A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2025-03-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-22 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-05 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-30 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00 UTC and 1 more date
New and established businesses will require a business plan for getting a loan, grant or just to consider the direction they wish to go in. This webinar will teach you what you need to include and how. We will walk you through what should be included within a business plan, how a business plan is used to improve your prospects for a loan or a grant, and how you can develop a business plan to meet your needs.
We will:

Provide a structure for a business plan
Review each section of what should be included within the business plan
Explain when and how to use a business plan
Explore the connections (and importance) between the words and the numbers
Look at how to identify and manage cashflow within the business planning process

How to start a business: The basics
2025-03-22 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-08 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-08 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-07 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-18 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-08 14:00 - 16:00 and 5 more dates
Whatever your reasons may be for considering being your own boss, we are here to support you and help you decide if this is the right path for you.
We will cover:

Personal finance
Planning – how much do you need to earn?
Researching your market – who your customers are, understanding your competition and what the trends are within your chosen field
Business structure – what are the core business structures? How to decide which is right for you and how to register as a business
Creating your start-up action plan – an outline
Marketing
Pricing
Naming the business
Basic bookkeeping
Forecasting
Financing, banking, insurance, and VAT
Tax

Business Support – Drop In Sessions (Kirriemuir Library)
2025-03-24 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Kirriemuir Library, 28 Reform Street, Kirriemuir, DD8 4BS
The Business Gateway team will be at Kirriemuir Library to offer expert advice and support for all your business questions.
Drop in and speak to us, or use the book now button and a member of the team will be in touch to book an appointment.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow business, our advisers are here for you every step of the way.

Business Support – Drop In Sessions (Brechin Library)
2025-04-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Brechin Library, 10 St. Ninians Square, Brechin, DD9 7AD
The Business Gateway team will be at Brechin Library to offer expert advice and support for all your business questions.
Drop in and speak to us, or use the book now button and a member of the team will be in touch to book an appointment.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow business, our advisers are here for you every step of the way.

Young person’s guide to starting a business
2025-05-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-17 13:00 - 15:00
This webinar will provide you with information, direction and support on a range of topics, including:

Planning (before you start, & once you are up and running)

The personal benefits of working for yourself

How to make sure your idea is viable and sustainable

How to research your market and market your business

How to identify who your customers are

Staffing

Funding

How to register and set up – sole trader or a limited company

Bookkeeping essentials
2025-05-09 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-06 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar is for those who are entering business for the first time or require an understanding of what is involved in financially managing a business, including basic bookkeeping, and creating a profit and loss account. You will also get an understanding of what expenses the business can claim and then how to fund your business. At the end of the session, you will receive a workbook on excel to help you manage and monitor costs and sales.
At the end of this session, you will be able to:

Implement basic bookkeeping skills across your business
Create a profit and loss account
Understand what expenses can and cannot be claimed
Use financial management to increase revenues and profits
Understand capital and revenue costs and how they are treated
