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Contact us: 01604 420 420

FAQs: List block

  • Who Is Service 1 For?

    Service 1 is for a small new-start business with a straightforward business model. 

    This service is ideal for those looking to meet the requirements for a Start-Up Loan, which are personal loans designed to help new businesses begin trading. You can borrow between £500 and £25,000, payable over one to five years, at a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum. They differ from small-business bank loans in that they are personal loans for business purposes. They are also unsecured, which means you don’t have to use your house or any other asset as security to receive the money.
  • How Much Funding Can I Secure With Service 1?

    Service 1 is designed to provide funding up to a value of £25k - making it ideal for landlords considering you for a lease on small commercial premises as well as satisfying the requirements of bank loans and start-up loans.
  • Are you familiar with the requirements for plans for T1 entrepreneur visa applications?

    Intimately. We work closely with highly respected immigration lawyers and have helped many clients in this area.
  • Do I need three or five year financial projections?

    This will depend on how far forward you want to look in your business, but as a general guide for outside requirements the following general rules apply. For landlord approval or funding of less than £50k, three year projections are usually sufficient. In most other cases you will need five year projections.
  • Can you Help me with raising finance?

    Yes, we have services designed to do this but initially we must focus on getting the best plan possible. When it's complete we can discuss how we can best work with you to help you find funding.
  • Should I write my own business plan?

    People say it's your business and your vision and you should write your own plan, but you really shouldn't take it literally. You don’t imagine the top CEO of a large multi-national actually writes his own plan. No, he briefs his expert staff, they do the work, they put it together and the CEO approves or amends. It's the same for you. You should take advantage of available experience and talent whilst allowing you to make best use of your time.
  • Will I be able to meet with my consultant?

    Yes - Physically face to face in a location convenient to you. When utilising our Simple business planning service this will be by Zoom video meeting
  • Can you provide me with a sample plan?

    We provide all our clients with full confidentiality, and would never share even a censored plan with a third party without our client's prior permission. There's no “one size fits all” template for a successful business plan, however if you would like an idea of the general topics covered, you can view an example of our work here.
  • What information will I need to provide?

    As much as you've got, but at a minimum we need the business concept, your idea about the business model and information about key staff. We can do the rest.
  • What are the payment terms?

    We require 50% of the payment once you’ve received our Terms of Engagement. If we’re meeting with you face to face, we’re happy for you to pay at the beginning of the first meeting. The final instalment will be due on receipt of the completed proof of plan.
  • Will you provide me with full confidentiality?

    Absolutely. Once you’ve decided to go ahead with one of our services the first thing we’ll do is produce a Terms of Engagement document, this document will give you full confidentiality.
  • How much will it cost?

    We recognise the need to control costs, so we offer our planning services on a number of fixed price packages. Our consultants are happy to discuss your proposition and advise on the most suitable package for your requirements, so you’ll know upfront what is included and how much it will cost.
  • How long does it take?

    Once you’ve decided to use our services, we’ll set about arranging the most appropriate way for you to brief us on your business, whether that be by email, phone, skype or a face to face meeting at a location convenient for you. Once we have all of the information required we ask for 2 weeks to deliver your bespoke business plan.
  • Do I need a professional business plan?

    Businesses looking to secure funding from investors, lenders or venture capitalist firms are likely to benefit from hiring a professional business plan writer who has expertise and experience in successfully gaining funding. They know what a business plan should and shouldn’t include, which means the final product will be exactly what your lender or investor wants to see.

    If your plan is for strategic purposes only, having a professional business plan writer on your team can be advantageous, they are not directly involved with your business, allowing them to be completely objective, sticking to the facts.

    The cost of hiring a professional business plan writer can often be offset when you consider the many hours you might spend researching all of the elements your plan should contain.