More people are choosing to start businesses on their own, with new research suggesting a growing number of freelancers, side hustles and micro-businesses are operating below the radar of official business statistics. Research by Stripe Economics points to a rise in what it describes as the UK’s hidden economy of “solopreneurs” – people building businesses independently, often alongside existing employment before making the move into full-time self-employment.
The trend is being reflected locally, according to Poole-based business advisory firm Evolve, which is relaunching its Ignite start-up programme this autumn to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn business ideas into viable ventures.
David Mutton, business adviser at Evolve, said many people were looking to create additional income streams or pursue long-held ambitions of working for themselves: “The challenge for many people isn’t coming up with a business idea – it’s knowing how to turn that idea into something sustainable,” he said.
The one-day workshop covers topics including business planning, marketing, finance and legal essentials, alongside opportunities for participants to meet others at a similar stage of starting a business.
While many of these small businesses may never employ large workforces, together they represent a growing part of the local economy and reflect changing attitudes towards self-employment and flexible working.
The next Ignite programme takes place in Poole on 18 September evolveadvisory.co.uk
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