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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.

John Sollars of StinkyInk

 is John Sollars' third business - so he has plenty of experience in getting an enterprise up and running. We asked him for his thoughts on what your priorities should be when setting up a new venture.

 My top five tips for getting your priorities right at the point of starting a business are boring, but essential, 

 These guys are in business to make money, so visit a few. Get a feel for the relationship that you might have with the person before deciding which one to use. Make sure that they will be in a position to check over your accounts quarterly at the very least and please listen to their advice! 

 In every local paper and post office there are people advertising to do your books. Get one in for an afternoon a week just to make sure that your accounts are up to date. Then you're not panicking the day before the accountant visits because you haven't sorted out your paperwork. 

3. Don't spend on what you don't really need

 Â  You can always justify having the latest PC (because of the speed) or leasing a new car (to make a good impression). But any unused cash you have could be better spent on business essentials, such as stock and raw materials, on covering your bills or simply as a reserve to draw on when you really need it. 

 There are different ways to fund your business and grants are still available -Â check 

. Before borrowing any money, discuss it with your accountant, and listen to his (or her) advice! 

 Â  Don't get distracted by 'get rich quick' schemes. Focus on your core competencies and learn as much as you can as you go along. So, best of luck in your endeavour (unless you're selling ink!), get your basics under control and manage the boring bits of your business and lets all look forward to the 10th birthday of your business - I expect an invitation!Â  

Editor's comment: John will be a regular contributor to the Enterprise Nation blog and continue sharing his common sense and wisdom with you in the coming months.

Read all of John's articles about starting a business

Managing early growth: critical decisions

Five tips for getting it right from the start

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Watch back: Insight into creating highly effective landing pages for your business

Lucy is a jargon free, social media trainer and consultant. Lucy is a #SheMeansBusiness accredited trainer and founder of SocialDayUK the UK’s biggest social media marketing festival. Lucy is also a Director at Avviso Media, a digital marketing agency that specialises in content and social media marketing for B2B and events brands. Lucy’s passion is to up-skill women and so set up DigitalWomen with Natwest, a community created to empower 1 Million plus women through digital skills which holds regular events and highlights the great work women are doing in digital and entrepreneurship.

Director

Social media marketing for small Business

A group to learn and share social media advice and tactics

&lt;p&gt;I’m an accountant who puts a smile on the face of small business owners with expert, jargon-free advice they can rely on. I save business owners money, help them maximise profit and cash, and put them in control of their finances.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So why choose me as your Accountant?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
• Expertise - I've been doing this for over a decade. I've worked at both the 5th and 6th largest accounting firms, been Partner at another firm and now set up my own firm Raw Accounting...so I've probably seen another business in your situation before.&lt;br /&gt;
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But most importantly....&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
• Passion - I will leave no stone unturned in making sure your business is a success.&lt;br /&gt;
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So what do you get when you choose me as your Accountant?&lt;br /&gt;
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• Peace of mind - I'll give you a finance function you can rely on, so you can rest easy.&lt;br /&gt;
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Interested?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;?? Connect: connect with me here and request a free discovery call&lt;br /&gt;
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Founder, Head Accountant

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&lt;ul&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Take b

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&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Steven Case

&lt;p&gt;Accounting is our superpower. We are your new secret weapon in the battle to evolve your business. With our team of experts at your fingertips, all your accounting worries, from receipts to compliance and advisory, are a thing of the past. The team at Finance Box are able to take on whatever it is that you need. We can take on the simple bill processing through to all the compliance and further still to advisory services. Each service can be switched on or off as you need. Our pricing i