22 October 2019

Following the Tide

When you’re just starting up a new business, it can be tricky to find the right support. It’s not that there aren’t plenty of resources out there, it’s just that most of those organisations need to make money too. So when they say ‘small’ business, they really don’t mean a one or two man band. Their purpose is to take a business idea and support it into a big venture with exponential growth, premises, employees and so much more.

But there are a lot of businesses out there, mine included, where there’s no ambition to expand beyond the point of a solopreneurship. Maybe it’s a way to enable both parents to be wage earners without compromising on child care, or a passion project where paying the bills is what’s needed while the owner makes a difference. We’re not all money motivated.

However those businesses tend not to have a big budget to spend on getting the help and support they need. Some networking organisations have membership fees in the hundreds, graphic design packages can be more than a micro-business needs and way out of budget. If these smaller businesses want to put together a business proposal, they can’t call in a consultant at £500 a day.

But I’ve felt a current in my working life recently which is drawing me into a network of support for these smaller businesses. I’m not sure where this tide will take me just yet, but for now I thought it would be useful to share the resources that I’ve come across which might help smaller businesses get the support they need.

Branding & Print

Finding You

That’s where Lexi Grey of Special Kind Design comes in. Lexi loves to work with small businesses, find out what makes them special and translate that into a graphical form. She basically does what I do, but with visuals rather than words! Talk to Lexi about Branding, Design, and all things graphical.

Premium Printing

Inc.dot is my local print shop, but they deliver their products all around the country. They have a design team if you need help with that, and specialise in short-run print jobs like booklets, flyers, and of course, business cards.

From Headshots to Hosting

Cathie from The Hearts Design is one of those multi-talented people that come in incredibly useful. Not only is she a photographer, she’s also a graphic designer and website creator.

Clarity & Coaching

The ass-kicker

If what you really need is no-nonsense accountability, then have a chat with Tracy Burleigh. A business owner herself, and the power behind the successul Women Mean Business networking group, Tracy will help you identify your priorities and hold you accountable.

A solution for Mums

Gemma Gilbert is a coach with a passion for helping Mums that run service business around their other life commitments. She offers free help and support via her Mummy’s Got Clients group on Facebook, but also helps one-on-one or in the smaller, VIP group which is a paid service. The beauty of Gemma’s approach is that you can dip in and out when you have time.

Support for Micro Businesses and Social Enterprises

Dorothy Hodgkinson has a wealth of vocational and lived experience, and is passionate about helping small businesses and CICs get off the ground. If you’re overwhelmed with where to go next, then you’ll find her at Finding Perspectives.

Confidence Boosting

If it’s self-confidence that you need to build, then you could do worse than talk to Andrea Morrison. Her ‘Business Revolution’ group is helping micro and small businesses find their path and have the self-belief to walk along it.

Firm Foundations

If you’re just getting started and need someone to help you build your business the right way and help focus your belief in what you do, then The Creative Bloom is a good place to start looking.

Marketing

Podcast Support

Podcasts are a great medium for solopreneurs to absorb information, as we can play them while we drive, cook, or do the million other things we have to get done in a day. Louise Mason, aka Your Marketing Specialist, is the host of Marketing Musings which is an incredibly helpful bitesize nugget of marketing goodness.

Get Social

We’re often told that social media is a great tool for small businesses, letting us have a direct relationship with potential clients. But how do you do that? So Far, So Social has the answer.

Advertising

Do you use Facebook or Instagram ads to reach your clients? If you do, then Social Thyme can help you get the most out of your money.

Legalities

Ugh, GDPR!

If data protection has become the bane of your life, then you’ll be glad to hear that Dunwell Data Protection are around and willing to help you with your privacy law woes.

Employment Law

Getting to the point where you can hire others in your business is a huge milestone, but you need to make sure you get it right. That’s where help from Torque Law comes in handy; they’re employment law specialists so you know you’ll be getting the right advice.

Social Enterprises and Charities

Setting up

Alidra Per has a passion for helping charities and community interest companies get off the ground. If you need help launching, governance, project development and more then she can help.

Second shoutout

Organisation

Dubsado

Do you need help streamlining your processes and taming your to-do list? Day Eight will help you get Dubsado set up so you can crack on with what you need to do.

And then there’s me…

I work with business of all sizes, but I have a particular love of working with smaller businesses and solopreneurs. I think it’s because what you do is so specific, and so special, and that helps me connect and get enthusiastic about you and your talents.

I can help with:

Content for your website, including regular blogs.
Training and mentoring you to do that for yourself, either one on one or through my From Beginner to Blogger training (next session in November 2019, limited places available).
And if you’re ready to take things to the next stage and try and secure funding, or respond to a tender for a larger organisation? I can help with that too.

If that sounds good, then get in touch today!