Small businesses need us more than ever

From family-run restaurants to independent shops, small businesses have never needed our support more. Because when you support small, magical things happen. Like discovering unique goodies made or sourced with passion, protecting the heart of our communities, keeping skills alive and spreading positive vibes across the UK. We asked some industry experts why they're backing our campaign - watch our heartwarming short film below.  

Support Small Businesses »

Introducing our small business ambassadors

We teamed up some small businesses across the UK with people who know a thing or two about building their own – chef Marcus Wareing, fashion designer Henry Holland and author and kindness teacher Anya Hayes. Find out why they’re passionate advocates of supporting small…

Henry Holland meets Max Made Me Do It

Carol Maxwell founded MMMDI while on maternity leave with her first son Max, after 15 years in the fashion industry. She started illustrating and painting greeting cards, which led to all kinds of colour-rich gifts and homeware with family and nature at their heart. Her designs are so beautifully bold and original, Henry couldn’t help shopping when he went to meet her – and neither could we!

Anya Hayes meets The Kindness Co-op

Anya Hayes’ books help teach mums to be kinder to themselves – and the mums who run The Kindness Co-op (Lucie and Charlie) teach children all about kindness too. Oh and they also sell incredible organic, sustainable clothing and donate to the YoungMinds charity with every purchase. So supporting them means you’re supporting an ongoing circle of loveliness, hurrah!

Marcus Wareing meets Chapati Club

Chapati Club is a family-run Indian restaurant in Acton. When lockdown was first imposed, couple Resh and Heena were at serious risk of closure, but they pivoted their business to provide healthy meals for NHS workers. Now they help keep community spirit alive with their highly rated takeaway service, sharing the delicious home-cooked food they grew up on. No wonder Marcus was impressed.

Want to start your own business?

A recession might seem like a funny time to start a business, but in some ways it’s the best, and some of our most successful entrepreneurs have done exactly that. Here are five top tips from our Partners…

  • Persistence is key, but you need to find something you truly love and enjoy, so then it doesn’t feel like work
  • Build a business that's completely authentic to you. If your brand is true and your story is strong, your products will sell
  • Forget business plans. You just need a rough plan of attack and the guts to make it happen
  • Little details count. From social media to handwritten notes tucked on packages. Each element is as important as the products you make
  • Just start. Starting a business is a bit like starting a diet. There is never a good time or an easy way to do it!

How you can support small

Small businesses form the backbone of our economy and help local communities thrive. You don’t even just have to shop to support them (though every little helps). You can also leave lovely reviews, tell your friends about them, share them on social media or buy gift cards, for example.  

Shop Small Businesses »
Copyright © 2006– Notonthehighstreet Enterprises Limited