Billy Giles

Jun 1514 min read

Women Packing a parcel for EU shipping with customs charge labels on the workbench

EU €3 Customs Charge from July 2026: What It Costs UK Sellers (and How Not to Get Stung)

From 1 July, the EU charges €3 per product type on parcels under €150. Mixed bundles get hit hardest. Here's what it costs you and what to change before the deadline.

Billy Giles

Jun 127 min read

Dark File Explorer lists Purchase Invoice 01–17 files, mostly PDFs, plus JPG and text documents.

The Beginner's Guide to UK Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is basically tracking any money that flows in or out of your business. Before you panic about software and spreadsheets, get that bit clear: money in, money out, written down somewhere. Why bother? Simple: HMRC needs to know how much profit you made so it can work out how much tax you owe—and you need to know it to see whether the business is actually making you money.

Billy Giles

Jun 109 min read

Three smiling people in blue Small Business Saturday jackets stand by a bicycle outside a fruit shop with produce and a blue promo sign.

Small Business Saturday 2026: How to Put Your Business on the Map

Small Business Saturday UK is a massive grassroots, non-commercial campaign that highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support the independent brands in their communities.

Billy Giles

Jun 94 min read

Crafts in the Pen 2026: The Complete Guide for Visitors and Exhibitors

Crafts in the Pen takes place each November at Skipton Auction Mart. Over the years, the event has grown into a wonderful crafts market that the whole family can enjoy. The 2026 event will mark its 11th annual year as a sprawling festive crafts market. Featuring a capped limit of 230 stalls, every single purchase you make at the event directly helps support professional artists and makers.

Billy Giles

Jun 94 min read

Promotional banner for the UK AI Adoption and Skills package, featuring the text 'AI that works for everyone' over a modern teal and blue geometric background.

UK Government Launches £200 Million AI Adoption Drive for Businesses and Workers

The UK's new £200M funding package is a game-changer for AI adoption. Discover how your business can leverage new grants, growth zones, and free training.

Billy Giles

Jun 93 min read

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