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Hello and welcome to the October edition of Open4business!
This month, we're excited to share a variety of topics with you, including Black History Month events and inspiring local stories. Discover tips on marketing your business without breaking the bank, and learn how to enhance your employees’ skills. Plus, don’t miss out on our selection of business workshops and free support programs available for you to join!
We'd love to hear from you! If you have any business news or events to share, please reach out at open4business@wandsworth.gov.uk or follow us on Twitter @BusinessWandBC.
Happy reading!
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Marketing on a Shoestring
Are you feeling the pinch right now in your business?
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, you might be worried about how this will affect your sales, especially if you’re a very new startup.
Well, fear not! There are many ways that you can market your business with little or no cost, apart from your time.
Join Start Up Wandsworth to learn how to market your business on a shoestring budget.
In this two-hour, interactive workshop, marketing specialist Jane Rogers will take you through some tried and tested marketing techniques and show you how to make your business stand out from the crowd without breaking the bank.
Date: 14th October
Time: 12pm- 2pm
Location: Putney Library, 5-7 Disraeli Road, London, SW15 2DR
Wandsworth Start Up Bootcamp - 3 Day Accelerator
 Everything you need to know to grow a successful business.
Starting and growing a business is a rewarding challenge. There is so much to learn. This 3-day event is designed to show you how to get started quickly without wasting time, resources and money.
Learn the real practical steps to growing your business without needing a business plan and without needing any business knowledge.
Our simple 3-day Start Up Bootcamp will show you exactly what to do and when. This training is aimed at both new business owners and those who are yet to start. Learn everything you need to know to get started on the right foot.
Day 1: Monday, 14th October at 10.00 - 16.00
Day 2: Tuesday, 15th October at 10.00 - 16.00
Day 3: Wednesday 16th October at 10.00 - 16.00
Location: Tooting Works, 89 Bickersteth Road, London, SW17 9SH
E-Commerce Deep Dive: Selling Your Products Online
This workshop is for anyone who is interested in using e-commerce to sell their products and services online. You will learn about the benefits of e-commerce and how to apply it to your business.
Facilitated by Sybil of Sybiltec, she will take you through the steps required to create an online store using one of the world's most popular e-commerce platforms, and will cover some techniques on how to market your online business.
Date: 17th October
Time: 11am-1:00pm
Location: Putney Library, 5-7 Disraeli Road, London, SW15 2DR
Design a Pop-Up Pub - Craft and Draft!
Embark on a transformative journey in Wandsworth Town! Join us for the Craft & Draft project, a unique opportunity to reignite your passion for creativity and connect with like-minded individuals.
Collaborate with fellow creatives over 48 intense hours to design, build, and launch a pop-up pub, breathing new life into the historic legacy of the Ram Brewery. Gain hands-on experience, valuable business insights, and expand your network while creating a tangible project for your portfolio.
Don’t miss this chance to propel your creative career forward and revive the spirit of community at the heart of Wandsworth.
Date: 18th-20th October
Time: 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: The NEX, 17 Swandon Way, London, SW18 1EJ
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Kickstart Your Business - Business Research & Information - Day 1 & Day 2
Delivered by the Reference Team at the British Library.
Intellectual property and its protection is vital for anyone with a business idea. This all-day workshop will help you understand the multiple areas of intellectual property and their relevance to your business, as well as provide you with practical tips on how to utilise the BIPC’s resources to protect, research and develop your business idea. By the end of the session you will understand and identify the importance of intellectual property in your own business and know the next steps to protect it.
Date: 23rd & 24th October
Time: 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: Putney Library, 5-7 Disraeli Road London SW15 2DR
We are pleased to share an extraordinary event hosted by Joyce Fraser OBE, Chair of Trustees of the Black Heroes Foundation, in memory of her late husband, Flip Fraser. This theatrical performance commemorates Flip’s legacy as we mark a decade since his passing on August 31, 2014.
On October 25th, the evening of Flip's birthday, The Shaw Theatre in Euston, London, will host a captivating performance in honour of his contributions. This venue is particularly significant, as it was here that Flip launched "Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame" in 1987. It is a beautiful return to this space to celebrate his enduring impact during Black History Month.
The performance is a poignant love story—an exploration of heritage, passion, sorrow, love, and loss. It aims to educate, entertain, and empower audiences, ensuring that Flip Fraser's legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Your support can make a meaningful difference. We encourage you to attend this special event and be part of this heartfelt tribute.
Tickets are available for purchase, and donations are welcomed to help sustain Flip’s legacy. Let us come together to honour a remarkable life.
Date: 25th October
Time: 7:00pm-9:30pm
Location: Shaw Theatre, 110 Euston Road, London NW1 2AJ
Local Stories
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Celebrating Diversity: Nichola McGuire's Journey to Empower through Art
Nichola, inspired by her own daughters' need for representation, founded Eclectic Gift in 2015 to create positive images of people of colour in the greeting card industry. As a self-taught artist and part-time library assistant, Nichola's mission is to ensure families like hers see themselves in the art around them. With new personalized offerings on the horizon, discover how Nichola is transforming representation in art and business.
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Brewing Dreams: A Journey of Heritage and Entrepreneurship
Meet the inspiring entrepreneur behind a new coffee business that draws from rich cultural roots and a deep passion for the craft. Launched in May 2024, this venture reflects a legacy of family entrepreneurship and aims to empower future generations in the Black community. Discover how heritage, resilience, and community have shaped this journey. Read more to learn about Joachim Kouadio's vision, challenges, and the impact he hopes to make in Wandsworth and beyond!
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Scenting Success: The Story Behind Sniff
Two years ago, Sniff was launched, drawing inspiration from Caribbean heritage and a rich legacy of family entrepreneurship. Despite facing challenges, the founder's vision is to create fragrances that celebrate individuality while fostering a strong sense of community spirit. As the business continues to grow, they invite passionate content creators to join them on this journey. Together, they aim to transform the narrative of 'sniff' from a negative connotation into a celebration of scent.
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From Heritage to Hustle: A Mother-Daughter Business Venture in Wandsworth
Launching her business in 2022, a passionate entrepreneur reflects on her Jamaican and Guyanese heritage, the challenges of running a beauty salon, and the inspiration behind her work. As they celebrate their cultural roots and the significance of Black History Month, they share invaluable tips for aspiring entrepreneurs and their vision for empowering future generations.
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Looking for a home for your new creative business venture?
 New Mansion Square, Battersea – Do you need space near where you live to make and create? Then check out the new affordable workspaces in New Mansion Square, Battersea.
Since June 2023, local residents have been invited to apply for space at New Mansion Square. This is now the start of wider marketing activities to let the remaining spaces.
Due to open in early 2025, we’re looking for creative tenants who want to start or expand their businesses in Wandsworth.
Learn more here.
Hire Apprentices with University of Roehampton's Comprehensive Training Programs
Enhance your employees’ skills or expand your workforce by hiring apprentices - training costs are covered by the Apprenticeship Levy.
Training for Higher and Degree apprenticeships offered by the University of Roehampton allow businesses to fill skills gaps. The apprentice is your employee and works in your business, while receiving training on the job and a professional university qualification.
We offer multiple apprenticeships, amongst our most popular are Cybersecurity, Data Science and Senior Leadership.
Santander Open Academy
Want to help your staff develop their skills? Build your own knowledge? Stay ahead in our rapidly evolving world? Then check out Santander Open Academy – an online-learning hub which provides free access to on-demand courses in digital skills, leadership, net zero and more to help build the skills needed for the future.
Why you should check them out:
- Expert-Led: Gain insights from industry leaders like Lioness Keira Walsh, digital guru Daisy Tonge and F1 driver Charles Le Clerc
- Free & Accessible: All courses are free and open to everyone. You don’t need to be a Santander customer
- Learning That Fits Your Life: On-demand and bite sized to work around your schedule
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Green Mark Certification Reminder!
This is a reminder to seize the opportunity, and join the "Making Business Greener" scheme, there are only a few spaces left!
Why Join? As all below are FREE
- Understand your environmental impact
- Optimise your business processes
- Reduce costs from energy and other utilities
- Gain an internationally recognised Environmental Accreditation
- Be part of a wider network of businesses committed to sustainability
Secure your spot by clicking here and completing the simple sign-up process.
We look forward to welcoming your business into the Making Business Greener community!
Accelerated Futures
Don’t miss your chance to get FREE expert advice for your business! We have partnered with Accelerated Futures, a consultancy and business education platform that focuses on empowering and training entrepreneurs.
Do you need support:
- Securing grants and funding?
- Registering your business and getting a business bank account?
- Building a website and setting up your social media?
- Creating a business plan?
- Getting a new commercial space for your business?
- Growing and building your team?
Click here to book your session with one of their experts now!
Also, as a promotional offer get 20% off any of our other services with the code WANDSWORTH20
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Coming up in November...
The BIG South London Business, Innovation & Growth Summit
Building on the success of last year's event, the Summit will bring together healthcare governing bodies, academic experts, investment agencies, innovators, businesses, and service users from across South London, to explore how collaboration and partnership can drive meaningful improvements in healthcare throughout the region.
This free-to-attend event boasts an inspiring line-up of speakers and panellists who are transforming the health industry across applied clinical research, workforce expansion and service delivery.
Plus, discover how entrepreneurs and innovators are already changing the region’s healthcare system through the Innovation Zone and lightning pitches.
Dates: 27th November
Time: 12:30pm- 7:30pm
Location: Electric House, LSBU Croydon, 3 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR0 1LB
Business Experts Clinic | Ignite Business Programme
 Open to everyone working and living in Wandsworth. This is an amazing opportunity to get free assistance with your business challenges.
What happens in our Business Clinic?
This is an opportunity to book 15-minute speed mentoring slots with experts across key business areas. We have experts across marketing, sales, strategy, finance and website development. These sessions can solve specific challenges you are experiencing. In these particular clinics, we are focusing on digital implementation. So we will focus our answers to your questions on how we can improve that for your business.
Date: 5th November
Time: 12:00am-1:30pm
Location: Online
Small Business Saturday
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Each year Small Business Saturday runs a national roadshow that travels the length and breadth of the country to tell the story of the UK's incredible small businesses.
The Tour will return again this November to spotlight and support small businesses all over the country and their communities and mark the official countdown to Small Business Saturday.
Once again supported by BT, The Tour will visit twenty three different towns and cities, visiting small businesses, going behind the scenes and meeting the people running them, to shine a light on their invaluable contribution to local communities and the wider UK economy.
It will also offer a jampacked free daily programme of online training and insight - including webinars, mentoring and inspiring entrepreneurial stories - open to all small businesses.
Find out how you can get involved here.
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Wandsworth Enterprise Hub
Need business support, events or programmes to help start or grow your business? Look no further than the Wandsworth Enterprise Hub.
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My Virtual Wandsworth
Want to promote your business to local residents? My Virtual Wandsworth features more than 600 local businesses – make sure yours is one of them! List it in our online directory.
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Business and Licensing
Visit the Council's Business and Licensing page for information on business licensing, business rates, business premises and much more.
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