Networking is a cornerstone of business success, fostering relationships that can lead to invaluable opportunities. For business owners and entrepreneurs, it’s not just about making a sale, but about building a supportive community and staying ahead in your industry. … More Your ultimate guide to business networking
Within the past three years, advancement of large language models and artificial intelligence have revolutionised how we engage with the world. However, despite the rapid integration of this technology into business practices and the increase in AI-based start-ups it is essential that business owners do not become too reliant on its ‘promised’ utility. I believe it would be useful to highlight some of the drawbacks that AI can have on founders, entrepreneurs or anyone within our SME community. … More The risks of AI as a business owner
Being an entrepreneur is like being the lead actor, director, scriptwriter and janitor of a movie that’s being filmed live, with no budget and the plot keeps changing. Here are some realistic, slightly ridiculous but genuinely helpful time management tips that helped me and I am hoping it will help you stay sane, productive and maybe even get a full night’s sleep (but no promises) … More Time Management Tips for Entrepreneurs: How to Tame the Chaos Without Crying in a Cupboard
As your business grows, bringing on your first employee is an exciting milestone. However, it comes with significant responsibilities and legal obligations. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to ensure smooth transition into your new role as an employer. … More Your First Hire: Essential Steps to Hire Compliantly and Successfully
Raising investment is one of the most significant milestones for a startup. Done well, it can fuel rapid growth, bring in valuable expertise and open up networks that propel your business forward. Done poorly, it can drain time, dilute founders unnecessarily and saddle the company with complex structures that deter future investors. Here are four tips from Michael Bucksworth who is the managing partner of Bucksworths, a firm of soliciters working exclusively with startups. … More Raising your first round of investment
If LinkedIn deleted your account tomorrow, would anyone actually notice you were gone? You can have up to 30,00 connections on the platform. But most people hover in the low thousands, so losing one connections is barely noticeable. How do you make that reality work in your favour? … More LinkedIn: The Social Network You’re Using Wrong
Coffee Snobs is a co founded business run by two best friends who met at university. After consuming copious amounts of bad coffee to fuel late night studying they decided to do something about the whole coffee industry and start the business that they had dreamed of. … More Meet Coffee Snobs: From craving great coffee to crafting it for all
At Creare Capital, a lot of time is spent thinking about how creative businesses grow, and, crucially, why so many promising ideas struggle to get off the ground. The government’s new Creative Industries Sector Plan offers a refreshed plan for tackling the challenges facing the sector but if you are launching your creative business now what can you do to overcome these funding barriers? Here are some practical steps that early-stage creative founders can take. … More Funding your creative business: Navigating challenges and building confidence
In today’s hyper-competitive digital world, having a social media presence isn’t enough. Start-ups and SMEs that succeed aren’t the ones posting randomly, they are the ones that build a strategy with purpose, creativity, and data-driven insights. … More Why start-ups and SMEs need a social media strategy in 2025
Moda de la Maria is a fashion brand committed to crafting high-quality, timeless womenswear using natural fabrics such as silk, wool, cotton, and cashmere. Hear from Maria Ruseva, the founder, about how she stared the business, her challenges and achievements, and her advice for budding entrepreneurs! … More Meet Maria Ruseva: Making her dream reality with a handcrafted fashion business
Are you a start-up business founder eager to cultivate enduring growth and long-term viability? Or perhaps you are driven to gain a significant competitive edge? Then, continue reading as the article delves into how proactive sustainability integration can propel your business without straining your resources. … More Embedding Sustainability: A Cornerstone for Start-up Success
Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey is an exciting experience with potential opportunities and pitfalls. However, most entrepreneurs are confronted with traps that can ruin their success and threaten the sustainability of their business. At the Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre, we have seen the errors entrepreneurs commit and we have provided guidance in how they can be avoided. … More Common mistakes entrepreneurs make – and how you can avoid them!
Small Business Research and Enterprise 