Se ƫ ng Up in Prac Ɵ ce Checklist Decide on a name Work out what you want to call your business Secure the relevant social media handles and website domain name, even if you’re not planning on using them straight away – try to keep them the same for con Ɵ nuity. Op Ɵ onal: Get a logo designed and decide on brand colours and iden Ɵ ty Choose a business structure. Decide whether you want to operate as a sole trader, partnership, or limited company. You may want to speak to an accountant to find out the pros and cons of each op Ɵ on Register your business Complete registra Ɵ on with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and, if needed, Companies House for a limited company. Sort out your banking and accoun Ɵ ng Open a dedicated business bank account. Implement accoun Ɵ ng and record -keeping systems to track income, expenditure, and tax obliga Ɵ ons – you can talk to your accountant about this, and they may well offer so Ō ware as part of your package to help with this. Join a professional body and get insurance. Consider memberships with recognised organisa Ɵ ons such as BANT, ANP , or NNA. Research and obtain appropriate professional indemnity insurance before commencing client consulta Ɵ ons – many professional organisa Ɵ ons have a block scheme for discounted insurance. See if your professional organisa Ɵ on provides a standard Terms of Engagement, or create your own. Register with CHNC. Data p rotec Ɵ on and GDPR Set up policies and secure systems for maintaining client confiden Ɵ ality and handling personal data. Register with the ICO and check their website for guidelines and templates. Research prac Ɵ ce management op Ɵ ons and create standard forms Look into prac Ɵ ce management op Ɵ ons like Prac Ɵ ce Be Ʃ er and Penocch.io – many of these have data protec Ɵ on built in. Create form templates for your ques Ɵ onnaire, nutri Ɵ onal strategy , and supplement protocols. Understand industry r egula Ɵ ons Familiarise yourself with UK regula Ɵ ons regarding nutri Ɵ onal advice and making health claims. Refer to CNHC for allowed wording for your profession, and refer to ASA and your professional organisa Ɵ on for guidelines on what you are and aren’t allowed to say – If in doubt seek advice from CAP. Decide on a l oca Ɵ on Decide whether you plan to work from home, work online, or hire a room/prac Ɵ ce to see clients. Ensure that your consulta Ɵ on premises ( if seeing clients in person) comply with health and safety standards and provide confiden Ɵ al se ƫ ngs. Work out your fees Decide how you want to structure your consulta Ɵ ons – will you offer an ini Ɵ al and follow -up, or packages Do some market research looking at those that offer similar services in your area and use this to help you decide on pricing Decide how clients will pay you – invoice and bank transfer, Stripe, cash, etc. Develop policy and procedures Create standardised procedures for key business func Ɵ ons: Discovery calls Scheduling consulta Ɵ ons – will you use an online calendar? Record keeping Communica Ɵ on policy for contact between sessions Op Ɵ onal: Terms and condi Ɵ ons for packages , including refund policy Set up your professional accounts Register with Natural Dispensary and/or Amrita as a prac ƟƟ oner. Set up professional accounts with the main tes Ɵ ng companies you think you’ll want to use. You may also want to register directly with your favourite supplement companies, as many offer a new prac ƟƟ oner discount and educa Ɵ on events. Build a website and online presence. Create a professional website, op Ɵ mise it for search engines, and set up profiles on relevant social media pla ƞ orms and LinkedIn. Consider se ƫ ng aside a set Ɵ me each month to create social media content and pos Ɵ ng on a regular schedule for consistency. Consider se ƫ ng up a profile on a pla ƞ orm such as Nutri Ɵ onist Resource to make it easier for clients to find you Set up a mailing list (o p Ɵ onal) Consider se ƫ ng up a mailing list for poten Ɵ al clients You might want to create an email automa Ɵ on for new sign -ups with a relevant freebie to introduce them to your work. Promo Ɵ onal materials Get some business cards or flyers created to help promote your business at in-person events such as networking mee Ɵ ngs and events. Get some professional photos taken (op Ɵ onal) Nail your elevator pitch. Work out what you’ll say when someone asks you, ‘What do you do?’ "You know how ____ (kinds of people) struggle with ______ (problem)? Well, I help them to get _____ (result)." Con Ɵ nuing Professional Development (CPD) Plan for ongoing educa Ɵ on, training, and professional cer Ɵ fica Ɵ ons to stay current with nutri Ɵ onal science and meet your professional organisa Ɵ ons' CPD requirements. Get Support Consider joining one of the mentoring/business support services for prac ƟƟ oners so you can get help when you need to and be part of a community of like-minded professionals