20 years. 20 insights from helping small businesses start and grow

Blog series Innovation and enterprise

For 20 years, the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) has helped people turn ideas into livelihoods, side hustles into employers, and kitchen table experiments into global brands. We’ve supported over 300,000 people across the UK – in libraries and online – and if there’s one thing we know, it’s that anyone can be an entrepreneur.

Here are 20 things our team has learnt along the way – each shaped by a conversation, a story or a moment we’ll never forget.

1. The difference between an idea and a business is action

'I’ll never forget the founder who started mixing curly hair oils in saucepans at home. She just… started.'
Anna Savory, National Growth Programme Manager, BIPC

That willingness to try before everything is perfect is often the real starting line.

2. Intellectual Property (IP) is a superpower – if you understand it

‘IP isn’t taught in schools but is essential to all small businesses. Copyright, trade marks, registered designs and patents have the power to supercharge people’s businesses, but also to trip them up. I particularly remember Mandy Haberman, inventor of theanywayup® cup. She protected her idea early on. When a global brand copied her, that decision saved her business.’
Jeremy O’Hare, Research and Business Development Manager, BIPC

Intellectual property doesn’t just protect ideas – it gives small businesses power on a global stage. We’re here to help people understand and unlock the potential of their IP with specialist information and support services.

3. Data builds confidence

‘If you don’t have the data about the market size of opportunity and who the consumer is for your idea, you won’t have the essential tools required to enable success.’
Joanna Jensen, Founder of Childs Farm, BIPC Ambassador

‘I used Mintel and Euromonitor early on to scope category size and trends. It helped us raise investment and now we’re market leaders.’
Pip Murray, Founder of Pip & Nut, BIPC Ambassador

Understanding your customer, market trends, and competitors is essential to business success. The Business & IP Centre gives free access to premium market intelligence to help founders validate their ideas – and convince others to believe in them too.

4. Libraries lower the barrier to entrepreneurship

'People trust libraries. They feel safe walking in and asking for help, without fear of being judged.'
Isabel Oswell, Director of Business Audiences, BIPC

Placing business support in familiar, free community spaces (most of which are on or near high streets) opens entrepreneurship to people who never thought it was for them - and strengthens local economies in the process. Every £1 of public money invested in local Business & IP Centres generates a £6.63 return.

For 43% of our users, the Business & IP Centre is their first ever business support. Being local, visible and friendly matters.

5. Bad advice can cost people years

'I’ve seen founders arrive after being misled or scammed’.
BIPC Inventor in Residence, Mark Sheahan

In today’s age it can be hard to know what information to trust, but with the Business & IP Centre people can always feel confident that they aren’t going to be ripped off. Trusted, impartial guidance, which is in libraries’ DNA, doesn’t just save money, it saves momentum, self-esteem and sometimes entire businesses.

6. Strong foundations make resilient businesses

‘Many new founders take the plunge before ensuring that they have the fundamental information, guidance, and networks that they need – causing up to 50% to fail in the first three years. I remember one founder who told me, ‘I set everything up completely wrong – I wish I’d found you sooner’.’
Uto Patrick, BIPC London Network Project Manager

We help people get everything in order early on, through workshops and one-to-ones on the essentials of starting a business and common pitfalls. It’s why businesses that start with the BIPC are nearly twice as likely to succeed. Over 90% of businesses that start with our help are still trading after three years, compared with the national average of only 50%.

7. Role models change what people think is possible

'I used to linger by the case studies in the Business & IP Centre in the British Library. They made [starting a business] feel achievable.'
Sonal Keay, Founder of THIS IS SILK, BIPC Ambassador

Seeing someone like you succeed can be the inspiration that changes everything.

8. Entrepreneurship is a constant learning curve

‘Small businesses are always adapting. It’s a constant moving goal. People think they have got it, then they have to learn again. Right now, AI is turning everything on its head. It’s very challenging for a small business. But also exciting!’
Alison Lewy, MBE, Fashion Founder Friday (held weekly online via the BIPC)

Alongside our core business research and IP offer, the BIPC brings in experts on everything from business planning and finance to marketing and AI. Add to that our partnerships with the Intellectual Property Office, public libraries, local authorities and Growth Hubs, we make sure entrepreneurs get the right support at the right time as the business landscape evolves.

9. Community matters

‘There is still a huge demand for face-to-face support and events like our speed mentoring are always full.’
Jacqueline Brown, Business Support Programming Manager, BIPC

Sometimes people come to us for information. Sometimes they come just to know they’re not alone.

10. Women still face bigger barriers

‘Just one in four businesses is owned or run by a woman. That gap is about access, not ambition. When women are backed with the right infrastructure, like the BIPC, I’ve seen firsthand how women-led enterprises can unlock financial independence and real choice, as well as boost the economy. When women can achieve their full economic potential, so will the UK.’ Alison Cork MBE, Founder of Leka Leka and National Women’s Enterprise Week, BIPC Ambassador

At the BIPC we have a long history of challenging the status quo – supporting women and other groups that are underrepresented in business to gain skills and confidence, make connections and access investment. Over 60% of BIPC users are women.

11. No one builds a business alone

‘I was introduced to the right people at the right moment. That changed everything.’
Sonal Keay, Founder of THIS IS SILK, BIPC Ambassador

Behind every ‘overnight success’ are introductions, conversations and chance encounters. Some of the most important partnerships we’ve seen began over coffee at a BIPC event in a local library.

12. Running a business is emotional

'Many times we see tears when helping entrepreneurs. One founder - newly divorced, neurodivergent, and worried about keeping a roof over her head - just needed help translating her brilliance into a bank-ready plan. When she succeeded, the tears were joyful.'
Amy Miller, BIPC National Network Co-ordinator

Entrepreneurs are some of the most resilient, creative people we have ever met.They’re CEO, marketer, finance director - and still doing the school run. And you’ll find them all in your local Business and IP Centre.

13. For many, business is a lifeline

'Starting a business can be life-changing, not just income-generating.'
Suzy Cornwell, Business & IP Centre Information Specialist

Entrepreneurship offers flexibility when traditional employment doesn’t — for carers, parents, disabled founders and those rebuilding after redundancy. A quarter of aspiring entrepreneurs who use the BIPC are unemployed.

14. Disability should never be a barrier to entrepreneurship

‘I went from overwhelmed, fried and terrified, to armed, under control and excited for the next chapter’.
Amelia Peckham, Founder of Cool Crutches, BIPC Ambassador

Disabled founders make up a quarter of the UK’s small businesses. Improving opportunity for disabled entrepreneurs could unlock a potential £230 billion for the UK economy.

Over 15% of the aspiring entrepreneurs who use the BIPC’s services have a disability. Services like our Get Ready for Business Growth programme, offer tailored support, mentoring and networking, and help disabled entrepreneurs access skills and connections to take their businesses to the next level.

15. Inspiration is everywhere — if you know where to look

‘We located one of the only remaining plantations of original Cinchona Ledgeriana trees, known locally as ‘fever trees’, after finding 17th century references in the British Library.’
Tim Warrillow, Co-Founder of Fever-Tree

From historic recipes to scientific journals, the British Library collection has sparked countless ideas. Another founder studied the science behind pomegranates. Another uncovered silk’s healing properties. Both built category-leading brands.

16. Small businesses are the backbone of the UK’s creative industries

‘We get a lot of people, especially creatives, who don’t see themselves as business people, so we work with them to help them get into the business mindset. It is very important to run a creative venture as a business, with goals, a plan and budget to ensure its sustainability.’
Rosie Paterson, Relationship Manager, Get Ready for Business Growth Programme

Nearly all creative businesses in the UK are SMEs. Every designer, maker, creator and inventor we support strengthens the UK’s thriving cultural and economic identity. Over a fifth of our users are from the creative industries and we use the Sustainable Business Model Canvas, which is very visual to support their business planning.

17. The ripple effect

‘The bit I love most about our job is the wider impact on people and communities beyond the numbers. I remember the story of a dance school founder who had never considered business support before. After joining our programme she hired extra staff, developed new classes and was featured in national newspapers. As a result of her taking business decisions more confidently, she created new job opportunities, raised the profile of the company and made lots of special memories for the young dancers!’
Rosie Paterson, Relationship Manager, Get Ready for Business Growth Programme

Over the past 20 years, BIPC services have helped new and established businesses to create over 28,300 additional jobs.

18. Business fundamentals are the same everywhere — but with local twists

'We’ve helped an astounding array of weird and wonderful businesses from every corner of the UK – piñatas, pet hotels, broom heads, ship window blinds, you name it! Despite wildly different locations and sectors I'm always struck by how the business basics remain the same and how much people have in common.'
Dave Gimson, Head of Business & IP Centre National Network

People are experts in what they do. We help them with how to do business. And our local library-based teams help people navigate the unique opportunities and challenges in their community.

19. Continuing growth needs innovation

‘After using the BIPC in the early days to get Oddbox off the ground, I came back eight years later to develop a new product range in a new category. I used Mintel to substantiate my market research and prepare for retail buyer meetings.’
Deepak Ravindran, Founder of Oddbox, BIPC Ambassador

Our support doesn’t stop at start-up.

After initial growth often comes a plateau. Many businesses need to pivot their approach or develop new products or services to take their business to the next level. This means new challenges such as recruitment and developing a new business strategy.

20. Entrepreneurs are made, not born

'Anyone can be an entrepreneur. You can learn the skills to set up and run a business'.
Seema Rampersad, Business & IP Centre Service Manager

Finding a gap in the market, truly understanding what your customers want and how to reach them. These are all things that can be learned and researched with easy-to-understand guidance and tools – and you’ll find them all in your nearest Business & IP Centre.

20 years on

‘For 20 years, the British Library’s Business & IP Centre has helped people turn ambition into action. By giving entrepreneurs free access to business resources, training, mentoring and powerful networks, the BIPC has built confidence where it matters most - right at the start. [The BIPC] makes business ownership feel achievable, not exclusive, and encourages people across the UK to take the leap and back themselves.’
Tim Campbell, MBE, BIPC Ambassador

20 years in, one thing is clear

When you invest in people with ideas, you don’t just build businesses, you build confidence, jobs, innovation and a stronger economy.

And we’re just getting started.

Support our mission. Be a part of our next 20 years!

We are always open to collaboration, partnerships and sponsorship opportunities at a local, regional and national level. Join us to support our mission to democratise entrepreneurship across the UK and help create robust businesses and economic growth. Spread the word about our services or work with us to provide free and low-cost services in the heart of communities. Together we can unleash the potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs.