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Since launching in 2005, the Enterprise Nation team has helped thousands of people start and grow their businesses. Led by founder Emma Jones MBE, Enterprise Nation continues to be the most active UK small business community and a leading campaigning voice for small business. Joining Enterprise Nation connects you with resources, community and connections you need to reach your business goals.

How do you put your business on the right footing for growth from the very beginning, to give yourself the best chance of becoming that next great creative entrepreneur? In this extract from his new book 

, Michael Jacobsen looks at how your small business can get off to a flying start.

A common question for small businesses is how to start off on the right footing for growth from the very beginning, in order to get the best chance of becoming that next great creative entrepreneur, writes _Michael (left)._Â How do you become the next Simon Cowell, Sir Paul Smith or Sir Terence Conran of your particular niche?There are three key prerequisites to growing your start up creative business from day one that don't involve balance sheets, business plans or complex modelling systems:

I repeatedly find the same things lacking in companies that are struggling to grow; it is a psychological impediment related to a lack of courage. From our early lives, there is a lot of negativity surrounding feelings of uncertainty or being mistaken about something. We then lack the courage to attempt new or unusual ventures. This leads to a collective, subconscious lack of courage in society, resulting in an anxiety that prevents individuals from starting businesses, or holding back their growth if they do. You need to have a belief in your 

. If you don't even have a vision yet, you don't have anything to believe in. So you need one.

"You need to have a belief in yourÂ vision

. If you don't even have a vision yet, you don't have anything to believe in. So you need one."

We all know people who are going to start a business 

 marketing their crafts or putting their videographer skills into commercial practice at weddings and functions, but they never do. They are talkers, but they lack courage. They also lack clarity. I happen to believe that never starting is more of a failure than starting and falling short. Did Simon Cowell lack the courage to rebuild a business when he was broke 15 years ago and had to move back in with his parents? No. He had the courage to start again and build the empire he presides over today. So write down your 

 - own it, and espouse it everywhere you go. This 

 brings you clarity and manifests your dream day by day, giving you courage that this is not just a dream but a real business concept and a potentially commercial reality.

I often read questions such as "What is the magic formula for knowing if my product or creative business concept will be a success?" This can be addressed by asking "What is the need?" and "Do you have the desire and the heart to serve that need?" If there is no immediate or visible need for your product, that doesn't necessarily preclude it. Ten years ago who knew we needed iPhones and iPads? No one except Steve Jobs who, as we know, saw the need and made people realise they had that need. He educated through clever marketing that tapped into basic desires.

If you answer yes to both, you have a solid business foundation.

Most successful creative sector entrepreneurs have someone to engage with, someone who they bounce ideas off and from whom they can obtain an objective opinion. It's what all successful people in the world do, across all fields, not only the creative sector. Who has ever heard of an athlete winning a race without a coach or training, or an actor in Hollywood or on the West End stage without a director and a team beside him or her, and who doesn't do rehearsals? Success doesn't come in those fields without mentoring, coaching and support, and it won't come without them in business either. You need a mentor who can provide you with clear, objective counsel and train your business skills and personal mindset.

"Success doesn't come without mentoring, coaching and support...You need a mentor who can provide you with clear, objective counsel and train your business skills and personal mindset."

Businesses are spoilt for choice in the UK as there are so many places to turn for help. Whatever your budget, even if it is non-existent, there is help in the form of mentors and coaches, and even objective family and friends. Obtaining advice and filling the gaps in your own knowledge strengthens your mindset and business skill base. Strengthening your mindset and business skill base trains you for success. 

Get the creative business guide from Â£12.99

 is a straight-talking business guide packed with advice and essential tips to give you everything you need to start and grow your creative business. It's available as an ebook for Â£12.99 and a paperback for Â£16.99 from the 

.Â Click on the link below to find out more and to order your copy.

[product id="76991"] Â  Â  Â  Â  Â  Â  Â  Â  Â

Brighter, sharper, smarter: How to launch your creative start-up with confidence

<p>I'm a <a href='http://www.danmartinuk.com'>freelance content creator and event host</a> who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I have 18 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from billionaires like Sir Richard Branson to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community and have strong connections to major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 50 events; from intimate meet-ups to conferences with an audience of hundreds including events for international brands like Facebook and Xero. I'm also a big fan of podcasts having hosted Enterprise Nation's Small Business Sessions as well as lots of online events including Facebook Live interviews, webinars and three live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.</p>

<p>I'm here to help. I'm volunteering free advice calls of up to an hour as part of the Recovery Advice for Business scheme, over the next 6 months. Please get in touch to see how I can help your business.&nbsp;</p>

Freelance content creator & event host

Small businesses encouraged to 'lead the charge to net zero'

Government urges small companies to do their bit in the race to net zero.

&lt;p&gt;I am a &lt;b&gt;C&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;hartered Accountant&lt;/b&gt;, having earned a respected reputation in the field of accounting, with more than &lt;b&gt;15 years of experience&lt;/b&gt; in working with small and medium-sized enterprises.&lt;br /&gt;
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Having worked with business owners ranging from one-man start-ups to large companies requiring a different level of services, I have developed a passion for the profession and I am driven by the success of my clients.&lt;br /&gt;
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I have spent many years in business working at boardroom level, holding various positions before being motivated to start my own practice, Makesworth Accountants, where I have blended my technical skills in accounting and tax with my business skills derived from my time in the industry.&lt;br /&gt;
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I have embraced the changing times and technologies and strongly agree that accountants are moving from being number crunchers to being reliable and trusted advisors. Throughout this process, Makesworth has been able to secure various affiliations and awards.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;My objective is to add value to my clients’ businesses through the application of my extensive experience and knowledge in accounting, tax, HMRC investigations, business start-ups, and much more.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You can expect us to provide expert solutions for your business needs no matter what business model you have. You will receive a cost-effective service and a free initial consultation.&lt;/p&gt;

Chartered Accountant

Accountancy, Taxation and Business Advisory

Accountancy, Taxation and Business Advisory Services in the UK

Creative Director

Creating Your Brand Identity

&lt;p&gt;What will you get?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You will have a magnificent, stand out&amp;nbsp;brand identity and brand handbook to keep it that way.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;What you cover&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;What is a brand identity?&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;How to tell your story.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;What are the most important elements of branding?&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;How to create your brand identity.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Why you need a brand handbook, and how to use it as your b

Marketing and Communications Manager

Daneile Moore

&lt;p&gt;AD:VENTURE provides fully funded support to start&amp;nbsp;ups across the Leeds City Region.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We can help businesses:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Pre Start or Trading less than 3 Years&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Who have ambitions to grow&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Who trade primariliy business to business, or looking to increase current B2B offering&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Based in Leeds City Region area&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We offer:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
	&lt;