Nine tips for business success in 2023

Over 700 thousand new businesses were registered between 2021 and 2022 and as specialists in advising ambitious businesses at each stage of their development, Harper James will be supporting many of these new enterprises as they embark on their exciting growth journey. 

It's our business to give start-ups the legal advice they need for the very best chance of achieving their goals. We asked our expert solicitors for their top tip from their legal practice area for new businesses starting out. 

From carefully figuring out the right moment to file a patent, to securing your data and not being put off by making the occasional mistake, our nine legal tips for start-up success will set you on the right track. 

1. Structure your business as you mean to go on

One of the first things you should consider is your business’s ‘medium’. Are you going to operate as a sole trader, in partnership with someone else or through a limited company?

Adam Kudryl, Head of Corporate and Partner

Adam Kudryl, head of corporate, is a highly experienced corporate and finance lawyer. Adam says not considering the ‘type’ of business you plan to start up or the ownership structure could hinder your project.

‘If you have aspirations of growth, then you should opt for a limited company. A limited company is also a great way to limit your personal liability. You should also define your ownership structure - if there are several ‘owners’ of the business, you should get everyone’s shareholding in place and set out the ‘rules’ between you about how the company will be structured and operated.’ says Adam. ‘The ownership structure and founder shareholders agreement doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be something agreed and written down. Set yourself up for success and don’t become a statistic.’

2. Don’t be complacent when it comes to employee contracts

While it may seem like a chore if you’re only a small team, you should ensure that employment contracts are ready and can be signed either before or on the day a new member of staff starts working.

Ella Bond, Employment Law Solicitor

Ella Bond, our employment law solicitor, supports ambitious businesses of all sizes with their employment law matters. Getting employment contracts in place from the get-go is her top tip for companies starting out. 

'Since 6 April 2020, some key information for terms and conditions of employment must be provided to employees and workers from their first day. Well-drafted contracts ensure this obligation is met. It will also help protect the company from the outset in the event of issues arising and means that any post-termination obligations, such as covenants, would be in place from the start. Remember, anyone working for the business should have a contract, including directors!'

3. Make sure any new enterprise is run on your terms

Any entrepreneur wants the initial stages of their business to run as smoothly as possible, but you still need robust legal protection in place, however simple it may be.

Ed Kilner, Commercial and Technology Associate

Ed Kilner, our commercial and technology associate, recommends that any businesses starting out have an initial set of terms in place for their initial clients or customers. 

'One of the best pieces of advice I can offer to anyone starting out is simply having a set of terms in place from the outset. They don’t have to be long and scary, but the key thing is to have a limitation of liability clause in place. Some clients come to us here at Harper James and say they have not had any written contract in place with their customers in the early days.

Some businesses believe this is a positive, as they don’t have to go through negotiations. In actuality, all this means is that if a claim is made against them their liability could be unlimited. But if they have even a simple set of terms in place with a limitation of liability clause in there, then they immediately limit their exposure as a young business.'

4. Consider your business’s property needs

If your business needs office space or manufacturing space, you’ll want to consider what best suits your requirements, and how much flexibility you need.  If your business requires a very bespoke fit out, you may need to invest heavily in property up front.  If you just need some desk space on a very flexible basis, there are short term options available.  Either way, you should consider how best to secure the space you need.

Paul Davies, Head of Commercial Property

Paul Davies, our head of commercial property, is an expert in landlord and tenant law and has a wealth of experience helping businesses with a wide range of commercial property work. Paul’s advice is to give careful consideration to all aspects of your business’s property needs, including commercial lease agreements, planning permissions, repair liabilities and more.

‘Property occupation can range from very flexible ad hoc shared office space to longer term formal leases with more security but also more liability. Leases offer an exclusive occupation (i.e., not shared with any other businesses) that will provide your start up with a secure space, and can be for as little as 6 months, but careful consideration is required when agreeing to lease terms so that you don’t inadvertently commit to unexpected liabilities; for example, repair liabilities or service charge costs. You will also need to consider whether the property you are taking on has the correct planning permission for your proposed use, and that you have all the necessary rights and consents you need to operate from the property. 

Once you have an idea of your property requirements and have located a suitable space, your solicitor can assist you with reviewing heads of terms with the landlord or seller so that you get the best outcome tailored to your business’s specific needs.’

5. Think about the right moment to patent your idea

Everyone wants to protect their ideas - but knowing when and how to apply for a patent is key when launching a business with a unique product or service.

Lindsay Gledhill, Intellectual Property Partner

Patenting your idea can be complicated, often involving a lengthy process and high costs. Lindsay Gledhill, head of our intellectual property team, who's guided hundreds of start-ups through the process of patenting their ideas, shares her advice. 

'Think really carefully about whether you should apply for a patent. It is a very hard decision. We see some inventors who regret not applying early, but we see just as many businesses struggling due to the downstream patenting costs. If you are inventing a new product or process, ask yourself whether elements of it can be kept secret while in use by the customer. If so, you may be able to get the protection you need without incurring the cost and risk of filing patent applications. But you’ll need to make careful records of the secret information in case there is ever a dispute about it.'

6. Secure your data from day one

The handling of data is a key part of any business activity. GDPR rules can be confusing at times, however the security of data, both client and internal, needs to be paramount for businesses.

David Sant, Commercial Technology and Data Protection Solicitor

David Sant, a commercial technology and data protection solicitor, works with technology start-ups on GDPR compliance and digital collaborations. He recommends start-ups take note of GDPR from the outset. 

'It might seem a headache when you are just starting out – but being mindful from day one that all businesses must comply with data protection is vital. There is often a misconception that small businesses don’t have a duty to register with the Information Commissioner's Office, or that they don’t have to worry as much about keeping personal data secure, but this isn’t the case. If your business uses or processes personal data of customers, suppliers or staff, it is wise to understand the effect of data protection laws on your business from the outset.

Remember, even if you are a small business, you will still have the same legal obligations as a large business to process personal data lawfully and transparently; to keep it secure and to comply with other data protection principles.'

Another of our data protection and privacy solicitors, Clive Mackintosh added: 'Compliance with GDPR is often an unfortunate oversight in start-ups, with many entrepreneurs failing to recognise the value of data in business. Sometimes, businesses need to be educated on what they need to do in order to comply with GDPR rules, how they can do this and the best way to deal with large amount of customer or client data.

If data security is breached, businesses could face consequences including ICO fines, a loss of credibility or even civil suits from affected customers. Taking the time to receive legal advice prior to beginning operating will save businesses from having to deal with any of these outcomes.'

7. Don’t feel just because you are a new business you have no bargaining power

Often, start-up owners feel that because they are a fledgling business, they do not have a strong enough position in the market to leverage bargaining power, which can lead to unfair agreements.

Sarah Gunton, Commercial Law Partner

Sarah Gunton, our experienced commercial law partner, always looks out for the interests of start-ups when advising on commercial agreements. Sarah advises caution when it comes to taking on risk as a new business. 

'As a small business, you may feel like you have less bargaining power than the person across the table, whether they are a supplier or a customer, and as such you may agree to terms which apportion a higher amount of risk to your business – often when the other party may be better-positioned to do so. This is a common mistake among start-ups looking to make a name for themselves, and when it is not commercially appropriate to accept a certain risk, it may be possible to argue that, if the other side wants the relationship to survive (or, indeed, thrive), they should take some of the risk.'

8. Consider using employee share schemes to improve your tax efficiency and attract talent

Share schemes can help businesses in several ways, including to attract and retain talent, as well as reducing tax liabilities for both the employee and company.

Ian Fraser, Employee Incentives Solicitor

Ian Fraser, our employee incentives solicitor, is the go-to solicitor for everything employee share-related. Ian explains the benefits of introducing employee share schemes.

Employee share schemes are common in the world of start-ups, including Employment Management Incentive (EMI) schemes and, if businesses do not qualify for an EMI scheme, a growth share or other share ownership arrangement may be used. 

Ian Fraser, says: 'Employee share schemes, whether they are EMI schemes or other arrangements, can benefit a new business in a variety of ways; they can help start-ups to attract and retain talent they may not have been able to otherwise, and by maximising the tax reliefs that are available businesses can improve their bottom line and shareholder returns massively.'

9. Be ambitious and don’t be frightened of making a mistake

Starting out in business can be daunting and there will be times where things don’t run smoothly. But how you react when things go wrong can be critical to where your business ends up going.

Toby Harper, CEO and Founder Harper James Solicitors

Toby Harper, founder and CEO of Harper James Solicitors, knows the challenges entrepreneurs face, as a founder himself. He says being ready for these moments is vital when starting out: 'Be ambitious and don’t be afraid to go for it. The pandemic may throw up hurdles, but it also presents opportunities for entrepreneurs, particularly in the tech sector, to create new products and services. Have a clear plan and strategy in place and can get as much advice and support you can in the early days. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes - often it’s those moments, and how you react, which teach you the most when you are starting out.'