Starting a company during Covid-19

JulesVerve

Hi All 
Wondering if anyone has recently launched a new business during Covid-19 and where you've drawn support, info and guidance from? I've naturally looked at HMRC/Gov websites and companies house but looking for opinions based on actual experience as well. 
I've been freelance for some time but now have a few new clients looking to work with established companies rather than sole traders.
Thanks in advance!  

marina_v

JulesVerve said:

Hi All 
Wondering if anyone has recently launched a new business during Covid-19 and where you've drawn support, info and guidance from? I've naturally looked at HMRC/Gov websites and companies house but looking for opinions based on actual experience as well. 
I've been freelance for some time but now have a few new clients looking to work with established companies rather than sole traders.
Thanks in advance!  

This a a significant difference between creating a new company and launching a new business.

The places you have been looking will typically inform you on how to create a new company.

On the other hand, you appear to have been in business, albeit as a sole trader, for some time, so I'm not sure what advice you need in that regards.

I am sorry to hear that your new potential clients are wishing to only buy from established companies.
Have you considered contacting those established companies that are currently competing against you with a view to joining them, especially if you can offer to bring those new clients with you to them?

Grumpy_chap

What industry sector is the OP in and what type of work does the OP do on what basis?

JulesVerve

Grumpy_chap said:

What industry sector is the OP in and what type of work does the OP do on what basis?

Events, marketing and PR 

Grumpy_chap

I think the desire for companies to only deal with companies is quite common.  Setting up a Ltd Co is very easy to do and has further advantages (but also disadvantages) compared to being a sole trader.  If you have Clients willing to award contracts to your Ltd Co but not to you as sole trader, that is then a strong deciding factor how to proceed.  An Accountant is  probably best placed to give you advice on your business structure.

marina_v

Grumpy_chap said:

I think the desire for companies to only deal with companies is quite common.  Setting up a Ltd Co is very easy to do and has further advantages (but also disadvantages) compared to being a sole trader.  If you have Clients willing to award contracts to your Ltd Co but not to you as sole trader, that is then a strong deciding factor how to proceed.  An Accountant is  probably best placed to give you advice on your business structure.

The OP posted...

JulesVerve said:

....
I've been freelance for some time but now have a few new clients looking to work with established companies rather than sole traders.
Thanks in advance!  

(My highlighting)

So that is why I didn't suggest to the OP to start a new limited company.