Innovation and enterprise blog

The British Library Business & IP Centre can help you start, run and grow your business

2 posts from November 2024

28 November 2024

A Sustainable Christmas - BIPC Gift Guide

As the festive season approaches, we know it can be hard to find unique, high-quality gifts for your loved ones. Luckily, our incredible BIPC businesses are here to help! By choosing something from our gift guide, you'll not only surprise someone with a great present, but you'll be supporting our vibrant community of small business owners and entrepreneurs. Many of our featured gifts are designed and sustainably made in the UK, so you'll be looking after the planet too. 

The most punderful time of the year

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Looking for unique Christmas gifts that make everyone smile? Look no further! Mister Peebles, who used our scale-up programme Get Ready for Business Growth, make cards, prints and other paper goods with a sense of pun. Every product begins as a hand-painted watercolour by founder Helen, inspired by her love of animals and playful wordsmithing. Whether it's a card featuring a punful penguin or a whimsical wall print, Mister Peebles' creations are as thoughtful as they are charming. And the best part? These gifts are planet-friendly. Their Christmas cards are printed on recycled coffee cup paper, and everything is made in-house or by local, independent UK printers using sustainable materials.

Cost: £3.50 - £60. Use the code 'BRITISHLIBRARY' for 10% off orders over £10 until the end of Jan 2025.

Where to find: Mister Peebles

Designed for joy

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This festive season, choose gifts that make a difference. Designs in Mind are a not-for-profit studio in rural North Shropshire where creativity empowers artists that have been referred from mental health services. Once part of Designs in Mind, their artists use their talent to create high-quality products like cards, prints, tea towels, cushion covers, aprons and more. Through their involvement in the Get Ready for Business Growth programme Designs in Mind were able to develop a marketing strategy that is now being supported by the Baring Foundation

Cost: £3.50 - £20. Code 'LARKTEN' will give you 10% off the whole store until 21st December. 

Where to find: Designs in Mind

Shine bright this season

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This Christmas, let your gifts tell a story. Aquila Jewellery brings wanderlust to life with handmade designs inspired by the world’s most captivating corners. Crafted with care from recycled silver and gold, each piece reflects a journey of discovery. The designs come to life in their Brighton shop and are carefully brought into being by talented artisans in Asia and Indonesia. From eco-friendly packaging to partnerships with Responsible Jewellery Council-approved artisans, Aquila Jewellery ensures that every detail, down to the recycling of precious metals, aligns with a vision for a brighter, sustainable future.

Cost: £30 - £300

Where to find: Aquila Jewellery

A sustainable surprise

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Surprise your loved ones with unique homeware and lifestyle products from our Get Ready for Business Growth graduate Jessica Anderton. Inspired by Jessica’s original hand-painted artwork, every piece is crafted with care and a commitment to sustainability. From beautifully designed kitchen accessories to statement pieces for the home, Jessica’s collection is perfect for those who love to add a touch of creativity to their living spaces. Each product is made in the UK using environmentally conscious processes and ethically sourced materials, making it a thoughtful choice for eco-conscious gift-giving.

Cost: Various (starting from £5.00). Use code: 'BRITISHLIBRARY' for 10% off your entire order. 

Where to find: Jessica Anderton Designs

A crafty little Christmas

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Bring elegance to your holidays with Cambridge Imprint’s distinctive patterned papers, stationery and homeware. Through specialist one-to-one sessions during our Get Ready for Business Growth programme, founder Ali was able to formulate a detailed action plan to grow her business and gain confidence to start making changes. Now known for its vibrant colours and hand-stencilled designs inspired by English traditions like the Bloomsbury Group and mid-century modernism, every Cambridge Imprint product adds a touch of timeless charm, perfect for gifting or decorating sustainably.

Cost: Various (From £2.75 to £190).

Where to find: Cambridge Imprints

Deck your halls

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This Christmas, give the gift of modern luxury infused with West-African vibrancy. Eva Sonaike’s stunning range of home textiles, soft furnishings and tabletop collections combines bold colours, intricate patterns and African traditions to create truly unique pieces handmade in the UK with the highest attention to detail. Available in prestigious stores like Liberty and Selfridges, Eva Sonaike’s collections bring her design ethos of 'Bringing Colour to Life' to every space. Celebrate the season with designs that radiate warmth and joy, perfect for transforming any home.

Cost: Various 

Where to find: Eva Sonaike

Merry and bright

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Make your gift-giving truly special with Delmora’s unique jewellery collection, founded by Judy, our BIPC Local in Bromley's business ambassador. Each piece blends luxury with purpose, offering not just beauty but a meaningful story. Their Tree of Life set is adorned with traditional multi-coloured glass beads known in Colombia as chaquiras and is handcrafted to inspire and empower. Plus, their Recycling and Repair Service helps reduce waste and keeps treasured pieces in pristine condition, combining elegance with sustainability.

Cost: £45 - £160

Where to find: Delmora

Unwrap some creativity

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Add a touch of festive fun and creativity to your celebrations with Sweet Paper Creations, our wonderful business ambassadors for BIPC Waltham Forest. Perfect for all ages, these kits come in a variety of seasonal designs, making them a memorable present or activity for the whole family. When you buy from Sweet Paper Creations, you’re giving more than a gift: you’re also supporting their interactive workshops and helping them bring mental health support to their local community. 

Cost: £25 

Where to find: Sweet Paper Creations 

'Tis the season to sparkle

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Give the gift of timeless elegance this Christmas with Emma Holland’s exquisite fashion jewellery. Designed in the heart of Surrey and crafted by skilled artisans in Thailand, each piece blends modern design with classic sophistication, creating the perfect accessory to express individuality and style. With over 15 years of experience and a dedication to quality, Emma ensures every piece is meticulously crafted to be both beautiful and enduring. To avoid becoming overwhelmed with the strains of running a small business with limited resources, Emma often seeks expertise and support from our Get Ready for Business Growth programme, enabling her to focus on driving her business forward and planing for the future. Support a passionate small business this festive season and make your gifts shine!

Cost: £25 - £120

Where to find: Emma Holland Jewellery

Snap, cracker, pop! 

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Do you love Christmas crackers but hate all the waste? Keep This Cracker has the answer. Bea Thackeray began her business a decade ago after visiting the BIPC at the British Library to ask about how to commercialise her invention. Keep This Cracker are sustainable alternatives that pull like standard crackers but can be reused by simply replacing the snap. You can fill the crackers yourself with treats your loved ones will actually enjoy and reuse them year after year. They come with ribbons and low-noise ecosnaps that pull with a gentle pop, ideal for those with neurodiverse conditions and pet owners. If you're a fan of pulling a cracker with a bang, Bea sells noisy snaps too. 

Cost: £22 for a pack of 6 flat-packed low-noise crackers (noisy snaps sold separately)

Where to find: Keep This Cracker (also available on Not on the High Street and Etsy)

07 November 2024

Why should you attend Start-up Day 2024?

With less than two weeks to go until Start-up Day, the chance to boost your business for free, we reached out to some of our delivery partners who you can expect to meet on the day to find out more about what you can expect, as well as get some business insights and advice.

Whether you're just starting up, looking to grow or simply have a brilliant business idea, Start-up Day is for everyone. Find out more and book here.

Become informed, inspired and empowered

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"Starting your own business – and succeeding in it - can be both daunting and lonely, but also really rewarding. Start-up Day is the ideal opportunity to become informed, inspired and empowered. You can enjoy a day of talks and advice from entrepreneurs and business specialists, plus it’s a great way to meet and network with like-minded, budding business owners like yourself.

I will be co-hosting the event, which means I’ll get to welcome everyone, introduce our amazing speakers and get to meet and talk with many of the wonderful attendees between sessions throughout the day.

My advice to someone starting out is to pick a business that is related to your passions, talent and heart. This will ensure that you really have that energy and drive that you will need to succeed. It is also vital that you research, attend events, get informed and test the water of your ideas.

The Business & IP Centre is the ideal way to do that with all sorts of resources, information, one-to-ones, webinars and events to help you. Finally, take care of yourself and your health and foster a healthy mindset – see it as an ongoing learning journey, not a short sprint."

- Rasheed Ogunlaru, Coach, Speaker and Author

Fresh ideas and unique approaches

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"Start-up Day is an invaluable opportunity to gain insights from a diverse group of industry experts in an engaging and inspirational setting. I strongly encourage you to attend sessions led by professionals from sectors outside your own, as their perspectives can provide fresh ideas and unique approaches to your business or concept.

As a business advice partner of the BIPC, I’ll be participating in the speed-mentoring sessions, where you’ll have the chance to connect with a variety of experts and receive tailored guidance and inspiration specific to your goals. This fast-paced format is designed to be dynamic, enjoyable, and highly creative.

So what are you waiting for?"

- Peter Schonbeck, Founder of Productschön Consulting

Turn your potential into performance

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"Start-up Day is a fantastic opportunity for business owners to gain valuable insights, network with like-minded individuals and access resources that can significantly boost their business growth.

I'm excited to offer a dynamic speed mentoring session on Start-up Day, where I'll delve into the intricacies of marketing, sales, and business growth. With a focus on practical, real-world strategies, attendees will leave with personalised insights and actionable plans designed to propel their businesses to new heights. It's all about turning potential into performance!

If you're looking to start-up, my advice is that consistency is key. Develop a clear marketing strategy and stick to it, while remaining adaptable to changes in the market."

-  Rebecca Thomson, Director of Local Marketing Made Easy   

A raft of free business support

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"Start-up Day is an amazing opportunity to access a raft of free business support and guidance from industry experts, including inspirational talks and speed mentoring, all in one place

I will be taking part in the two speed mentoring sessions where entrepreneurs will get the chance to seek advice from myself and a team of mentors. We’ll be covering areas such as intellectual property, business strategy, routes to market, marketing and finance.

My advice to someone starting up would be to develop a business plan that is underpinned by market research. Your research should help you to understand the market segment you plan to operate in, identify any problems/pain points that you can provide solutions to, identify your target customers and key competitors. The BIPC is a great start with access to sector specific market research databases, free of charge."

- Alison Lewy MBE, Founder of Fashion Angel  

Entrepreneurial inspiration

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"Start-up Day is an event of entrepreneurial inspiration and practical advice. On the day I'll be hosting a session focused on food and hospitality businesses. Whether you're thinking about selling homemade cupcakes or opening a full-scale coffee shop or restaurant, I'll answer your specific questions.

One key piece of advice I always emphasise is to start small and test your ideas in the market before launching on a larger scale. This approach allows you to refine your concept and minimize risks."

- Vasken Jermakian, Foodication Restaurants Ltd

It's fast, fun and very creative

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"Start-up Day is the perfect chance to hear from multiple experts in a fun and inspirational way. Definitely make sure to check out experts from industries that are not your own, as they might give you a new way of looking at your business or business idea!

I will be part of the speed-mentoring sessions, where you get to meet all kinds of experts and get inspired by their advice and ideas related to your business. It's fast, fun and very creative.

My advice to someone just starting out is to set aside time every week to think strategically, maybe an hour or so, then every month a whole day. So many people get caught up in the doing-doing-doing without giving themselves time to think about the big picture or learn more so they can do even better. Start-up Day is a great opportunity to think and learn for a day."

- Melissa Addey, Author and Writer

Network as much as possible

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"At Start-up Day you'll meet new people, share ideas and learn something too. No matter what stage of business you're at, networking and getting out and about are key!

I will be on hand to help guide entrepreneurs and share some of my 20 years of business experience.

My early stage business advice is firstly to network as much as possible with potential partners, funders, suppliers and of course customers. Secondly, test your idea before officially going to market as it can save a lot of time and money in the long run."

- Michael Murdoch, Founder of The House

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Start-up Day takes place at the British Library on Tuesday 19 November. You can discover secrets to success from renowned industry leaders like Charlie Bigham, network with like-minded entrepreneurs and get a professional headshot to enhance your brand. Plus, you can explore our dedicated BIPC area in the British Library and connect with industry experts at our speed mentoring sessions. Book now.

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You can also join us later for an inspiring evening with TV Dragon and business mogul, Sara Davies MBE. You'll hear about her journey to success and get the chance to ask her your burning questions. Book your tickets here.