JSOservices

31/05/2026

We've just made our donation to Soccer Aid.

Times are tough for many people at the moment, but if you're watching tonight and can spare a few pounds, it's a fantastic cause.

One of the things we love about events like this is seeing millions of people come together to help others.

Whatever the final score tonight, that's the real win! ⚽

If you'd like to donate, you can do so here:

https://www.socceraid.org.uk/

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 sees England taking on the Soccer Aid World XI FC in the world’s biggest celebrity football match.

29/05/2026

Let's go back to when we were 18 years old.

Some of us went to university. Some of us started apprenticeships. Some of us found jobs. And some of us had absolutely no idea what we were doing.

But most of us had something in common: someone gave us a chance.

Today, the Government announced plans for 300,000 new work experience and training placements for young people. That's undoubtedly a positive step. However, there are currently more than one million young people in the UK who are not in education, employment or training.

Behind that statistic are real people. Young people who want to work, want to learn and want the opportunity to prove themselves. Thay aren't looking for a handout. They're literally looking for a way in!

Looking back, I think many of us can point to a person, a business or an organisation that took a chance on us when we were starting out.

Will 300,000 placements do it? Really?

28/05/2026

A huge congratulations to our founder, Abi Hill, who has been featured by CIO Vertex discussing entrepreneurship, resilience, and the mission behind Just Starting Out 💙

Over the last few years, Abi and co-founder Richard have worked tirelessly to build a platform designed to help new business owners and professionals gain confidence, credibility, and those all-important first opportunities.

What started as an idea driven by frustration around how difficult it can be to “get started” has gradually evolved into a national platform preparing to launch - backed by extensive research, real conversations, and a genuine passion for supporting people at the earliest stages of their journey.

We’re incredibly proud to see Abi and the wider mission behind Just Starting Out recognised in this way, and we know this is only the beginning!

You can read the full feature here 👇

https://ciovertex.com/abi-hill/

Success in business often begins long before a company is officially launched. It starts with observation, curiosity, and the willingness to recognize

28/05/2026

Did anybody watch Good Morning Britain this morning?

They discussed what some are calling “the lost generation” - young adults struggling to get a foot on the career ladder despite working hard, gaining qualifications, and doing everything they were told would lead to success.

This is a conversation we need to be having more!

Too many talented people are being locked out because they don’t yet have experience, connections, confidence, or somebody willing to give them a first chance. Eventually, rejection turns into frustration, and frustration turns into paralysis.

That’s one of the reasons Abi wrote her latest article for Brainz Magazine: “The Great Career Freeze And Why So Many Professionals Feel Stuck Right Now".

The article explores:

• why so many people feel trapped professionally
• the psychological impact of career paralysis
• why small opportunities matter more than ever
• and how confidence is often built through momentum, not motivation

You can read the full article here 👇
https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/the-great-career-freeze-and-why-so-many-professionals-feel-stuck-right-now

For years, ambition was associated with movement. Climbing the ladder. Chasing promotions. Switching industries. Launching businesses. Relocating for opportunities. Reinventing yourself repeatedly in pursuit of...

26/05/2026

Want another directory? Of course you don't!😉

That's why we're building much more than just a place to list your business.

We're creating practical tools and resources designed specifically for new business owners, including:

✅ Invoice Manager - create and track invoices with ease

✅ Quote Generator - send professional quotations in minutes

✅ Professional Start Out Guide - practical advice to help you avoid common mistakes and build confidence

✅ Community Forum - connect with other entrepreneurs, ask questions and share experiences

✅ Logo Creator - create a professional logo without the hefty design bill

✅ Partner Discounts - exclusive offers to help keep your business costs down

Starting a business is hard enough. Finding the tools, support and guidance you need shouldn't be.

25/05/2026

Today's headlines report that many UK businesses are operating in "survival mode" as fuel and energy costs continue to rise.

For established businesses, increasing costs are frustrating.

For new businesses, they can be make-or-break.

Getting those first customers is hard enough without rising overheads, increasing bills and cautious consumer spending.

The challenges facing small businesses are real, but so is the determination of the people behind them.

If you're running a business, what has been your biggest challenge this year?











https://www.thetimes.com/business/economics/article/uk-businesses-households-fuel-cost-crisis-sdxrc9h26?

Many businesses in rural areas are at breaking point as a surge in the price of heating oil and diesel adds to pressure from rates rises and the minimum wage

24/05/2026

People often use the phrases "Starting Up" and "Starting Out" as if they mean the same thing.

We don't think they do.

Starting Up is the exciting bit. The logo. The website. The business cards. The plans.

Starting out is what happens next.

It's finding your first customer. Building confidence. Learning from mistakes. Earning those first reviews. Wondering whether you're doing the right thing. Then doing it anyway.

At Just Starting Out, we understand that journey because we've lived it ourselves.

That's why we're building a platform designed specifically for people taking those first steps in business.

Every established business started somewhere 🚀

22/05/2026

Visibility is the key to being noticed, and determination is the key to staying noticed.

Our Founder, Abi Hill, has been featured in Brainz Magazine, discussing her entrepreneurial journey and why visibility is often the difference between winning a first customer and remaining thumb-twiddling.

In the interview, Abi shares the inspiration behind Just Starting Out, the challenges of building a business from the ground up, and why many talented professionals struggle not because they lack ability, but because they lack opportunities to be seen.

Over the last three years, Abi, Richard and the team have researched the barriers facing new business owners, speaking with thousands of entrepreneurs across the UK. Those conversations have helped shape the vision behind Just Starting Out, and the platform that will help so many in return.

A big thank you to Brainz Magazine for the opportunity to share our story.

Read the full interview below 👇

https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/abi-hill-interview-on-why-visibility-is-the-secret-to-winning-first-customers

Abi Hill is the founder of Just Starting Out, a UK platform designed to help new business owners gain visibility, build trust, and secure their first customers. Through several years of entrepreneur...

18/05/2026

“Retirement” doesn’t always mean slowing down.

Our founder, Abi Hill, contributed to The Times this week on a topic that’s affecting more and more people across the UK - the rise of part-time, flexible work among over-65s.

For some, it’s about helping with bills. For others, it’s about routine, purpose, social connection, or literally enjoying life with a little extra freedom.

What’s becoming increasingly clear is that later life is looking very different for many people than it did a generation ago.

A powerful reminder that work, purpose and opportunity don’t come with an age limit!

https://www.thetimes.com/money/pensions/article/meet-the-part-time-pensioners-qhjv8h7kn

Many older people are enjoying the flexibility of casual or seasonal work to boost their retirement income while still enjoying some free time

14/05/2026

When Good Morning Britain is talking about people no longer being able to afford everyday services, it’s clear the cost of living crisis is no longer just a headline - it’s a national reality!

Recent mainstream conversations around the cost of living crisis have reinforced something many of us already know: when money feels tight, ‘extras’ are often the first to go. Treatments, home improvements, creative services, wellness appointments - (the very things many self-employed people and small businesses rely on are increasingly being pushed further down people’s priority lists).

But this isn’t just about cutting back. It creates a much wider ripple effect.

When consumers feel financially stretched, aspiring business owners often feel it too - through fewer bookings, slower growth and reduced opportunities to build momentum.

Because in today’s economy, supporting small businesses isn’t just about encouraging ambition; it’s about creating smarter, more accessible opportunities for both businesses and consumers alike.

When affordability drops, opportunity often does too!

With Ed Balls, Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway and Alex Beresford.