I'm the founder of WitFlow, and I've spent the last 16 years helping businesses grow through marketing and technology.

One thing I've noticed lately is how quickly the way people discover businesses is changing. Google isn't the only place customers look anymore. They're asking ChatGPT, comparing recommendations and making decisions before they even visit your website.

Yet most businesses are still marketing as if nothing has changed.

We're bringing our Growth Box workshop to Nottingham on 29 October, following two great sessions in London and Manchester.

It's a practical, in-person session for business owners, founders and marketing professionals. We'll explore what's changing, what it means for your business and what you can actually do about it.

No sales pitches, just useful ideas, honest conversations and a chance to meet other local businesses.

Thursday 29 October, 5:30 pm
Garner Hotel, Nottingham city centre.

It's free to attend, and I'd love to meet some of you there.

https://www.meetup.com/growth-box-notts/events/316958347/

Out of curiosity, have any of you noticed a change in how new customers are finding your business?

Thirty minutes went quickly. There was so much more I wanted to go into. So the Lunch and Learn became the kick-start for something longer.

Between now and the new year I’m running five free live workshops on Zoom. Each one takes a single topic, with 90 minutes to go into it properly, look at your own business and answer your questions.

Session one, My business should be further along, Tuesday 20 October, 4pm to 5.30pm
Session two, Simplify or scale: your honest next move, Tuesday 3 November, 4pm to 5.30pm
Session three, Seeing how far you’ve come, Thursday 12 November, 2.30pm to 4pm
Session four, The weight of your business, Tuesday 24 November, 4pm to 5.30pm
Session five, What are you actually picturing when you say grow?, Tuesday 8 December, 4pm to 5.30pm

The first one is tomorrow. Each session stands alone, but they work best in order. All times are UK time. Can’t make it live? Register anyway and I’ll send you the recording.

Register for each session here: https://www.simplifyandscale.co.uk/upcoming-workshops/

A recent Industrial Design graduate from Loughborough University, Tom founded KESWICK3 to design and manufacture high-quality, thoughtfully designed accessories for classic Land Rover Series vehicles.

The idea was born from a 14-month, nut-and-bolt restoration of his own Land Rover Series III, which highlighted a gap in the market for well-designed products for these iconic vehicles. Now, Tom is turning that passion into a business, with plans to build a range of accessories under the distinctive KESWICK3 brand.

The grant will help Tom bring his first product to life, with UK manufacturing and a launch planned for this winter, alongside valuable mentoring to support him on his entrepreneurial journey.

💬 “Winning the Next Generation Grant means I can get KESWICK3's first product made properly here in the UK and launched this winter. Just as valuable is the mentoring, as this is my first business and having an experienced entrepreneur in my corner will help me turn this passion project into a business!” — Tom Helm, founder of KESWICK3.

Congratulations, Tom! 🥳

But we want to start the week strong. Not belly-flop into it and hope for the best.

So here are my favourite ways to close some of the tabs, prioritise where to put focus first, and make the biggest difference to how the week flows:

→ Batch by category — group tasks by area, give each one its own day or time block. (It’s so much easier to exhale when everything has a spot and your brain can stop reminding you at 11pm.

→ Protect one slowing-down hour, weekly — last thing on a Friday (or I prefer a Sunday), just asking yourself: what's the one thing that will genuinely make a difference next week? Then schedule it in.

→ Get honest about what you specifically need to do. (Delegating something doesn't make you less indispensable. It makes you the leader 😉)

Creating a simple workflow like this makes a big difference to moving the needle on your business. And that feeling when you check off each completed task… it’s pretty hard to beat. 🦚

And if you’d like to read the short blog I’ve written on getting decisive, closing some of the tabs, and  prioritising where to focus first. Comment YES and I’ll send it over.

I’m Joseph, a graphic designer who believes that every great idea deserves a visual identity that makes it stand out.

In today’s world, how you present your ideas matters. Whether you’re building a business, starting a personal brand, or working on something you believe in, the way you communicate your vision can make a difference.

But here’s something I’ve learned: You don’t have to be a big brand to start looking professional. You just need to start with a vision and be willing to build it.

That’s one of the things that inspires me about graphic design. It’s not just about creating beautiful designs. It’s about turning ideas into visuals, helping people communicate their message, and giving brands a way to express who they are.

Through Joseph Graphicz, I create visual designs that help businesses and individuals present their ideas with clarity, creativity, and purpose.

From logos and brand identities to flyers, banners, and business cards, I enjoy helping ideas take shape and giving brands a visual presence they can be proud of.

And to anyone out there working on a dream, building something from scratch, or trying to figure out their next step, keep going.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. Every successful journey starts somewhere, and every great brand was once just an idea in someone’s mind.

Start small. Stay creative. Keep building. Let your work speak.

I’m Joseph, the creative mind behind Joseph Graphicz, and I’m excited to keep growing, creating, and connecting with people who believe in bringing ideas to life. 🚀

With the Autumn Budget approaching on 28 October, there's considerable speculation about potential tax changes. But for business owners, the consequences could extend well beyond the initial tax bill.

Changes affecting capital gains, pension contributions, investments and inheritance could influence how businesses plan for growth, how directors prepare for retirement and how families pass on wealth.

We've recently published an analysis looking at what's already changing, what remains speculation and some of the wider consequences that may be overlooked.

https://www.theretirementoffice.co.uk/in-the-office/budget-2026-tax-changes-pensions-investments-families/

I'd be interested to hear whether other business owners are reviewing their plans ahead of the Budget or waiting until the Chancellor confirms the details?

Many Thanks.

I have tried myself with illustration however i'm just not happy with the result i'm getting. I have thought about using AI, but with controversial views surrounding sustainabililty and authenticity, unsure of how this is viewed in such a creative business type. If I used elements of AI and put this together as a design of my own, would this typically be frowned upon in the industry and potential customers if they knew i had partly used AI?

Just looking for other people's advice and opinions. TIA 😊

Jess

Here’s what’s coming up in the community over the next couple of weeks, we'd love to see you there:

🍽️ Tues 20 Oct: Food & Drink Founders’ Table
Leisa Pickles will sit down with Ryan Panchoo, founder of Borough 22 🍩 to discuss his Channel 4 & Lloyds Bank’s Black in Business win.

🤖 Tues 20 Oct: Claude Hands-On Lab
Learn how to put AI to work in your business within the hour, in this interactive workshop with Charlotte Boundy.

🛍️ Mon 26 Oct: The Retail Roundtable
One month into Q4 with Catherine Erdly: bring a win and a question, and swap ideas with the group.

📰 Tues 27 Oct: Ask Me Anything: Press & PR Clinic
Bring your burning PR questions and find out how to get your business noticed with Enterprise Nation's Head of Media, Lizzie Slee.

💼 Thurs 29 Oct: Female Founder Sessions
What does being a good leader look like today? Join Jaxx Nelson to explore leadership for female founders.

🚀 Thurs 29 Oct: Next Gen Entrepreneurs: The Hangout
From early challenges to key lessons learned, Shimron Walters reflects on what he wishes he'd known before launching his AI consultancy, BitesizedGenius.

What else would you like to see from us? Let us know in the comments below 👇