New research reveals the reality of running a small business in the UK, and in partnership with The Apprentice’s Tim Campbell, the network seeks to provide a little help to people who need it.
Over half (56%) of small business owners feel like they are always working, even in their downtime, with 34% working an extra two business days every week.
Most rely heavily on their phones, with 82% saying they are essential to operations – which blurs the lines between work and personal life.
To support small businesses, the network has recruited entrepreneur, and first ever winner of The Apprentice, Tim Campbell to provide guidance for small business owners.
And in addition to their business hub which offers support to small businesses, with Tesco Mobile, customers could save 40% compared to the big mobile networks and, until 2nd December, can claim a bill credit of up to £75 when they sign up to, or upgrade any business Tesco Mobile Pay Monthly Contract.
For many people, the idea of working for yourself is a dream. Exclusive new research from Tesco Mobile backs this up, showing that, for small business owners and sole traders, being your own boss (64%), having a good work life balance (36%) and flexible working hours (49%) were core reasons to start their own enterprise.
But for many, the reality is more pressurised than that, with new research from Tesco Mobile revealing that being connected as a business owner is crucial – with 82% saying their phone is essential to operations.
The survey of 1,000 small to medium sized business owners across the UK has shown that over half (56%) of small business owners feel like they are always working, and over a third (34%) clock over a whopping 56 hours a week – equivalent to an additional two working days per week.
In addition, running your own business comes with a host of fresh challenges, with a third (34%) admit that running their own business has proven more difficult than they had anticipated, with 28% reporting that this year has been especially stressful.
It’s a journey that most are doing alone, with more than two thirds (69%) believing that people in their life don’t appreciate the reality of running a business.
Tesco Mobile is on a mission to provide all the little helps they can to take away the stress and help small business owners across the UK focus on what really matters: their business.
Firstly, Tesco Mobile has partnered with entrepreneur, and the first ever winner of The Apprentice, Tim Campbell to offer his insight and first-hand tips for small business owners.
Commenting on the challenges of being a business owner Tim Campbell said, “Running a small business is an opportunity to do what you love and try out new ideas, but it’s also a daily test of how flexible and resilient you can be. It’s about turning tight budgets and unexpected challenges into reasons to get creative and find fresh ways to connect with your customers. Small business owners are the heart of our economy, showing every day that being a leader isn’t about dodging challenges—it’s about handling the stress and facing them head-on with confidence.”
Tim shared his top five tips for small business owners on managing stress and building resilience:
- Turn Challenges into Opportunities: Stressful situations are part of life, but they don’t have to derail you. Try to see them as opportunities to grow instead of roadblocks. Look back at times when you’ve overcome tough moments—those lessons can guide you now. By treating challenges as learning moments, you’ll build resilience and set yourself up for future success.
- Lean on Your Community: You don’t have to do it all alone. Surround yourself with a strong network of friends, mentors, and advisors who can guide and support you. From local chambers of commerce to community groups on Facebook or LinkedIn; building a network of fellow business owners can provide support, inspiration and advice. Be open about your own experiences – it really does pay to be connected.
- Take Care of Yourself: Your mental and physical health is crucial for your success, so make it a priority. Regular exercise, eating well, and mindfulness aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re must-haves for reducing stress and staying focused. When you feel sharp and energised, you’ll lead your business with more confidence and clarity.
- Focus on What Matters: Put your energy into things you can control, and don’t sweat what’s out of your hands. Use the tools that are already out there – from tech to automate basic tasks like calendar management, to pre-made templates for things like finance. Remember your ‘why’ to stay motivated and avoid getting bogged down by distractions or worries.
- Stay Resilient and Ready: Design your business to weather the unexpected. Spread out your income sources, keep cash reserves, and plan for surprises. Think about automating repetitive tasks and regularly review your continuity plan. A business built for resilience is one that can adapt and thrive, no matter what challenges come your way.
Secondly, with Tesco Mobile, customers could save 40% compared to the big mobile networks for small businesses and, until 2nd December, get a huge £75 bill credit when they join Tesco Mobile for business.
Jonathan Taylor, CEO of Tesco Mobile, said: “At Tesco Mobile, we understand the need for and importance of being connected when it comes to running a business. That’s why we offer business contracts that give customers access to the Help Hub – the UK’s leading business resource. With 99% network coverage across the UK and a potential 40% off bills when compared to the big networks, we’re hoping to shoulder some of the stress, so small business owners can focus on what really matters – their business. This Black Friday we’re currently offering a welcome credit of up to £75, and up to £75 credit for every additional line, so we can continue to support you as you grow. You can also manage all the accounts in one place, making admin of the accounts simple and straightforward.”
Finally, with almost a quarter (24.38%) of those surveyed not currently in a business community but eager to join one, Tesco Mobile also offers Help Hub, the UK’s leading digital business hub.
A one-stop shop for all the expert resources you need – including 1,000 templates, guides, videos and tools – the hub offers advice for starting out, growing and scaling, managing costs and being sustainable, amongst others. It’s worth £300 per year, but Tesco Mobile business customers can access it for free as part of their contract.
Tesco Mobile aims to ease some of these pressures by providing value-packed solutions for everyone, from sole traders to small business owners. The network can offer a comprehensive array of business contracts, that come with added value extras and perks.
