Gemma Lingard, Corporate Law Solicitor at Gorvins Solicitors
The number of women starting up their own business is growing rapidly. Although women account for around of third of those in self-employment, the female entrepreneur trend is by far outstripping the national average for all start-ups. According to 2013 figures from the Office of National Statistics, a whopping 80% of the new self-employed were women!
As many women entrepreneurs will already tell you, there are unique obstacles that females face when setting up as business owners, such as financing, marketing, work-life balance and just getting the initial ball rolling. Starting your own business is without doubt exciting, but it can also seem a little overwhelming when you start to look into the legal side. However, getting the right and proper advice from the start can prevent problems before they arise, helping you to save money and protect your business from the beginning.
The facts in regards to women in business in the current climate are there to be seen, but what do prospective female business owners need to know? Below are five tips of what to consider when going it on your own as a female in the business world.
Company Structure
As you start-up and eventually (hopefully) expand, the structure of your business is integral to success. A good commercial solicitor can explain all your options and tailor advice to your distinctive circumstances. The most common options are to set up as either: a sole trader, a partnership, a limited company or limited liability partnership.
If you are going into business with other people, a wise decision would be to have a shareholders’ agreement (for a limited company) or a partnership agreement drafted. This ensures that your financial or non-financial investment is made crystal clear and that the co-partner(s)/co-shareholder(s) know exactly how the relationship is going to be governed from the word go; this makes things so much easier for all parties going forward.
For each of the different company structures, the tax and legal requirements vary, so it is best to get the advice that’s going to help your own personal circumstances and future plans.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property (IP) is all about protecting your ideas and the ‘property’ you rightfully own. Things such as your designs, artistic works, symbols, images and names can be protected from competitors and other businesses in general who may want to nab your clever ideas. If you own your designs and logos it not only stops other people using them, but also means you can sell them at a later date or make money by allowing people to use them with your permission.
A top tip is to make sure your contracts state that you and you alone own the IP for anything that any other agency or designer creates on your behalf.
Terms of Business
Arranging your Terms of Business, sometimes known as T&Cs, is vital to get right from the beginning of your venture. With the introduction of the new Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015), sorting out your Terms of Business is especially important now if you trade to the consumer market.
Why? Trading to consumers can be a complex legal setting anyway, but the CRA 2015 has been slimmed down and reorganised which has made it easier for consumers not only to know their rights but to contest bad business practice too. As a business owner therefore, you need to be fully aware of all your obligations.
Even if you are a B2B trading firm your terms of business are a vital part of your business. Doing this correctly will limit potential exposure to regulations and protect your company’s position.
Business Premises
Where will your business be operating from? If you are starting off as a home-run business you may want to think about the possible restrictions. Once it comes to choosing a premises there are a number of key questions that need to be answered to help your start-up on the way to success. Questions surrounding the terms of the lease such as: what are the service charges? Can they increase? Can the rent be increased, if so by how much and when? Will you need to obtain planning permission?
Networking & Communication
This final point is absolutely key for the success of any SME. Building relationships with useful outside contacts can lead to all sorts of paths, but you have to be active. Speaking to other businesses, owners, people, potential customers and attending networking groups will greatly help to expand your reach and potentially bring the work in either immediately or further down the line. It’s also much better to forge relationships with people who can help you before you actually need them! Get to know a good and trustworthy professionals, such as an accountant, financial advisor and a solicitor.
Communication also needs to utilised internally; this is imperative. It’s amazing how often business owners neglect to speak to their partner or other shareholders.
Starting up your own enterprise is extremely demanding and will take up most of your time. With the correct help and advice along the way, however, it can be made easier, more efficient and in the end more cost-effective. A little planned expenditure at the beginning of your start-up to help get your legal affairs in order can be a drop in the ocean compared to the costs of sorting a mess out.
You can speak to Gemma at Gorvins Solicitors by calling 0343 507 5151 or emailing [email protected].
