I recently started setting up my business idea focused on my two work passions, AI and Internal Communications. My company is called, Ai x Comms Lab.
Over the last year and a half, I've been integrating AI into my internal comms work. I don't just talk about it, I do it.
Chat with me (DM or email [email protected]) about your AI and IC questions. I'm happy to help and share my knowledge, insights and guidance, from coaching to training and more.
This however is my start up journal, where I share what I'm doing to set-up a business and my learnings. If you've set-up a business, I'd love to get your views, thoughts, advice, tips and your learnings, so please share below. Thank you.
What's in a name & domain?
- I roughly knew what I wanted to do and offer. A focus on workflows, processes, tasks - potentially boring areas of comms, however, when it comes to AI, these are important steps to help you decide on what and how to use it. My second focus was on offering coaching, training, presenting, and sharing my insights, views, thoughts wider - so look out for my upcoming AI/IC e-magazine you'll be able to subscribe to called:
- Coming up with a name was a bit tricky. I always loved the concept of labs, and also the 'x' meaning collaboration/by. Therefore, it ended up being Ai (little i - following Stephen Fry's ask to use it at 2023's Unite 23 x Unily) x (by) Comms Lab.
- To make it real, next up for me was buying the website domain name which then gives you access to the email address linked to it. I used lcn.com to buy mine and set up the email domain.
HMRC for your UTR
- I decided to set myself up as a Sole Trader.
- You then need to let the UK Tax office know, HMRC, so they can give you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). This will allow you to associate your income and expenses to your business when it comes to tax self-assessment.
Google Workspace is ace
- Once you own your domain, the next thing was to access the email address. In my last work place we used Google Workspace. I really enjoyed its tool-set and apps, so decided to investigate that further.
- Sneaky Google, push you to get their Business Plus plan by default which you can't switch to any of their other choices even though they offer cheaper plans. I found out that I could do a 7-day free trial using Plus, but then downgrade to their Starter plan, which was better for me and cheaper. Look out for that.
- This then gave me access to the admin side to link up my domain with Google Workspaces. You do need to be a bit technically savvy, as you need access to your domain admin controls to add special code from Google to your domain to connect it correctly. This is relatively simple to do but if you're a novice you should look it up or ask me your questions. Just research DNS Settings with your domain provider where you'll need to set up TXT records, which is how Google and other services you to link to your domain verify it.
Banking for invoicing
- I started initially to research which banks offer business accounts. Most of the high-profile ones charge quite a lot of fees. I went with Starling Bank, however, their process was complicated in parts as they carried out many checks, one of which needed proof that I existed. When just starting out, this was quite hard to prove at the time.
- I've gone with Tide, whose process was almost instant. They needed your UTR and a way you go. My business name now has a bank account and I can create invoices! Whoop.
- I gave myself a small business loan to start off my account ??
Feeling good
- It's a good achievement and feeling so far. Looking forward to tackling all the next steps. I'll share more in my future parts for my journal about business planning, CRMs, outreach, networking, clients and customers, fine-tuning my offering, developing templates, training, guides, and lots more i'm undertaking.
If you have wisdom to share, please reply below. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you in advance.
