Latest news with #microbusiness
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Sewing classes offered by social enterprise to empower women
One-hundred-and-fifty London women have learned to sew, thanks to a social enterprise that is geared towards empowering and upskilling women on low household incomes. Kundakala is currently offering 70 women in four London boroughs - Islington, Camden, Hackney and Lambeth - the opportunity to gain a qualification. It was founded by Poornima Kirloskar-Saini as a way for women to develop tailoring and enterprise knowledge."I thought it would be great to give them some skills so that they could look at saving money, reducing debt, and possibly looking at an avenue of income generation," she explains."But what I also realised is that some women from some ethnic minority backgrounds have very fixed traditional roles in the household unit, and the women are the main caregivers, not just for children, but for older members of the family, and the men are the main providers. "So I thought if I were to upskill them, it would be some kind of skill that they could do at home. So I thought of tailoring". Her social enterprise runs several programmes, including a "make and mend" course, and a more advanced "alterations and upcycling" class."Our main thing was to help them save money and reduce debt. But along the way, we've also had a lot of positive mental health outcomes, social integration, lifelong friendships," says the 150 women to have been part of the programme so far, 15 have taken what they've learned and started their own make products which they can then sell in local markets, or they carry out alterations and repair services. Others go into offices and workplaces to offer the alteration services, and get paid directly by customers. "We had the pandemic, then we had the cost of living, crisis, energy bills, so it just helps them feel a bit more comfortable with their financial situation," says Poornima. As well as being a way to earn an income, the sewing skills have also helped the women reduce their spending, according to Poornima."Women from ethnic minority backgrounds normally like to wear ethnic clothes for festivals, and it's really expensive to get those clothes and to alter them, because invariably, if you get them off the shelf, you know the trousers may be too long for your child. "So anecdotally, the women who've been through our programmes have told me that they've saved hundreds of pounds" One of those to have been helped by Kundakala is Maggie Oparebea who started a sewing programme two years ago and believes it has really helped her."I can do make-up bags and I sell them. I can do repairs," she says."People call me [about making alterations] then I can charge them and I have money in my pocket." Poornima says that her social enterprise is all about putting women on a path of education and empowerment - something she calls her life's work."Just getting a skill improves their self-esteem, improves their confidence. Some of the ladies who participate in our programs have had no formal learning, and this sets them on the path to getting more skills, more confidence, and therefore more self-esteem. "And then they become role models for their kids, their sons and their daughters."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
No Second Chances: 20% of UK Customers Won't Call Back After a Missed Call
New data reveals just how costly missed calls can be—and how mobile-first solutions like Rinkel help small businesses stay one step ahead. LONDON, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's hyper-connected world, UK customers expect to be answered—immediately. A missed call is no longer just a delay—it's a lost opportunity. Recent studies show that 1 in 5 UK customers will not try again if a business fails to answer the first time. That's not all, 74% of consumers say one poor support experience will make them switch brands, and 75% now expect brands to offer support 24/7. This is a growing problem for microbusinesses and freelancers—many still take work calls on personal mobiles or use outdated VoIP systems that don't fit their needs. Calls are easily missed when the owner is busy, on a job, or away from the office. One company helping microbusinesses stay connected is Rinkel, a mobile-first telephony platform recently expanding in the UK. By letting calls ring through to multiple mobiles simultaneously, Rinkel reduces missed calls without the complexity of traditional systems. Among its UK users, 63% of customers using call diverting missed fewer calls and said they felt more in control of their communication. Rinkel is now available across the UK. Explore features or start your first month for free: "As a solo kitchen fitter, I couldn't always answer the phone while working on a project." says David Morgan, who runs a small kitchen fitting business in Leeds. "With Rinkel, calls go to both me and my assistant, which means no more lost business." Small teams, big expectations From sole traders to small agencies, UK microbusinesses are expected to deliver fast, reliable service just like big firms. But when 93% of small business owners say they've missed important calls due to being too busy, it's clear that current systems aren't enough. With £30 billion lost annually in missed calls, responsiveness is no longer optional—it's essential. Tools that help small teams act big To meet this "always-on" pressure without burning out, many microbusinesses are turning to smart communication platforms like Rinkel. Instead of juggling personal mobiles, Rinkel lets teams: Ring multiple phones at once Set business hours and custom business voicemail Call back from a business number, not a private mobile "We built Rinkel for small teams who want to stay professional and never miss a call," says Jeroen van Vierzen, CEO of Rinkel. "You don't need a big office or fancy setup—just the right tools to make sure your customers always feel heard." Photo - - View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
RNZ News
11-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
David Seymour backs watercress seller facing $600 council fee
Minister for Regulation and Act leader David Seymour is backing a Hastings watercress seller who he says shouldn't be shut down for selling the vegetable. Photo: Hawke's Bay Today Act leader David Seymour is backing a Hawke's Bay watercress street seller told to stop until he paid more than $600 in registration fees after a Hastings District Council officer "observed the activity". Seymour, who is the Minister for Regulation, has written to the Minister for Food Andrew Hoggard, saying the Hastings man has been the subject of "a bureaucratic exercise that risks shutting down a valued community tradition". It follows the Local Democracy Reporting story of Jake* - who declined to reveal his real name out of fear of even more of a crackdown against him - who has been picking and selling watercress in his community for 30 years. Jake said he was now only supplying watercress in Flaxmere "on occasion" and it was now for donation or koha. A council spokesperson said if the man was using a koha box he still needed to register because that was considered taking donations to sell the produce. Seymour said his concern was the current regulations leaned toward a bureaucratic exercise that risked shutting down a valued community tradition and placing barriers in front of makers and innovators. "This case exemplifies how the Act's compliance requirements appear to disproportionately burden small-scale produce sellers, stifling microbusinesses," Seymour said. In an email to Jake, the council said under the Food Act he had to cease trading until he was registered as a National Programme 1 business with the Hastings District Council. The estimated cost was $619 with ongoing annual costs. Seymour said he proposed "we, and our agencies, look for targeted deregulatory measures to ensure this case and similar sellers can continue operating without undue financial strain if the risks remain low". Jake said he was rapt to have Seymour's support. "I never thought he would support someone like me. Maybe there is a silver lining to all of this. "I want to do this right. I have a dream of maybe opening a shop, creating jobs for whānau." He said he loves what he does. "It's hard work but at the same time being out in mother nature is therapeutic." Jake said he had a lot of support from the community after he shared his story, including an offer from a local businessman to pay the fees and offer him some business advice. He was still working through the process. * Jake is not his real name LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Entrepreneur
09-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Many Small Business Owners Are Still 'Optimistic': Survey
A new report from GoDaddy found that despite the current economic climate, 66% of small business owners surveyed still have "positive revenue expectations." A new survey from website hosting company GoDaddy found that entrepreneurs are still optimistic about the economy, despite new pressures from tariffs. According to the new report, half of microbusiness owners surveyed said that they predict a "weaker economy in the next six months," but 66% of respondents still have "positive revenue expectations." Only 9% of the 2,100 business owners surveyed forecasted a sales decline. Related: GoDaddy's 3 Best Tips for Small Business Marketing Success "Small business owners believe in themselves," said GoDaddy CEO Aman Bhutani, in a statement. "GoDaddy's research shows they remain intent on pushing their small businesses forward." Microbusinesses are defined in the report as "small businesses that typically employ fewer than 10 employees." The report also found that entrepreneurs are changing their long-term goals to adapt to the current climate. About 40% of respondents said they expect to remain "solo entrepreneurs" (up from 36% last year) rather than start hiring and grow a bigger business. "Entrepreneurs are planning for what is ahead," Bhutani added. "They are navigating these times by staying focused and determined. At GoDaddy, our job is to make sure they have the tools they need to succeed." For the full report, click here. Related: How to Transform Companies From Within as an 'Intrapreneur,' According to a Microsoft Office and Yahoo Shopping Cofounder
