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Higher costs, tax rises, and changes to employment rules mean it's a bruising time to be a small business owner. While households are hit with bill increases in Awful April, it's a mere continuation of the pain for small firms. Many are yet to recover from the impact of the pandemic and the double whammy of the energy and cost of living crisis.
Retail and hospitality firms have also been left reeling after the government announced they would have to pay a higher rate of national insurance contributions and national living wage. They have warned that the changes will lead to widespread job losses and closures. Figures from Employment Hero show that SME employment contracted by 0.
4 per cent in February. Despite that, some small businesses are bucking the trend and say they have not been put off making their first hire or growing their team, according to Enterprise Nation. Digital skills, in particular, are in high demand as entrepreneurs adapt to changing consumer behaviour.
More staff needed: Some small firms are hiring more employees despite higher costs 'I'm hiring a TikTok Live presenter' Lizzy Heyes, 39, launched her jewellery business Secret Halo in 2015 through Etsy and Not On the High Street. The subsequent successful launch of her own TikTok shop means she is now hiring for a presenter for her livestreams, which allows her to showcase products in real-time. 'TikTok live streaming is taking off - I'm writing the job description,' she says.
'Originally, I advertised it to local university students on a marketing degree - but it's actually really hard to find people with presenting, live streaming and selling skills. 'It's a very specific niche role because you've got to be able to sell and present the brand live. Lizzy Heyes is hiring a TikTok presenter for her business Secret Halo 'So, I'm now looking for someone with.
.. Angharad Carrick.
