Helen Jackson
Helen is a content writer and specialises in financial writing. She tackles blogs, guides, and website content for us here at Capalona.
Helen has nine years of experience in content writing, has a BA (Hons) in English, and a Level 6 marketing qualification with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Connect with Helen Jackson below, or meet the rest of our authors.
Articles by Helen Jackson
Where to get business money advice
Knowing where to go for business money help or advice can be confusing, so we’ve put together some guidance on where to look.
How to get a business loan
Interested in getting a business loan but don’t know where to start? We’ve put together a guide on how to secure a business loan.
How to do a cash flow forecast for your business
A business cash flow forecast is a plan that shows how much money your business is expected to receive and payout.
What is business risk and how to minimise it
Business risks are internal and external factors that can affect profit. Understand what business risk is with tips for minimising risk in business.
How to write a contract between two parties
Whilst a contract is a legally binding document, writing a contract doesn’t need to be difficult. Learn how to write a business contract agreement here.
A guide to open banking
We help you to understand what Open Banking is, whether Open Banking is safe, and the different ways Open Banking can benefit you.
How to buy a company name
Choosing, claiming and buying a company name needn’t be complicated. In this article, we explain how to secure your wanted name for your company.
How to improve cash flow
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, regardless of size. So, if you’re just starting out or you already run an established SME, this blog will give you some tips on managing cash flow effectively.
Business Credit Cards: How do they work?
If you’re considering applying for a business credit card, learn all about how they work, if their rewards are taxable, what you can spend them on, how to apply and more below.
The ultimate guide to starting a business
We’ve provided a thorough guide to starting a business, including essential steps and tips to help make it a success.
How to manage your business finances
Finance management doesn’t need to be complicated, learn how to manage business finances by following Capalona’s small business finance guide.
A guide to employment management
Understand what employment management is and why it is important for your business. This guide will seek to help you get the best from your employees.
Invoice discounting advantages and disadvantages
Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of invoice discounting and decide whether it is the right financing option for you.
Angel Investors Explained
Angel Investors are private investors who finance small businesses in exchange for equity. Discover how to find an Angel Investor today.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Factoring
We take a look at what Debt Factoring is, why it could be useful for you, and what are the advantages and disadvantages.
How to choose a bank for your small business
Struggling to know how to choose the business bank account for you? Read our useful tips & find the best small business bank accounts with Capalona.
How to pay self-assessment tax when self-employed
Paying taxes as self-employed doesn't need to be complicated, know the self-employed taxes deadline & how to pay your self-employed taxes with Capalona.
How to start a successful dog walking business
Wondering how to start a dog-walking business? Starting a dog walking business doesn’t have to be complicated, follow our dog walking business tips today!
Everything you need to know about being self employed
Capalona discusses everything you need to know about being self employed, from self employment insurance to tax requirements & more.
Everything you need to know about Annual Investment Allowance
We explain annual investment allowance, highlighting what AIA allowance is, what qualifies for annual investment allowance and how it works.
How to market your business
Social Media, PR & Search strategies can take your business to the next level. Discover the best ways to market your business with a limited budget today!
How to write an invoice
Invoice writing can be tricky, so learn how to write an invoice with Capalona today by following our simple steps.
How to make your business more eco-friendly
See here for Eco-Friendly business ideas, from cleaning products to best practices, we have ideas to help you reduce your impact on the planet.
How to calculate net cash flow (including formulas)
Knowing what net cash flow is & how to calculate net cash flow is important to ensure that your business is healthy. Use our net cash flow formula here.
What are debtors and creditors?
Here we help to explain the differences between debtors and creditors and how to manage these parts of running a business.
How to find investors for small businesses
Understand the types of investors for small businesses available and follow our tips on how to find one.
How to get a government grant
Wondering how to get a government grant for your start up or established business? We explain the process of obtaining business government grants.
How to calculate working capital
Working capital is calculated by taking a company’s current assets & deducting current liabilities. Know how to calculate working capital with Capalona
How to choose the right business loan
Looking for a small business loan? Before you apply, understand the different loan types available. Capalona helps you choose the right business finance option.
How to buy commercial property at auction
Understand how to buy commercial property in the UK at auctions with Capalona. We discuss everything you need to know when buying commercial property.
How to start a buy to let business
Thinking of starting a buy-to-let business? We discuss how to start a buy to let business on the right foot. Find out more here…
Buy now, pay later for businesses
Grow your business sales with buy now pay later solutions. Understand why you should use buy now, pay later for your business & how to choose a provider…
Business loans from family and friends
Borrowing business loans from family members & friends can be complex. We discuss how to borrow money & loan agreements between family members.
What is full expensing?
From 2023- March 2026, companies are able to claim 100% capital allowances on some plant & machinery investments. Find out more about full expensing.
Funding support for black-owned businesses
We celebrate & encourage minority owned businesses by providing secured & unsecured loans. Discover companies that support black owned businesses here.
What is a Director's Loan?
We take a look at what is a Director's loan, how Director’s loans work, and the benefits and limitations of this financial approach.
Sorodo donates to Hope House Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospice
Sorodo Limited has become the first 2023 Business Champion for Hope House Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospice by donating £1,500 making us a "Bronze Champion"
What is Debt Financing?
We take a look at what debt financing is, its advantages and disadvantages, and the types of debt financing available. Find out more here.
What is Equity Finance?
Equity finance is the process of raising capital through the sales of shares in your business. To understand equity financing in detail, read more here.
How to buy a business
Sometimes, buying an existing business can be a great way into business ownership — you don’t have to start from scratch. But before you take the leap, there are some things you should know.
What is a Sole Trader?
We provide everything you need to know about Sole Traders, including the advantages and disadvantages of becoming one.
What is an invoice? (and how to invoice your clients)
Our invoice guide helps you to understand what an invoice is, the different components of an invoice, and how to write one for clients.
The differences between net and gross profit (and how to calculate them)
We help to clearly explain the differences between net and gross profit, and how to calculate both net and gross profit. Find out more here…
What is Vendor Finance?
If you’ve got a long-standing relationship with your supplier, there’s a chance you could benefit from vendor finance to pay directly for goods and services.
6 ways to access free business legal advice in the UK
If you’ve got a quick legal question, where can you turn for free business advice in the UK? Here are 6 ways you can get free legal advice.
Everything you need to know about Green Finance
Capalona can help provide information on Green Finance, Green investing and the importance of a Green Finance Strategy in 2023.
What are debentures, how do they work and do you need one?
If you’ve tried to wrap your head around debentures and ended up more confused, you’re not alone. Debentures can be difficult to understand.
11 ways you can protect your company from insolvency
Cash flow is the downfall of many businesses, don’t let yours be one of them. Here’s how you can protect your business.
Valentine's Day for businesses: Marketing tips and ideas
Although the number of people out there celebrating Valentine’s day has decreased in the last year, the Brits who are celebrating are spending around £23 per person on the romantic holiday. So there’s still some serious cash to be made.
New Year's business objectives and goals for SMEs in 2024
The New Year has arrived! Now is a great time to start thinking about what you want to achieve this year. Here are some business goals for SMEs to consider.
How to get free business debt advice for your SME
Business debt is worrying and if you’re kept up at night because of money worries, these resources can help you find a way through.
How to switch your business bank account
Switching your business bank account to a brand new one can mean better interest rates, useful benefits and better customer experience. So why, then, do many businesses put it off? Because it seems like a hassle you just don’t need.
How to stop employees from stealing your clients
You’ve worked hard to convert new clients into loyal customers, but what happens if one of your employees leaves taking a valued client or member of staff with them?
How to survive your first year in business
Whilst many businesses indeed fail in the first year, this doesn’t have to happen to you. See here for tips on how to survive your first year in business.
A guide to handling unpaid invoices for small businesses
You probably keep reading about how cash flow is the lifeblood of any business - and it’s true, it is. You need working capital to run a business. Late payments kill 50,000 small businesses and cost the UK economy £2.5bn each year.
How to write a business plan
According to Barclays, only 47% of small businesses in the UK have a formal business plan in place that is written down or recorded.
How much does it cost to start a business in the UK?
You’re considering starting a business, which means doing something you love, the ability to set your working hours (excusing yourself from the dreaded 9-5), and financial freedom.
How to work from home effectively (and juggle everything else)
Who’s loving lockdown? Probably not many of you - but it’s necessary to keep the country on track and protect those who are vulnerable. For many of us, we’re entering our seventh week under lockdown restrictions.
10 ways you can lower your business energy costs
Saving money when you’re operating and growing a small business in the UK is the number one priority for many business owners. According to Bionic, the average business electricity bill per year can be as much as £3,146 for a medium-sized business
Should your employees work from home?
Since you started recruiting members of staff into your business, you’ve probably been asked the question: ‘can I work from home today?’
Everything you need to know about Crowdfunding
We take a look at what crowdfunding means, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as how to have a successful crowdfunding strategy.
The importance of customer reviews and how to get them
According to Testimonial Engine, 72% of customers don’t take action until they have read reviews.
What is a personal guarantee - and do you need one?
If you’re a company director in the UK looking for a cash injection to help you grow your business, you’re not alone. According to Finder.com, 27% of SMEs taking part in the British Business Bank survey 2018 reported being financed by loans.
Business credit score: How to check and improve your company credit report
Running a business can be draining, both emotionally and financially. And when you’ve got nothing else to give financially, you might start looking into business funding and financing options to help support the growth of your company.
Looking for your first office space? Advice for businesses
Alongside attracting new clients and customers, finding an office space that works for your business and its employees (while not costing the earth!) is crucial to run your business effectively.
The state of new business: births, deaths & motivation
Are you thinking of starting your own business? Congratulations, it’s an exciting time! This piece will help you understand what the market for new business looks like from 2018 and explores the industries that continue to flourish in the UK.
Simple money-saving tips for your small business
Regardless of how well your business is performing, you should always keep an eye on cost-cutting measures for your small business.
How to convert visitors through your website
It takes about 50 milliseconds (that’s 0.05 seconds) for users to form an opinion about your website that determines whether they like your site or not, whether they’ll stay or leave.
Shoestring marketing budget? No worries, 9 ideas to trial
As a small business, it’s only right that you see fit to spend what little budget you have on business-related expenses. It’s evident that marketing might not fit into the top ten things to spend your money on.
How to recruit the best employees for your small business
How can you attract and recruit these job seekers into your small business? And, most importantly, how can you retain them?
How to generate B2B leads on LinkedIn
Did you know? The LinkedIn platform has 260 million active users - with 25 million of these based in the UK. So it’s safe to say it’s a pretty good platform for meeting like-minded business professionals.
Juggling childcare when you're self-employed - is it doable?
With the ever-increasing cost of childcare looming over the heads of working parents, can becoming self-employed help ease the struggle?
Yearning for self-employment? 10 viable business ideas for 2024
Be your own boss. Here are 10 of the very best small business ideas for 2024 that will cost little, or absolutely nothing to start up.
7 easy ways to generate PR for your small business
Generating PR for your business is a great way to get your name out there. It can feel quite daunting at first, but once you know where to start, you'll begin to wish you had begun years ago. Check out these easy top tips to help get you started.
7 top tips for scaling up your business
So, your business has been pretty steady for a few years now and you're ready to scale up. It can feel like a scary leap to take if you have never done it before but we've compiled a handy list of top tips that will help you along the way.
How to protect intellectual property in business
It's so easy to overlook your intellectual property when you're a startup. Even companies who've been in business for a while but are scaling up can easily forget just how important it is to protect yourself and your business
Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant?
Starting a business comes with a lengthy to-do list, not to mention the massively distracting and time-consuming bookkeeping, tax, and accounting. So, which one is best for your business, Accountant or bookkeeper?
5 great ideas to help you cope with running your own business
Running a business is rarely smooth sailing, and it's easy to fall down the rabbit hole of stress. So, here's five great ideas to help when you're contemplating if its all really worth it.
5 easy social media hacks for your small business
Social media is an invaluable tool for any small business. Here are 5 easy social media hacks that you can start using today!
FSB wants to award best businesses across the UK
Small businesses are starting to gain recognition for their achievements and it's being welcomed with open arms.
5 things you need to know about having a merchant account
If you’re planning on taking payment via debit or credit cards within your business then there's no doubt about it, you’re definitely going to need a merchant account. So, what exactly is one and why do you need it? Let’s find out.
6 easy ways to save money in your business
Running and owning a business isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. It’s a constant merry go round of balancing the books, penny-pinching and trying to keep your running costs low
