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Judges for the 2021 Blue Patch Sustainable Business Awards
Published 23 September 2021About the Awards The Blue Patch Sustainable Business Awards champion SMEs and sustainable British and Irish businesses that primarily make and manufacture in the UK and Ireland. If they manufacture abroad, they have a positive impact on the communities that they work with. Launched in 2015, these awards are now in their 6th year. Their […]
In conversation with artisan perfumery 4160 Tuesdays
Published 15 July 20214160 Tuesdays is a London-based artisan perfumery that creates perfumes and home fragrances along with running courses to teach people how to make and improve their own scents. Sarah McCartney set up 4160 Tuesdays in 2012 . They create small batches of interesting scents inspired by people, places or moments. If you’re willing to step […]
In conversation with Glasgow lifestyle store, Hoos
Published 19 May 2021Hoos is a design and lifestyle store located in Glasgow’s West End. Pop in to discover a unique curation of goods from iconic Nordic design houses to handmade, Scottish wares, as well as beautiful things from across the UK. They love simple and functional design that stands the test of time, so each product that […]
Our big news: Blue Patch 2.0
Published 6 August 2020Last year, in September, we celebrated the 5th anniversary of our launch. In business years (and dog years), 5 years is significant. We’ve had some great successes and also have had to navigate some huge learning curves along the way. Our goal has always been to be a platform where British sustainable businesses can come […]
Like a Boss: tips for female entrepreneurs & business owners
Published 13 March 2019A report published by the FSB has several interesting statistics about women in business. The contribution of women owned business to the UK economy has been estimated to be approximately £105 bn, with an increase of 40% since 2012. The number of women owning businesses and employing people in their own businesses has also increased significantly. […]
Beyond Fashion Revolution week: Practical actions for sustainable consumers and brands
Published 27 April 2018This week, the eyes of the ethical and sustainable world have been fixed on Fashion Revolution Week, a campaign and a movement created in order to promote greater transparency within the fashion industry. It brings awareness about the appalling conditions that fast fashion is made in, the poor compensation that is paid to workers and […]
Fairtrade and You
Published 26 February 2018Feb 26th to March 11th is Fairtrade Fortnight, a campaign geared towards increasing awareness about the provenance of Fairtrade items (primarily food) and the plight of millions of people who do not receive fair compensation for food grown. During this two week period, there are several ways you can gain awareness about Fairtrade. 1. Read […]
Guest post: Sales Plans for Small Businesses
Published 15 January 2018Welcome to 2018, a new year, a new start, an exciting new sales plan? When you run your own small business you wear multiple hats. There is barely time to reflect or think about the direction you’re headed and if it’s right for you. Statistics show that small businesses with sales or business plans in place are more […]
Go on then, try something new
Published 13 December 2017Collect memories, not things. In recent years, the market for experiential gifts has grown, as people seek to move away from gifting things that may not be wanted or needed. It seems to be a particularly millennial trend with an astounding amount of money being spent each month on live experiences. Perhaps one of the reasons […]
Three easy tips for a small business to improve sales
Published 11 December 2017Are you caught up in the busy Christmas season, and yet dreading the impending January slump? We’ve come up with three easy ideas for you to implement right away to give yourself additional opportunities for sales during this period. 1. Create digital gift cards. If you don’t already offer gift cards or vouchers, you should. If you […]
Blue Patch Workshops: How to Create Tabletop Product Photography that Sells
Published 1 November 2017We’re holding our first business workshop this year and it’s all about selling by making your products look good! This is a hands-on workshop for makers who want to take better images for their websites or everyday instagram feed, without the need for special equipment or heavy post production. It is great for those wanting to learn basic photography […]
6 ways to get your business ready for the holiday season
Published 25 October 2017Christmas is on its way. There. We’ve said it. Yes, it’s a wonderful, magical time of the year with delicious mulled wine, sparkly lights, Christmas trees, pretty baubles and such (Go on Scrooge, I dare you to disagree…) BUT As much as we’d like to leave Christmas things till next month when we can properly […]
Ladies who breakfast
Published 17 October 2017The morning of November 10th saw a stream of women arriving at the doorstep of Blue Patch HQ for yet another one of our delicious breakfast mornings. On offer were perfectly baked slices of baguette from Christopher’s Bakery which we are so lucky to have right down the road from us. The baguette was accompanied […]
What does it mean to be an ethical business?
Published 20 June 2017The market for ethical business is growing. The value of ethical consumer spending grew to £38 billion in the UK in 2015 (an average growth of 8.5%). But what is an ethical business? There’s no one definitive profile of an ethical business – it’s all about making a profit and doing good. It’s not a […]
Poldark & Picture Perfect Cornwall
Published 8 June 2017If you’re like us in your love for Cornwall and period dramas, you’ll be glad to know that the wait is finally over for all us Poldark fans out there! BBC One has confirmed the start of the new series on Sunday, June 11 at 9pm which means that there’s no time at all before we get to […]
Meet the judges : Blue Patch Business Awards 2017
Published 16 May 2017The 2017 Blue Patch Business Awards are now closed for judging. Why not sign up for our newsletter and have a go in 2018! We’d like to introduce you to the fabulous and talented people who’ll be judging five out of the six categories. They are leaders and innovators from across different industries, people who contribute […]
Have a go, Jo! Our Awards are now closed for judging.
Published 20 April 2017Our Business Awards are now closed for judging. Thank you all for your marvellous entries – how on earth are the judges going to make a decision, everyone deserves to win! SME or fledgling business operating in the British Isles are encouraged to enter one or more of our business categories: New Business Award – If you […]
Why I do what I do: NomNom skincare
Published 6 March 2017Meet Jayne Russell of Nom Nom Skincare – award winning, Soil Association certified organic skincare for pregnancy, baby and beyond. Jayne’s luxurious and ethical skin treatments contain high levels of natural, nourishing plant-based ingredients. Not just skin deep even Nom Nom’s packaging is biodegradable and recyclable – protecting baby, mum and planet. Why I do […]
The small business revolution : join us
Published 26 January 2017With new business rates coming into effect in April 2017, many startups, SMEs and independent businesses are facing difficult decisions about their future. The latest in a string of threatened closures is Verde, Jeanette Winterson’s deli in Spitalfields. A massive blow and a place our team is truly going to miss. Verde, a place where […]
Announcing the very first Blue Patch Sustainable Business Awards
Published 26 February 2016We’re pleased to announce our very first Blue Patch New Business Awards, providing a ‘boost’ for startups in Britain. Visit us at www.bluepatch.org to find British made and sustainable products that are of exceptional quality – we’re a social enterprise too! The prizes: We’re giving three Awards to entrepreneurs who have launched a new business […]
Why I do what I do: Green Oil
Published 4 December 2015Green Oil is an exemplary example of an ethical British business. Green Oil creates bicycle lubricants and other fluids from plants and biodegradable materials. CEO Simon is non-apologetic in his quest for a sustainable business that simultaneously makes great products whilst being kind to the wonderful planet. Welcome to the stage… Why I do what I […]
Transition International Conference 2015
Published 23 September 2015The wheels of the Transition Network Conference 2015 were set in motion when my niece lent me her ‘rave tent’, Boomtown engrained in every seam: chewing gum, mud and an old sock. But hey, it was too late to book a room and I wanted to stay on the conference site – knowing that good […]
Why I do what I do: Empatika
Published 23 September 2015Tristan Titeux of Empatika designs and makes contemporary style fitted furniture. Using wood from sustainable sources, he also plants a tree for each of his customers and funds rainforest conservation. Influenced greatly by his mother and father’s commitment to living with the lowest carbon footprint possible, everything Tristan makes is to the highest ethical standards. […]
Why I do what I do: Kate Mobbs-Morgan and Rowan Working Horses.
Published 18 June 2015Kate, her Ardenne horses – Kipp and young Sol, her sheep and hens, live on the outskirts of Monmouth. Rowan Working Horses do commendable work clearing woods in a way that won’t upset the wildlife – fumes and noise free! Kate works for for private woodland owners, the Woodland Trust, local authorities, the National Trust and […]
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