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Each week, a specialist in a business subject joins us in the studio for 5 live's On The Money to answer your business questions. Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation answers your questions on running a business from home.

I have registered my businesses name with to protect it, set up a website, have a business logo and am starting to win work. Is it important to patent your business name and logo? At what point would you advise changing the business from a sole trader to a registered company? - Nick

Hi Nick
If you have made these moves in terms of registering the company name and having the name as your website address, you are pretty well protected. Patents are more to protect ideas and innovations but you might like to apply for a trade mark as these are designed to protect symbols such as brand names and logos. You can find out more about how to apply and protect your trade mark here
In terms of changing from sole trader to limited company status, there are a few issues to consider such as taxation, the state of the business's records and whether the business wants limited liability, etc. My advice would be to talk to an accountant on this point.

Do you have any tips on fighting the equivalent of "writers block", i.e. when you have been looking at or working on a single project of your own, whether out of working hours or even full time, for so long that it come to the point or points where you cannot bear to look at it! - Rob

Hi Rob
My advice is, and hope you take this in the right way, get out and about! Go talk to people about your idea; make direct contact with people who you feel have the skills and experience to help shape and develop it and mix this up with some informal networking at business events and shows. When you talk to people about your project and have them contribute, it will bring the project back to life and hopefully spark your passion for it once again!

I am going to start a home business, even though I won't have a big enough turnover to be obliged to register for vat, I think it might be a good idea to register anyway. I have bought various items over the last 12 months. Can I back-date my vat registration in order to claim back the vat on these items? - Dave, Coventry

Hi Dave
You can generally reclaim VAT on goods purchased up to 4 years before you register for VAT. For services bought, this is six months before registering that you can reclaim amounts. There is a condition though that you do have to keep good records of purchasers and how they were used. You can read a guide on this very topic

I work for civil service so have to be careful about setting up business - as it could be conflict of interest. However, is the net still the way forward or is face to face business the way to go? Is it best to be sole trader or ltd company? Should I become Vat registered? -RS ,Staffordshire

Hello RS
Yes, if you are holding down your day job and 'Working 5 to 9' ie building a business at night and weekends, I would suggest an online business is a good way to go. That way, the business can be working (and earning money!) whilst you're at work. It's never been so easy to have an online presence, whether through a blog or website, and both can be built at low cost and without much technical knowledge. You can then make the most of social media like , and to promote your site and attract attention.
On the question of sole trader or limited company, I suggest you take advice from a qualified accountant. Being a sole trader means you keep all the profits and are solely liable for any debts whereas limited companies exist in their own right, with the company's finances distinct from the owners finances. Speak to an accountant to find out the structure that best suits your business.
And should you become VAT registered? If your turnover of VAT taxable goods and services for the previous 12 months is more than £70,000 (registration threshold for current tax year), or you expect it to go over this figure in the next 30 days, you must register for VAT. If your turnover is below £70,000, you may still decide to register for VAT. Being VAT registered can give your business credibility with certain customers and when you charge VAT, you can claim back the VAT you've already paid, which may result in a credit. On the other hand, if you include VAT in your pricing, it may make you more expensive than your competitors and you'll have to submit a VAT return four times a year which adds to your admin 'to do' list.

What advice does Emma have for a home based business with a not very businesslike address ie. Bluebell Cottage? How do you circumvent without a PO Box? Jools

Hi Jools
If you would rather not promote your home address as the business address, you can opt for a virtual office. This entitles you to use a business sounding address and the virtual office operator will either send post on to you, or you can pick it up if your virtual office is close by. Companies who provide this service include , and .

On The Money goes out on 5 live between 8 and 9pm every Sunday night