Your Warwickshire Review guide to creating a thriving local business
This is your year! Whether you are growing your business, launching a new one or just getting started with a side hustle, make sure 2026 starts with a bang and a business plan that works!
Whatever you are doing…it takes a village! So we’ve put together a list of 10 questions you may be Googling late into the night (and we have even suggested some amazing local experts who will give you answers and a dash of excitement!)
What legal advice do I need to start a new business?
If you are brand new to the world of business, the legal ins and outs might look a bit daunting… Unfortunately, it takes more than an afternoon on Canva to build a company that thrives.
Are you asking yourself:
- Do I need insurance or legal protection?
- Do I need to comply with any regulations?
- What contracts should I have in place?
If your answer is yes, it’s time to find yourself a professional who will advise and guide you through all the planning and research you need to tackle before you can get stuck into perusing brand colours.
The team at Willsons Solicitors are qualified legal experts, ready to support you as you start making those important decisions that lay the foundations of your business. They will help you gain peace of mind with every legal enquiry you may have. From company formation and intellectual property to personal guidance on wills or probate… And pretty much everything in between, they’ve got you covered!
How do I get more people to notice my business?
Once you have perfected your offer, whether it’s the most beautiful jewellery the world has ever seen or a service that will change the lives of millions (possibly even resulting in world peace), one of the hardest parts of growing a business can be getting the word out.
But that’s only if you don’t have someone like Rowena at Wilding Marketing in your corner!
Having an expert on hand to teach you how to get noticed is exactly what you need if you have dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur. Rowena offers a huge variety of services, from instant downloads and guided challenges to group strategy planning and 1:1 support, meaning you can get expert support no matter what your budget looks like.
So, if you’ve been asking:
- Why isn’t my marketing working?
- What is the best way to attract my ideal client?
- Where do I even start with promoting my business?
…it’s time to find yourself a marketing expert who will work with you to make your dreams a reality.
How do I streamline my business without paying for expensive software?
Figuring out which tools you need can be a minefield. There are downloads and subscriptions for every conceivable facet of organising and tracking your progress. If you aren’t careful, you could find yourself trying to manage the amount of software you are using instead of running your business – all while racking up some unnecessarily large bills.
And while a lot of these tools can be invaluable, there can be another way to beat the overwhelm and stay on top of your game. Whether you are using Excel or Google Sheets, a well-planned spreadsheet can help you find the answer to these questions:
- Is there a quicker way to track everything I am managing?
- How should I track my expenses?
- How do I get a simple CRM without paying a subscription?
…and so many more! Phaedra at Batty Spreadsheets has a spreadsheet for anything and everything you could ever dream of organising.
How do I make my business look more professional?
Let’s be honest, the logo is the thing most people want to start with when they launch their business. It seems to feel like the cornerstone of having your very own brand! But finding the right place to start can be overwhelming. Whether you’ve considered DIY, Fiverr or asking your great aunt Mavis’ best friend’s grandson to slap something together, there will always be a part of you that knows your business deserves more.
A business that plans to flourish needs the expert touch of a real artist!
- Should I just create a quick logo on Canva?
- How do I make my graphics stand out?
- How can I make sure my social media and website graphics all match?
The answer to all these questions is a graphic designer who isn’t just great at their job. They genuinely care about your business and seeing it succeed!
If you are looking for an artist who goes the extra mile, Michelle Abrahall will not only create gorgeous, eye-catching designs for you… She can also make your building stand out with a one-of-a-kind branded mural that stops people in their tracks.
How do I stay consistent on social media without spending hours creating content?
Love it or hate it, social media is a must-have for any business hoping to grow these days. And it isn’t just about lurking in the shadows. It’s about showing up, speaking out and making sure you are making a connection with your audience.
Knowing what to do, where to start and what to say can be overwhelming. Especially if you don’t want to spend every spare moment trapped in endless scrolling instead of doing something that actually makes a difference!
Joy Friday offers virtual support for any overwhelmed entrepreneur whose search history looks a little like this:
- Can someone schedule social media posts for me?
- How do I plan a social media calendar?
- Where, when and what should I be posting?
While there are many different kinds of VA, finding one that not only understands what works in social media but actively enjoys it can be an absolute game-changer for those who are hoping to build an online presence that’s hard to ignore!
What is the most reliable way to deliver important products safely?
Trusting the regular delivery services can feel a bit like a leap of faith, even when you are sending something small and easy to replace. But when you have spent hours, days, weeks, or months crafting something special, a leap of faith isn’t really enough. You need to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your package will be delivered safely.
So if you are considering sending something valuable or fragile, like artwork or antiques, it’s time to start looking for a white-glove courier service. PVK Couriers take pride in delivering with care and confidence. This family-run business specialises in offering high-value deliveries, and pride themselves in the care provided in every single bespoke delivery.
When you have a dedicated courier ready to step in, you won’t need to spend all night Googling:
- How do I make sure my fragile items don’t get damaged?
- Who will deliver heavy or awkward items safely?
- Can I get an urgent package delivered the same day?
So make sure you are working with someone who values your cargo as much as you do.
Where can I find people who will help my business grow?
Networking is often mistaken for a place for you to shout about your wares and hope someone takes you up on your offer. We’ve come to learn that it is so much more than that. Networking gives you a community that supports you through every achievement and every challenge. It’s where you will find a new partner, a mentor or someone who will keep sending referrals your way.
You don’t need to be beaten by these questions:
- How do businesses get word-of-mouth referrals?
- Why does running a business feel so lonely?
- How do I find a reliable partner for my business?
All you need is to find the right network to suit you and your needs. Once you find the community that fits, you will find that working for yourself doesn’t have to be so lonely and challenging.
On Monday, 9th March, The Warwickshire Review is proud to be sponsoring The Great Women in Business Meetup, an annual event that brings women from across the Midlands (and beyond) together in a celebration of connection and collaboration. This event is about more than just meeting people. It’s about learning how to make the most of every networking event you attend!
We are so excited to be a part of this amazing event and would love to see you there! Use the discount code SPONSOR20 and enjoy 20% off your ticket on us.
What HR support do I need as my business grows?
When you’ve worked hard to build your business, and you’re finally at the point where things are growing, there’s a moment where you realise… You can’t do everything yourself. You can be brilliant at what you do and still need someone who understands the people side of running a business because managing staff, hiring the right people, and keeping everyone happy isn’t always as simple as it sounds.
That’s where HR specialists come in. They give you that steady, third-party reassurance that you’re doing great while also helping shape a workplace that feels fair, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable for your team. They’re not just there for emergencies. They help you build strong foundations so your business can grow without the stress and confusion that comes along with new challenges.
And if you’ve ever found yourself asking:
- Where do I even start with recruitment?
- How do I handle employees fairly?
- How do I create a positive culture amongst my staff?
…then now might be the perfect time to bring in some expert HR support.
A good specialist can help you understand what your business actually needs instead of what you think you should be doing. They take the pressure off, make everything feel less daunting, and give you confidence that your team is set up for success.
Thread HR specialise in generalising and can guide you through every aspect of maintaining a thriving team and business. As “People people”, they really understand how important a great team is when you are building a flourishing business, and they have support packages to suit businesses of all shapes and sizes.
With the right guidance, HR stops being something you dread and becomes something that helps your business thrive.
How do I build credibility and get recognition for the work my business does?
If you’ve worked hard to build your business and hone your skills, sometimes it is important to get a bit of third-party validation. Just someone to acknowledge that you are doing amazing, and tell others about it.
If reviews just aren’t going far enough (you are amazing after all), it might be time to start looking at awards! There are so many awards you can put your business forward for.
Events like the Woman Who Achieve Awards give you so much more than just a shot at winning a trophy. Applying for these types of awards gives you the opportunity to reflect on your journey so far, acknowledging every challenge you have overcome and every win you forgot to celebrate.
If you’ve been asking yourself:
- How do I make sure my business stands out?
- How can I get more visible in front of my audience?
- How do I build my reputation?
It might be time to start looking at which awards you might be eligible for. If you really want to stand out as a small business, awards are a great way to get some positive press and recognition for the hard work that you do.
How do I get pictures that reflect my brand personality?
For many of us, the thought of getting headshots causes panic sweats. Whether you are worrying about your outfit, the perfect backdrop or the fact that your “cheese” smile makes you look like you’re trying to do long division without a calculator, it might be something that you have been putting off for far too long.
But let’s be honest, if you want people to see how brilliant your business is, they first need to see your brilliant smile…because people buy from people!
Amazing photographers, like Sarah Haywood, know how to make your photoshoot feel effortless and look stunning, all while giving you those pictures that grab the attention of your dream clients.
If you’ve been asking yourself:
- How do I look more professional online?
- How do I get scroll-stopping images?
- What photos do I even need?
You should think about talking to a photographer who will help you find the poses that naturally flow with your style and personality, giving you the visuals you need to take your business to the next level.
It’s gonna be beautiful!
When you’ve got the right people in your corner (the experts, the cheerleaders, the ones who get what you’re building) those big dreams stop feeling like dreams and start becoming reality.
We’d love to be part of your journey, so if you are looking for more exposure to help your business grow, join The Warwickshire Review community. We will help you boost your visibility in front of our audience of over 13,000 (and growing) locals who want to shop local and support small businesses like yours.
Find out more here.
