Start-up business news and support from Lewisham SiLL

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The SiLL blog brings you the latest business news, resources and support, and features video interviews with local female founders for International Women’s Day. Plus a timely guest article about the way business can benefit the community, and how Lewisham Local supports businesses to thrive within their communities

Female Founders Have Their Say  

To honour International Women’s Day we asked SiLL participants, Laura Harris, Anja Sims and Jennie Stephenson to talk about their business journeys and the obstacles they’ve overcome along the way, resulting in some insightful videos. You can access all of our SiLL video content here or click on the individual links below.

Meet artist, curator and webinar host, Laura Harris, who demonstrates the power of creative adaptability by talking us through the challenges of working from home and how she overcame them. Laura also speaks about one-to-one sessions with our SiLL Champion and the way they've supported her business journey. Watch Laura’s video here.

Anja Sims, founder of Anja Sims Fitness and Pilates, speaks about the challenges of promotion and telling the world what she does, and also the part that SiLL played in helping her through this step. In addition, Anja demonstrates some simple ways to keep your body active and strong, even if you're working at a desk all day. Watch Anja’s video here.

Jennie Stephenson is a holistic wellbeing mind-set coach, better known by her business name, The Sunshine Dancer. She speaks about how the pandemic forced her to change career, and led her to start a business which encompasses everything she is passionate about. Jennie also talks about business challenges and how she overcame them. Watch Jennie’s video here.

 

The SiLL Programme Supports a High Percentage of Women

During the second half of 2020, women made up nearly 75% of the entrepreneurs who completed the SiLL programme across London. This may be because SiLL is offered locally and online, making it much more accessible to people who are juggling different areas of their lives. BAME entrepreneurs also accounted for a high number of completers at nearly 50%, and entrepreneurs who considered themselves to have a disability made up almost 8%.

Please follow the links to the next Lewisham SiLL workshops:

28th April Marketing Masterclass part 2 

6th May Day 2 Workshop: Get Ready for Business 

14th May Get Ready for Business: Sales  

1st June Day 1 Workshop: What Next for my Business Idea?

9th June Marketing Masterclass part 1

10th June Day 2 Workshop: Get Ready for Business

11th June Marketing Masterclass part 2

The Value of all Things Local

Our guest article is written by Paula Segre from Lewisham Local, which is involved in many exciting initiatives to support local business and the Lewisham community as a whole...

Here at Lewisham Local, we share resources and lead schemes that offer support to local businesses, community groups and individuals alike. Our mission is to power a community-based way of giving and encourage collaboration and connection. At the heart of our projects is a genuine care and commitment to all things local. And so we ask ourselves; what brings value, originality and prosperity to our community? The answer is right in front of us, in every corner of every high-street, with every effort to better our livelihoods and make Lewisham an identity-driven Borough, behind it all are our diverse set of local businesses.

Our Lewisham Local Card is a discount scheme which rewards community supporters with up to 50% off at over 500 local shops. Its aim is to celebrate our network of businesses, strengthen our local economy and encourage residents to shop local. Small, community-minded businesses who join are provided with a safety net where they can find support, collaborators and an increase in engagement. For instance, simply by signing up your business to offer a discount, you will be posted a free Lewisham Local Card. This will not only give you discounts in your daily purchases, but it will also allow you to access a range of professional discounts offered by other businesses. Whether you are looking for an illustrator, web developer, or an accountant, you can trust that our network of locals will be able to help! And what better way to spread the word than by directly showcasing and promoting your business? If you would like to see this in action, check out our month-long campaign for International Women’s Day, where we utilise our platform to amplify the voices of women-led Lewisham businesses, with a special focus on the specific struggles that each individual has had to overcome. 

A tangible example of the power of Lewisham Local networks can be seen through our new Collaborative Partnerships Network. While traditionally, we have always been proud of taking on the role of ‘community connectors’ on a one-to-one basis, we are currently working on formalising this by creating a platform of ongoing collaboration. Small businesses and community organisations are welcome to come here to let us know the support you need or wish to give out, and we will then pair you with another group that suits your needs, so that together you can engage in a mutually beneficial partnership or one-off support. The reason for this recent development is that it became apparent to us, especially with the divide brought on by Covid, that although there are countless good things happening in the Borough, it is so difficult to find what is right for you in terms of collaborators. Therefore, the aim is to highlight all these opportunities and enable mutually-beneficial support. Thanks to the Collaborative Partnerships Network, you can see unexpected joint projects that might not have found each other another way, such as Smiley Huseyin Photography and Beckenham Place Park’s upcoming photography competition of Lewisham residents using the park!

We are proud to welcome all types of businesses with any range of requests. From funeral homes to animal therapists, we believe it is the uniqueness of our locals that brings life to our community. It is truly a pleasure to support local entrepreneurs and highlight your successes. Thank you for making Lewisham a better place for all.

Take a look at Lewisham Local’s website or use the links below to go directly to information mentioned in Paula’s piece.

Lewisham Local Card

Collaborative Partnerships Network

Lewisham Local’s International Women’s Day content

 

Digital Resources With Your Library Card

Library Membership All of our resources are free to use with your library card. If you're not already a library member you can sign up online. If you need help with any of our e-resources please email libraries@lewisham.gov.uk

COBRA Complete Business Reference Adviser Explore business opportunities, sector guides, legals and much more.

Issues Online A comprehensive reference source addressing contemporary social issues, covering 60 topics and providing a wide range of information and opinions on each one.

 

Ebooks, Audiobooks, Comics, Graphic Novels and Magazines Follow the link to Overdrive, or download the Libby app for our main collection of ebooks and much more.

Business ebook collection on Libby Take a look at our collection of business eBooks, available to download free on Overdrive or with the Libby app. 

PressReader Newspapers, journals and magazines from all over the world. Available as an app.

Borrowbox is an audio book resource which is also available as an app.

 

Business News and Support 

Local Business Support for the Creative, Digital and Tech Sector with Stride

Lewisham has partnered with neighbouring boroughs to bring you Stride, a fully funded business support and innovation programme focused on the creative, digital and tech sector. Stride's aim is to create opportunity, develop talent and support creative and tech enterprises. Find out more here.

 

Culture and Diversity Development Bursaries from We Are Lewisham

Lewisham Council are piloting a new approach to supporting individual practitioners and small organisations to develop their ideas and seek funding to deliver cultural projects that promote equality and diversity. Ten bursaries of £750 each will be made available, and recipients will also be offered mentoring support from Lewisham’s Culture Team. Find out more here

 

Free Listings and Support for Creative Businesses with Shapes

Lewisham is a Creative Enterprise Zone, which means local creative businesses and freelancers can list their business for free on the ShapesLewisham website, as well as accessing information about exhibition space and events. Shapes are also great champions for their creatives on social media. Find out more here.

 

Support, Funding and Mentoring through the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme

The New Enterprise Allowance scheme could give you money and support to help you start your own business if you are receiving certain benefits and have a business idea that could work. Find out more here.

Finance Webinar from the BIPC

Fri 26 March

As part of the Business and IP Centre’s ‘Reset. Restart’ series, this webinar will break down everything you need to know and understand about finances into seven key steps. By the end you will be much more confident in managing this important aspect of your business. Book your place here.

Guidance and Information for Female Entrepreneurs

Women Entrepreneurs UK offers guidance and information on finance, funding and investment aimed at women. Browse their articles on home businesses, grant funding, successful business women, and Black and Asian female led businesses here.

 

HMRC Guides on YouTube

Access information on self assessment, making tax digital, expenses, coronaviris support and much more from the official HMRC YouTube channel here.

 

Business Support and Information from Lewisham Council 

Lewisham Council's Business Homepage has links to the latest information and resources including support during the pandemic, the KickStart apprenticeships scheme, tenders and contracts and commercial property. You can also list your business for free on the Business Directory and sign up to receive the Lewisham Council business email.

 

 

Brought to you by the Lewisham SiLL team

Contact us SiLL@lewisham.gov.uk   

Web Lewisham SiLL

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