The Reality of Small Micro business Ownership

How small business is rising from the chaos of 2025 & why we can feel excited.

There is no doubt that in all the conversations I have been having this year, with micro, small and SME sized businesses, 2025 is the year that keeps on giving. The sheer level of disruption, unpredictability and indeed existential threat, has really taken its toll on so many that I meet. Business has felt like a premanent fight scene from a movie, facing the enemies of challenge and change on all fronts with seemingly insurmountable odds. Like any film, it's not been all bad of course, with breakthroughs and new ways forward also strongly in evidence. It feels like 2025 is somehow the year that new beginnings (again) came into life and taking a moment to looks at, and think about that, might be the tonic we need to move into a new chapter.

Despite a perhaps negative introduction to this article, and the indisputable challenges of employee engagement, changing market forces, cyber security and more, I have witnessed, in the face of this perpetual challenge, more than a little flicker of fire of something new. This fire is both evident in conversations and actions and may help us to start to rethink, and re work, ways of working, innovating, communicating and developing business. I would go as far as to say that in the face of the uncertainty, polarisation & conflict we see all around, small business appears to be taking a new 'f**k that' approach. I observe new collaboration, radical solution testing, the embracing of new thinking & deep soul searching about doing business a whole new way. Sure, my samples of experience are self selecting, in that the businesses I meet and work with are taking part in support & innovation programmes but, none the less, my observations are near on universal.

So here is what I am witnessing and why I feel a strong sense of hope that small business is indeed, showing us a brighter way forward. With a big 'if'. If all small businesses, and I mean to include those who are micro in size with 0-9 employees, are able to access the right support that teaches, facilitates thinking, upskills and builds collaborative networks to share knowledge & experience.

Climate change

Despite so many years talking with businesses about being sustainable, there is a new shift in the commitment I see to build businesses with sustainability at the heart. Both out of the necessity brought about by external pressures and from an understanding that real change may only come from the bottom up, developing business that's better for people, places and planet appears to finally be a priority and not a nice to have. I see people changing their business models, re thinking the value they put out in the world and changing the way they communicate, to move from profit first to purpose first. This is a step change and confirmation to me, that the innovation, radical new thinking and brave agility required to mitigate climate change is now being led by micro, small and SME businesses.

People first

In a post covid world of business that's radically changed the workforce and its expectations of what 'working' needs to be and feel like, small businesses appear to be at the forefront of making 'work' more engaging, meaningful and, of course, manageable for everyone. Experimenting with flexible and hybrid working, a focus on creating teams with community and support at the centre and employing those who align to a set of values, have all added up to some pretty innovative and empowering workplaces that attract and retain talent.

Technology adoption

In a world of AI and rapid digital change, it's been a tough time for small business to both understand what to adopt and how to embrace that technology. However, with fewer resources than their corporate cousins to explore, upskill or experiment, small businesses are doing just that. With open minds and clear thinking, many small businesses are quickly understanding the opportunities there are to unlock business development potential, by evaluating new digital solutions. From more efficient processes to better communication, from better productivity to improved customer journeys, small business are right there at the forefront.

Innovation

I've already shared some examples of innovation that I'm witnessing in small businesses and it seems that they're really best placed to build the agility needed for the landscape we're all managing. Business models are being reformed, new customer relationships are being cultivated and collaborative partnerships are being sought. Despite the limited resources available to undertake big innovations, in the face of such uncertainty, small businesses are leveraging their entrepreneurial spirit with regular tweaks and resets that is both strengthening the national conversation about the benefits of working with and buying from small business & laying positive foundations for a bright small business future.

Things are positive for sure, and small businesses, especially those with less than 10 employees are displaying real tenacity and imagination in the face of all the threats at play. This feels like a moment in time for us all to think very clearly about what small business means to us personally, in our communities and at a national level and how we plan to support those businesses to thrive for the benefit of people, places & planet. This is a pivotal opportunity to be crystal clear about what small micro businesses need most to help them navigate the mega trends all around us.

Here are some ways to be part of the conversation and the next steps we all need.

Simply Club is a small & growing community of micro business owners who we bring together for support, comradeship and tailored coaching support & resources to help them build lives and businesses they love more.

The State of Small Business Britain Conference is celebrating its 10th year and takes pace on the 2nd of December at the Shard. This year, the focus is the government's new small business strategy and small business support, inclusion and growth.