Forming the Business

Abstract

The decision to start your own business can be an immensely difficult one to make, and, once made, planning and structuring your business can cause an awful lot of headaches. However, the actual mechanics of forming the business can be surprisingly simple. In this chapter we tell you the legal and other requirements of the different forms of business, their advantages and disadvantages. We also give some advice on business names; points to watch when buying an existing business. We list the types of businesses which need licences and registration, tell you which professional advisers can help, and show you the ways you can protect a business idea.