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01 October 2024

Business Direct

YOUR BUSINESS NEWS FROM RICHMOND COUNCIL

Suzy Rowland - Happy in School Project

Suzy Rowland is an author who wrote Songs of My Soul, along with S.E.N.D. in the clowns, a book inspired by her diary entries throughout the years of her son’s autism and ADHD diagnosis.

Suzy set up the Happy In School project, raising awareness and teaching others the challenges young people and their families with neurodiversity face in accessing quality education.

Her next event ‘It Takes A Village (to raise a child)’, on 5th October 2024 at Midlands Art Centre (Birmingham) is a celebratory community conference during Black History Month with thought-leaders, inclusion experts, authors, creatives, entrepreneurs and parents. This event welcomes parents, educators, social workers, community-leaders etc. from across the UK to gather in support of neurodiverse talent.

Suzy stated: “It’s been a rollercoaster working with Ray at the ‘Zenith Enterprise Programme.’ As an entrepreneur, you can get a bit isolated, especially in terms of business planning, support and growth. “

Read Suzy’s story here

Celebrating businesses in Richmond upon Thames

Nathan Jones – In The Bag Martial Arts Academy

Amaka Jackson  – Jackson Longe Solicitors

Elizabeth Batalla – The Institute for Achievement and Excellence

Dorcos Amoding – WAMU/ AMOCRAFT SELLERS

Eyi Temi – singer-songwriter

UPCOMING DEADLINES 14 Oct – Orleans House Gallery Winter Show 14 Oct – Richmond Business Awards 14 Oct – Small Business Index Survey 15 Oct – Simply Business Boost 25 Oct – Business Creators Fund for Disabled Entrepreneurs 31 Oct – Green Mark Sustainability Accreditation

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY   4 Oct – Grow London Local Coffee Friday 22 Oct – Property Advice Service webinar

Celebrating businesses in Richmond upon Thames

Dr. Mide Ojo – Refresh Dental

Sandra Wolo – Adults Dyslexics United

Ruth and Sama Trinder – Bingham Riverhouse and bhuti

Dominique Nok – Dominique Nok Photography & Curating

Empowering entrepreneurs in the borough "Enterprise is at the heart of Richmond upon Thames!" Read Cllr Phil Giesler, Business and Growth Lead Member's blog about how Richmond Council supports entrepreneurs throughout the borough.   Read his blog here

Calling artists living or working in Richmond Upon Thames

Orleans House Gallery is inviting submissions from artists living or working in Richmond Upon Thames for their annual Winter Show. The open-call exhibition provides a platform for Richmond-based artists committed to developing their practice.

The exhibition will run from 29 November 2024 until 2 February 2025.

The deadline for submissions is 11.59pm on 14 October 2024.

Find out more

Not your average entrepreneur

NYAE is supporting black & brown neurodivergent & disabled entrepreneurs with resources, business advice, and opportunities. They know that starting a business can be a challenge, but also that disabled entrepreneurs have the same potential for success as anyone else. All they need is a fair chance!

Find out more

Business Creators Fund for Disabled Entrepreneurs

Part of our mission at The Open University is to reduce inequalities in the entrepreneurial landscape by providing equitable access to support and funding and championing under-represented and under-estimated founders.

The Open Business Creators Fund is open to both commercial and social enterprise ideas. 

Submission deadline is Friday, 25 October.

Find out more

Workspaces in Richmond

Hybrid working has transformed the business model. Come and discover the benefits of our workspaces from co-working, meeting rooms, memberships to private offices.

Regus takes care of all your maintenance and IT requirements, therefore increasing the efficiency and productivity of your business. There are many advantages to having a serviced office, but the key benefit is office space your way.

Find out more

Black Artist Grant (BAG)

The Black Artists Grant (BAG) offered by Creative Debuts as a no-strings attached financial support to help black artists.

They can spend the grant on whatever they want – be that make new work, buy equipment or materials, travel, research, visit exhibitions or conferences, or to even just cover some life expenses.

Find out  how to apply

We Rise In is a business network that provides mid-senior level black professionals with a community of like-minded people with whom they can learn, connect, and do business. Through their events and training programmes, We Rise In supports its members in up-skilling in order to progress within their careers, business, or lifestyle.

Find out more

London Business Partnership is delivering a FREE commercial property advice webinar to businesses across Richmond upon Thames.

• Business rates and eligibility for rate relief
• Understanding and negotiating a lease
• Resolving property problems

Register here

Visit Richmond

Have you seen the new edition of the What’s On brochure? You can pick up your free copy from the Richmond Station Information Kiosk and your local library. What’s On promotes over 70 local events that are happening throughout the Halloween month.

Read the brochure here

RTS calls for case-studies from flood-affected businesses

The River Thames Scheme (RTS) is looking for case-studies to emphasise the real-life impact of past flooding on businesses along the Thames.

Flooding can cause severe operational disruption for businesses; damaging premises and stock, interrupting activities and leading to loss of revenue.

These first-hand accounts will help the scheme highlight its benefits for the local business community and underline how the RTS will reduce the risk of flooding in the future.

If your business has been affected by flooding, please share your story. For more information, please visit the scheme’s website.

Key Links

• Business Rates
• Cost of Living Hub
• Licensing and Trades
• Planning
• Richmond Card Business Scheme
• Trading Standards

Business Hub

• Arts, culture & creatives
• Business events/workshops
• Event and venue hire
• Social Enterprise
• Workspaces
• Young Entrepreneurs