Back in 2014 the government launched a programme called Growth Vouchers, which offered small amounts of match-funding to business owners to be spent on adv...

Business news

Enterprise Nation has helped thousands of people start and grow their businesses. Led by founder, Emma Jones CBE, Enterprise Nation connects you to the resources and expertise to help you succeed.

Seeking advice: What's stopping you?

Back in 2014 the government launched a programme called Growth Vouchers, which offered small amounts of match-funding to business owners to be spent on advice to grow.

What this programme demonstrated is that businesses taking advice grow faster than those that don't. And yet still only a small percentage of businesses seek out and pay for advice. If you're not on the receiving end of advice, I'd love to know why!

One of my key priorities for the rest of this year is to work on how we better connect Enterprise Nation members with advisers. This is based on results showing that when these connections are well made, an increase in productivity and profits soon follows.

Businesses looking for funds are better prepared if they seek the advice of an expert on business planning and cashflow, businesses wanting to increase sales are more fit and able after seeking advice from a professional on developing a sales strategy and pipeline.

You get the idea; taking advice appears to be good for business!

In our latest small business barometer, you told us you felt confident and ambitious about the future which is a pleasure to hear, especially knowing that Enterprise Nation members who get access to business support every day feel even more confident with 69% expecting to grow in the next 12 months, compared with 65% of non members!

But the UK economy is about to embark on a shaky couple of years, making it essential for founders of small firms to be fit and ready for the future.

In this environment, I see reluctance from small businesses to take advice based on a couple of key factors:

Last week we brought together a number of advisers from the 

 to discuss these issues and come up with some solutions!

That's work in progress but I'd love to hear from you if you're a small business owner that has taken advice, is currently looking for it or has put off in engaging with an expert, adviser, coach or mentor for whatever reason.

It's that whatever reason I'd love to hear.

Please let me know your thoughts by tweeting me 

, connecting on LinkedIn or sending an email to 

It's through knowing what's holding you back that we can hopefully make the connection between small business owner and adviser more seamless and so deliver better performance for all.

With thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I have enjoyed a life-long career in various aspects of marketing that provides a wealth of transferable knowledge and experience I can bring to bear for SMEs and startups. Specific areas of activity right now include, though are not confined to, Content Marketing, Social Media Management and Crowdfunding.

Independent Crowdfunding Advisor

Lunch and Learn: A guide to crowdfunding

Watch back: A guide to crowdfunding&nbsp;

<p>As Enterprise Nation's small business community manager, my role is to guide our members through every stage of their user journey, developing and improving their experience within the Enterprise Nation community, and arming them with the knowledge and resources they need to start and grow their business.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>I have over 20 years of experience working in customer and B2B support. Having also managed a small business for many years, I understand the struggles that they face am passionate about helping them grow. I love to hear member success stories, particularly those in the food and drink sector.&nbsp;</p>

Small Business Community Manager

Mental health and wellbeing

This is a group dedicated to small businesses operating in the health, mental health, and wellbeing industries. Whether you’re just starting out, or if you’re already on your journey to business success, this is a meeting place for you to connect and share knowledge with like-minded founders. Please join, introduce yourself and get the conversation started. 

If you’re a business adviser looking to expand your network, and you can help small businesses in the health, fitness and wellbeing sector

I am helping to build a new breed of business. My mission is to help to build a working world where balancing profit and purpose is just business as usual.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As my step-children enter the world of work over the next few years, I am embarrassed about what they will find.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The world in which they operate is diverse, inclusive and feels equal, but they will join a working world where this is still not the case. As a female, my step-daughter, Anna will still be disadvantaged in the workplace. They both will likely experience archaic work practices that are out of line with their desire for flexibility and belonging.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As they look at the natural world around them, they want to take action to reverse the damage being done. They will, however, find an industrial world still talking about action but not willing to make changes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When they look at how companies are managed, they will often find that profit comes ahead of the impact on society and community. For their generation, these values are more important than wealth or material goods.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
With a career spanning the corporate and SME worlds, I am in the privileged position to be able to help business owners and leaders build businesses that are sustainable both from a profit and society perspective. The two are not mutually exclusive and I am out to prove it. Even more than that, I am out to help make it happen.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I help startups, emerging businesses, and established companies in the following ways:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
?? FREE business assessment tool you can complete in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee&lt;br /&gt;
?? Workshops and programmes to help support people to take action in their own business&lt;br /&gt;
?? Hands-on support and implementation support for companies getting started on their B Corp journey and building it into their business strategy.

Online Workshop: Introduction to B Corp for owners of small and micro businesses

&lt;p&gt;Have you heard of B Corporation or B Corp but assume it is only suited to large, corporate organisations? Do you have aspirations to build a business which has a positive impact on the world but unsure how to go about it? If so then this session is just what you need to get started.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;B Corp is the world leading accreditation for &amp;#39;good for the world&amp;#39; businesses. Examining all aspects of your business it provides a framework of what best practi

&lt;p&gt;Hi, I’m Chris Dowling. I’ve been there and done it! With over 35 years of business experience to draw upon, I am here to help you too. You will benefit from my advice, and I will support you through the challenging changes your business needs to make it more successful wether you are a Start-Up or established business.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;My services include:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Business mentoring Business development &amp;amp; growth&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Assessment and analysis of current position&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sales &amp;amp; marketing Cash flow and financial management&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Access to government support and grants&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Writing a Business plan&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Access to Start-Up loans.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We will define your business goals and ensure you have the knowledge, skills and processes needed to achieve them. I will be your ‘sounding board’ and ‘critical friend’, helping your business grow and expand – taking it to the next level.&lt;/p&gt;

Business Consultant

Chris Dowling

&lt;p&gt;Hi, I’m Chris Dowling. I’ve been there and done it! With over 35 years of business experience to draw upon, I am here to help you too. You will benefit from my advice, and I will support you through the challenging changes your business needs to make it more successful wether you are a Start-Up or established business.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;My services include:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Business mentoring Business development &amp;amp; growth&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Assessment and analysis of curre

Seeking advice: What's stopping you?

You might also like…

Get business support right to your inbox