The Small Business Retail Sessions
The Small Business Retail Sessions is a podcast from Enterprise Nation’s Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.
The series explores the major challenges facing today’s retailers – from declining footfall, vacant storefronts, post-pandemic recovery and sustainability.
Expect honest conversations with successful entrepreneurs, practical expert advice, and innovative ideas to help your retail business thrive.
Whether you're a seasoned shopkeeper or a digital business ready to make the leap to bricks-and-mortar, Powering the High Street is your gateway to making a meaningful retail impact. Explore the resources and get involved by visiting the hub now.
Find more details at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet.
The Small Business Retail Sessions
Dhruvin Patel: The founder who turned down a Dragons' Den deal but went on to raise £1m
The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.
Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode four is Dhruvin Patel, co-founder of blue light screen eye protector brand Ocushield.
Whilst studying optometry at university, Dhruvin launched the initial development of his blue light filtering technology that make eyes healthier, improves sleep and boosts happiness.
Since then, the business has grown into an international brand that has helped more than 300,000 eyes in over 147 countries.
Ocushield also appeared an BBC TV's Dragons' Den and secured investment from Peter Jones and Tej Lalvani. The deal ended up not going through, but Ocushield went on to get £1m in funding, much more than they secured on the show.
In the episode, Dhruvin discusses what happened on Dragons' Den, why the deal ended up not going through, how he raised more funding, his tips for accessing finance, managing relationships with investors and lots more.
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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.
To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected
For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice
To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast
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