Industry guides · UK-specific
How to start a…
Cross-functional advice is fine, but the real questions are industry-specific: what licence do I need to walk dogs? Is a cleaning business a sole trader or a Ltd? Do I need food hygiene training to sell brownies online?
These guides pick up where the generic 'start a business' content stops — covering the licences, insurance, pricing, equipment and first-90-days specific to each trade.
Service
Cleaning business
Domestic vs commercial, insurance, equipment, pricing and how to find your first 10 clients.
OpenService
Dog walking
Council licences, max dogs per walker, public liability cover and pricing by region.
OpenCreative
Freelance writing / design
IR35, day rates, contracts, finding clients, and when to switch from sole trader to Ltd.
OpenRetail
Online shop
Shopify vs Etsy, distance selling rules, VAT thresholds, returns, and pricing for profit.
OpenProfessional
Consultancy
Day rates that include holiday and tax, IR35, professional indemnity, and proposal templates.
OpenHospitality
Coffee shop or café
Premises licences, food hygiene rating, equipment costs, margins, and the realistic timeline to break-even.
OpenTrades
Trades — electrician, plumber, builder
Qualifications, Gas Safe / NICEIC, CIS scheme, van and tools, day rates and quoting.
OpenBeauty
Hair & beauty salon
Salon vs chair rental vs mobile, licensing, insurance, equipment and staff commission models.
OpenChildcare
Registered childminder
Ofsted registration, training, DBS, EYFS ratios, funded hours and realistic earnings.
OpenService
Driving instructor (ADI)
DVSA Part 1/2/3, dual-control car, franchise vs independent, pricing and pupil acquisition.
OpenCreative
Photography business
Kit, pricing by niche, contracts, GDPR, insurance and client acquisition for UK photographers.
OpenEducation
Tutoring business
Pricing, agencies vs solo, DBS, the VAT exemption for tutoring, tech stack and scaling.
OpenEach guide is reviewed against the latest gov.uk guidance. If you spot something out of date — email us, we update inside a week.
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