Types of business

You have satisfied your business idea is viable. The next step is to decide what form your business should take. We explore the options.

Franchising allows you to set up a business following a proven formula - although you'll be subject to restrictions. Our guide to franchising.

Market research helps you spot opportunities, reduce risks and make better decisions. How to find the information you need.

Although Friska founders have big plans for their takeaway with a difference, as Mark Williams finds out, profit is not their only goal.

Gandys flip-flops uses some of its profits to help orphans in India – just one reason this fast-growing brand continues to win admirers.

Ian and Joe Syer of MyArtBroker are business partners - and brothers. They share their insights on managing family relationships at work.

Mother and son team Deborah de Maio and Rem Malloy set up Italy4Real in 1995. They reveal the secrets behind the success of their family business.

Family businesses represent the most common business ownership model, and yet few survive beyond one generation. Rachel Miller talks to one thriving family firm about the secrets behind its success.

How do you disrupt a traditional sector like wine-making? João Pedro Montes, of Wine With Spirit, explains how he built an innovative new wine brand.

Aaron Chatterley, founder of feelunique.com, can thank drink for his hugely successful online cosmetics business.

Not many people have been in the Guinness Book of World Records and established their own business. Adam King is still trying to be a world-beater.

Some people prefer to retain full ownership of a business and call all the shots, but having a partner can provide a way to share responsibility.

Buying a business can be less risky than starting one. If the business has customers, then it has income. But it will need upfront investment.

Being an ethical business can reduce the negative impacts on people, animals and the environment. It can also boost your bottom line.

Fiona Graham of the Institute for Family Business explains why it can pay to keep it in the family when starting and running a business.

Employing a relative is quite different to recruiting someone else. There are some important tax and legal considerations which we explore here:

Many of us have a 'big idea': the idea that fuels our entrepreneurial dreams. But how can we make the transition from dream to business reality?

Jane Robson's early career was with top high-street brands, but her own business has given her greater flexibility and a better work-life balance.

Helen Beer of QualitySilver explains how her online business balances the demands of motherhood with the need to generate an income.

For seven months each year, Hester Moore runs Festival Postcards, a unique postal service for those who go to music festivals. Here's how she does it.

Long neglected farm buildings in rural Worcestershire were renovated to provide a home for The Fold Bransford Community Interest Company.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own classic car restoration business in our practical guide.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own dressmaking business.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own practice.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own beauty business.

Check out our guide for starting and running your own animal boarding business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own bookkeeping business.

Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own builders merchant business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own building firm.

Our guide gives you the essentials for starting up and running your own alarm fitting business.

Owners of valuable classic vehicles are also key customers. Read our guide to starting up and running your own alarm fitting business.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your own bodyshop.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own car parts business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own car parts business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your valeting business.

Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own care home.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your own carpet fitting business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own childminding business.

Read our guide to help you to start up and run your own chimney sweeping business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own herbal medicine practice.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own chiropody practice.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own chiropractic clinic.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own clothes hire business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own construction business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own contract cleaning business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your courier business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own damp proofing business in our practical guide.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own dental lab in our practical guide.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own dental practice.

Specialist driveway and patio firms offer a range of services including laying paving and other exterior surfaces, cleaning, repairs and maintenance.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own driving school.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own dry cleaners.

This guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own farm shop.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own farm supply business in our practical guide.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own farrier business in our practical guide.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own fencing business.

Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own funeral business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own restoration business.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own garage.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own garden services business.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own language school.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own life coaching business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your livery stable business.

Thinking of setting up as a locksmith? You'll need good practical and mechanical skills and be prepared to work in different business and domestic settings. Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own locksmiths.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own male grooming salon in our practical guide.

Our guide gives you all the essentials you need for starting up and running your own business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own dealership.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own motorcycle retailing business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own motorcycle rider training business.

Our guide gives you the essentials you need for starting up and running your own nutritional therapy business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own painting and decorating business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own pawnbroking business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own personal training business in our practical guide.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own pest control business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own pet grooming business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own pharmacy business in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own photographic business in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own physiotherapy practice in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own picture framing business in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own pig farm in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own business in our practical guide.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you start up and run your own plastering business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own plumbing business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your poultry business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own record label business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own reflexology practice.

Read our practical guide to starting up and running your roofing business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own scaffolding business in our practical guide.

If you're thinking of setting up your own shoe repair business, read our guide for practical help and guidance.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own sign writing business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your skip hire business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your smallholding venture.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own agency.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tanning business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tattoo business.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your thatching business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your tiling business in our practical guide.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own tool hire business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tree services business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own turf supply business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own tyre-fitting business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your second-hand car retailing business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own veterinary practice.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your waste collection business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your web developer business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your window cleaning business.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your window fitting business.

Our guide gives you the essentials for starting up and running your own windscreen business.

Read our practical guide on starting up and running your own accountancy business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own acupuncture practice.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own aromatherapy business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own electrician business.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own estate agency.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own office-based business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own optician business in our practical guide.

Our guide will help you start up and run your own organic farm business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own osteopath business in our practical guide.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your upholstery business.

You don't come across many Goths who run their own accountancy practices. Meet Psyche Coderre, owner of London-based Death and Taxes.

Musician, producer and business man Jamie Giarraputo lives by the Italian motto 'vivere senza rimpianti' - live without regrets. He explains here.

Combining the demands of running a business with the responsibility of bringing up children is a demanding task, yet more mums are doing it.

Setting up a business in your 50s, 60s or even 70s can bring a whole set of different challenges, but you will have the benefit of life experience.

Unlike even the most ethical of other start-ups, social enterprises have environmental or social values at the very core of everything they do.

More people than ever are setting up their own business. Rachel Miller investigates some of the most exciting new business opportunities.

Thinking of setting up a home-based business? Intended to help you succeed, here are ten tips from one of the founders of StartUp Britain.

Sometimes ideas have seasonal appeal. If you're lucky, you might be able to generate enough profit to carry you through the rest of the year.

At first glance, Bookdonors, a Selkirk-based social enterprise, appears simply to sell books to raise money for good cause. But there's more to it.