The Next Generation hub has a range of useful resources to support you in starting and growing a sustainable business. Let's look at what's available.

Advice for young entrepreneurs: How to start a sustainable business

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Making sure the business you start or grow is sustainable is more important today than it's ever been. Did you know that consumers are more likely to trust brands that are environmentally or socially conscious?

If you're on your business journey, Next Generation is here to show you how to be sustainable – and profitable at the same time. It all starts with small steps, but the benefits are numerous.

 has a range of useful resources to support you in starting and growing a sustainable business. Let's look at what's available to help you.

Consumer behaviour is changing, as people become more and more concerned about social inequality and the climate crisis. Increasingly, customers want to buy from businesses that have a clear purpose and a positive impact on society and the planet.

Aside from the environmental effects, there are lots of other benefits to starting and growing a sustainable business, whether it's the potential for making higher profits or gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace. In 

, sustainability expert Veronica Broomes highlights the advantages of going green, and dispels some of the myths too.

Heard of net zero but not sure what it means to someone running a business? You're not alone. 

, Enterprise Nation member and founder of Small 99, has produced a couple of webinars in which he gives an 

benefits of lowering your carbon emissions

Don't leave it too late to consider sustainability in your business planning. Here are some resources to get you up and running:

Need help starting or growing a business?

Next Generation programme for young entrepreneurs

 can help you with the education, inspiration and funding you need to achieve your business goals. 

A smiling young mixed-race female florist holds out a card terminal so the female customer can pay with her debit card

Making sure the business you start or grow is sustainable is more important today than it's ever been.

With 15 years of industry expertise in buying for renowned UK brands like ASOS and Allsaints, Natalie Binns is a true authority in the field of sustainable fashion. Having gained invaluable experience in global markets, she witnessed the damaging and exploitative practices within the industry, fueling her desire to be part of the solution rather than the problem.
Inspired to make a difference, Natalie established a consultancy that brings big brand thinking to small brands, igniting their launch and growth while driving sales and profit, all with sustainability at the core. From design to delivery to store, Natalie supports businesses throughout the entire product life cycle.
Natalie&apos;s passion and innovative approach have earned her recognition as a respected thought leader in sustainable fashion. She has made notable appearances on BBC Radio 4, Woman&apos;s Hour, Metro.co.uk, BBC Business, Hello! Magazine, and Drapers Sustainability Conference. Additionally, Natalie shares her knowledge by lecturing at the University of Westminster.
When it comes to sustainable fashion, Natalie Binns is the expert you need by your side to revolutionise your brand and make a lasting impact.
Get help with:
<ul>
<li>Sourcing - including UK manufacturers and sustainable fabrics with low MOQ</li>
<li>Brand Strategy - Identifying your target customer, market and brand values</li>
<li>Managing production and setting up a critical path with realistic timelines so your deliveries will be on time</li>
<li>Cost price negotiation and improving target margin</li>
<li>Range building, encouraging multi purchases, increasing basket value, capitalising on bestsellers, lowering risk</li>
<li>Improving lead times</li>
<li>Design direction and product development - sample shopping, inspiration gathering, cost engineering</li>
<li>Competitor analysis and market research</li>
<li>Sustainability strategy, training and implementation</li>
<li>Preparing to wholesale</li>
</ul>

Sustainable Fashion Brand Consultant

Lunch and Learn: Finding suppliers for your fashion brand

Practical tips for sourcing reliable and high-quality suppliers.

I&apos;m a <a href=&apos;https://danmartinuk.com/&apos; target=&apos;_self&apos;>freelance journalist and event host</a> who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I&apos;m also Enterprise Nation&apos;s news reporter and Bristol Local Leader.
I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups.
I&apos;ve worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company&apos;s blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website&apos;s <a href=&apos;https://www.enterprisenation.com/business-news&apos; target=&apos;_self&apos;>news reporter</a> and as the host of the <a href=&apos;https://www.enterprisenation.com/podcast&apos; target=&apos;_self&apos;>Small Business sessions podcast</a>.
I&apos;m based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation&apos;s Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region.
In total, I&apos;ve hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street.
With my partner, I co-run <a href=&apos;https://www.lifestyledistrict.co.uk/&apos; target=&apos;_self&apos;>Lifestyle District</a>, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

Freelance content creator & event host

Budget 2021

This year’s Budget on 3 March is a big one with chancellor Rishi Sunak due to announce an update on business support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join this group to discuss the latest Budget news and share what you would like to see included in the speech.

I’m an independent consultant, trainer and mentor helping business leaders – and their teams – find new ways to solve problems, embrace change and make it happen.
I have broad experience built on a career that started in the late 90s in advertising and moved quickly into the fast-growing world of digital and technology.
I’ve held leadership roles at global networks and consultancies, working with British Airways, BT, McLaren Automotive, Mars, P&amp;G and RBS, and boutique creative agencies working with Budweiser, Drambuie and Peroni. I’ve also co-founded a marketing agency and worked for an industry association, prior to setting up my own consulting business in 2016. This has enabled me to work with a vast range of businesses, all with different challenges to overcome and opportunities to grab hold of. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the relationships we’ve built together.
I get my energy and fulfilment from bringing people together and creating an inclusive space where they feel they can be themselves. My approach is always people-first, starting with a conversation to understand what’s working and what might need to change, before diving into the detail.
You might have a one-off problem that needs solving, a bigger challenge requiring skills and experience not currently in your team, or need someone to talk to for an external perspective.
Some of the problems I help solve:
<ul>
<li>We have a disjointed business strategy with no clear vision &amp; values, focus areas or team buy-in.</li>
<li>We’re stuck in a rut as our founders and company directors are lacking alignment on our path forwards.</li>
<li>We have regular disagreements and difficult conversations with clients, leading to lost business or bad reviews.</li>
<li>Our new business approach is stop-start and we only focus on it when the pipeline is looking empty.</li>
<li>We have a watered-down proposition that tries to be everything to everyone, but doesn’t truly resonate with anyone.</li>
<li>We lack diversity, creativity or innovation, driven by hiring people with similar backgrounds and lived experiences.</li>
<li>Our inconsistent approach to pricing and uncontrolled discounting is affecting profitability and team motivation.</li>
<li>We don’t have the confidence to delegate responsibility so finding purpose and a work/life balance remains a dream.</li>
</ul>
Strategy &amp; Consulting services provided:
<ul>
<li>Business strategy development support</li>
<li>Ongoing business mentoring</li>
<li>Mission, vision and values development</li>
<li>Goal setting, prioritisation and action plan development</li>
<li>Workshop design &amp; facilitation</li>
<li>Behavioural profiling and team effectiveness /performance support</li>
<li>People development and culture strategy</li>
<li>DE&amp;I consulting</li>
</ul>
Training offering (in-house and for individuals to book onto):
<ul>
<li>Managing people - effective delegation, setting and reviewing goals, adopting a coaching mindset</li>
<li>Personal development - giving and receiving feedback, managing conflict and difficult conversations, proactivity and problem-solving skills, time management and productivity</li>
<li>Professional development - negotiation for beginners, presentation skills, pricing, new business, workshop design &amp; facilitation</li>
<li>DE&amp;I - The business case for DE&amp;I, making space for inclusion, embedding DE&amp;I into your culture, an introduction to microaggressions, designing for DE&amp;I</li>
</ul>

Founder

Workshop facilitation

Sometimes it really helps to have an external facilitator who can provide an inclusive environment for a workshop, enabling the team to contribute equally and problem-solve together.

As a trained facilitator, I create positive conditions and energy into a room, so that you can focus on the things that really matter.

Kathie O&apos;Donoghue is a recognized business leader, Master Business Mentor and Coaching Supervisor specializing in the personal and professional growth of the Business Mentor/Coach. She also facilitates and trains other Mentors through the Help to Grow scheme.
With bases in Gloucester and West Sussex, Kathie is also the owner and Director of Mode Business Training &amp; Prosperon Networks, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership, a Full Member of The Association of Business Mentors, a Member of the Association of Coaching Supervisors and a Master practitioner of the EMCC. Kathie is also a qualified CBT &amp; DBT therapist.
With a focus on accountability, constructive challenging skills and taking ownership of self-development. Kathie’s aim is to help individuals and businesses grow both organically and strategically using a range of techniques to uncover untapped potential.
Outside of the business arena, Kathie has an ongoing love of learning new, and sometimes bizarre skills. She has trained as an Opera singer, swum with Stingrays, has a full motorbike license, and considers herself a bit of a Sci-Fi geek.

Executive Business Mentor Supervisor and Trainer

Kathie ODonoghue

Kathie O&apos;Donoghue is a recognized business leader, Master Business Mentor and Coaching Supervisor specializing in the personal and professional growth of the Business Mentor/Coach. She also facilitates and trains other Mentors through the Help to Grow scheme.
With bases in Gloucester and West Sussex, Kathie is also the owner and Director of Mode Business Training &amp; Prosperon Networks, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership, a Full Member of The Association of Business Mentors

Advice for young entrepreneurs: How to start a sustainable business

Why start a sustainable business?

Resources to get you started

Need help starting or growing a business?

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