‘Stop procrastinating and go for it’ say Britain’s top black entrepreneurs

At the commencing of final year, Ewoma Ukeleghe’s skincare clinic was busier than it experienced ever been.

“We were being completely booked and experienced major strategies to scale the business enterprise,” recollects the founder of SKNDOCTOR. “But then Covid strike and scheduling soon after scheduling was cancelled. My appointments went to zero and all of a unexpected my calendar was vacant, which was very frightening.”

Ukeleghe suggests it was a “disruptive” and “confusing” time, but rather of panicking, she did what she thinks all excellent business owners do: adapt. “You mourn and make peace with the actuality life is not heading to be the very same as it was ahead of – then you hustle and do what ever it usually takes to hold the business enterprise heading.”

For Ukeleghe, that intended concentrating on e-commerce, Zoom consultations and social media advertising. “I’m very fortuitous that we thrived,” she suggests.

Improvisation and perseverance are what secured the founder her spot as a finalist for this year’s Black British Business Awards, for which The Telegraph is a media lover. The party, now in its eighth year, celebrates the achievements of some of the UK’s top company bosses and business owners.

This year’s finalists have been sharing their difficult-gained business enterprise lessons in advance of October’s digital ceremony, in the hope it could possibly aid the future generation.

Vese Aghoghovbia, founder of Philly & Good friends, also thinks adaptability is critical. 

“People think the route is straightforward, but it is not,” suggests the entrepreneur, whose enterprise specialises in children’s books, toys and online games. “I begun out thinking I was heading down the publishing route, but I never ever anticipated to evolve into other merchandise.

“It’s wonderful to have a eyesight, but overall flexibility and open-mindedness are what’s essential to help advancement.”