First Enterprise

01/06/2026

What to look out for this week 👀

Keep an eye on our socials for:

✅ Our latest article on the types of insurance that could help SMEs manage everyday risks

👀 A new piece exploring the impact of the War in Iran on things like travel, fashion and food prices

🌈 A spotlight on Pride Month and how your business can show support

🌍 A nod to World Environment Day (5 June) and the importance of sustainable business practices

🏛️ Updates from the Maple Review launch at the Palace of Westminster, where our Deputy Director will be representing us

Make sure you’re following along so you don’t miss out ✨

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26/05/2026

📈 Growth takes investment, tax deadlines approach, and May is anniversary time🎉

Today, our latest article is released: “Funding isn’t failure: Why smart businesses borrow to grow.”

Because despite what many business owners think, seeking finance isn’t a sign your business is struggling (often, it’s the exact opposite).

Smart SMEs use funding to create opportunities, improve cash flow, hire staff, invest in equipment, launch new ideas, and grow sustainably. 💡

We’re also giving a gentle-but-important reminder to SME owners that the P60 deadline lands on May 31st ⏰

If you employ staff, make sure your employees receive their P60 forms before the deadline to stay compliant and avoid unnecessary stress later down the line.

And on a much more celebratory note…we’re recognising SIX work anniversaries this month! 🥳

A huge thank you to:

🎉 Darshak
🎉 Vimple
🎉 James
🎉 Inderpal
🎉 Andy
🎉 Mahdi

Thank you all for your hard work, dedication, and the support you provide to businesses and communities across the UK every single day. 🙌

Finally, don’t forget about these fantastic upcoming opportunities to connect and learn:

☕ The East Midlands Chamber's Networking Breakfast at the Nottingham Playhouse takes place tomorrow (May 27th) from 9am to 11am. It's a brilliant opportunity to network with professionals, business owners, and finance experts.

💼 And NatWest’s Fund Your Business Your Way workshop in Oxford on June 3rd, helping SMEs explore the funding options available to support growth.

Whether you’re growing, planning, networking, or simply trying to survive your overflowing inbox this week…we’re here to help. 📩

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18/05/2026

🚨 Funding opportunities, events, avoiding loan pitfalls…all in one post? Go on then.👀👇

This week, we’re looking back at a brilliant evening with Woman Who on the 8th of May — a community dedicated to supporting and championing female entrepreneurs across the UK.

At First Enterprise, empowering women in business goes far beyond simply offering finance. We look to offer guidance and ongoing support.

Access to funding can help female founders invest in equipment, hire staff, improve cash flow, launch new products, or finally take that business idea from “one day” to day one.💡

Yet, a supportive community matters too.

Events like Woman Who create spaces where founders can connect, share experiences, build confidence, and realise they’re not navigating business ownership alone. We’re proud to support initiatives that help women access both the funding and the community they deserve.🙌

Check out our article on the Women Who event, out this Tuesday.

We're also publishing a helpful new article covering 10 common mistakes people make when applying for a Business Loan this Thursday, because sometimes it’s the little things that can slow an application down unnecessarily.

We’re talking:

📄 Accidentally covering up important details on your ID in submitted scanned photos

🏠 An old address still showing on your driving licence or one that doesn't match your bank statements

💸 Unexplained transfers or transactions on bank statements that raise unnecessary red flags

📑 Missing documents or inconsistent information.

It might sound small, but details matter. Avoiding these mistakes can help keep your application moving smoothly.✅

A carefully crafted application is far more likely to progress through stages quickly, leading to you potentially getting your loan funds much sooner.

Last but not least, there are two upcoming events worth keeping firmly on your radar...👇

☕ The East Midlands Chamber Networking Breakfast at the Nottingham Playhouse on May 27th from 9am to 11am. It's free for registered members and a great opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, business owners, and finance experts.

💼 Plus, NatWest’s Fund Your Business Your Way workshop arrives in Oxford on June 3rd as part of their Funding Accelerator campaign, helping SMEs better understand the funding options available to them.

Whether you’re just getting started, preparing to grow, or figuring out your next move, we’re here to help you explore your options with straightforward, supportive guidance.

📩 Get in touch with the team today to see how we could support your business journey.

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11/05/2026

New week. Fresh coffee. A diary full of ways to help your business grow. ☕

This week, we’re talking practical finance tips for SMEs, celebrating the brilliant women shaping our business community, and heading out to connect with entrepreneurs across Lincolnshire...

Here’s what’s coming up this week👇

📈 Today is the release of our latest article: "5 financial tools your business should have at its disposal" — a simple, jargon-free guide to the tools that can help SMEs stay organised, make smarter decisions, and sleep a little easier at night.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4u8Ruk8

🤝 Our Investment Manager, Seth Addo, will also be presenting at the Black Business Lincolnshire: Access to Finance Seminar, sharing insights on funding, growth, and the support available to local businesses. If you’re attending, do come and say hello.

💜 We’re also still smiling after Friday’s Women Who event, where around 100 people came together to celebrate and support female entrepreneurs. The energy in the room was incredible, and it reinforced something we care deeply about — making sure women business owners have access to the funding, support, and opportunities they deserve.

📺 And on Thursday, we’ll be releasing something a little different: "6 business management lessons from Friends. Because sometimes the best business advice comes from six people somehow affording spacious New York apartments on acting, waitressing, and chef wages.

For more business insights, events, and funding support, visit our website (first-enterprise.co.uk) and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest news.

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10/05/2026

From childhood dreams to helping others build theirs 💙

This Children’s Day, we’re celebrating the people behind First Enterprise - the team supporting small business owners, startups, and communities every day.

Our younger selves would be proud to see us helping ideas grow, backing ambition, and making a difference for businesses across the UK. 🌟

Because sometimes the dreams we had as kids grow into helping others achieve theirs.

07/05/2026

Running a business sometimes feels like you’ve been strapped to a rocket 🚀

The pressure, the pace, the problem-solving, it all adds up. Yet, here’s the thing: astronauts don’t just rely on skill, they rely on their health too.

We’ve pulled together three simple lessons from NASA astronauts to help you stay energised, focused, and ready for whatever comes your way.

Less “Houston, we have a problem", more “we have lift off.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/4nlIypa

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06/05/2026

Meet Iffat 👋

Our new Office Administrator who brings 16 years of experience, loyalty, and a real passion for making a difference 💼✨

After supporting apprenticeship and training programmes for many years, she’s joined First Enterprise because of our shared commitment to underserved communities 💙

We’re so excited to have her on board and can’t wait to see all she achieves!

Want to read more?: https://www.first-enterprise.co.uk/post/we-ve-added-more-talent-to-our-team-ahead-of-the-summer

06/05/2026

Understanding your finance options and knowing where to start can be challenging for many business owners, whatever stage you're at.

That’s why we’ve been pleased to work alongside Black Business Lincolnshire on their recent event series for local entrepreneurs.

Earlier sessions focused on financial foundations and business strategy, with our Investment Manager, Seth, joining those workshops to share experience and offer one‑to‑one insight.

The final session in the series takes place on Wednesday 13 May and is hosted by Black Business Lincolnshire in partnership with the British Business Bank, focusing on Access to Finance. Seth will be attending again as a guest speaker, contributing to the discussion around funding pathways and helping demystify the options available to businesses.

📅 Access to Finance | 9:00 - 11:00 13 May | Think Tank, University of Lincoln
👉 Register here: https://BBB-accesstofinance.eventbrite.com

Great to continue supporting programmes that give business owners space to learn, ask questions and gain clarity!

05/05/2026

It's happening this Friday! 💕

We’re sponsoring the Woman Who Live & Achieve Awards and will be there on the day.

Our Deputy Director Danielle Davis will be joining a panel discussion, sharing insights from our work supporting women-led businesses. Kimberley and Rosa from the Business Advisor team will be there too!

If you’re attending, come and say hello 👋

We’re really proud to be sponsoring the Woman Who Live & Achieve Awards on 8 May 💜

The awards celebrate women in business who are growing ideas, leading teams and making a difference in their communities, and that’s something we care deeply about at First Enterprise.

We’ll be attending on the day, so if you’re going along, please come and say hello. You can meet Danielle, our Deputy Director, and Rosa and Kimberley from our Business Advice team.

Whether you’re thinking about funding, growth, or just want a friendly conversation with people who understand the realities of running a business, we’d love to chat.
Looking forward to a day of connection, inspiration and celebrating women in business together 💫

04/05/2026

What can Star Wars teach you about running a business? 👀

Turns out…quite a lot.

This Star Wars Day, we’re looking beyond the lightsabers and into the life lessons, like staying calm under pressure, taking action, and calmly planning for the future (Yoda would approve).

Because when business gets complicated, sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones.

Read More: https://bit.ly/3RiEGJe

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