Managing stress as an SME business owner: Practical strategies that work

Running a small or medium sized enterprise can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with a unique set of pressures. During International Stress Awareness Week, it’s important to recognise that stress is not a sign of weakness – it’s a natural response to the demands of leadership. Here are some practical methods to help you manage stress more effectively – starting today. … More Managing stress as an SME business owner: Practical strategies that work

The risks of AI as a business owner

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

Time Management Tips for Entrepreneurs: How to Tame the Chaos Without Crying in a Cupboard

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

Your First Hire: Essential Steps to Hire Compliantly and Successfully

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 your first round of investment

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

Meet Coffee Snobs: From craving great coffee to crafting it for all

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

Funding your creative business: Navigating challenges and building confidence

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

Sustainability: Returning to our roots and building forward

Sustainability is defined as ‘the ability to be maintained or continued at a certain rate or level’. It sounds simple – but when applied to business, leadership or life after adversity, it becomes much deeper. If you’re someone trying to build something meaningful, this could be a product, service or space – these principles of sustainability still apply. … More Sustainability: Returning to our roots and building forward