A letter to Small, micro business owners.
- Aug 29
- 4 min read
2025 has been one hell of a year for small, micro businesses in the UK. With unprecendented challenges around NI, costs, customer behaviour and the tsnami of AI information, it's perhaps time to take a moment and see where we are. Here's my letter to small business owners, especially those with 0-9 employees (about 60% of you won't employ anyone).
Dear business owner,
If you're anything like me, you started a business because you wanted something in your life to be different. You may have had a much clearer idea of what that was than I did, but I'm guessing it was an idea, an irritation or perhaps even a full blown dream. All in all, I think most of us are just trying to build a life we love a little more when we start a thing and here we are - doing it, living it, ploughing on.
I have no idea what it is you actually do in your business but I suspect that you're trying to spin loads of plates which sometimes is like an amazing dance you suddenly feel you've mastered and sometimes like an utter sh*t show. There are about 5.2 million of us in Britain and as I mentioned, about 60% of us are doing it all alone. Despite plenty of evidence that it's exhausting, overwhelming, worrying, stressful & bloody hard work, we're actually making a hell of a difference where we are. Here's a little reminder, to keep your spirits up.
First up, it's worth remembering that your business is the beating heart of where you live. Even if what you do is all online and you sell overseas, you're working from your community, buying a coffee, getting the help of a local web designer, accountant or book keeper and you may even grab the odd lunch at your local. For those of you doing it all in your local High Street, you're part of a movement that wants to see a different kind of Britain, one that embraces everyone, is creative, sustainable & makes life mean something more to more people. Yes, even you over there baking cakes is really doing that.
It's also worth mentioning that what you do is better for the planet we live on. You might not see yourself as a 'sustainable business' but boy are you, compared to some of the big guns out there. Your supply chain will be handpicked, short and transparent for starters, so no dodgy sourcing that's destroying communities, lives or habitats. I'm pretty confident you'll also be running on a shoestring, so your energy consumption, waste production and general stock or travel management will be on point - no unnecessary air travel or leaving the water running here eh? Your business, really is the business when it comes to being a little kinder to our world.
I also want to say something about wellbeing too. You're creating something that can, and is, making all the difference to so many. Many of you will be brilliant at flexible working options for your staff, and for those of you going it alone, I bet you've got a gang of people who help and support you. I know you'll be pants at 'slacking' and time off will be a rare treat, but I hope you love what you do with all your heart & that even on the rubbish days, you remember that you life and work has a purpose and means so much to so many. Remember you're the boss and the number one asset in your business.
As we head towards the busiest end of the year and peer into the next with hope, trepidation & perhaps cold fear, I wanted to share my thoughts on how we can make it better for us all and what we can feel positive about.
AI is here to stay but doesn't need to be a monster. We can double down on the human & authentic (your customers crave it) while handpicking the bits that will make our lives easier and our jobs list just a little shorter.
The dopamine addiction that's left us all knackered and feeling like we have to be 'on' all the time on social media is seeing its last days. The stuff you trade in - love, imperfection, real lives, authentic connection & human care is the fuel the world needs and you're the best people to deliver it.
There are over 5 million of us! We don't have to be competition to each other but rather more like friends. Small, micro business can do business better and lifting each other up will make us all winners
Let's find some time to use our voices. Still invisible to many, we can turn up the volume just a little on why working with, buying from and supporting the smallest businesses in the UK will improve the lives of all of us.
Keep going. I've been running my own businesses for over 20 years and I know how hard it can be. Lean into communities and find micro friends and you'll never be alone with your worries again.
With much love and wishing you the very best end to the year,
Emily (founder of Simply Club, Mum, business owner & history geek).

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