Unlocking Potential: How We Empowered Small Businesses Through the London Made Me Programme

Credit: Mayor of London

The London Made Me Retail Development Programme 2023 was an ambitious initiative designed to nurture and empower small business owners in London's vibrant retail scene. I had the privilege of leading its business development aspect, creating a tailored programme that provided entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take their businesses to the next level. I worked alongside creative consultant Jo Armitage who led on the creative direction and shop build phase at Carnaby Street.

The London Made Me Retail Development programme is brought to you by the Mayor of London as part of his flagship Creative Enterprise Zone programme.

The programme was founded in 2022 in collaboration with Alice Mayor.

Designing a Practical Framework for Growth

The business development programme phase was structured to provide hands-on, actionable insights over two weeks of intensive sessions. Each day balanced practical training with inspiring expert talks, covering topics from foundational business planning to innovative strategies for growth.

Business Basics and Planning: We kicked off by simplifying essential business tools like SWOT analysis and vision statements. Participants demystified business planning, explored their brand identity, and learned the art of storytelling to communicate their values effectively.
Mastering Customer Insights: We equipped attendees with the skills to perform effective market research and build detailed customer profiles. Understanding their audience became a cornerstone of their strategic growth.

Building Connections and Creating Opportunities

Collaboration and expert insights were central to the programme, enabling participants to tap into a wealth of knowledge and resources.

Social Media Strategies for Small Businesses: Daisy from The Selfhood unravelled the mysteries of social media, sharing practical advice on organic growth and paid ads to amplify brand reach.
Approaching Stockists with Confidence: Preena Patel, Senior Buyer from The Design Museum, gave participants invaluable insights into the mindset of buyers, helping them understand what stockists look for and how to pitch their products effectively.

From Pricing to Pop-Ups: A Comprehensive Retail Toolkit

For retail entrepreneurs, knowing how to showcase and sell products effectively is essential. The programme featured workshops on:

Pricing and Financial Strategies: With guidance from Alice of “We Built This City,” participants learned to price their products confidently, manage cash flow, and forecast effectively.
Visual Merchandising and Pop-Ups: Jo Armitage shared tips on creating impactful pop-up store designs, while participants planned their own London Made Me shop with personalised product displays and experiential programmes.

Wellbeing at the Heart of Business Success

Acknowledging the challenges of running a small business, the programme included sessions on health and wellbeing, encouraging participants to find balance and resilience.

Outcomes and Reflections

The London Made Me programme culminated in actionable business plans, empowering participants to put their learnings into practice through a pop-up shop. By combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on execution, the programme helped entrepreneurs build not only their businesses but also their confidence.

Participants received over 1,600 hours of business support and development

During the month-long trading period, the total sales for the participants was close to £82,000, more than double last year’s sales of £35,000 when the shop was based in Regent Street.
More than 4,000 individual items were sold, with between 80 and 100 purchases happening each day and shoppers spending on average around £34.00 per visit.
While the shop was open, visitors were also able to take part in more than 20 creative activations including workshops and evening events, and view live art being created on a daily basis.
VIP visitors included actress Sharon Horgan, comedian Rob Beckett, actor and presenter James Cordon and photographer, publisher and film director RANKIN, and was featured on the BBC, The Wick Culture, City AM and Visit London.

Why Programmes Like This Matter

At Plan Make Do, we understand that small business owners need more than theory—they need tailored support that considers their unique challenges. The London Made Me programme reflects our commitment to helping creatives thrive, providing a roadmap to success in an ever-evolving retail landscape.

Whether you're seeking guidance on brand identity, storytelling, or the practicalities of running a pop-up, our approach ensures you leave with a clear plan and actionable insights.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Let’s talk more to see how Plan Make Do can develop a business growth programme for your network.

Leading the Business Development Phase of London Made Me - 2023