6 Ways to Show the Love for Small Business Britain

It is the month of love after all, and what better time to focus a little on how we can all show the love for the small, micro businesses in our communities. This isn't about a performative 'we love small business' thing, but proper ways to vote for the communities we want to see, experience and nourish where we are.

Small business that's micro in size (0-9 employees) makes up a whopping 98% of all private enterprise in the UK, numbering about 5.7million businesses. To add to that significance, they also contribute nearly a quarter of annual UK turnover. 'Loving small business' is no longer a cute Sunday morning activity on Instagram (although that's clearly a dreamy way to hang out), but about reclaiming the power we all have to shape the places we live and the people who are making lives there.

We also know that trading has never been tougher for many small micro businesses. NI changes, business rates, minimum wage changes, fuel costs and supply chain hikes are all regular features for most businesses. This is the moment to show our support.

We are only too familiar with the way our strings have been pulled by dodgy billionaires and the world feels out of control. And yet, there are simple, affordable and crucial ways we can all be the difference from a grassroots level. Every penny, review, visit & signpost really really counts - after all, isn't that how the big guns like T**co operate?

Here's a simple and easy guide to help make the difference, for overwhelmed, exhausted and cost consious. Honestly, it'll kick you out of inertia and help you reclaim your personal power to help transform more lives and communities.

1. Start by noticing. We rush around, heading to our regular supermarket haunts, quick big brand coffe places, not because we don't care, but because we have easy habits in a bonkers busy world. Start by noticing what's really in your community. The places you never noticed, the people you've seen but not registered or the businesses you've heard mentioned and not followed up. You will be surprised how many there are. Note them, like them on socials or find a way to remember.

2. Monitor how you spend. Again, we all have easy habits, but we do all spend every week. Coffees, sandwiches, food shops, plumbers, a Birthday card. Make a note of regular spends that are over and above your food shop & petrol. This will be the start of your plan.

3. One step at a time. Rather like a weight loss diet, it's better to do simple swaps than abstain from all big business spending. Choose 3 regular spends per month and swap them out with a small business. Depending on your budget, these could be super small swaps and don't need to cost the earth. Think an independent coffee, a Birthday card from an indie retail store and ordering your takeaway from an indie not a big chain. This subtle spend change makes millions for communities across the UK.

4. Change gears. The billionaire owned businesses out there have made us impatient and demanding. We want quick, free deliveries, instant responses, AI driven personalised services and much more. That's not always possible for micro businesses and what we lose in speed we will often gain in service levels and human interaction, not to mention a thriving local economy. Plan out your spends, lengthen your lead times and shift your momentum so that shopping small becomes part of your life again.

5. Calling all business owners. If you're a business in the UK, then there's strength in numbers. We need our supply chains to stay alive, especially when international markets are so unpredictable. Where can you swap out on your supply chain, one step at a time. Where can you build aligned collaborations to add value to your proposition?

6. A money free option. Not everything we do to support small businesses needs to be about money. It's been said before, but the local social media signposting, the word of mouth recommendations, the conversation with a friend to help them wean off Am***on, the 5 minutes taken on a review or testimonial, really does go a long long way. This isn't about 'doing small business dances' but about shaping your home community and the UK as a whole. This is voting in action.

If you like what you've read or feel motivated to make the difference, please head to our growing micro business community Directory, from our Simply Club membership. These businesses are already stand out and we support them with coaching, tools and training all year round.