Experts Share: When Is The Best Time Of Year To Start A Business?

There is a sense of optimism that is inspiring many to start their own business. New registrations have gone up, and forecasts show hundreds of thousands of ventures set to appear over the next 2 years. This is encouraging for anyone who has dreamed of being their own ‘boss.’

Official data from the government counted around 5.5 million private sector businesses across the country last year. Although that total dropped slightly compared with 2023, many view this dip as a springboard for new ideas. More self-starters are spotting openings in the market and deciding that now is the best time to act.

Different factors are influencing this change, such as fast-developing technologies, and support systems have expanded for first-time ventures. Some prospective owners worry about the risks; still many sense that 2025 might provide a platform for growth, especially for those with well-structured plans.

 

What Do The Statistics Say?

 

The government confirmed that England holds the majority of private sector firms, at around 4.79 million. Scotland follows with roughly 355,000, while Wales and Northern Ireland show smaller totals.

London and the South East have the highest numbers of businesses. On the other hand, areas like the North East sit lower on the scale but have made noticeable progress over the last few years.

Sole proprietorships hold a large share, though smaller limited companies have also grown. Some industries, such as Construction and Professional Services, attract a strong proportion of startups. Enthusiasts in every sector see 2025 as a moment to seize, given encouraging demand and the possibility for original concepts.

 

Are You Equipped For Success?

 

Starting a venture calls for a clear business idea that resonates with customers. Many find it wise to test ideas through market research, competitor reviews, and small-scale trials. This preparation helps individuals spot strengths, refine products or services, and plan the best way to serve their chosen market.

Many potential owners appreciate the freedom of self-employment, where they organise their work on their own terms. This setup grants flexibility in managing family life with business tasks. It also demands serious dedication, as finance, marketing, and operations often fall under the same person’s responsibility.

Funding is another critical aspect. Surveys show that a fair number of new businesses fail because they run out of cash too soon. Proper planning and access to resources like Start Up Loans or crowdfunding can reinforce early growth. It’s wise to know your costs and explore support before making a final choice.

 

When Are You Ready To Launch?

 

Signs of readiness often start with a firm grip on your target audience. Knowing who will buy your product and why they want it gives you an advantage. It helps to see if you’re delivering something truly needed, be it a new service for families, a gadget for tech enthusiasts, or a niche creation.

Another indicator is a concise marketing plan that covers social media, networking, and possibly direct outreach. Simple tactics such as email newsletters, targeted posts, and local events can bring valuable attention. Setting aside the right budget and time for these actions can lead to consistent sales.

Finally, personal wellbeing is important when preparing for a new venture. Plenty of founders work long hours, handle multiple tasks, and face high pressure. Good self-care routines, realistic schedules, and a willingness to seek mentorship all create a stronger foundation for success in 2025 and more.

 

When Is The Best Time To Start?

 

We’ve asked experts and business owners when they think is the best time to start a new venture….

 

Our Experts:

 
Jason Cotton, Founder, Deluxe Open Booths
Iqbal Ahmad, Founder and CEO, Britannia School of Academics
Shuai Guan, Co-Founder and CEO, Thunderbit
Karl Threadgold, ACMA, CGMA, Managing Director, Threadgold Consulting
Alexandr Korshykov, Founder and CEO, DreamX
Beth Worthy, President, GMR Transcription
Steve Nixon, Founder, FreeJazzLessons.com
 

Jason Cotton, Founder, Deluxe Open Booths

 

 

“Firstly, you have to have a rock solid business plan. Start when you have a real need or gap in the market to fill and you’ll be set up to succeed.

“Another major consideration is financial readiness. Be sure to have appropriate funding — or a clear path to attain it — plus a financial cushion that supports you in the early stages when revenue can be volatile.

“Keep in mind, as well, the timing regarding market trends and economic conditions. Ultimately, where your business belongs at this point in time will shape how well it does once you start up.

“Finally, personal preparedness is critical. Make sure you are well prepared for the risk & challenges of owning a firm. The entrepreneurial journey is as much about personal commitment and passion as it is about the idea. When those three things happen, is usually a good time to start up.”

 

Iqbal Ahmad, Founder and CEO, Britannia School of Academics

 

 

“Being an entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of Britannia School of Academics, I would say that it totally depends upon the nature of business. For instance, if you have identified a clear market gap that your business has the potential to fulfill, than that would be the best time for startups to start a business. Because if you keep on waiting for “Perfect” conditions often means missing opportunities.

“I launched my business during COVID-19 pandemic as at that time there was no physical interaction. I launched Britannia School of Academics, an online vocational school to help professionals advance their careers in the teaching world. That pandemics act as a blessing in disguise for my business as I have everything in placed and with this online mode of learning help learners to achieve their goal with flexible learning options.”

 

 

Shuai Guan, Co-Founder and CEO, Thunderbit

 

 

“The best action sometimes is zigzag when others turn around. Everyone drops significant updates at fall conferences in tech, but going off-cycle can set you apart. While developing our first scraping tool at Thunderbit, we discovered rivals always started during conference season. We therefore dropped a significant update in August instead—total dead zone. It follows: As there was no noise, we received our normal media coverage three times.

“This strategy lowers noise and attention-grabbing competition, enabling your company to more successfully grab media coverage, customer interest, and market share. AnalySing sector trends and spotting these quieter times will help you plan your launch for the best effect.”

 

Karl Threadgold, ACMA, CGMA, Managing Director, Threadgold Consulting

 

 

“With my accountant hat on, I would the best time to start a business is in April at the start of the tax year. This makes your accounting nice and neat and you won’t need to worry about submitting a tax return until a year and a half after, meaning you can focus more on getting the business off the ground.

“It also makes bookkeeping easier as you won’t need to do any accruals. There’s also data to show that consumers increase their spending around the spring time, due to summer being around the corner and people preparing for that. However this varies between industries, so it’s important to do some research on your ICP and what their spending habits are.”

 

Alexandr Korshykov, Founder and CEO, DreamX

 

 

“In my opinion, there is no “perfect” time to start a business. If you sit around waiting for the right moment, it may never come. The best time to start is now. And that isn’t just a motivational phrase. It is something I have experienced firsthand.

“If to talk long story short, I founded my company DreamX in January 2022 with just $100. A month later, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. If there was ever a time that seemed wrong to start a business, that was it. But I didn’t wait and I kept building. Now, 3 years later, DreamX has grown from a two-person team to a company of more than 20 people working with clients worldwide.

“So, the truth is that challenges will always exist. The key is to start, adapt, believe in your dream and keep moving forward.”

 

Beth Worthy, President, GMR Transcription

 

 

For B2B Startups:
“The ideal time to launch a B2B business is Q1 (Jan-Mar). Businesses are establishing new budgets, mapping out their annual objectives, and receptive to new solutions. This period enables you to establish relationships early in the year and build momentum before summer, when decision-making decelerates.”

For Retail & E-commerce:
“Late summer to early fall (August-October) is a great time to start a retail or e-commerce venture. This provides you with time to maximize your operations prior to Black Friday, holiday sales, and the end-of-year shopping spike, where consumer spending is at its highest.”

For Service-Based Businesses
“Spring (March-May) is an excellent time to begin a service business. The rush of the new year has passed, individuals are more interested in personal and professional development, and companies are actively looking for vendors and service providers prior to the summer lull.”

For Tech Startups & Apps:
“Tech startups typically prefer a Q3 (July-September) launch. Summer breaks are over for investors, market trends have become clearer, and you have time to gear up for favorable year-end fundraising opportunities. Launching in Q3 also leaves you time to polish your product before the holidays.”

 

Steve Nixon, Founder, FreeJazzLessons.com

 

 

Begin When You Know What You Are Repairing

“The best time to begin is when you notice a problem that should be solved. For my part, FreeJazzLessons.com began when I noticed that there was a lack of jazz instruction online. It wasn’t good initially, but I realized that people were in need of it, and that is when I began. Don’t wait until everything is perfect, begin when you have a sense of what you can provide.

Don’t Wait for Perfection

“Many people think that they have to have everything in place before beginning. I wasted a great deal of time going along halfheartedly and unfocused, but didn’t really learn until I completed my project. The more you wait, the less you will have learned. Completing a small project provides you with actual feedback and allows you to improve in progress.

Commitment Over Resources

“When I started, I didn’t have a lot of people to work with or a great deal of capital. More important was my commitment to the vision. Entrepreneurship is more a matter of being willing to dive in and figure things out along the way rather than having all the tools. Tools will develop as you remain committed to the process.

Momentum Helps Growth

“The first draft wasn’t flawless, but good enough to start. To begin is to have energy, and that energy propels you to improve. Don’t wait to be flawless let your business develop from that initial move.

Prepared to improve and learn.

“The best moment to begin is when you are prepared to improve along the way. Your idea will alter once you receive feedback from the market, so be willing to learn and adjust. Beginning is merely the starting point.”