Workshop 4: AI in Tendering – Practical, Compliant & Competitive Use
2026-01-23 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
This workshop helps micro and small businesses understand how to use AI safely, ethically, and effectively in their tendering process

Overview
AI is transforming how businesses approach public sector bidding. This two-hour workshop helps micro and small businesses understand how to use AI safely, ethically, and effectively in their tendering process.
What You’ll Learn

UK public sector guidance on AI in procurement
How AI can support drafting, compliance checks, and idea generation
Risks and red flags to avoid
A four-step framework for integrating AI into your bid process

Outcomes

A buyer-aligned approach to using AI in tendering
Improved efficiency without compromising quality
Confidence in ethical AI use
A smarter, more competitive bid strategy

Delivery
This workshop is hosted by Launchpad Southend and delivered by BIZphit LLP. It is fully funded by Southend-on-Sea City Council and Rochford District Council.

The Starting line - Building your Business
2026-01-23 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | Sands By The Sea, Icon Building, Southend On Sea, SS1 1EE
Overview

This event is for young entrepreneurs looking to learn the skills they need to grow a business

The event itself will feature networking at a relaxed setting by the sea. Entrepreneurs have the chance to connect with people growing their own skills or even established business owners.
We will also be featuring three unique guest speakers with diverse experience around growing a business:

Magdalena Mahdy, a qualified financial strategist, bookkeeper and tax accountant with extensive entrepreneurial experience, is the founder of ProfitMIND, from DIY training to full-service strategic consultancy, bookkeeping and accounts, supporting businesses at every stage. Combining her background in business mentoring at the University of Essex for the past 9 years with her extensive experience of running small businesses, she empowers entrepreneurs to better understand and leverage their financial data, helping them connect, engage, and thrive with their finances to drive better business decision-making.
Gabrielle Burt, Owner of ‘Gabs Grazing’ and ‘Gabs the home of Gabs Grazing’ a 23 year old self made business owner from Southend who set up a Grazing bar, Deli and night time vibe venue in Leigh on Sea.
Jessica Revell and Gareth Prior are the co-founders of Pocket Power, a psychology-led wellness and life-coaching app created from lived experience, professional expertise and an unwavering belief that access to support should never depend on money.Neither Jessica nor Gareth came from a tech background. They stepped away from established careers, taught themselves to code from scratch and built Pocket Power from the ground up, driven by their own experiences of adversity, recovery and personal transformation
Jessica’s background includes lived experience of disordered eating, serious physical injury, and Sarcoma recovery, alongside years of study in nutrition, fitness and holistic health.
Gareth is a psychologist specialising in human behaviour, habit change and neurodiversity, with a late diagnosis of Asperger’s and dyslexia shaping both his work and advocacy.Together, they built Pocket Power with one clear mission: to remove financial barriers to mental, physical and nutritional support and to give people practical tools to change their lives, not just their outcomes.Pocket Power is live on both app stores in 175 countries, is completely free to use with full access, and has been recognised with multiple industry awards, including being named in the Essex Top Tech 50, winning Wellness App of the Year (London & South East), and Jessica being nominated for the WomenTech Global Awards – Female Founder Rising Star.

At The Starting Line, Jessica and Gareth will share their journey. Not just the wins, but the reality of starting with nothing, learning as you go, leading with purpose and building something meaningful from the ground up.
Following the presentations the group will have opportunities to ask questions and learn more about those in the room.

Breaking Down the Basics of SEO
2026-02-12 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Get your business found online by the people who need you most.

Tired of feeling like your website is invisible? You’re not alone. Many small business owners put time and effort into building their website but still struggle to show up in search results.

This workshop will help you fix that. You’ll learn simple, practical SEO strategies that bring more visitors to your site, attract your ideal customers, and help your business grow. We’ll break down the jargon, showing you how to optimise your website, create content that ranks, and use free tools to see what’s working.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your business more visible online — and feel confident doing it yourself.

Event details:
🕙Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
📌Location: Online (ZOOM)
💷Cost: £30pp +VAT

What You’ll Learn:

Understanding Search Engines: Gain insights into how search engines work and how they determine the ranking of web pages.

Keyword Research and Optimisation: Learn how to strategically incorporate keywords into your content to increase visibility and attract the right audience.

On-Page SEO Techniques: Explore the critical on-page elements that contribute to a website’s SEO success.

Off-Page SEO Strategies: Delve into off-page SEO factors, including backlink building and social signals. Understand how to cultivate a strong online presence beyond the confines of your website.

Technical SEO Essentials: Uncover the technical aspects of SEO, such as site speed, mobile optimisation, and crawlability.

Measuring and Analysing SEO Performance: Explore key metrics and tools to measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

Meet the Host:
Stacey Pretty | Marketing Director, Let’s Do Marketing

Stacey Pretty is the Marketing Director at Let’s Do Marketing, where she helps small and growing businesses turn their marketing ideas into real results.

With more than 19 years of hands-on experience in both B2B and B2C marketing, Stacey’s worked on everything from digital campaigns and content strategies to traditional promotions. She’s seen what works, and what doesn’t, for small businesses trying to make their mark.

Stacey’s mission is simple: to make marketing easier to understand and more effective for business owners who have a lot on their plates. Her sessions focus on practical, achievable steps that bring consistency, confidence, and results.

Privacy Notice
By registering for this event, you agree to Let’s Do Business Group processing and managing your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Your data will only be used for the purposes of managing your event registration and any relevant communications.

Better You, Better Business
2026-02-18 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Online
When you’re running a small business, the ability to listen, truly listen, can make the difference between clarity and confusion, alignment and tension, progress and burnout.
Yet unspoken assumptions, mental clutter, and rushed conversations often get in the way, draining your energy and undermining performance.
This month, we’re stripping listening back to its essentials.

Beyond Hearing: The Power of Focused Listening
A Grounded Approach to Listening to Others, and Yourself, for Better Decisions

Join us for a powerful, practical session designed to help you shift from passive hearing to Focused Listening, so you can make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and lead with greater confidence and wellbeing.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:

Reduce overwhelm by recognising and clearing limiting internal narratives.
Understand what’s really being communicated by listening beneath the surface of clients, staff, and partners.
Strengthen decision-making through intentional, grounded, present communication.
Build resilience using wellbeing-focused listening techniques that support both personal and business growth.
Come away with practical tools you can apply immediately—in conversations, in leadership, and within yourself.

Our speaker for February will be Alison Theaker from Live Life For Me.

Alison has 30 years’ experience in public relations and management as a practitioner, academic, and author. In 2009, she founded The Spark to help small businesses and sole traders reach their full potential.
Her Public Relations Handbook (7th edition, 2024) is widely used on UK undergraduate PR courses. She completed an MPhil in 2023 on mentoring for women entrepreneurs in rural areas, tutors marketing apprentices at Cambridge Marketing College, and is an adjunct lecturer at Exeter University.
With colleague Anne Hope, Alison develops courses and resources supporting women through menopause, including the 5-session online course Menopause Redefined, in partnership with holistic GP Dr Johanneke Kodde.
Meet your host:

Anna M Stapleton Mental & Emotional Resilience Coach, is committed to elevating health, wellbeing, and personal development within the small business community. Anna empowers entrepreneurs to develop emotional intelligence, embrace accountability, and unlock their potential, for themselves, their teams, and their businesses.
Secure your place today and take the next step toward clearer communication, confident decision-making, and a stronger, more resilient you.

Unlocking global growth | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-19 12:00 - 12:30 UTC | Online
The UK continues to expand its network of free trade agreements (FTAs), creating new opportunities for businesses that know how to take advantage of them.
In this Lunch and Learn, John Austin-Sheridan from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will explain what the UK’s FTAs mean in practice for growing businesses, and how you can start using them more effectively.
With a particular focus on India, this session will explore the commercial opportunities the agreement will unlock when it comes into effect later this year, and how UK businesses can prepare now to benefit.
The webinar will also introduce DBT’s export services, outlining the practical support available to help businesses enter new markets, reduce barriers to trade and scale internationally.
This session is ideal for businesses that are already exporting, as well as those considering international growth for the first time.
Topics covered in this session

The UK’s free trade agreements and what they mean for your business

The India trade agreement and the opportunities it will create when it comes into effect this year

How DBT’s export services can support your international growth

About the speaker
John leads the Free Trade Agreement Utilisation team’s work on the India trade deal at DBT.
He works closely with the business community, as well as DBT teams in the UK and overseas, to help organisations understand and make the most of the opportunities created by the UK’s trade agreements.
Through this work, John supports businesses to turn trade policy into practical, commercial outcomes.
If you have any questions you’d like John to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
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How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place

Strategies for Successful Email Marketing
2026-02-25 09:30 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Learn how email marketing can help your business grow.
Ever feel like your emails just aren’t getting noticed? You’re not alone! Many small business owners send out emails but aren’t sure how to make them really work.

In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of email marketing — how to write messages people actually want to read, send them to the right people, and see what’s working (and what’s not).
We’ll cover simple, practical steps to help you:

Get started in collecting data

Creating emails that connect with your audience

Share updates, offers, or stories that keep people interested

Use easy tools to send and track your emails

By the end, you’ll feel confident using email as a simple and effective way to stay in touch with your customers and grow your business.

Event details:
🕙Time: 09:30am – 12:00pm
📌Location: Online (ZOOM)
💷Cost: £35pp +VAT

What You’ll Learn:

Building a Solid Foundation: Learn the fundamentals of email marketing, from creating subscriber lists to segmenting your audience for targeted messaging.

The Legal Bits: Get an understanding of the legalities of email marketing including Marketing Consent (GDPR) and unsubscribes.

Crafting Irresistible Content: Dive deep into the art of crafting emails that captivate your audience.

Automation and Personalisation: Explore the power of automation to streamline your email campaigns and the art of personalisation to create a tailored experience for each recipient.

The Customer Journey: Learn how to utilise email marketing for more than just conversion. Nurture your customers and create touchpoints to improve customer engagement.

Analytics and Optimisation: Learn how to track and interpret key metrics, identify areas for improvement, and optimise your campaigns for maximum impact.

Meet the Host:
Stacey Pretty | Marketing Director, Let’s Do Marketing

Stacey Pretty is the Marketing Director at Let’s Do Marketing, where she helps small and growing businesses turn their marketing ideas into real results.

With more than 19 years of hands-on experience in both B2B and B2C marketing, Stacey’s worked on everything from digital campaigns and content strategies to traditional promotions. She’s seen what works, and what doesn’t, for small businesses trying to make their mark.

Stacey’s mission is simple: to make marketing easier to understand and more effective for business owners who have a lot on their plates. Her sessions focus on practical, achievable steps that bring consistency, confidence, and results.

Privacy Notice
By registering for this event, you agree to Let’s Do Business Group processing and managing your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Your data will only be used for the purposes of managing your event registration and any relevant communications.

The Elevation Lab - Rochford District
2026-02-25 10:30 - 2026-03-18 13:00 (Europe/Paris) | Rayleigh Club, Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, Essex, SS69QS
Designed for 20 ambitious managers and business owners, this programme provides a powerful blend of strategic learning, practical tools, and personalised support to help participants lead with confidence and accelerate business growth.

Over the course of the programme, participants will gain access to more than £2,000 worth of high-quality professional development, including hands-on workshops, expert mentoring, and ongoing guidance tailored to their business challenges.

The 4 workshops in this programme include:

Innovation: Building a Future-Ready Business
25th February 2026 – 10.30 am – 1 pm
This workshop equips participants with the mindset, tools, and practical frameworks needed to build an innovative, resilient, and future-ready organisation. The session focuses on identifying growth opportunities, navigating disruption, and embedding innovation into everyday decision-making. By the end, participants will have a clear roadmap for strengthening their organisation’s adaptability and long-term competitiveness.

2. Funding Innovation: Finance Readiness and Success
4th March 2026 – 10.30 am – 1 pm
This workshop demystifies the innovation funding landscape, helping participants prepare their business for investment or grant success. Participants will learn how to assess financial readiness, articulate value clearly, and match their innovation to the right funding sources—including grants, loans, private investment, and partnerships. Get guidance on refining financial projections, strengthening business cases, and avoiding common pitfalls. By the end of the session, participants will understand what funders look for and will leave with the confidence and tools to pursue funding effectively.

3. Marketing for Growth
11th March 2026 – 10.30 am – 1 pm
This practical, interactive workshop is designed to help businesses create clear, compelling marketing that supports sustainable growth. Participants will work on defining strong, consistent messaging, improving the customer journey at every touchpoint, and engaging customers more effectively to maximise existing resources. The session will also explore how purposeful engagement can drive retention and growth, alongside practical ways to use measurement and data to track performance, understand what’s working, and make informed marketing decisions that support long-term success.

4. Pitch Perfect: Communicating Your Innovation Story
18th March 2026 – 10.30 am – 1 pm
This workshop helps participants craft a compelling and confident pitch that brings their innovation to life. Through guided practice, participants learn how to structure their narrative, connect with their audience, and communicate complex ideas with clarity and impact. The session covers storytelling techniques, pitch deck essentials, and delivery skills for both in-person and virtual settings. By the end, participants will have a polished pitch outline and the skills to present their innovation in a way that inspires action—whether for customers, partners, or investors.

Please note: This programme is for business leaders and managers based in the Rochford District of Essex.

The Innovate and Elevate Rochford District Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a UK Government initiative providing funding for local investments to support the government’s five national missions, including economic growth, making the UK a clean energy superpower, and breaking down barriers to opportunity. From April 2025 to March 2026, UKSPF will continue to support local projects focused on communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

A Guide to Managing the Risks of Social Media Workshop
2026-03-03 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Do you understand how to tackle the risks of Social Media?

Social media can be a powerful tool – but it also comes with risks. Every business of every size is vulnerable to online abuse, misinformation and reputational damage. The more platforms you use, the greater the potential for things to go wrong.
This practical and engaging session will help you understand your legal and safeguarding responsibilities, and how to manage your online presence with confidence. You’ll learn how good moderation not only protects your organisation but also builds trust, encourages engagement and strengthens your brand.
Led by experienced trainers, this course will equip you with the tools to create safe, inclusive and value-led online spaces. It will be a mix of discussion, theory and hands-on demonstration.
To make this workshop as bespoke as possible we will ask you a few short questions when you register in order for us to understand the needs of the group, but we will cover the following areas:

Moderating Facebook pages and groups, including live moderation and banning users
Moderation tools across other social platforms including Instagram and X
Zoom moderation and how to manage meetings and webinars safely
How to respond to and manage reviews, especially on Google and Facebook
Setting a tone and policies that reflect your businesses’ values Balancing openness with safety in your online spaces
Understanding the legal responsibilities around online activity

The session will also include a confidential Q&A – either in a group or one-to-one – where you can raise specific concerns or challenges you’ve faced.
Our social media workshops are popular, and places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Who Should Attend
This training is for all staff who have responsibility for what is posted on social media, either as part of their daily role or because they are in a management or CEO position. For organisations with Boards, it also is aimed at trustees with legal responsibilities. No prior knowledge is required, although some experience of using the platforms will be helpful for the hands-on demonstrations.
What’s Included

The workshop lasts for 2 hours but attendees can stay on for a further 30 minutes for additional discussions and advice.
After the workshop, we will send you a pack containing all the advice, tips and links discussed during the session.
You will also be able to pass on follow-up questions to our trainers, SRX Consultancy, who will offer practical support (via email or a quick call) to ensure you are able to put everything you learned into action.

About the Trainers
SRX Consultancy is a boutique PR, social media and communications agency specialising in areas including charity and small business. Their bespoke and tailored training sessions have been running for 10 years – attended by staff from hundreds of charities, organisations, and small businesses, always receiving positive feedback. This workshop will be delivered by Simon Rothstein and Lauren Soar.
Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026 10.00am – 12.00pm
Virtual: Zoom Platform
Cost to attend: Members £95.00 + VAT and Non-Members £150.00 + VAT

Tackling late payments and getting money moving | Lunch and Learn
2026-03-09 12:00 - 12:30 UTC | Online
In this Lunch and Learn, the team from the UK’s Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) will explain the free support they can provide for small businesses who are dealing with late payments.
They’ll also discuss the Fair Payment Code and its role in building a culture of prompt payment across the UK, and share top tips for protecting your business against the challenge of payments not arriving on time.
Topics covered in this session

How the SBC can help you get paid

How to champion prompt payments with the Fair Payment Code

Top tips to protect your business against late payment

About the speakers
The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) is an independent public body established by Government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle overdue payments and unfavourable payment practices in the private sector.
It supports small businesses to get paid quickly and on time, influences large businesses to improve payment times to suppliers and works with all business to raise payment practice standards across the UK.
The OSBC has a statutory duty to review enquiries and investigate formal complaints made by small businesses regarding late and overdue payments, as well as providing advice and support on issues relating to overdue payments and payment practices in the private sector.
It undertakes a range of activity to improve outcomes for small businesses and works across Government, and with partners in the private and third sector, to raise awareness of the impact of overdue payments and unfair payment practices.
If you have any questions you’d like the OSBC team to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
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How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

Scale My Biz - Smart Start Brentwood
2026-03-11 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | online workshop
Timing is everything in business. Knowing when—and how—to invest your resources can make the difference between sustainable success and costly mistakes.
Scale My Biz is a free, two-hour online workshop designed to help established businesses understand the critical difference between growth and scaling, and how to make informed decisions when expanding operations.
This workshop is specifically for SMEs with established, repeat customers who are already selling products or services.
It is not suitable for pre-starts or early-stage start-ups.
Workshop Details
Date: Wednesday 11th March
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Who should attend: Businesses and entrepreneurs based in the Brentwood District with an existing customer base
What You’ll Learn

The business conditions required for sustainable growth

The key differences between growth and scaling

Real-world examples of successful scaling

How to identify leverage points within your business

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for scaling effectively

How to prepare your business for growth or scaling

If your business is already trading and you’re considering your next phase of expansion, this workshop will give you the clarity and tools you need to scale with confidence.

The Smart Start Brentwood Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a UK Government initiative providing funding for local investments to support the government’s five national missions, including economic growth, making the UK a clean energy superpower, and breaking down barriers to opportunity. From April 2025 to March 2026, UKSPF will continue to support local projects focused on communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
This popular programme is delivered by Let’s Do Business Group.

Are you protected from Cybercrime Workshop?
2026-03-19 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | The Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3ZQ
From banking, shopping, ordering, deliveries and significant business activities through streaming to social media, businesses, organisations and people are spending more time than ever online.
Cyber security is an important part of daily life, whether you’re connecting to public WiFi hotspots or scrolling through social media. As such, it’s important to learn all that you can so that you can keep yourself, your business, your money, treasured memories, family and friends safe.
An unmissable opportunity to hear from cyber experts who see the devastation cybercrime can visit upon unwitting business owners and their staff.
Experts from Essex Police will explain cyber security best practices, outlining potential threats and empowering businesses to take steps to prevent or report cybercrime.
In this workshop you can hear from experts from Essex Police’s Business Crime and Cyber Prevent Team, will have the opportunity to take part in a special Cyber Escape Room challenge, an Open Source Intelligence demo, using standard tools to research a target and participate in a Q&A session at the end.
This session is designed to:
• Help you understand the potential threats, vulnerabilities and mitigations
• Provide you with the knowledge and tools to protect yourself and your organisation
Date: Thursday 19 March 10.00am – 12.00pm
Venue: The Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway, Boundary Road, Colchester, CO4 3ZQ
Cost to attend: Free for Members Non-Members £45.00 + VAT

Breaking Down the Basics of SEO
2026-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Get your business found online by the people who need you most.
Tired of feeling like your website is invisible? You’re not alone. Many small business owners put time and effort into building their website but still struggle to show up in search results.
This workshop will help you fix that. You’ll learn simple, practical SEO strategies that bring more visitors to your site, attract your ideal customers, and help your business grow. We’ll break down the jargon, showing you how to optimise your website, create content that ranks, and use free tools to see what’s working.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your business more visible online — and feel confident doing it yourself.

Using Canva to Create Content
2026-04-22 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Online
Learn how to design eye-catching graphics that elevate your brand and engage your audience without needing a design degree or expensive software, with this beginners guide to using Canva!
Struggling to create professional-looking visuals for your business? Many small business owners find themselves overwhelmed by design tools or rely on costly designers for every project. Introducing Canva – your key to success (and less stress!)
In this workshop we’ll be looking at the potential for our business by using Canva – and you’ll learn how to navigate the platform, design with purpose and ease, and maintain brand consistency to captivate your customers and build marketing materials that help you to reach your business goals. By the end, you’ll have the confidence and skills to produce high-quality visuals that resonate with your audience, put your best foot forward, and unlock new possibilities for your marketing!
What You’ll Learn:

Getting Started with Canva: Understand how to sign up, set up your account, and navigate the platform’s interface.

Creating a Brand Kit: Learn how to establish a cohesive brand identity by setting up your brand kit, including logos, colours, and fonts.

Designing Graphics: Discover how to create various graphics, from social media posts to posters, using Canva’s templates and tools.

Resizing Designs: Master the art of resizing your designs to fit different platforms and purposes, ensuring consistency across all your materials.

Practical Application: Participate in a live session where you’ll see how easy it is to create a graphic for a business campaign, and get the guidance from an expert on how to use the platform for your own business.

Lunch & Learn Webinar: Why ESG is Good For Business and the Planet
2026-04-29 12:30 - 13:00 UTC | Online
Join the experts at Positive Planet to understand why ESG is good for the planet and good for business.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is rapidly becoming a core business priority, not just for large corporates, but increasingly for SMEs. This lunch & learn webinar provides a practical introduction to ESG, breaking down its key phases from materiality assessment through to strategy development and effective reporting.
We will explore why ESG data requests are accelerating across supply chains, driven by investors, regulators, and larger organisations, and what this means for smaller businesses. Beyond compliance, the session will highlight how ESG can be used as a genuine competitive advantage, introducing five key levers that can unlock strategic value, from cost savings and risk management to revenue growth and brand differentiation.
Finally, we will cover clear, actionable steps to help you get started on your ESG journey, ensuring you can respond confidently to stakeholder demands while building long term business resilience.

First steps for implementing AI into your business | Lunch and Learn
2026-04-30 12:00 - 12:30 UTC | online workshop
Heard everyone talking about AI but still aren’t sure what it actually means for your business?
Have you tried a tool or two, felt quietly underwhelmed and wondered if you’re missing something obvious?
In this Lunch and Learn, Charlotte Boundy explains how to start using AI and automation in a way that’s practical, clear and specific to how your small business works.
It’s a hands-on session where you’ll see automation working in real time, interact with it live and leave with a clear picture of where to focus first in your own business.
The tools exist – the question is knowing which ones are right for you.
Topics covered in this session

How to identify the tasks in your business that are ready to automate right now

Where you could be saving the most time and money with AI

How to choose the right AI tools for your business without wasting time on the wrong ones

About the speaker
Charlotte has spent 12 years working in business operations, first in London and then building Bright Spark Collective from the ground up during COVID.
In that time, she’s worked with close to 100 UK founders across a wide range of industries, helping them build businesses that run more smoothly and demand less of them personally.
If you have any questions you’d like Charlotte to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
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How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

Making your business visible in an AI-powered world
2026-05-06 02:00 - 15:00 UTC | online workshop
Your customers are still searching. They’re just not searching the way they used to.
AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Google’s AI Overviews and voice assistants have quietly changed how people discover businesses, products and services. And most small business owners have no idea it’s happening.
Fortunately, you don’t need a big budget or tech team to fix it. You just need to know where to show up and how.
In this practical Tech Hub webinar, certified Google and Meta trainer Padebi Ojomo walks you through five clear, actionable steps to make your business discoverable in an AI-powered world.
You’ll get a straight answer to the question every small business owner should be asking right now – when an AI tool recommends a business like mine, will it recommend me?
What you’ll learn

Why AI search is different from traditional Google search and what that means for your business

The simple content changes that make AI tools more likely to surface your business

How to audit your current online presence for AI visibility in under 30 minutes

Which free and low-cost tools actually help (and which ones to ignore)

Your personalised next step based on where your business is right now

Who should attend

Early stage e-commerce founders launching or growing their first online store

Product-based businesses planning to scale their brand in the future

Founders who want to prepare their e-commerce brand for paid marketing and growth strategies

About the speaker
Padebi is a certified Google and Meta trainer based in Milton Keynes, specialising in practical AI adoption for small business owners.
She’s trained over 24,000 entrepreneurs across 17 countries through Meta’s official programmes. She’s the founder of The GPT Club and holds the UK Global Talent Award for her work in digital technology.
How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Tech Hub
A collaboration between Google and Sage and built by Enterprise Nation, Tech Hub offers an accessible solution to support small businesses to adopt the technology they need to run and grow their ventures.

Action Hour: The Creative Leader – UK–USA Special
2026-05-06 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Webinar
On 6th May at 4:00 PM, I’ll be joining Stefan Mumaw (TEDx Speaker, LinkedIn Learning Author & bestselling writer) for a special UK–USA collaboration:
✨ Action Hour: The Creative Leader – UK–USA Special ✨
We’ll be diving into creativity in leadership, how to bring ideas to life in organisations, and how leaders can inspire cultures of innovation. It’s going to be practical, energising, and honestly… such a fun session to deliver.
Here’s the link to join us:
👉 Register here: https://seats.org.uk/event/action-hour-the-creative-leader-uk-usa-special/
I would really love to see you there; your presence would mean a lot.
If you know anyone else who would benefit from this session, please do pass along the invite (attached). The more creative minds in the room, the better!

From idea to clarity: Define what your business stands for
2026-05-11 12:00 - 12:30 UTC | Online
Learn to use Canva to brainstorm ideas, organise and shape your brand visually and strategically.

This is the first session in a week-long series of free webinars from Enterprise Nation and Canva, created to help small business founders sharpen their marketing and build stronger brands.
To stand out as a small business owner or consultant, you need more than a great offer. You need a clear value proposition that shows exactly why you’re the right choice.
In this session, Rob Boliver will help you uncover what truly sets you apart.
You’ll move from a messy brain-dump of ideas to a clear, confident brand identity using a simple, practical process.
You’ll also learn how to use Canva Whiteboards to brainstorm, organise and shape your brand visually and strategically.
By the end, your founder story won’t just be a bio, but a narrative that attracts your ideal audience.
Topics covered in this session

Why branding matters for founders in 2026

How to use Canva to brainstorm, “moodboard” and shape your brand visually

How to develop a founder story and clear niche that feels right for you

About the speaker
Rob Boliver is a Canva Verified Expert, Design Engineer and Technical Artist AI based in Galway, Ireland. With over 585,000 YouTube subscribers and a course platform (UniCanva) with more than 11,000 students, Rob has spent years helping founders, entrepreneurs and small business owners build brands that actually feel like them.
He specialises in making the brand-building process practical and visual, using tools like Canva to help people move from scattered ideas to a clear, confident identity. His work sits at the intersection of design, AI and online business, and he collaborates with global tech companies on AI-driven design experiences.
Rob is known for breaking down complex creative processes into simple, actionable steps that anyone can follow, whether they are just starting out or looking to sharpen a brand they have been building for years.
If you have any questions you’d like Rob to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
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How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

Build a magnetic brand: Turn clarity into marketing assets
2026-05-12 12:00 - 12:30 UTC | Online
Learn how to use Canva to turn your brand positioning into a polished, consistent visual identity.

This is the second session in a week-long series of free webinars from Enterprise Nation and Canva, created to help small business founders sharpen their marketing and build stronger brands.
Today, you don’t need an expensive branding agency or a full-time design team to build a brand that gets attention.
In this session, Sydney Sam will break down the essential visual assets every founder needs, from high-impact imagery to social templates that stop people scrolling.
You’ll learn how to use Canva to turn your brand positioning into a polished, consistent visual identity. From smart templates to a refined brand kit – including your logo, colours, fonts and imagery – you’ll discover how to create content that looks premium, without the premium price tag.
By the end, you’ll be designing “thumb-stopping” content that feels aligned, professional and true to your brand.
Topics covered in this session

How to translate your brand positioning into professional visual assets

Where to start creating polished content in Canva using smart templates and a cohesive brand kit

Practical Canva hacks to achieve a premium aesthetic without the agency price tag

About the speaker
Sydney is a global brand strategist, an entrepreneur and a venture-building advisor with 15 years of experience helping founders across Africa, the UK and the US turn early ideas into revenue engines, iconic brands and resilient teams.
He’s widely regarded for his ability to blend clear strategy, creative execution and founder development into practical systems that accelerate growth.
Sydney supports business founders through one-on-one coaching, accelerator mentorship, venture training and hands-on brand execution through his creative-tech platform Workspace Global.
If you have any questions you’d like Sydney to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
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How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

Mastering Your Website Performance
2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Online
Website Performance is a practical webinar focused on how to assess, diagnose, and improve how well a website performs — from both a technical and SEO perspective.

Join us and our members dotcraft Ltd for this informative session, where they’ll walk you through;

proven ways to surface performance issues (speed, Core Web Vitals, crawlability, indexing, and on-page efficiency)
share a clear framework for prioritising fixes
highlight quick wins that can deliver immediate impact.

You’ll leave with top tips, actionable next steps, and a checklist of improvements to boost user experience, search visibility, and conversions.
Date: Wednesday 13 May 10.00am – 11.00am
Virtual: Zoom Platform
Cost to attend: Free for Members and Non-Members £25.00 + VAT

From idea to impact: Build campaigns that stand out
2026-05-13 12:00 - 12:30 UTC | Online
Learn how to turn your positioning into high-impact marketing that stops the scroll and starts conversations.

This is the third session in a week-long series of free webinars from Enterprise Nation and Canva, created to help small business founders sharpen their marketing and build stronger brands.
In a crowded marketplace, a brand’s strategy is only as strong as its execution. It’s time to move beyond one-off posts that drain your energy and start thinking on a campaign level.
In this session, Martha Keith will show you how to turn your positioning into high-impact marketing that stops the scroll and starts conversations.
You’ll learn how to create cohesive campaigns that work across social, email and even physical touchpoints, so your brand shows up consistently wherever your audience is.
Whether you’re launching a product or a service, you’ll discover how to make your marketing feel less like isolated content and more like a connected experience people will remember.
Topics covered in this session

How to move from one-off posts to 360-degree campaigns that drive results

How to create content that connects across social media and email

A simple framework for designing creative that stops people scrolling and captures attention fast

About the speaker
Martha is the founder and CEO of Martha Brook, a personalised stationery and lifestyle brand that has grown into a global e-commerce success.
She knows first-hand what it takes to build a brand from scratch using digital tools, from design and content creation, to marketing and selling online.
In 2024, she founded Business Secrets Club, a community of 135,000 small business owners, where she shares practical guidance on marketing, strategy and growth.
She is a member of the British Library Advisory Council and an Ambassador for the Business & IP Centre.
If you have any questions you’d like Martha to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
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How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

Your Phone is a Film Studio: Using Short Video to Grow Your Business
2026-05-14 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | online workshop
Your smartphone is more powerful than a camera crew – you just need to know how to use it! In this session, join experts Garry Lee and James Adam, BT and Small Business Britain show you exactly how to create short videos that stop the scroll and turn viewers into customers.

You’ll learn how to:

– Film and edit content that looks polished and professional
– using only your phone
– Know which platforms your videos should be on and how to tailor your content for each one
– Build a simple, repeatable video habit that keeps your business visible and growing.

About Gary and James: James and Garry believe in ruthlessly efficient marketing for small businesses. They don’t like to waste one second or one pound more than is needed. Both have over 20 years’ experience in marketing, brand, data and user experience. They have run businesses that serviced clients like Sainsburys, Skype, JD Sports and JCB, but came together in 2020 to form Thirty Three Percent, with the vision of bringing big brand marketing to small business. They firmly believe that small businesses can not only compete but thrive against the big brands by translating marketing best practice for small business.

About Amy (guest expert from BT) Amy Johnston is a Social Media Manager with 5+ years of experience building and managing social media strategies designed to increase engagement and elevate brand presence. Her approach combines data‑led decision making, creative content planning, and trend awareness to optimise campaigns across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About BT Digital Skills: BT Digital Skills is partnering with Small Business Britain to deliver digital skills to small businesses across the UK.

Bootstrapped but beautiful: turn your brand into sales
2026-05-15 12:00 - 12:30 UTC | Online
Explore how to move beyond traditional sales tactics and build a community-first approach to growth that feels authentic and sustainable.

This is the fifth and final session in a week-long series of free webinars from Enterprise Nation and Canva, created to help UK founders sharpen their marketing, build stronger brands, and grow with confidence. Expect practical guidance, fresh ideas, and tools you can put into action straight away.
In this fireside chat, SEO experts Areej AbuAli and Freddie Chatt will discuss founder-led marketing strategies that build trust and drive real conversions. The conversation will explore how to optimise your key digital touchpoints, from your homepage to your checkout flow, so your brand delivers a seamless, high-quality customer experience.
You’ll also discover how to move beyond traditional sales tactics and build a community-first approach to growth that feels authentic, sustainable, and genuinely aligned with your brand.
Topics covered in this session

Learn how to design a customer journey that moves someone from a social post to a confirmed order
Discover practical ways to optimise your website or product pages to reduce friction and increase value
Understand how to grow your revenue while maintaining a strong, personal brand

About the speakers
Areej AbuAli is the founder of Women in Tech SEO, a global community for marketers working at the intersection of marketing and technology. Since launching in 2019, the community has grown to over 12,000 members and 60,000 followers worldwide, connecting professionals through online groups, mentorship programmes, and conferences across the UK, Europe, and the USA. Based in London, Areej is an international speaker, a Google Women Techmakers Ambassador, a UN Women UK Delegate, and the author of Community Building for Marketers.
Freddie Chatt is an e-commerce SEO consultant with over 10 years of experience in SEO, including five years at Amara, building its SEO channel to over £10 million in annual revenue. Since going freelance in 2020, Freddie has helped online stores grow through search and writing the e-commerce SEO newsletter Search to Sale, which is trusted by SEOs at Lego, Gymshark, Target, Adidas and more.
If you have any questions you’d like Areej and Freddie to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
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How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

LinkedIn Do's & Don'ts for Success
2026-05-26 09:30 - 11:30 UTC | Online
Finding it hard to make LinkedIn work for your business? Many small business owners set up a profile but post irregularly or struggle to engage the right audience, then wonder why results don’t follow.
This workshop focuses on giving you LinkedIn strategies that generate meaningful connections and business growth. You’ll optimise your profile, craft engaging content, and network effectively. By the end, you’ll have practical skills and actionable strategies to make LinkedIn a powerful tool for your business.
What You’ll Learn:

Optimising Your Profile: Learn how to create a professional and compelling LinkedIn profile that attracts the right audience.

Building a Network: Discover strategies for connecting with potential clients, collaborators, and industry peers effectively.

Creating Engaging Content: Explore how to post updates, articles, and multimedia content that positions you as an expert in your field.

Generating Leads: Learn practical methods to identify prospects, start conversations, and turn connections into opportunities.

Personal Branding on LinkedIn: Understand how to present your business consistently and authentically to build trust.

Analytics & Growth: Learn how to monitor engagement, track performance, and adjust your LinkedIn activity for maximum impact.

Overview of the Employment Rights Act Webinar
2026-06-03 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | online workshop
The upcoming changes to the Employment Rights Act represent one of the most significant shifts in UK employment law in recent years.
Join us, alongside leading employment law specialists from Birketts LLP, for a focused webinar exploring what these reforms mean for employers, and how to prepare now.
This session will provide a clear overview of the proposed changes and the practical impact they could have on your business.
Key Reforms We’ll Cover:
• Unfair dismissal qualifying period reduced from 2 years to 6 months
• Compensation cap removed and time limits extended for unfair dismissal claims.
• Stronger restrictions on changing contracts, including “fire and rehire”
• Statutory sick pay expanded – no waiting days and no lower earnings limit
• Easier union recognition and industrial action
• Greater employer duty to prevent sexual harassment
• New working time and holiday record-keeping requirements
• Right to guaranteed hours for zero-hours workers
• Expanded parental rights and protections
Why This Matters
These changes significantly increase employer risk exposure and reduce flexibility in managing people and workforce change.
Businesses will need to:
• Review contracts and workplace policies
• Reassess dismissal and disciplinary procedures
• Strengthen compliance and documentation processes
• Enhance workplace culture and preventative measures
The businesses that prepare early will be best placed to manage risk and maintain control – secure your place to stay ahead of the changes.
Date: Wednesday 3 June 10.00am – 11.00am
Virtual: Zoom Platform
Cost to attend: Free for Members and Non-Members £25.00 + VAT

Once you understand the changes, the next question is practical: What do we need to do, and when? Join us at our in-depth workshop on 9 July, designed as an action-focused session for organisations that want to move from awareness to implementation.

Funding, grants & levy transfer: How Small Businesses can access financial support with apprenticeships
2026-06-08 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Zoom
Unlock the full range of financial support available to small businesses who want to bring apprentices into their workforce. This webinar demystifies apprenticeship funding, explains how to access government incentives and shows you how levy transfer from larger organisations can cover up to 100% of training costs. This webinar is brought to you by Amazing Apprenticeships, supported by the Edge Foundation as part of the Small Business Summer campaign.

Strategies for Successful Email Marketing
2026-06-09 09:30 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Ever feel like your emails just aren’t getting noticed? You’re not alone! Many small business owners send out emails but aren’t sure how to make them really work.
In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of email marketing — how to write messages people actually want to read, send them to the right people, and see what’s working (and what’s not).
We’ll cover simple, practical steps to help you:

Get started in collecting data

Creating emails that connect with your audience

Share updates, offers, or stories that keep people interested

Use easy tools to send and track your emails

By the end, you’ll feel confident using email as a simple and effective way to stay in touch with your customers and grow your business.

What You’ll Learn:

Building a Solid Foundation: Learn the fundamentals of email marketing, from creating subscriber lists to segmenting your audience for targeted messaging.

The Legal Bits: Get an understanding of the legalities of email marketing including Marketing Consent (GDPR) and unsubscribes.

Crafting Irresistible Content: Dive deep into the art of crafting emails that captivate your audience.

Automation and Personalisation: Explore the power of automation to streamline your email campaigns and the art of personalisation to create a tailored experience for each recipient.

The Customer Journey: Learn how to utilise email marketing for more than just conversion. Nurture your customers and create touchpoints to improve customer engagement.

Analytics and Optimisation: Learn how to track and interpret key metrics, identify areas for improvement, and optimise your campaigns for maximum impact.

Inclusive Employer webinars
2026-06-09 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Online
Recruiting the right people is getting harder and many employers are missing out on strong candidates without realising it.
We’re offering a fully funded, practical online programme for hiring managers to help you recruit more effectively, fairly and confidently.
What you’ll get:

Practical tools to improve job adverts and attraction
Better shortlisting and interview techniques
Confidence in fair, legally compliant recruitment
Access to a wider, more diverse talent pool
Improved retention and team performance

This is focused on what works in real businesses, not theory.
Sessions (online):

Tuesday 9 June 10:00am to 11:30am
Wednesday 10 June 10:00am to 11:30am
Thursday 11 June 10:00am to 11:30am

In Person: Master Your Finances
2026-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Patch Chelmsford, Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6QR
Finance made simple for Essex SMEs – boost profitability with practical tools, automation and expert support.

Running your own business means wearing a lot of hats, but finance doesn’t have to be the one that keeps you up at night!
Join us in Chelmsford for a practical workshop designed specifically for SME owners who want to take control of their finances, improve profitability and make smarter decisions with confidence.
This interactive session takes a two-part approach:
🔹 Part 1: Finance Fundamentals Made Simple
Tony Brown, has over 30 years experience in finance and will be breaking down the essentials every business owner needs to understand. He will share how to stay on top of your finances through things like forecasting and cash flow management.
🔹 Part 2: Smarter Finance with Automation
Kelsey Brown, founder of the first in-person AI automation school, will delve into how modern tools and automation can save you time, reduce errors and give you better financial visibility. We’ll show you practical ways to streamline your processes and free up time to focus on growing your business.
This isn’t theory, you’ll walk away with practical advice you can apply immediately to your business.
Delivered in partnership with Metro Bank and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), this workshop also gives you access to a wider support network.
After the session, stay for informal networking, where you can:

Ask those burning finance questions
Connect with fellow SME owners
Learn about the support, tools and resources available to help your business thrive

Whether you’re just getting to grips with your numbers or looking to modernise your financial processes, this workshop will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward.
Spaces are limited so reserve your place today.
Parking:
The nearest car parks for Patch can be found on Parkopedia here. Please allow enough time to park and walk across to the venue.

Online: Master Your Finances
2026-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Finance made simple for Essex SMEs – boost profitability with practical tools, automation and expert support.

Running your own business means wearing a lot of hats, but finance doesn’t have to be the one that keeps you up at night!
Join us in Chelmsford for a practical workshop designed specifically for SME owners who want to take control of their finances, improve profitability and make smarter decisions with confidence.
This interactive session takes a two-part approach:
🔹 Part 1: Finance Fundamentals Made Simple
Tony Brown, has over 30 years experience in finance and will be breaking down the essentials every business owner needs to understand. He will share how to stay on top of your finances through things like forecasting and cash flow management.
🔹 Part 2: Smarter Finance with Automation
Kelsey Brown, founder of the first in-person AI automation school, will delve into how modern tools and automation can save you time, reduce errors and give you better financial visibility. We’ll show you practical ways to streamline your processes and free up time to focus on growing your business.
This isn’t theory, you’ll walk away with practical advice you can apply immediately to your business.
Delivered in partnership with Metro Bank and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), this workshop also gives you access to a wider support network.
After the session, stay for informal networking, where you can:

Ask those burning finance questions
Connect with fellow SME owners
Learn about the support, tools and resources available to help your business thrive

Whether you’re just getting to grips with your numbers or looking to modernise your financial processes, this workshop will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward.
Spaces are limited so reserve your place today.
