Celebrating Small Business Saturday as a SmallBiz100 Ambassador

Small Business Saturday is just around the corner, taking place on 7th December, and this week has been a whirlwind of unforgettable moments celebrating the incredible contributions of small businesses across the UK. As a proud SmallBiz100 Ambassador, I’ve had the privilege of joining 99 other inspiring entrepreneurs in showcasing the resilience and creativity of small enterprises.

One of the standout moments of this week? Two incredible trips to the House of Lords, where I celebrated the achievements of small businesses and witnessed significant steps toward inclusivity and support for disabled entrepreneurs.

Small Business Saturday: A Celebration of Entrepreneurs

@garyparsonsuk

🎥✨ Today was something special… I was invited to the House of Lords to celebrate being a SmallBiz100 Ambassador, recognising and celebrating the amazing small businesses driving the UK forward. 🌍💼 It’s an honour to be here alongside 99 incredible small business owners, all representing the power of entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation. 🏛️✨ Small businesses are the heartbeat of the economy, and today, we celebrated their impact in the most extraordinary way. 💛🖤 Here’s to all the entrepreneurs making waves, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities every single day. 💪 Let’s keep pushing boundaries together! #SmallBiz100 #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessOwner #LeadershipJourney #HouseOfLords #CelebratingSuccess

♬ House of the Lord – Vertical Worship & Essential Worship

Small Business Saturday is not just a day; it’s a movement that highlights the vital role small businesses play in driving the UK economy and enriching local communities. Whether you’re a high street shop, an innovative start-up, or an online brand, small businesses are the backbone of our country.

As a SmallBiz100 Ambassador, I’ve seen first-hand the dedication and hard work small business owners put into building something extraordinary. This week has been all about celebrating that passion and encouraging everyone to support small businesses – not just on Small Business Saturday, but all year round.

An Inspirational Week at the House of Lords

This week, I had the incredible honour of visiting the House of Lords twice for events that showcased the impact and potential of small businesses.

My first visit was part of the SmallBiz100 Ambassador programme, where we celebrated the vital contributions of small businesses. Walking into Parliament with 99 other passionate entrepreneurs was a truly surreal and inspiring moment.

The second visit coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and marked the launch of the Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship. The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of breaking down barriers to finance for disabled entrepreneurs.

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Gordon McKee and his Political Assistant for taking the time to show me around Parliament. Their insights added so much depth to the experience. I also had the pleasure of meeting Baggy Shanker MP, representing Derby South, during the celebrations for Small Business Saturday.

Prioritising Mental Health and Wellbeing for Entrepreneurs

As someone who has lived with Bell’s Palsy for over 20 years and faced mental health challenges while growing an award-winning business, these experiences hold personal significance. During my time at the House of Lords, I spoke with banking partners and representatives from the Department for Business and Trade about the importance of prioritising mental health and wellbeing for entrepreneurs.

Running a small business can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with challenges that can take a toll on mental health. Here are a few tips to help small business owners maintain their wellbeing while building their dream:

• Set Boundaries: Define clear work-life boundaries to avoid burnout.
• Celebrate Wins: No matter how small, celebrate milestones to stay motivated.
• Seek Support: Connect with other entrepreneurs, mentors, or mental health professionals for guidance and encouragement.
• Invest in Self-Care: Take time to recharge through activities you enjoy.
• Stay Organised: Use tools to manage tasks and avoid overwhelm.
• Tap into Resources: Leverage available support for small businesses, including financial guidance and mental health programmes.

The Disability Finance Code: A Step Forward for Inclusion

The launch of the Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship is a landmark initiative aimed at improving access to finance for disabled entrepreneurs. Developed by Small Business Britain, the Department for Business and Trade, UK Finance, and the Lilac Review, the code is backed by key banking partners like Barclays, HSBC UK, Lloyds, and NatWest.

@garyparsonsuk

Today, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I had the privilege of returning to the House of Lords for the launch of the Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship – a groundbreaking initiative to support disabled entrepreneurs in accessing the finance they need to thrive. The room was stunning, filled with incredible people and an atmosphere of inclusivity, support, and hope for the future. As someone who’s lived with Bell’s Palsy for over 20 years and faced mental health challenges while growing a successful award-winning business, this was a deeply personal and inspiring moment. I also had the opportunity to speak with some of the banking partners and the team from the Department for Business and Trade about the importance of prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of all entrepreneurs. Financial access and mental health go hand-in-hand when building and growing businesses, so this was the perfect opportunity to shine a light on this critical issue. 💬 Disability affects us all differently, and I’ve learned that we should never compare challenges—just strive to create a world that’s inclusive for everyone. 💜 This code, developed by Small Business Britain in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade, UK Finance, and the Lilac Review, is a monumental step towards levelling the playing field. With founding signatories like Barclays, HSBC UK, Lloyds, and NatWest, it aims to: 💡 Implement Inclusive Design 🤝 Support Disabled Founders 📢 Actively Share Success Stories 💼 Increase Representation of Disabled Colleagues 25% of small business owners are disabled, yet they generate only 8.6% of total business turnover. This code could unlock an additional £230bn in economic growth, empowering entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams. Hearing from Small Business Minister Gareth Davies and inspiring disabled entrepreneurs reminded me of the resilience and innovation within this community. Together, we’re taking steps towards a fairer, more inclusive future. 📸 Swipe through for some snapshots of this incredible day! #DisabilityFinanceCode #SmallBusinessBritain #InclusiveEntrepreneurship #LeadershipJourney #MentalHealthMatters #IDPWD2024 #BreakingBarriers

♬ original sound – Gary Parsons

The finance code focuses on:

• Inclusive design to make financial products accessible.
• Support for disabled founders through mentoring and networking.
• Sharing success stories of disabled entrepreneurs.
• Increasing representation of disabled colleagues in financial services.

This initiative is a major step towards creating an inclusive environment where everyone can achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.

Looking Ahead to Small Business Saturday

As Small Business Saturday approaches, I encourage everyone to support local businesses. Whether you’re shopping small, leaving a positive review, or simply sharing a favourite business online, your support makes a difference.

Being a SmallBiz100 Ambassador has been an incredible journey. This week, filled with moments of celebration and inspiration, has reminded me of the resilience and creativity within the small business community.

Let’s make 7th December a day to celebrate the small businesses making a big impact on our communities and economy.

Thank you to everyone who made this week so special – here’s to small businesses and the incredible difference they make!