Did you know that small business makes up for half of the turnover of the private sector of business in the UK?! Being a small business myself, I feel so passionately about small businesses. Buying from them, supporting them, and generally just cheering them on. It really is so much at the heart of what I do. Photographing for business, teaching small business and promoting small business via my social media platforms and blog.

A small business is someones dream in real life. An idea that turns into reality via baby steps. My business started when I combined my hobby with the desperate need to work and look after my children at the same time. So many women struggle with work and childcare and it gives me great pleasure to help people in those baby step stages, whether it’s photographing a product or headshot, offering marketing advice, or teaching them how to use social media.

While in lockdown, I received a few gifts from friends, that also run their own small businesses. I thought it would be a good idea to shine a light on small business, as it’s so vital right now that we support each other. So here’s three amazing ladypreneurs that you’ll find inspiring

First up is Nell and Digby, the founder and mumpreneur Cigdem, who I met last year at one of my Instagram styling workshops and we have been good friends ever since. Cigdem’s previous career as a buyer gives her a sharp eye in the fashion field to choose beautiful items for her online shop, such as this gorgeous sought after cloud bag. Her accessory’s have been featured in Red magazine and Lorraine on ITV. If you are into style and fashion, then you must follow. Nell and Digby can be found on Instagram here and you can order off her website www.nellanddigby.co.uk

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Mason Keen is a founded by my lovely and creative friend Kate. We met years ago on Instagram and have kept in close contact for years. Kate’s illustration of me is one of the loveliest gifts I have ever received. Kate is kind, supportive and hugely talented. Her Instagram business stocks beautiful illustrations and stunning hand made jewellery.

Kate sells all sorts of beautiful creative things, including this gorgeous card she created for lockdown. This handmade bracelet is made of amazonite, which is a soothing and calming crystal. I love it and wear it everyday.
You can pop onto Kates instagram page here to find all of her beautiful wares.

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Cags Rodwell found me on Instagram about 2 years ago, when I was running Instagram workshops. Unfortunately Cags lives in Wales and I in London, and she couldn’t get to a workshop. During Lockdown I have managed to create online mentoring sessions via Zoom, so it was great pleasure to finally meet her, albeit virtually. We worked on ways that she could promote and market her beautiful glassware. Cags Makes everything her self from scratch in her workshop, in Crickhowell in Wales. Her glass creations make beautiful gifts and are ideal during this time, as they are easily posted. you can find tags on Instagram here and purchase from her website here

These ladies have taken a huge leap of faith to start up a dream they had and turn it into reality, and I feel that supporting and highlighting small business is part of my calling. So much so, that I have started a networking group called ‘Coffee & Conversation’ so that likeminded business women can come together, to share knowledge , support and learn from one another. Ive done 4 so far and it really has been one the highlights of my quarantine time.

It would be fantastic if you could follow these ladies on Instagram and support their journey, and in the mean time, if you’d like to know more about featuring on my small business spotlight, or you’d like to join into a coffee and conversation session or want to know about any other of my small business services, please email me at tiatalula@me.com , I’d love to hear from you.

This blog post was not sponsored, and none of the businesses asked me to share their products.

Thanks for reading

Much love

Tia x