You don’t have savings to put in. You don’t want a loan. And the internet keeps saying you need a website, a logo, a course and a funnel before you can begin.
You don’t. Most service businesses start with a conversation.
The lean start
- Name the problem you solve, in one sentence a stranger would understand.
- Find three people who have it. Ask them about it, don’t pitch.
- Offer one thing, at a clear price, to one of them.
- Deliver it well. Ask what they’d change.
That’s a business. Everything else is an improvement.
What it really costs to start
- registration (registering for Self Assessment as a sole trader is free)
- a way to take payment
- a simple way for people to contact you
- your time, which is the expensive part
Free tools, until they cost you time
Free tools are fine at the start. When you notice you’re losing an hour a week fighting one, that’s the moment to pay for something better.
If you do need some money
- Start Up Loans are government-backed and come with mentoring. They’re loans, so they have to be repaid. As of October 2026, they run from £500 to £25,000 at a fixed 7.5% a year.
- Local support: many councils and growth hubs offer free workshops or small grants. GOV.UK’s business support pages show where to find yours.
Borrow only for something that clearly brings money back in.
The real risk
The biggest risk isn’t a lack of money. It’s spending months building things nobody asked for. Talk to customers first.
If you’d like to leave with a plan for your first 90 days, a Freedom By Design Strategy Session (£397) is two focused hours with Carlene.
Who are the three people you could talk to this week?
Thank you for taking the time to read. Stay tuned for more!
