Member Article

Rocking and revolutionising the world of micro business

2014 has been hailed by many as the year to ‘Grow Your Business’ yet according to one organisation, a significant number of UK micro businesses (those with 0-9 staff) are focused on simply surviving and making enough money to live on rather than any notions of ‘going for growth’.

Enterprise Rockers – an independent community interest company of tens of thousands of micro businesses in the UK, have set out their plans for 2014 and top of the list is to revolutionise the way in which this sector is supported to ensure self-employed, freelancers and micro enterprises can survive and thrive.

Co-founder of Enterprise Rockers Tony Robinson OBE, who has more than 27 years behind him running a micro business and helping others earn a decent living from doing the same explains:

“Many micro business owners do not actually want to grow their business or indeed employ staff, instead preferring to collaborate to keep going and reduce their costs base which is simply too high. Everyone I meet from overseas says the costs of operating a UK micro business, even a home based business, are far too high. Enabling lower energy costs, broadband, telecoms, business rates, passenger transport, and fuel along with lower costs of compliance with regulations are all within the power of any Government.“

Given that within the next decade nearly half the working people in the UK, including those at school today, will be self-employed or business owners running their own micro enterprises, it’s something that can no longer be ignored.

Tina Boden, Enterprise Rockers co-founder and micro business specialist continues:

“Small businesses have an inherent sense of social responsibility as they are rooted in the communities that they serve, which has a positive effect on local, regional, and national economies. We have to make sure this sector, which makes up a whopping 95% of businesses in the UK, gets the support, skills, know-how, and cost base it needs to survive, thrive, and yes if they want to, grow!“

Through the Enterprise Rockers community, micro businesses are collaborating and realising their strength as a community. From April to June this year there will be a tour of the UK bringing together micro enterprises across towns, villages, and cities to show all the amazing things they do and the differences they make to communities & economies.

With many micro business owners now earning less than they were a year ago, and half with income below the ‘living wage’ there will also be greater emphasis on supporting them to find opportunities to boost fee earning potential and help them Keep Going.

Tony concludes: “The success of this sector will shake the UK out of its apathy and provide the jobs and economic growth that will lead to a much more vibrant society, better local communities and a much fairer distribution of wealth and greater equality of earnings. 2014 is the year of the micro business revolution, where the value of micro businesses within the culture and economy of the UK is truly recognised and supported.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lorraine Allman .