How to avoid six classic start-up mistakes

How to avoid six classic start-up mistakes

From Start Your Own Business by Start Up Donut

December 16, 2025 · 42 min · Episode 68

About this episode

This episode discusses six classic start-up mistakes and how to avoid them with insights from business adviser Jenny Bracelin.

More than 320,000 businesses are started each year in the UK, but only 40% of them survive five years. Whether linked to funding, finance, pricing, invoicing, marketing, premises, suppliers or a long list of other things, many people make classic mistakes when starting their own business. Some mistakes are relatively small and easily corrected. Even if they’re bigger and more damaging, it may be possible to take remedial action and get a new business back into a better position. However, in some cases, new businesses never really get off the ground and fail in their first year because of a classic start-up mistake. In this episode we speak to business adviser, coach, and mentor, Jenny Bracelin, who herself has started five businesses. She talks about six classic start-up mistakes and explains how you can avoid them. Thanks to Sage for sponsoring this episode. Sage is currently offering listeners 90% off Sage Accounting for six months. Visit this link to claim your offer. Show notes for the episode can be found on the Start Your Own Business podcast website . Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you…

People in this episode

Guest: Jenny Bracelin

Topics covered

  • start-up mistakes
  • business survival
  • entrepreneurship advice
  • funding
  • marketing
  • business coaching

Keywords

  • start-up
  • business mistakes
  • entrepreneurship
  • funding
  • marketing
  • business advice
  • Sage Accounting

Sponsors

Sage

Mentioned in this episode

Places: UK

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