Category: Starting a business

09:41:13 GMT • 14 January 2025

How to Become a Barber: Training and Courses

4 September 2019

•

3 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

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If you have made the decision to become a barber, then there are a number of ways to achieve your goal! There are different routes depending on your age, working status and financial situation.

The majority of barbering courses will offer a mix of classroom-based learning where you will learn about styles and techniques, and practical learning where you can put what you have learnt into practice and will cut hair on live models.

About us: Protectivity is a specialist provider of Barber Insurance. We cover thousands of individuals and small to medium size businesses across the UK each year.

College course

There are lots of college courses available nationwide providing both classroom-based learning as well as some experience cutting hair on live models.

Duration: 1 – 3 years
Content: A combination of theory and practical learning but offers the least amount of practical cutting experience.
Cost: Approximately £2000 (There is funding available for some students. Your local college should be able to provide more information.)
Outcome: Most will result in an NVQ qualification at the end of the course.
Benefits: Courses are easily accessible at colleges throughout the UK and training can be quite flexible to fit your needs.

Apprenticeship

Typically a route for school leavers, an apprenticeship involves in salon training where you can get lots of experience.

Duration: Approximately 3 years
Content: Usually an apprentice would start work doing the very basic tasks eg. Shampooing hair and sweeping up hair whilst watching and learning from the barbers in the salon.
Cost: £0
Outcome: At the end of an apprenticeship you would be awarded an NVQ.
Benefits: An experience-based way of training to become a barber and there is no cost.

Private courses

Some organisations (eg. London School of Barbering) can provide a private course which can be a more intensive course of barber training but often costs more to complete.

Duration: Usually between 6 and 12 weeks
Content: A combination of theory and practical learning, sometimes offering additional training in specific techniques.
Cost: Approximately £4000
Outcome: An NVQ and strong experience
Benefits: Smaller classes meaning more focused tuition

So, no matter what age you are or what stage of your career you are at, there is an ideal route for you and your circumstances so that you can gain the qualification and the experience that you need to become a barber.

Once qualified, remember you will need to take out suitable hairdressing insurance before you start to cut clients’ hair.

If you are just starting your training, then there are some useful websites to support you:

The British Barbering Association (BBA) is the leading association for the barbering industry in the UK.
The Barber Council is the statutory body established by The Hairdressing Act (1964) and tasked by Government to maintain a register of hairdressers and barbers in the UK.

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09:40:29 GMT • 14 January 2025

Rowing Workouts for Beginners

3 September 2019

•

4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

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A rowing machine is a great piece of equipment if you are training, trying to improve your overall fitness or a personal trainer looking to build a plan for a client, as it can give you a full body workout with the right programme. The right exercises can help to build muscles, tone muscles, lose weight, provide an aerobic workout or increase stamina.

So, if you are new to rowing and are looking for a workout for beginners, there are some tips below to help you to find the exercise programme that works for you.

Getting started

As with all exercise programs it is important to receive the proper training to make sure that you are using equipment correctly. This is to ensure that you are using it safely so that you don’t do any damage to your body but also that you are using it effectively and getting the most from your workout. If you are using a rowing machine in a gym, then the staff there should be happy to help you. There are also lots of great videos on You Tube, demonstrating the correct posture and technique when using a rowing machine.

The other important tip when starting a new exercise is to build up gradually. Start with short, light rowing workouts and focus on getting the right positioning. Once you are used to the machine then you can gradually increase the intensity.

Exercises

Muscle Toning Rowing is a great exercise which burns calories and tones the body. Because rowing uses so many muscles, you can tone your back, shoulders, abs and arms in a single workout. If you are looking to achieve significant growth for specific muscles though, you will need to combine some exercises with weights as rowing will give a more general and even muscle tone. Endurance Endurance exercises are quite straight forward as the objective is to build up to being able to row as fast and consistently as you can. A great way to start is to begin with a five-minute warm-up at a pace that you feel comfortable with. Next you row for 20 minutes at the highest effort level you can consistently maintain. Make a note of your average stroke rate and average speed and then next time you can build on this target. Weight loss and burning calories The higher the intensity and longer that you row for will increase the number of calories burned during a session. The great thing about using a rowing machine is that many of them will be able to track your speed, distance covered, and calories burned during your workout so you can keep track of your progress as you build up your workout. Cardio A great way to get a cardio workout is through a high-intensity interval style session. Start with a gentle warm up for five minutes. Next row as hard as you are able to for 30 seconds and follow this with a period of rest for a further 30 seconds. Repeat this six times, then rest for 3 minutes. You then need to repeat this process 3 times and maintain the same intensity.

Rowing is a great piece of equipment for improving overall fitness and there are many different ways that using a rowing machine can fit into your exercise programme. If you need further support, then staff in your local gym can put a programme together for you.

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09:40:10 GMT • 14 January 2025

Do You Need a Licence to be a Hairdresser?

21 August 2019

•

3 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

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If you are solely a mobile hairdresser that visits clients in their home to cut hair, it’s unlikely that you will require a licence.

However, if you are operating within a commercial premises, or have clients come to you, it may be necessary to register your hairdressing business with your local council. The specific requirements may vary depending on your local area.

It is therefore worthwhile getting in touch with your local council to find out what needs to be done. You can also find out what is required in your local area on the Gov.UK website.

What requirements are there to become a hairdresser?

It is likely at the very least that the council will need to be aware of the business that you are running and check that it complies with health and safety requirements:

1. Cleanliness – Your premises are required to be clean, safe, well-lit and well ventilated.

2. Risk of Infection – You will also need to show that you take all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection or contamination.

3. Training – Your staff should be adequately trained, work hygienically and use equipment efficiently.

4. Insurance – As with most businesses, it is necessary to have a suitable hairdressing insurance or barber insurance policy in place.

Having Public Liability cover will protect you if a third party should make a claim for compensation and legal costs for injury or damage while on your business premises or while you are working on their premises. So, for example if a client has an accident as a result of a spillage of hair products, they can claim against you.

It’s also worth checking that having professional treatment risk cover and products liability in place too. This will protect you if a third party makes a claim against you due to your negligence. So, for example if your client’s hair is permanently damaged due to a mistake you made with the hair products that you used for them, you could face a huge legal bill. With cover in place, the costs are covered.

Certification

A representative from your local council will come and inspect your premises and check that you have all the necessary procedures in place. They will then issue a certificate and is a requirement that this is displayed so that it can be clearly seen by your customers.

How much does it cost to register my business?

There is no charge for registering a hairdressing business.

What hairdressers would not need to register?

If your business provides hairdressing services to people in their own homes or residential accommodation (for example, a care home), then you are not required to register your business in this way as you do not operate from business premises.

So, for example if you are a mobile hairdresser cutting your clients hair in their own homes you would not need to register in this way or hold a hairdresser licence.

In summary, before you set up as a hairdresser, contact your local council and they can advise on the requirements in your area. Then, make sure that you have all the necessary training, certifications and insurance in place to run your business with peace of mind.

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09:39:40 GMT • 14 January 2025

How to Become a Hairdresser

19 August 2019

•

11 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

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If you’re wondering how to become a hairdresser, then the first thing to know is that while the best stylists make it look easy, it can be much more complex than you might think.

Bringing somebody’s hair to life takes skilful use of equipment. You’ll need an eye for style and creativity, a passion for the profession, and a commitment to good old-fashioned hard work. If a career in hairdressing is something that’s always interested you, this might sound like a long and arduous process… but the financial and creative rewards being a professional hairdresser can often make it all worthwhile.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the basics you need to know when considering how to become a hairdresser professionally. We’ll look at the ideal first steps, potential qualifications and training options to pursue, how to continually develop your skills in the future, and the different business models open to you.

Whether you’re still at school and looking at how to break into the industry when you leave, or you’re looking at hairdressing as a career change, the information below will help you start your professional hairdressing journey on the front foot.

What are the first steps?

The first step is to do as much research as possible into the kind of styles that are popular and how they can be created: YouTube videos are a good starting point for this kind of information.

On a more practical level, you should consider applying to work in a salon in an entry-level position, or even just as an intern or work experience placement. You’ll get the chance to see first-hand how salons operate day-to-day, and get to know the basic duties like helping out on reception, shampooing hair and keeping a tidy working environment. If you can make a good impression on the people you work with, then you’ll be in pole position to take on greater duties and move onto the next stage as and when an opportunity arises.

If you’re still at school and looking towards a career in hairdressing in the long term, then aiming for a grade C or above in core subjects like English and Maths is important. While it won’t completely make-or-break your prospects if you don’t achieve those grades, getting them can be a big advantage when employers are looking at taking on new staff.

What qualifications do I need to be a hairdresser?

Unlike many other professions, there are no qualifications that are legally mandated to become a hairdresser by trade. However, it’s strongly recommended to get at least some qualifications, as they can demonstrate that you possess some of the skills needed and give you a better chance of landing a job.

There are several different options for you to explore, such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Hairdressing and Barbering – more on this in the training section – and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). There are also a range of different courses and certifications you can pursue in more formal educational settings, from short-form courses to full-length university degrees.

What types of training are required?

The NVQ in Hairdressing and Barbering is one of the best ways to pursue a career in the sector because it gives you the opportunity to learn on the job, and to progress your skills over a period of time. You can start the course even if you have no experience in the industry whatsoever, and follow it all the way through to the skills and credentials needed to be a senior stylist.

The NVQ is made up of three levels:

Level 1 covers the basics of day-to-day work, both in terms of styling and being in a customer-facing business environment. You’ll learn how to shampoo, condition and blow-dry hair, how to prepare and maintain a working area, and how to develop working relationships.

Level 2 allows you to learn more advance techniques and skills, such as consulting with clients, treating hair and the scalp, and other optional units such as perming, plaiting, twisting, and running a salon reception.

Level 3 brings in more advanced techniques, such as detailed consultation services, applying creativity to treatments through a variety of techniques, and being able to colour hair. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about how salon businesses operate from a financial standpoint and gain an understanding of how to market and promote a salon operation.

How long does it take to become a hairdresser?

There is no fixed timeframe on how long it takes to become a hairdresser. Some people come into the industry earlier than others, and while some stylists may have a natural talent and flair for the jobs, it’s also perfectly acceptable to build up your expertise more gradually and academically.

In the case of the NVQ mentioned above, it can take as many as 1500 hours of on-the-job to complete all three levels and receive the full diploma; this may take you a number of years to complete.

But in any event, the world never stops and there isn’t a hairdresser in the world who knows absolutely everything there is to know about the profession. Those who are the most successful never stop picking up new information about styles, techniques, products and equipment, so you should adopt an attitude of continuous learning and upskilling throughout your career.

What else can I do to improve my skills?

Connected to the previous point, there are many avenues to explore if you want to expand your skills and knowledge outside of formal qualification frameworks. That can start by simply asking local salons for some of their time and expertise, so that you can understand how to develop both your styling skills and your business acumen.

If you want to stand out from the crowd and build a reputation for yourself, then it may be worth channelling your energies into specialist areas, and becoming known as a great stylist for a particular type of treatment. These can include (and not necessarily be limited to): colouring, hair extensions, weaves, perms, straightening, hair extensions, braiding, scalp treatment, glossing and many more. If you can develop a high level of proficiency in a few of these areas, then that can make you more desirable to salons who are looking for specific skills to complement their existing roster of stylists.

Another important area which often gets overlooked is to ensure that your appearance and people skills are the best they possibly can be. Many people pay good money to not only get the style or cut they want, but to get a friendly, enjoyable and stress-free experience when they visit a salon. A big part of that is to ensure that you look clean, healthy, stylish and professional whenever you’re working, and have an outgoing and welcoming attitude at any time that you deal with customers.

What types of hairdressing jobs can I pursue?

Media

First of all, while the majority of hairdressers start out working in a salon, it’s important to remember that it’s only one part of the hairdressing industry. If you’re creative or have some specific career goals, then you could explore offering hair styling services for a number of other industries, such as fashion, TV, film, advertising and marketing. It’s in these highly specialised areas where the biggest money is often made.

Weddings

Whilst wedding work tends to be seasonal, having a stylist is usually a must for any bride. This will often involve several hours work styling various members of the wedding party including the mother of the bride, bridesmaids and of course, the bride. You may even be needed to provide a practice session with the bride before the big day. Bookings like these can be a full days work for just one group, read our blog on how to attract wedding clients.

Salons

It’s also worth remembering that you also have a range of options in terms of the business model you want to pursue. Many stylists like the consistent earnings and the security that working full-time for a salon can give them, especially if they have a family to support or other financial commitments to fulfil.

Freelance

However, if you prefer to do your own thing and have more of an entrepreneurial spirit, then you could alternatively pursue self-employment, once you’ve gained enough experience and developed a strong CV. You could operate as a mobile hairdressing service in customers’ homes, provide freelance salon services in a number of different applications (including the industries mentioned above), or simply rent a chair in a salon and operate from their facility.

Theoretically, this means that the sky’s the limit in terms of your earning power: how much you can make is directly linked to how talented you are, how hard you work, and how good your business decision-making is. However, on the other side of the coin, you won’t necessarily have a guaranteed income, and you’ll also have to pay out for overheads like equipment, transport, chair rental and insurance. You’ll also need to develop a sound understanding of the hairdressing market in your local area, so that you can price your services right and ensure you gain enough clients to keep you busy, without underselling your abilities.

What else do I need to know?

Away from the excitement of applying your creativity and forging a successful career, there are a number of other considerations to take into account if looking at hairdressing.

The first is to say that if you’re looking for a steady nine-to-five job, it’s going to be very difficult to find one in this industry. Many clients will be looking for styling appointments that fit around their working lives, which means evenings and weekends. You should be prepared to work a range of different times of day and week on a regular basis, especially in the early stage of your career when trying to earn yourself opportunities.

Another area to take into account is salary: the starting salary in this line of work can be very low for a beginner. According to the National Careers Service, salon-based hair stylist salaries can range from £14,000 a year for those starting out to as much as £30,000 a year once you’ve gained more experience. If you’re taking a position as an apprentice, most salons tend to offer an annual wage of £10,000 a year. Please note that these figures can also vary substantially, depending where you live in the UK: salaries will be higher in London and the south-east of England to match the higher cost of living there.

Make sure you take your personal finances into account when starting out, and make sure you can balance your own books in the early stages before your earnings start to rise later on.

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If you’re operating as a self-employed hairdresser – either on a freelance basis, mobile or even if you’re renting a chair – then taking out comprehensive insurance cover is an absolute must.

Accidents and mistakes can occur, even to the most proficient and experienced of stylists. If somebody doesn’t get the style they want, is accidentally hurt during one of your sessions, or something else happens beyond your control, then they could launch a claim for compensation against you. You could be personally liable for settling the claim if the decision goes against you, which could cost you thousands of pounds and cause significant and long-lasting financial hardship.

Those worries go away if you’re properly insured, and at Protectivity, we’ve been insuring hairdressers just like you for many years. Our cover includes public liability, cover against professional negligence and other protections that give you peace of mind to be creative and grow your business with confidence.

Our cover is available from as little as £3.76 a month and can be paid for through flexible payment plans, helping you stay covered without breaking the bank. Take a couple of minutes today to examine our affordable hairdressing insurance options in more detail.

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09:37:58 GMT • 14 January 2025

Writing Your Personal Training Business Plan

24 July 2019

•

6 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

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Before hitting the gym and putting together workouts for clients, fitness professionals should have a firm grip on their personal training business plan.

When starting out your career in the industry it’s important to know which direction you plan to take. Your business plan will help you define that.

Putting together written documents may not sound ideal when you envision a career in the personal training industry, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.

We’ve highlighted six important sections to consider in your business plan.

Executive summary

This first section of your business plan should be the first thing a reader sees. Although the first to be read, it could be one of the last thing you write. Your Executive Summary will deliver a concise overview of what a reader can expect to read in the supporting document.

Give an overview of what you intend to do in your business, how you plan on doing it and how your business will sit in the market.

Within this section you can include your Mission Statement. This can be one or two sentences which sum up your personal training business and what you intend to change within the industry. It should perfectly sum up your fitness activities.

Business overview

This section will bring a more granular approach to your business. Here you will breakdown how your business sits within the current fitness industry. Is there a move towards a specific type of training regime? Will your business slot into that niche? Or will you follow a more traditional approach?

You can outline the facilities you will be operating in within this section. Are you intending to train in a gym? Or do you have your own studio where your sessions will take place?

Also within the Business Overview section you can highlight your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). This will be what sets you apart from the other businesses offering similar services. It can explain why individuals should choose you as their personal trainer as opposed to someone else.

Your services

Here you’ll explain precisely what services you’ll be offering. If you are offering group classes, individual one-on-one sessions or offering a workout plan service you should outline what they will entail here.

You should explain the benefits to your clients of following the specific approach you are taking. For example, have you got experience helping groups of people achieve their goals through boot camp classes? Or do you have a specialism that will ensure your one-on-one personal training sessions are hard to beat?

Of course, it is possible that you will be offering a range of different services. Highlight in your business plan how you will judge the best course of action for each client based on their goals, time commitments and other restraints.

Market and competition analysis

Starting a personal training business is bound for failure if you don’t have a idea of the state of the market. You could be the best trainer around but if you have no standing in the market or are not doing anything new then success will be tough.

Carry out an overview of the competitors in your local area, use tools like Google Adwords to assess the demand for personal trainers in your vicinity and document these in your business plan. Once you know who you are competing against and have an idea of challenges you might face, you can solidify your marketing plans.

Reiterate your USPs in this section. Why are you different? What need are your services meeting? Think about how you will market your personal training business. Will you employ a Pay Per Click (PPC) campaign to get your website (if you have one) the traffic you need? Will you use Facebook and other social media to advertise to your clients? Outline all of your marketing plans within this section of your business plan for your training business.

Financial plan

Now you have outlined what you will be doing, you need to show how you will not only be making money, but how you will be spending it too.

Your Market and Competition Analysis may have touched on how much your competitors charge, the price clients are willing to pay and the going rate for the services you will offer. Here you can outline how much money you expect to bring in to your business through your personal training sessions.

Is this the only way you intend to bring money into the business? If not, what else will you be doing to raise funds?

You also need to consider your spending in this section of your personal training business plan. Think about overheads. Are you planning rent a studio or gym -if you so will need gym insurance. How much will that cost? Remember petrol costs if travelling from client to client will soon add up and can take a significant chunk of your earnings.

There’s also the consideration of spending money in order to accumulate it. As briefly mentioned in the section above, you may want to set up an advertising campaign, be it PPC, social media or through a third-party agency. All of this can cost a lot of money, so consider the impact on your overall business here and draw up some sort of cash-flow plan.

Risk assessment

As much as you can plan to have the best run personal training set-up in the land, things can, and do, go wrong. Often though, how you react to slip-ups (sometimes literally) can be pre-planned within your personal training business plan.

Personal Training Insurance is the obvious starting place to cover injuries that might occur during your sessions. However, think about the immediate aftermath. Do you have a safety plan for your sessions? Have you remembered to ask your clients to complete a Par-Q before starting training? And is it worth undertaking some training yourself on how to deal with medical emergencies?

Consider not only what could happen within your training sessions, but think about the wider-world. What happens if a new competitor comes on the scene with cheaper sessions. You may be forced to change how you operate, what you charge or what you specialise in.

There’s also the potential for legislation change. Personal trainers are currently not allowed to produce meal plans unless they are a qualified nutritionist, for example. What would happen if new rules came into play that affected the training you offer? Having a plan of action for all scenarios will certainly help you here.

The sections outlined above are not exhaustive. There is no hard-and-fast rule as to what should be included in a personal training business plan, but hopefully the advice above can put you on the road to success.

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09:36:43 GMT • 14 January 2025

Your Guide to Becoming a Qualified Dog Trainer

25 June 2019

•

4 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

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If you love dogs (and their owners!) then becoming a dog trainer could be the perfect job for you. There are several different types of dog training careers from running puppy classes for people and their pets to training guide dogs or medical support dogs for specific tasks.

There are some key skills required to be a successful dog trainer:

Good social skills
Understanding of behaviour in dogs
The ability to develop skills and techniques
Understanding of the legal aspects
Independently accredited qualification

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We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet businesses, and we offer a variety of tailored products such as Dog Walking, Pet Sitting Insurance and Dog Grooming Insurance policies.

Understanding of Behaviour in Dogs

This is essential if you are going to be a dog trainer. When training a dog, they are required to listen, communicate and remember and so you need to be able to understand how they do this and what motivates each dog that you work with.

This knowledge can be gained through training courses, books and of course, experience, as you work with more and more dogs.

Develop Skills and Techniques

Take time to learn different skills and techniques, practice them and build up experience that will enable you to become a successful and confident dog trainer.

This confidence is an important part of working with dogs as they will respond better to a confident trainer, but it will also be important in developing relationships with existing and new clients who are looking to put their trust in you.

Understanding the Legal Aspects

There are several laws which exist which are important for you as a dog trainer to understand. These include the Animal Welfare Act (2006) and Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).

You can see more information on this on the Kennel Club website.

It is also important to understand the legal aspects of running a business, such as data protection.

Independently Accredited Qualification

Formal qualifications are not necessary to become a dog trainer but will always help to set you apart from other dog trainers and to attract new clients. A good starting point is the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a voluntary organisation and whose members are accredited.

There are a range of courses available either at colleges or through distance learning, all of which will give you the training and qualification to start your career as a dog trainer.

Another essential aspect is the need for adequate insurance cover. So, should something happen to an animal, a member of the public or their property as a result of your business actions you will have peace of mind that you are protected.

So, you can be covered if a third party makes a claim against you if their dog has an accident and suffers an injury during one of your classes.

Cover can also include your equipment in event that it gets damaged at a training session.

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09:35:28 GMT • 14 January 2025

What to Include in Your Dog Walking Service Agreement

28 March 2019

•

5 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

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As a dog walker it is important to know what your clients expect of you. While a written contract between your business and your clients is not a requirement, it can be of huge benefit to the running of your enterprise.

The thought of writing up a contract can be a daunting one. In truth though, you don’t need to be a legal expert to put together a dog walking agreement between you and your client.

When starting a dog walking business it’s important to draw up a dog walking service agreement and ask each client to complete it.

Here’s what we suggest you include in your agreement…

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Service outline

In summary, this is where you will outline what the client is paying you to do. Have sections for the number of walks you are being asked to complete, how far they should be, and the times you are expected to carry them out.

It’s also wise to get the price that the client will be charged penned down in this section too. This avoids any unwanted confrontation if a client disagrees on the bill that they are presented with.

Dog specifics

Meeting a dog before agreeing to walk it is always advised. That way you, as a pet care professional, can get to know the animal and any of its likes and dislikes. While this is good, it always pays to have this information down on paper within the walking agreement beforehand.

In this section of the contract, document the name and breed of the dog plus any medical conditions it may have. Have in writing if it is taking any medication so you have this to hand in the event of an emergency.

As well as medical issues, asking the owner to note any behavioural traits is also wise too. Ask whether the dog is good with fellow canines, whether it will chase animals and whether the dog has good recall. This way you mitigate some of the risks of an incident occurring whilst walking.

Emergency protocol

Reducing the risk of an incident is one thing, but knowing how to react when something goes wrong on a walk is another. Ensure that on any contract you have with your client you document who to call if the animal is injured or injures another dog or person.

Also establish the protocol you and your client wish to take if the animal requires veterinary treatment. Do you wait until you’ve made contact with the owner before taking a dog to the vets, or is the decision based on your judgement?

Making a note of the dog’s microchip number is also a great idea too. In the event that the animal is lost whilst walking, having this might come in handy in identifying it if discovered at a later date.

Other rules to follow

You should also outline in your contract a few other house rules and regulations you or the owner wish to impose. For example, do you have permission to walk the dog off-lead? If anything were to happen when the dog was off-lead and it transpired the owner had not agreed to it, your dog walking business could be held liable.

Many professional dog walkers like to take photos or videos of their walk to share on social media. This is a great way to show clients the service that you can provide. And while it’s unlikely to be an issue, it’s worth obtaining the permission of the dog owner before posting on Facebook or Twitter.

And lastly, make sure you include some rules about cancellations in the contract. What happens if a client cancels your services at the last minute? It could leave you with empty time that might have been filled with other clients. Do you want to include some sort of cancellation fee in your agreement?

You don’t need to include legal jargon in your agreement, it’s just worth covering every base. If things were to go wrong that were covered in the contract it doesn’t necessarily mean you are absolved of any legal liability though. That’s why it’s always important to hold appropriate dog walking insurance policy. With cover in place you are protected if the dog were to be injured, lost, or caused injury to someone else or their dog.

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09:33:24 GMT • 14 January 2025

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

29 August 2018

•

4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

We accept that insurance can sometimes be confusing. However, thinking about why you need to take out wedding insurance shouldn’t be a tricky decision.

After all, your wedding day will be the biggest day of your life, first of all emotionally and secondly financially. Everyone wants their big day to go smoothly, but with a large number of aspects coming together for the event, things can and do go wrong.

Taking out even the most basic wedding insurance policy will provide you with the peace of mind you deserve as you and your partner plan your wedding day.

What does wedding insurance cover?

There are dozens of different aspects to the average wedding day and each one has the potential to put a dampener on your day.

Cancelling or rearranging

Having both you, your husband or wife-to-be, and your family present is undoubtedly the main necessity for any wedding. But with most people planning their ceremony months or years in advance, a lot can happen in the meantime. Serious illness, accidents or worse may deem it necessary to cancel or reschedule your wedding. With an insurance policy in place, you are likely to be covered for the irretrievable costs that you have already shelled out.

Damage to your wedding dress or suits

Whether the bride opts for a princess dress or something more fitted, ensuring the precious dress is protected is going to be vital. A damaged frock close to the big day will surely put even the calmest bride in a tizz. Thankfully with insurance, you can rest assured that if something happened to the dress or the ceremonial attire of a member of the bridal party, the costs to replace them will be covered.

Failure of your suppliers

From photographers to florists to DJs, you rely on a lot of people on your wedding day. And if just one of those professionals you hire the services of let you down, it can be both worrying and frustrating in equal measure. Insurance will mean that if they were to pull out close to the event or not turn up, you are covered. The costs to book a last-minute replacement would be handled by your policy.

Damage to other items

Items such as the rings, flowers, gifts to your attendants and the traditional cake can also be protected under an insurance policy. If any of these were stolen or damaged within a week of the wedding our policy you could claim up to the value chosen on your policy to cover the costs of replacing them.

Public liability

Although not as sentimental as the dress or the rings, protecting yourselves is important too. In fact, many wedding venues will insist that you and any third-parties you have providing a service at your wedding have suitable Public Liability cover. If you were to cause damage to property belonging to a third party such as the venue or the DJ, you could be sued for damages. Having this cover in place ensures that if something like this occurred you’d be protected against the financial implications.

When to buy your wedding insurance?

A similarly straightforward question to answer as ‘Why do you need wedding insurance?’ is ‘When do I buy it?‘. In short, as soon as you start booking venues or suppliers or purchasing dresses or rings, you should consider insurance.

By buying early you give yourself maximum protection should the worst happen. If you purchase your insurance after something occurs that is likely to cause disruption to your wedding day, it’s unlikely it will be covered should those events unfold.

Purchase as soon as you beginning solidifying your plans and you can get full use out of your Wedding Insurance policy.

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09:26:51 GMT • 14 January 2025

Fit Britain: The top places to become a personal trainer

29 May 2018

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4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

The West Midlands and the City of Bristol have been named as two of Britain’s best places to become a personal trainer.

The number of personal trainers in Britain is growing, and according to Ibisworld, there are now over 23,000 registered PTs in the UK, but the local spread of these trainers, and the demand for their help, varies massively.

Our recent research shows that the two regions have some of the highest demand for fitness professionals in the country, but lack the competition of a large number of other PTs.

Figures show that in approximately one in 180 of Bristol’s residents will perform a Google search, looking for a personal trainer each year. This figure is usurped only by Greater London, where one in 135 people will seek out the help of a fitness pro in a 12 month period.

However, while the capital’s county is home to nearly 4,000 personal trainers, Bristol is only the 43rd most PT populous of the 106 counties and regions researched.

The West Midlands meanwhile has fewer personal trainers per capita than all but six English counties. Therefore anyone looking to become a personal trainer in Birmingham, Coventry or Wolverhampton and take advantage of the 1,000 people in the region looking for a PT each month, won’t have a huge amount of competition to contend with.

Where’s best to find a PT?

The highest build-up of fitness professionals is generally clustered towards the south-west of England, with Dorset and Somerset home to the highest population of PTs relative to total residents.

With over 300 personal trainers shared between it’s population of 422,900, Dorset boasts an impressive one personal trainer to every 1,337 residents.

However, not only is it already home to a large number of personal trainers, according to Google searches there isn’t much of a demand for their services, relatively speaking. The county came 99th of 106 regions in terms of number of searches each month, potentially making it one of the most tricky places to start a personal training career.

Another area that doesn’t appear to be on the look out for PT tutelage is Nottinghamshire. With a similar number of searches a month per head to Dorset, it’s worth noting that the county is the 15th most densely populated region of Britain for fitness professionals.

For those looking to start a career in the leisure industry in Wales, there’s some good news and some bad news. Seven of the 23 council areas sit in the bottom 10 when it comes to the areas that Britain’s PTs call home.

That being said, the search volume for personal trainers in the country sits in mid-table of our research, meaning while the competition may not be there, it may be that neither is the demand.

Market analysis is key

When considering a career in the fitness industry it’s wise to think about whether there is a) a demand for more fitness professionals in your area and b) room for another competitior on the market.

By looking at the number of Google searches and number of personal trainers already operating in your region, potential PTs can get a good idea whether this is the right career move for them. Of course, if you have a niche or are offering something that allows you to stand out ahead of the crowd, you could disprove the statistics.

By nailing your business plan and marketing your business wisely, life as a PT can be rewarding and a wise career move. It may not be for everyone, but by our numbers, fitness lovers in Bristol and the West Midlands, could be in the perfect spot to become a personal trainer.

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