Tag Archives: Start-up

Small business: doing, not being

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Jon Stow

One of the advantages of having my own business is, I have always thought, that I am doing something I enjoy and having responsibility for my own working life. In fact, having responsibility for all of my life. In employment, … Continue reading →

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Why we need the assurance of business insurance

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Jon Stow

It seems obvious that we should insure our houses and our house contents. We have to insure our cars by law. Strangely many people do not believe in insurance for their businesses. Of course it is true that many contractors … Continue reading →

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A successful small business owner learns by experience

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Jon Stow

  Confession I used to work for a large firm of accountants once. They actually called themselves “Accountants and Business Advisers”. The firm held itself out as specialist accountants for small businesses and “SMEs” (Small and Medium Enterprises”). Quite honestly. … Continue reading →

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Do you really have a business? Part 4

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Jon Stow

A few years ago I said I would help a friend who was thinking seriously about buying a nightclub or “venue”; that is one which had live entertainment. Of course I was happy to help my friend, and said she … Continue reading →

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Do you really have a business?

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Jon Stow

Leaving jobs I see many small business owners during the course of a year. Some are ongoing clients and others need advice but not a continuing service. In the current economic climate there are many people who have been made … Continue reading →

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Redundancy at 50 or even 45 – Part 2

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Jon Stow

The man who fell to earth We discussed the other day our accountant who has been unemployed for three years and is now 50. We have heard about the dramatic drop in income, about living on cheap food, the problem … Continue reading →

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Business partnerships and collaborations – Part 2

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Jon Stow

Love and marriage In Part 1  I said that a business partnership is like a marriage. It joins together two or more people in a close relationship in which they have to co-operate and work with each other. In any … Continue reading →

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Being cheapskate can cost you dear

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Jon Stow

It is a great temptation in business, especially for start-ups, to take the cheapest option when spending money on buying in services. It is very often dangerous to do this because some people just play at business.  Often the really … Continue reading →

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Doorstep selling in the twenty-first century

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Jon Stow

These days I mainly work from home though obviously I go out to visit clients and those who are providing me with support services to help me run my business. One of the hazards of being home-based is being “doorstepped” … Continue reading →

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Planning a small business failure

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Jon Stow

I don’t always like to be right, but when a bookshop opened in our village, I really couldn’t see how it would stay in business for very long. It has lasted only about six months and has now closed. It … Continue reading →

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