Originally written by Timothy Adler on Small Business
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson assembles his “war Cabinet” to confront Brussels with the threat of a no-deal Brexit, small business exporters have shrugged off the risk of Britain crashing out of the EU.
The majority of UK SMEs that export internationally are more worried about President Trump’s “America First” trade policies and the risk of a global economic slowdown than Britain exiting the EU without a deal.
In addition, the majority of SME businesses say Brexit uncertainty has had “no effect” on their company’s international strategy, according to a survey.
In fact, 47pc of SMEs surveyed by OFX, are looking to start or increase sales to Western Europe in the next year.
Overall, British businesses are still keen to engage in global trade, with almost half (48pc) having increased sales by an average of £45,000 in the last year. Meanwhile, 44pc expect to start or increase international sales within the next 12 months.
However, President Trump’s protectionist trade policies – which include the threat of new tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of European goods — have spooked SMEs. Western Europe has overtaken the US as businesses’ favourite export market.
Sarah Webb, president UK and Europe at OFX,
Monthly Archives: July 2019
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Entrepreneur Q&A: ex-Apprentice star, Natalie Reynolds (Panayi)
by Anna Jordan • • 0 Comments
Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
Since Natalie Reynolds appeared on series nine of The Apprentice, she’s launched a new clothing business, Style Cheat.
The company drives sales with the help of Instagram, building a loyal following of customers (or Cheetahs).
Reynolds talks to us about the lessons she learned from The Apprentice and how she’s taken these forward in business.
What were the toughest lessons you learned on The Apprentice?
I learned that I wasn’t willing to be a fake, hard-nosed businesswoman so that I could win a TV show. I also realised I can’t sell something that I don’t believe in. Being in a house with 15 other people who all think they’re the best of the best really puts things into perspective.
I didn’t want to be like that or be seen in that way because I found it annoying. I must have been annoying! I just want to make money from something I’m passionate about.
Your first fashion label, Panya London, was launched in 2013. What happened to it and how did that influence Style Cheat?
We got everything wrong when we launched Panya. We invested a lot of money into product but didn’t have a route to market and couldn’t attract