- Start your own Business?
- Are you interested in becoming self-employed?
- Do you have an idea that you want to develop into a business?
If you answered Yes then don’t be put off! More than half a million people in the UK start their business each year. Indeed, Swansea is often cited as one of the best places to start or 
develop a business in the UK.
Being your own boss can be hard work but also exciting, challenging and rewarding. Please find below sources of advice to help get you started and improve your chance of success.
Visit the Business Wales website for Start Up support for advice on the following topics:
- Starting up and Business Planning
- Self Employment
- Business Plan
- Market Research
- Marketing
- Finance
- Managing your Finances
- Building a Team
- Further Guides
There’s also additional support online through the Business Wales Funding Search tool.
Business Wales Helpline: 03000 6 03000
BOSS – Business Online Support Service
The BOSS service is provided by Business Wales. The service provides online learning courses to help people who are:
- thinking about, or actually, starting a business
- already running a business
- looking to grow their business
To join BOSS all a person needs is access to a computer with a current browser and an internet connection. Course materials include interactive guides, videos, downloadables and quizzes.
BOSS courses are all FREE, to do BOSS courses you need register to set up a learning account.
Are you under 25 and have a business idea? whether you want to be a graphic designer, hairdresser or fishmonger select from 100’s of profiles to help you understand more about your start up idea
The Wales Co-operative Centre supports the development and growth of social entrepreneurship, social enterprises and co-operatives in Wales.
If you are aged 18-30 and are unemployed you can benefit from support from The Prince’s Trust.
You may be able to apply for New Enterprise Allowance if you can show that you have a business idea that could work. You need to be getting one of the following benefits:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support (if you’re a lone parent)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – if you’re in the Work-Related Activity Group
The UK Government also provide guidance on how to ‘Start your own business‘.
