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Business founders/entrepreneurs

Selling new product online - can I do it under my existing name/business?

10 replies

twosmallbuttons · 22/02/2025 18:27

I'm currently a sole trader (a sports coach). I'm creating a product to sell within my industry (flashcards, to help teaching my sport). I would prefer the product to not be obviously linked to me, so that it looks more professional and so that it has the potential to be sold on in future (I'm getting a separate website created).

Should I register the product as a separate company, if I want to keep a distance between my coaching income? Or is there a way to keep my name out of it whilst still it being part of my sole trader business?

I'm getting a bit overwhelmed by all the potential legalities especially as I don't know what is necessary in order to sell a physical product from my home.

Any advice please?!

OP posts:
nfkl · 22/02/2025 20:05

Do you have an accountant?
They should be able to assist better, but it looks like 2 distinct businesses, so separate structures may be more practical?

theboffinsarecoming · 22/02/2025 20:09

You can be self-employed and run as many different businesses as you like. You just combine the figures from all of them together when filing your accounts.

twosmallbuttons · 22/02/2025 20:17

nfkl · 22/02/2025 20:05

Do you have an accountant?
They should be able to assist better, but it looks like 2 distinct businesses, so separate structures may be more practical?

Yes I've emailed my accountant for her advice too. Because it's just a single product, I'm not sure whether I can/need to pay for everything associated with making it a Ltd company. It should probably be separate, agreed, but I've no idea where to start! My current sole trader business is pretty straightforward as it's just a service (ie sports coaching)

OP posts:
theboffinsarecoming · 22/02/2025 20:19

It doesn't need to be a Ltd company unless your accountant thinks it might be more beneficial from a taxation point of view.

twosmallbuttons · 22/02/2025 20:20

theboffinsarecoming · 22/02/2025 20:09

You can be self-employed and run as many different businesses as you like. You just combine the figures from all of them together when filing your accounts.

Ah I see, thanks. Would I need to register the new business with Companies House then? I'd rather not have my home address listed anywhere though, how do I navigate that?

OP posts:
twosmallbuttons · 22/02/2025 21:18

theboffinsarecoming · 22/02/2025 20:19

It doesn't need to be a Ltd company unless your accountant thinks it might be more beneficial from a taxation point of view.

Thank you. How do I get things rolling under my current sole trader status, but with a different name for the product? I feel like I need a Dummy's Guide 😆I'm considering trademarking the name/product too, so that needs factoring in.

OP posts:
theboffinsarecoming · 23/02/2025 09:26

Maybe wait until you've spoken to your accountant.

inkieink · 24/02/2025 18:47

You can have multiple trading as names under your sole trader business, so you don’t necessarily need to register a separate company unless you have a specific reason to do so.

A limited company does offer benefits, particularly when it comes to tax. Once you earn over £12,570 per year (your personal allowance), a limited company lets you take dividends, which are taxed at a lower rate than wages. However, running a limited company comes with extra costs—if you already use an accountant, you’ll likely need one for a limited company, and their fees can be higher (often upwards of £1k per year). It’s worth running the numbers to see if it makes financial sense.

Regarding working from home, most people can get away with it, but if you rent, some tenancy agreements require you to inform your landlord. Likewise, some mortgage agreements ask you to notify them if you're running a business from home.

Trademarking—if you’ve got a strong name and think others might copy it, then yes, it’s worth considering, especially if you want to sell the business later. But it can be pricey, so weigh up whether it’s necessary at this stage.

That said, I’d ask why you prefer to keep the product separate from your coaching. As a professional in your industry, your story could be a huge selling point. Think about sports professionals who have launched products—they don’t distance themselves; they use their experience to add credibility. When it comes to marketing, brands that show the person behind the product tend to perform better than those hiding behind a logo. People buy from people they trust, so it might be worth leaning into your expertise rather than away from it.

twosmallbuttons · 24/02/2025 23:19

inkieink · 24/02/2025 18:47

You can have multiple trading as names under your sole trader business, so you don’t necessarily need to register a separate company unless you have a specific reason to do so.

A limited company does offer benefits, particularly when it comes to tax. Once you earn over £12,570 per year (your personal allowance), a limited company lets you take dividends, which are taxed at a lower rate than wages. However, running a limited company comes with extra costs—if you already use an accountant, you’ll likely need one for a limited company, and their fees can be higher (often upwards of £1k per year). It’s worth running the numbers to see if it makes financial sense.

Regarding working from home, most people can get away with it, but if you rent, some tenancy agreements require you to inform your landlord. Likewise, some mortgage agreements ask you to notify them if you're running a business from home.

Trademarking—if you’ve got a strong name and think others might copy it, then yes, it’s worth considering, especially if you want to sell the business later. But it can be pricey, so weigh up whether it’s necessary at this stage.

That said, I’d ask why you prefer to keep the product separate from your coaching. As a professional in your industry, your story could be a huge selling point. Think about sports professionals who have launched products—they don’t distance themselves; they use their experience to add credibility. When it comes to marketing, brands that show the person behind the product tend to perform better than those hiding behind a logo. People buy from people they trust, so it might be worth leaning into your expertise rather than away from it.

This is super helpful, thank you so much. I spoke to my accountant today and she said similar to you about keeping the association with me, at least initially. She recommended I just use a trading name for selling the product and keep things simple for now under my sole tradership. So what you've said makes good sense too :)

OP posts:
DelilahBucket · 01/03/2025 13:15

Just to chip in with your address concerns, if you are selling a physical product online you are legally obliged to display your trading address on your website. It comes under the Consumer Contract Regulations, which also lays out your obligations for accepting returns, delivering goods and for customers to be able to contact you. You can't escape this, there isn't a legal workaround.

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