Small design agency with monthly retainer clients

Established small and medium businesses, schools, property firms and charities that need a steady supplier for design work rather than one-off jobs.

Larger project fees for rebrands and websites, plus monthly retainers for updates, campaigns and print, which give steadier income.

• Strong design and creative direction
• Project and client management
• Pitching and writing proposals
• Managing freelancers or staff

• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and employer's liability insurance once you employ staff
• Cash flow, as large projects can be paid late, so consider deposits and staged payments
• Contracts with freelancers should cover confidentiality and ownership of the work
• Check whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows
• If you handle client website data, check your obligations under UK data protection rules

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your equipment, software, workspace and how much you spend on insurance and marketing. Treat this as an estimate and keep a cash buffer for clients who pay late.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on how many retainer clients you win, your pricing and the size of your team. These are estimates rather than guarantees, and revenue is not the same as profit.

Check public liability and professional indemnity insurance, plus employer's liability once you employ staff. Also check whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows, and your obligations under UK data protection rules if you handle client website data.