Running a small business can be rewarding, but it can also be isolating. A new online community, SMEs Unleashed, has launched to help business owners across Bath and Wiltshire connect, collaborate and avoid ‘going it alone’.
The initiative has been created by Naomi from GO Get Organised, a business support company she founded in 2012 after leaving a 15-year career in television at the BBC and independent production companies.
Naomi said, “I launched GO Get Organised when I was a young mum juggling family life and work. I still wanted to use my skills to support businesses, but I needed flexibility. The idea was simple – to act as an extra arm to a business, offering practical and reliable support.”
Before setting up GO Get Organised, Naomi worked on popular programmes including DIY SOS, Flog It, Bargain Hunt and Big Cook Little Cook. She said the move into business support allowed her to combine professional experience with family life.
Over the past 13 years, GO Get Organised has grown alongside major changes in working life. Many SMEs are now home-based, with owners managing everything from kitchen tables and spare rooms.
Naomi said, “Post-Covid, the way we work has completely shifted. We now support businesses with everything from virtual assistant services to websites, graphics and social media. What’s always stayed the same is how much small business owners value having the right support around them.”
However, she believes one challenge remains constant.
“There are around 5.85 million SMEs in the UK, yet running a business can still feel incredibly lonely,” Naomi said. “You’re constantly learning new systems, adapting to new rules and trying to stay competitive. Connections are vital, but finding the time and the right space isn’t easy.”
That thinking led to the creation of SMEs Unleashed, a new online community designed specifically for busy business owners.
Naomi said, “I wanted to create one simple space where business owners can come together without pressure. No endless WhatsApp groups. No noise. Just real conversations, shared experience, expert insight and genuine connections.”
She added, “SMEs Unleashed is designed to be a go-to place for support. Members get access to experts as well as helpful events, alongside real conversations with people who understand the realities of running a business.”
The platform is designed to fit around work and family life. It offers a place to ask questions, share ideas and learn from others facing similar challenges.
Naomi said, “It’s a live sounding board for business owners. You can save hours by learning from others and avoid feeling like you have to figure everything out on your own. I genuinely wish I’d had something like this years ago – it would have helped me massively.”
Unlike many business networks, SMEs Unleashed does not require long-term contracts or expensive memberships.
“There are no annual tie-ins,” Naomi said. “If you’re a busy business owner or leader, I’d love you to take a look, join us and spread the word. The more of us in one space, the more we can support each other.”
She hopes local SMEs will see the value of collaboration over competition.
“SMEs, it’s time to Unleash,” Naomi said. “Come and meet a community of people who get it.”
Find out more about SMEs Unleashed at:
https://www.gogetorganised.co.uk/smesunleashed
