No such thing as the perfect moment to start a business
If you've had an idea sitting at the back of your mind, take advantage of September Start-Up Month, writes Gail Macgregor
Starting a business can be a daunting prospect. I wonder how many great ideas are locked away in the minds of people who think they’re not ready to take the first step, or who assume they lack the confidence or connections needed to make it a success.
Financial considerations, family commitments and the reassurance that comes with a regular salary can all put the brakes on ambition. There can also be an assumption that before you begin you need a polished business plan, detailed financial forecasts, significant investment and absolute certainty that your idea will work.
In reality, few people ever feel completely ready to start a business. Many of the people I've spoken to who have gone on to build successful businesses say they felt initially uncertain. What they did have was a willingness to take that first step and learn as they went. Looking back, many say they wish they had started sooner.
September’s Scottish Start-Up Month offers an opportunity to challenge some of these assumptions. Many people assume that starting a business requires a particular kind of person. In reality, people come to it with all sorts of strengths. What matters is having an idea you believe is worth exploring.
The same applies to the belief that you need everything planned out before you start. You don’t need the first five years mapped on day one, nor do you need a huge pot of money. And as for a lack of confidence, that grows with time.
The first steps are to ask simple questions. Who might buy what you are offering? Where will you sell it? Will you need premises? Do you need employees? What does the market already look like? What can make all the difference is having someone to support you through the process.
Business Gateway has a network of local offices across Scotland and a wealth of online resources ready to provide that support. Our Business Support Tool is designed to help people work through those initial questions and create a personalised dashboard of relevant information and resources. It can help someone assess how ready they are and identify areas they may need to think about further.
Our support is about giving a practical starting point, helping to bring some structure and clarity to what can often feel like an overwhelming process.
Success looks different for everyone. While some people aspire to build large companies, Scotland's economy depends heavily on small and micro businesses. For many, success might mean becoming self-employed, turning a side-hustle into a viable business, turning an existing skill into a sustainable livelihood or gradually building a business that supports a small number of employees.
Every business matters. They create jobs, bring services to local areas, support high streets and contribute to the resilience of Scotland’s economy.
Scottish Start-Up Month is ideal because September naturally feels like a period of renewed focus after the summer. But the support available does not disappear when the month ends. Business Gateway provides free support all year round.
Some 1,922 new businesses launched in Scotland between September 2025 to November 2025. If you've had an idea sitting at the back of your mind, perhaps the most useful thing you can do this September is stop waiting to feel ready. Take the time to explore it, make use of the support available and see where it leads. You may be closer to getting started than you think.
Cllr Gail Macgregor is Cosla Spokesperson for Environment and Economy & Chair of the Business Gateway Board. More information on Business Gateway’s Start-Up Month is available at this link
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