Single Mums Business Network [SMBN]

On Wednesday, I was delighted to be invited to a presentation and discussion in the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Kamall of Edmonton, about how we unlock enterprise and economic growth in financially-excluded communities and achieve ‘growth in every postcode’, and I am pleased to share that some key players attended, and asked questions that only suggest that help is on its way! and that the message is finally being heard and understood, that there is a very real barrier, preventing intended funds from reaching those in greatest adversity. Do not lose hope!

Purple Shoots help financially-excluded entrepreneurs to start sustainable businesses and achieve financial independence, with mentoring and loans of just £1,000–£5,000. Yet conventional lenders, and even Government-backed finance, struggle to reach people without security, a credit history or an established track record.

We heard from Karen Davies and Emma Musgrave about how Purple Shoots offers human vetting to people who are ‘more than a credit score’, and we heard from a number of borrowers, who explained how they were helped with micro-finance, and how this has helped them to grow businesses and in some cases, employ others.

Lucy Talog Hay spoke about her sustainable fashion with Art on Scarves Limited – I am a huge personal fan! and Sarah spoke about neurodiversity and her new business ‘Stamp out the Block’. Idegbe Adoh spoke about starting Id’s place with a small loan from Purple Shoots ten years ago – Id’s Place is a Nigerian food business, who has since catered for high profile corporate events and weddings, and has mentored many new businesses in that time. Her Insta handle is @ids_place

Lord Kamall spoke passionately, as he always does, about excluded entrepreneurs and the tiny amount of money needed to open doors. He truly understands how so little can have such a huge impact, not just on the lives of those who are helped, but on the economy and tax purse in general. He flies the flag for Purple Shoots greater than any other!

We heard from Karl O’Dare who explained how he works with inmates to help them plan ahead in enterprise and look forward with renewed hope and positivity. Interestingly Emma disclosed that in terms of reoffending – 100% of ex-offenders supported by Purple Shoots had not re-offended!

I shared my own journey too, and explained how I escaped benefits several years ago through the support of Purple Shoots, it is incredible to think how a simple £3000 loan, can, in a decade, easily offer a return of £250k to the UK economy, just by removing the need for access to the public purse, and resuming contributions, that figure doesn’t even factor in indirect tax through increased spending.

We also heard from Jakki, who spoke passionately and emotionally about who Purple Shoots SRGs (Self Reliant Groups) have been a lifeline for a her sister Dawn, who sells her art through the Purple Shoots Shop.

It was a wonderful event and I left with renewed hope that people will stop being written off as soon as they experience an adverse life event. When ‘the computer says no’ it can be beyond damaging, for the human life, for children, for the economy. It is simply ‘human’ to look at borrowers person to person, case by case. It’s not about the bottom line, it’s not about cost saving and letting AI reject real people. It is about second chances, lifting others, and ultimately, reducing the benefits bill, crime bill, healthcare bill, and more.

Exposure has always been at the heart of the SMBN, when a single mum in business joins this network, I promote her business so thats she does not feel as though she is fighting solo, we have beautiful events, supportive 1-1 conversations, and with our non-business members, and supporters, we raise our voice around the barriers that exist, the barriers to work, homes, and finance, and how we end up in adversity in the first place. No family should suffer in the UK when they have a strong work ethic. It is a problem that should not exist, it simply should not exist!

Jules x

Join us!

The SMBN – You’re not alone