HOW DO YOU SET UP A BUSINESS?

How do you set up a business?

Running your own business is an excellent way to gain independence, earn a very good income and make your dreams come true. However, before you set about doing so, it’s worth having a suitable idea, drawing up a plan of action and sticking to it. For many people, the very process of setting up a business may seem like an obstacle.

However, there are now more and more support measures being introduced for budding entrepreneurs who are just taking their first steps in this field. It will certainly be helpful to seek guidance from more experienced individuals – for example, by attending workshops on running your own business, learning from those who already own a business, and establishing contact with various organisations, such as a business incubator. All of the above can effectively help you make the right contacts, set up your business and find answers to questions that arise over time. How do you set up a business so that you can start operating as quickly as possible?

What criteria must be met?

In Poland, there is so-called ‘legal freedom’ when it comes to setting up a business; the regulations in this area are very liberal. Under the Act of 6 March 2018 – the Entrepreneurs’ Law – setting up, running and winding up a business is possible for practically anyone and on equal terms for all. In Poland, an entrepreneur may be a natural person, a legal person, or an organisational unit which does not have legal personality but is granted a special right to conduct business under the Act. The setting up of a business may only be restricted by a court ruling.

In some cases, conducting business may be subject to the approval of the relevant authority – the granting of a licence or concession. This applies, for example, to businesses involved in the sale of alcoholic beverages, weapons and ammunition, fuels and energy, and the protection of persons and property. It is worth familiarising yourself with the contents of the Act so that you are aware of your rights and obligations regarding the running of a business.

How to set up a business, step by step?

The most popular form of business in Poland is a sole trader. This is a good option for freelancers and service providers. This type of business allows you to keep costs significantly down, whilst enjoying the benefits available to companies and the opportunity to earn a legal income. If you want to know how to set up a business, using the internet is a very good option. On the government website www.biznes.gov.pl, you can quickly set up a business, and your application will be forwarded to ZUS and the Tax Office. You can complete all the formalities via the online wizard in just 12 steps. However, before you begin the whole process, it is worth familiarising yourself with the individual steps you will need to take, including choosing a company name, registered office, PKD code, any additional licences, the form of taxation, contributions, the need for a proxy, etc. You can also set up a business in person by visiting your local Town or Parish Council with a completed CEiDG-1 application form.

Current regulations allow you to sort everything out at a ‘one-stop shop’, without having to visit individual institutions. However, setting up a business is not the end of the story. A much greater challenge is running the business in such a way that it operates in accordance with the law, generates profits and can grow. To this end, it is worth looking into, for example, EU grants, which provide an additional cash injection and support growth. When running a business, you will initially be responsible for everything – you will become a marketer, an accountant, a salesperson, a service provider and a manager. That is why it is a good idea to delegate some tasks so that you can focus on what you do best.

Where can you find support when setting up a business?

It’s worth seeking support, especially at the start of your business journey. One interesting option is to seek help from a business incubator. These are organisations that take start-ups under their wing, granting them legal status and helping with matters such as settling accounts with clients, keeping records, sharing know-how on running a business, and even providing office space. Particularly at the start, every investor is looking to save money – because the costs of running one’s own business can be very high. By working with an incubator, such as ‘Firma Dla Każdego’, you can significantly reduce costs to a few hundred zlotys (instead of several thousand zlotys a month). Such savings allow for further investment, for example in equipment or training, rather than paying high taxes.