CharlieKenny.me

The past few years working for myself have been tough. I’ve noticed a tremendous change in the way people do business. Speaking with friends in my network, they all see the same …

​The familiar high-street names have disappeared from local focus. Woolworths, Miss Selfridge, Debenhams to name a few. Sure, some have resurfaced on-line and are doing well, as change continues …

Today I see opportunity. By looking for a way forward, it’s easy to recognise the landscape of the individual owner/manager. The independent entrepreneur.

No, I’m not delving into the world of that AI fellow, not this time, although he does figure … I’m talking real world.

It is the individuals who are growing this vision of new economy, and even though AI has offered a myriad of new skills, bringing the can-do confidence … it is the independent thinker who has the agility to utilise and apply new tech. 

Isn’t that the way independents have always been successful? Adaptability, mobility? The quick-step over bolero?

In today’s new-new age, independence seems to be working; there’s success seen for some, although not everyone …

I’ve heard it is the wariness of unknown threats that affects the confidence of anyone looking to step up. Hey … we’ve all been there, remember? No surprise eh?  

Brexit, the Pandemic, and unsteady governance. Continued unrest in countries around the world. There is plenty to observe and witness, although if I’m honest with you (the only way to be,) I’m thinking … 

The biggest difficulty facing independent thinking is that we’re not welcome in the HMRC dystopian world of 2025.  We don’t consume or create enough, independent owner/manager doesn’t pay the taxes.  According to the statisticians, we’re not growing fast enough. 

To be successful … the 56% of businesses in the UK registered as sole-traders should be brave, even braver than the previous generation. They should hold their nerve as we pursue the new business with confidence.

Tough times call for an optimistic mindset if we are to prevail. Then, as we’re eventually able to hire and retain staff, create supply lines and embrace the cherished ledger debt so favoured by the accountant … we look toward the future for consolidation. 

The good news is that we don’t have to step-up on our own. By finding a like-minded network (community/resource,) any business will soon gain confidence to step up and out.

By having this sounding board of trusted colleagues by our side, we’re able to dream bigger … inspiration comes to the fore as we navigate the brave new world of today’s owner/manager.

‘people buy from people’