Setting up your own business is exciting, but those first stages can be scary too. It’s a big ocean out there with plenty of predators and others competing for the same waters as you. Initially, you’re going to be a small fish at the bottom of the food chain. That’s why being part of something much bigger, surrounded by friends, makes sense.

With business start-up advice, expert support and up-to-date resources from CBASS, you’ll have a whole team of small business specialists advising and helping you at every stage. Think of us as a support network where we can all swim together, “a place to find your shoal”.

• If you’ve a great idea but need to write a convincing business plan, CBASS has advice on business structures. Then we’re happy to challenge your assumptions and give your plan the once over.
• From day one, it’s important you adopt the best legal structure for your start up business. We have straightforward online information about your options as well as legal, financial and tax specialists familiar with limited companies, public limited companies (plc.), sole traders, social enterprises and everything in between. So, there’s plenty of expertise on call.
• If you need an initial investment to make your business idea happen, there are options and links on our start-up finance page. At CBASS, we’re connected into organisations such as banks, funding bodies and alternative lenders who can help you with the money you need.
• If you want to get to know potential customers and find suppliers, our CBASS networks and events will give your new business exposure and build your confidence. We’ll also put you in touch and provide the context for productive networking.

A one stop shop is a bit of a cliché. We like to see ourselves as the “Just Eat” of business advice, bringing. together all the different options, specialisms and possibilities under one CBASS banner. You can then get exactly the support you need to run your small business from one reliable source.

At CBASS, we’re about relevant resources and clear, current information that you can rely on. We focus on business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage of business development, from start-up to growth steps.

We aim to provide answers to your questions and solutions to your problems so you can focus on getting your new start-up off the ground and running your business. That advice might be through our own CBASS network of business experts and specialist consultants. Or it might be as simple as signposting you to established sources of money, whether start-up grants or small business loans.

Our business advice in Cumbria covers everything from business planning, bank accounts and legal and tax structure decisions to advice on accounting software, national insurance and employment contracts. CBASS is there at every stage of your start-up journey.

If you’d like to find out more, please browse these pages and learn from our experts. If you still have questions, give us a call or drop us a line and we’ll do everything that we can to help: