The SiLL blog brings you the latest business news, resources and support, and we're looking back on an exciting BHM programme focusing on the experiences of local black business founders with video interviews, a panel event, and a guest article from the founder of the ground breaking Chayses Boys Book Club.
'Black Business in Your Borough' Panel Event
Start-ups in London Libraries teams from across South London joined forces to present an inspiring and very relevant online panel event discussing 'Black Business in 2020'. Lewisham SiLL Champion, Mark was joined by SiLL Champions Rachel Samuels from Lambeth, Dean Williams from Southwark, Loretta Awuah from Greenwich and SiLL Project Manager, Uto Patrick. Our panel of entrepreneurs included multiple business founder and success coach Yemi Penn, and start-up businesses from each borough who have successfully come through the SiLL programme: Tess Padmore, founder of The R3cruit, Annie Gibbs, founder of Amour Destiné CIC and co-founder of The Greenbook, and Jennie Stephenson, founder of The Sunshine Dancer.
We also heard from special guests Councillor Stephanie Cryan from Southwark, Yas Alimam from Hotpatch, Paula Segre from Lewisham Local and Sunil Vadukul, Santander Lewisham's business banking manager.
The discussion covered big issues such as inequality in access to funding and business support, black purchasing power and overcoming your trauma. The panel also gave plenty of inspirational and practical advice for start-ups and potential entrepreneurs. 'Procrastination is failure's best friend' was Jennie's final word which summed things up perfectly. The range and breadth of business support available in London was revealed throughout the discussion. To watch the recording please follow the link.
We also heard from special guests Councillor Stephanie Cryan from Southwark, Yas Alimam from Hotpatch, Paula Segre from Lewisham Local and Sunil Vadukul, Santander Lewisham's business banking manager.
The discussion covered big issues such as inequality in access to funding and business support, black purchasing power and overcoming your trauma. The panel also gave plenty of inspirational and practical advice for start-ups and potential entrepreneurs. 'Procrastination is failure's best friend' was Jennie's final word which summed things up perfectly. The range and breadth of business support available in London was revealed throughout the discussion. To watch the recording please follow the link.
Black Boys & Books. Changing the Narrative…Literally!
SiLL participant, Melissa is the founder of Chayses Boys Book Club, whose work broadens the horizons of local young people and goes way beyond the reach of a traditional book club. Read on for Melissa's guest article and find out about her incredible work...
My name is Melissa and I am the founder of CHAYSES BOYS BOOK CLUB; a self-funded book club for boys aged 10 to 16 years within the London Borough of Lewisham, which is the 31st most deprived Local Authority in England according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
I started this book club in 2016 in response to not only a
lack of extra-curricular activities for the young boys in my community, but
also to increase their literacy levels, broaden their academic and social
horizons, and to deviate them from engaging in anti-social behaviour which is
prevalent within the borough.
The primary purpose of the book club is to provide a safe space for young black boys and encourage them to read, learn and grow in a safe and fun environment outside of the school setting, to improve their academic and social skills whilst building and maintaining friendships, and adopting key life skills such as confidence, responsibility and independence. I do this by providing books and technology for the boys to assist with their learning which has improved their school grades and enabled them to move up a level in their school sets as well as being rewarded with prefect and leadership roles within their year groups.
As a result of their dedication and commitment to attending the book club for the past four years, I have successfully enrolled and funded four of our members onto a ten month aviation course with Fantasy Wings where they will undertake pilot training and also learn about aviation engineering.
The book club has grown in membership and popularity over the past four years which led to transitioning from a small idea to a registered Community Interest Company. SiLL has been instrumental in assisting with navigating the enterprise side of the company such as cash flow forecasts, marketing tips and funding options, which is something I had not considered previously.
My long-term goal going forward is expand the book club
model pan-London and nationally, and to establish a permanent state-of-the art all-inclusive educational and
social facility, which will include an after school and weekend homework hub
with a fully equipped computer room and library, counselling room for youth
therapy as I have recently qualified as a Child Counsellor, tutoring room,
canteen, gaming room and small hall space to deliver educational workshops.
I endeavour to change the narrative and illustrate that
BLACK BOYS MATTER!'
BAME Founders Have Their Say
Get an insight into what it's really like to run a start-up in 2020 with videos created by local BAME business founders who have successfully come through the SiLL programme and are trading within the climate of Covid and Black Lives Matter. You can follow the links below to watch each video or access the full playlist here.
Our Start-up in London Libraries SME Champion, Mark talks about the way libraries support business, and why he got involved with the SiLL programme. Watch the video here and find out about the Lewisham SiLL programme here. The next SiLL workshops are What next for my business idea? (24th Nov), Get ready for business (30th Nov) and Marketing Masterclass parts 1 and 2 (2nd and 3rd Dec).
Start-up Day
Each borough has invited a speaker with expertise in a different area such as websites, value proposition, crowdfunding and finance. And the BIPC are hosting their own full day bootcamp including interviews with groundbreaking entrepreneurs and sessions on sales strategy, marketing and mentorship. In addition, the BIPC's National Network are streaming webinars from Manchester, Sheffield and Glasgow.
You need only register once to pick and choose from the jam-packed schedule of inspirational talks and sessions, jump around between the different breakout rooms, or else settle in for the full day. With the live chat feature, you can talk to fellow attendees, share advice and network. To find out more and register, please follow the link
Business News and Support
Tool to help prepare your business for Brexit
The transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year. Use the Government's checker tool to identify the specific steps you need to take for your business to be ready by 1 January 2021. More information here
Funding for BAME businesses and non-profits
Business support for BAME social enterprises and charities
Get financial support to hire a young person for six months
KickStart is a Government scheme to help employers offer life-changing job opportunities to 16–24 year-olds. The London Borough of Lewisham have applied to become an intermediary so they can help SMEs get involved in the scheme who wouldn't have the required number of vacancies to apply directly. Find out more and register you interest here.
Resources for creative organisations in Lewisham
Reset. Restart with the Business and IP Centre
Free business support and resources from London Business Hub
Free tech business incubators for female and BAME entrepreneurs
Free support from the Community Business Trade Up programme
If you are running a project or organisation that exists to improve your local area, the Community Business Trade Up programme will give you the head-space, support network and funding needed to adapt, digitise and diversify your income from trading. Find out more here.
Online training for music project facilitators
If you are running music projects or programmes with children and young people you'll find a variety of useful webinars on the Sound Connections website, including impact evaluation, data analysis an creative collaboration. View the events and register here.
HMRC webinars
Sign up to HMRC's email alerts to gain access to free webinars aimed at explaining and simplifying elements of self-assessment such as filing your return, record keeping and capital allowances. Find out more here
Brought to you by the Lewisham SiLL team
Contact us SiLL@lewisham.gov.uk
Web Lewisham SiLL
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