KEEP TRYING, GOOD IDEAS WILL SUCCEED

EMMA Jones, founder of business support group Enterprise Nation, agrees that many small businesses have had their challenges since the ending of lockdown. Yet she urges entrepreneurs to experiment – ‘good ideas will always succeed’.

She says that Enterprise Nation has opened pop-up shops for online sellers looking to test whether their business will benefit from a retail presence. She adds: ‘Businesses that have embraced the opportunity have shown innovative ways of attracting people through their doors – by hosting events, product demonstrations, plus workshops. All have led to sales.’

Her advice to small business owners is:

Find out what your customers want – having a blend of an online store and pop-up physical presence gives you an opportunity to discover how customers want to do business with you.

Don’t be afraid to fail – try new ideas to work out which resonate best with customers. If you try ten new things and nine don’t work, you’ll have found one that does.

Use being a small business to your advantage. Unlike large chains, independent businesses can react and pivot at speed. Don’t underestimate the importance of this.