Co-founder, Exitnine
Ben Saunders
Ben co-founded Exitnine to give people a structured, realistic way to build a business of their own alongside the rest of their life.
He looks after the product: how the coach, the weekly plan and the tools fit together so members always know their next step. He also co-hosts the Exitnine Show with Aaron.
His guides cover the practical side of starting up in the UK, from tax and registering with HMRC to working out how much you need before you leave your job.
12 guides by Ben
Ben writes about
- Leaving your job
- Tax and Self Assessment
- Setting up a business
- Using AI in a small business
- How to quit your 9 to 5 in the UK: a realistic plan4 minute readA step by step plan for leaving your job to work for yourself in the UK, from knowing your number and testing an idea to tax, notice periods and choosing your date.
- How much money do you need before you quit your job?3 minute readA simple way to work out your own exit number: your monthly costs, your savings buffer and the income you need to replace, with a worked example.
- Can you start a business while employed in the UK?7 minute readUsually, yes. What to check in your contract, who owns what you create, using work time and kit, telling your employer, and how the tax works.
- How to tell your boss you're leaving to start a business6 minute readHow to resign when you're leaving to work for yourself: timing, notice, a sample resignation letter, garden leave and what to sort before your last day.
- How to start a business in the UK: step by step checklist8 minute readThe steps to start a business in the UK, from testing your idea and choosing a structure to registering, insurance, licences and tax deadlines.
- Sole trader vs limited company: which is right for you?7 minute readThe real differences between a sole trader and a limited company in the UK: liability, tax, admin, privacy, costs and when people usually switch.
- How to register as self-employed in the UK (sole trader)6 minute readWhen you need to register as a sole trader with HMRC, the 5 October deadline, what you need, how long your UTR takes and what happens next.
- How to write a one page business plan (with template)6 minute readWrite a simple one page business plan: your customer, problem, offer, price, channels, numbers, first 90 days and risks, with a template to copy.
- Do you pay tax on a side hustle in the UK?7 minute readWhen side income becomes taxable, how the £1,000 trading allowance works, when to register with HMRC and how much tax you'll pay on top of a salary.
- Self-employed tax explained: what you pay and when (UK)7 minute readHow self-employed tax works in the UK: profit vs income, allowable expenses, Income Tax and National Insurance rates, payments on account and key dates.
- Making Tax Digital for sole traders: who it affects and when6 minute readMaking Tax Digital for Income Tax explained: the £50,000, £30,000 and £20,000 thresholds, what income counts, quarterly updates and software.
- How to use AI in your small business: a practical guide6 minute readSafe, practical ways to use AI in a UK small business: planning, first drafts, research, admin and practice, plus what to avoid and UK GDPR basics.