DPP global advisor, state Division of Small Business director share with UK publication how First State facilitates expansion into US

Right help, right time:
The importance of choosing Delaware

August 27, 2025

By Ben Bradford

Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down again with David Smallman, Global Advisor at the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, as he made a whistle-stop tour of the North East of England. It is almost 10 months since we last spoke and, as everyone is aware, a lot has changed on the other side of the pond in the last 10 months. However, our conversation took a different turn and followed a similar theme to David’s other meetings during his visit.

A theme of collaboration and accessing the right type of support.

The need for collaboration

For David, collaboration comes in two forms:

Between service providers, specialists and membership organizations
Businesses being more open to seek support and advice from external providers

On the first point more can be done, especially between specialists and membership organizations, to develop and create connections that ultimately benefit businesses. We both agreed that for too long there has been a siloed approach. Perhaps due to a fear of losing clients, customers or members, organizations are often inclined to go beyond their level of expertise, rather than bring a genuine expert into the fray.

Ultimately, it is only the individual businesses who suffer from such an approach.

David Smallman
Global Advisor
Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Having someone in your corner who can say “I’m not the best person to ask that to, but I know who is” can be crucial. “Cross-referrals can be so important to businesses. Sometimes they need someone whilst we’ll be here throughout, we suggest you speak to A, B and C to make sure you’re in the best possible situation.”

On the second point, businesses need to realize that it is ok to ask for help.

In life, nobody would argue with the fact that none of us know everything and, in many areas, there are experts who are better placed than them. When it comes to business life however, we often take a different approach.

“In our personal lives we wouldn’t give a second thought to contacting a plumber, electrician or mechanic if necessary,” David says. “Whereas in business, most people seem to think ‘oh well, let’s give it a go’.”

Again, such an attitude is only to the detriment of the business. David can share stories all day long of businesses that have failed to reach an objective due to a reluctance to ask for help and, conversely, those who have flourished after receiving the right support.

The value of seeking the right type of support

Arguably the most important words here are the ‘right support.’

The importance of receiving support from the right people is something that David is incredibly passionate about.

“Yes, you can learn from theory,” he says, “but it cannot be a replacement for people who have been there, done that, got the T-shirt.”

As an example, let’s take David and his areas of expertise. David himself is someone who has run businesses, and I’m sure he’d be happy to share that he’s experienced both failure and success, each with their own invaluable lessons.

His work has taken him across the world, and he has weighed up the time and financial investment knowing that a successful trip could make his business but equally a poor visit could have a terminal impact.

This hands-on, real-life experience is gold dust for businesses.

Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Unfortunately, when thinking of breaking into the American market businesses regularly go against David’s advice on collaboration and support.

“For some people, they think that they already have a good enough understanding of the American market simply from TV, movies and holidays,” he says. “Others believe that due to the success of their product in the UK they can simply follow the same model for America.”

The reality couldn’t be any more different. America is vast, can be complicated and is often underestimated by UK businesses. Having the support of an organization on the ground can be so important.

This is particularly important as each of the 50 states has its own rules and regulations for companies registering or operating there. Each one also has its own strengths and weaknesses in relation to market and location. Any company wanting to enter the American market has to explore each state individually and understand how its diverse amenities, benefits and pitfalls would impact their business model.

David and the team at Delaware Prosperity Partnership cannot only help you by drawing on their own individual experiences in helping businesses succeed. They can also help with your research, unlock key connections through their extensive network, and offer a physical base for you to use initially.

Simply put, such support can be invaluable.

Why Choose Delaware?

According to Business Facilities magazine, Delaware ranks #1 in the U.S. for foreign direct investment competitiveness. Why? Its advanced and flexible corporate law and specialized Court of Chancery system, which provides legal certainty and stability. Its strategic East Coast location, which is the center point between New York City and Washington D.C., and has more than 100 million consumers within a five-hour drive. It is home to a business-friendly environment and tax advantages, and a highly skilled and diverse workforce with access to several universities.

Companies that choose to register in Delaware without operating there pay no state sales tax. It’s no surprise, then, that more than 70 percent of the world’s Fortune 1000 companies are registered in Delaware. Only with an extremely compelling reason do companies even consider incorporating elsewhere.

As well as speaking to David, I had the opportunity to ask C.J. Bell, the Director of the Delaware Division of Small Business, to get his take on what makes Delaware such an exciting proposition from both a business and personal point of view.

“As a person, I’d say the cost of living is the winner,” C.J. says. “There is no state on the East Coast that can match the cost of living. Plus, if you are proactive, you will find a community for you, no matter what your hobbies and interests are. From a business perspective, a world-class legal framework and a highly sought after workforce. Also, the proximity to major metropolitan areas is unique to Delaware.”

Linking it back to how I started by conversation with David, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership are not only the right experts with the right knowledge but also have the network and collaborations to ensure you get the support you need.

C.J. Bell
Director
Delaware Division of Small Business

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Like all aspects of business support, David and the team can only help if you let them know what support it is exactly you need. As David would say, what have you got to lose? Having that initial conversation isn’t going to cost you, nor is it going to take too much time out of your day.

However, if you are serious about the American market, or want to know why Delaware is the fastest growing state in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, as well as the 10th fastest growing population in all of the U.S., then ask the question because collaboration and utilizing the right support is key if you want your business to succeed in any market. The Delaware Prosperity Partnership might just be the specific key you need to unlock your firm’s American potential.

As C.J. Bell put it, “as a state, we will help companies. Whether that be to set-up, find premises, or connect you to potential suppliers and customers, we’re here to help.”

This article was originally published by Horizon at https://www.horizonmag.online/post/right-help-right-time-the-importance-of-choosing-delaware.

DPP global advisor, state Division of Small Business director share with UK publication how First State facilitates expansion into US