Help to grow a business -any advice?

[speakout]

I make and sell craft items. I have so many ideas to grow my business, but as a solo operator it is hard to find business advice- I float ideas to my friends and family, they try to help, but outwith their experience too,
I have many ideas, but short on time.
Is there such a thing as a free business advisor?

Check out the BIPC, they usually operate within a local library at set times.

The UK business forum might be worth checking out?

I am a small Business Advisor.
I do some pro bono work so feel free to message me if you think I could help

Worth checking out Be the Business https://www.bethebusiness.com/

I’d also not be shy about approaching someone whose business you admire and asking them to give you 1-2 hours every 6-8 weeks. When I’m asked this I rarely say no

Something jumped out at me in your post, you want to expand but you are short on time. You need to accept that scaling up a handmade business takes up a lot of time, we are talking seven days a week, all consuming. Unless of course you have the money to pay others to do things. At the moment you have a job not a business, you will be a very long way away from that.

My advice would be to continue to grow organically, and make sure that everything you are already doing is done correctly, legally and as good as it can be, before you delve into any new ideas. I have run a handmade business for over eleven years. I have scaled considerably for this type of business and I still just have a job for myself and a couple of others. It's hard work.

If you really think you are ready, look up the BIPC, although I found them unhelpful at my level. You need a mentor, but you probably won't get one for free. Don't be afraid to ask for advice from other sectors, the same principles apply across all businesses, it doesn't need to be specific to what you do. Go and meet people, network with other businesses and crafters. You never know what you may learn. I got some great advice from someone who owns a card shop near me this week. Sometimes the bank your business account with may offer an advice service too.

Just realised how old this is! It was reinstated with what is probably spam, sorry.