Starting and running a small business is rewarding but comes with its fair share of challenges. The path of entrepreneurship is often characterised by immense dedication, long hours, and tough decisions. As a small business owner, you're not just responsible for the operations and growth of your company and team, but also for your own wellbeing. 

Gibraltar’s size means that shoppers don’t have too far to go to shop. Schools, supermarkets, entertainment, eateries and healthcare are all within easy reach. That hasn’t stopped Gibraltar's business community from wanting to meet its customers' needs online. I met three local businesses that have embraced eCommerce.

Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer just for big companies. Small and medium-sized businesses are making a real impact through practical, authentic actions that reflect who they are. From supporting sport, culture and charities to rolling up sleeves for environmental projects, consistent CSR builds trust, loyalty and pride. When businesses show up for their community in meaningful ways, those efforts are noticed and often returned.

One of the most dangerous things anyone can say in business is, "We've always done it this way." This phrase doesn't age well and puts businesses at risk. "We've always done it this way" can quickly look like "flogging a dead horse." This doesn't always mean that businesses need to change everything. Some things, like great service, never go out of fashion. But when sales start to slow down, it's always a good idea to consider taking a new approach. Rebranding a product, service, or entire enterprise can be part of this process. But rebranding should never be taken lightly.

Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or hoping to grow an existing operation, having a strong business development strategy is the foundation of success. But real, sustainable growth doesn’t come from chasing the next big thing, it comes from getting the essentials right. So, what are the fundamentals you can’t afford to ignore? In my view, this starts with something I call the “Holy Trinity” of small business marketing...

Eran Shay's journey is emblematic of the modern entrepreneur. A self-confessed ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker, he swapped a successful corporate career and a senior role at Deloitte to pursue his own projects and business opportunities.

Success doesn’t just happen; it’s built on a strong foundation of preparation, clarity, and taking consistent action. Whether you’re launching a new business, taking your current side-hustle full-time, or looking to scale in a competitive market, having the right plan in place is essential.

Whether you’re an ebook tapper or traditional page turner, there are thousands of books that can make you better at business. Áine Panter, Head of the School of Business at the University of Gibraltar has curated a list of must-reads that will inspire, inform, and equip you for success.

For many businesses, standing out from the crowd in an already crowded marketplace is a mammoth task. But for Fresquita one of the ways they tackled this issue was with highly creative packaging.

We all have bad days, right? In business, that can mean we don’t bring our A-game to work and perhaps our service slips. Maybe a dish takes too long to reach a table or a staff member sounds distracted at the till. This could lead to negative Google Reviews or on ‘that’ Facebook group that […]

If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business, you’re not alone. Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the annual number of companies registered is edging closer to the one million mark, that’s up by 75,000 in 2022 which itself was 30,000 higher than in 2021. Whether it's following a passion, aiming for financial independence, or breaking free from the 9-5 grind, every entrepreneurial journey begins with one crucial thing: a solid idea. But coming up with that perfect idea can be tough. This is where brainstorming comes in—it’s the creative springboard that can help you turn your business dreams into reality.

If you’re looking to grow your business, expand your reach post Treaty or simply try something new, collaboration can be one of the most effective ways to do it. The key is approaching it with a bit of structure. And resisting the urge to say yes to everything just because someone seemed nice over a […]

Artificial Intelligence promises unprecedented opportunities for small business owners in Gibraltar. As the digital landscape faces constant evolution, understanding AI becomes not just beneficial but essential for businesses aiming to thrive in 2024. In this article, we aim to demystify the complexities surrounding AI, offering an approachable guide to its fundamentals, history, and practical applications for businesses, providing you with the knowledge to embrace this technology confidently. 

The Treaty between the EU and the UK over Gibraltar is finally giving us some clarity, and yet, it also reminds us just how much sits outside our control. The finer details will take months to surface. Political tides may shift. Promises will be tested by practicalities. Every day, we face issues beyond our reach: new legislation, competitor actions, market trends, customer behaviour, staff turnover, illness, family responsibilities, global events. All of it lives in what Stephen Covey calls the Circle of Concern - things we care about, but cannot directly change. The more we fixate on them, the more frustration can grow.

Gibraltar has long been home to many international businesses. Gaming giants, UK-based insurance companies and far-flung fintech firms are all drawn here thanks to our strategic location and business-friendly environment. Carl Clavering moved his insurance business to Gibraltar, and it’s safe to say, it’s transformed his life. When I caught up with Carl, it was clear that his decision to relocate wasn't just about tax advantages or access to the UK market —it was about finding a place that felt like home, both for his business and his family.

After teaching in schools for 18 years I decided to take the plunge and embark on a self-employed life. Driven by my passion for teaching children with special educational needs I set out to discover alternative ways to make education accessible to all. My vision was to have the individual in mind, with their own strengths and challenges, and with that came the birth of ‘edYOUcation Clare Francis’; bringing the YOU into learning.

Mental health issues affect us all. How we manage our daily stresses and anxieties have an impact on our relationships, how we perform in our job and the workplace environment, and our outlook on life. Becoming self-aware of what affects us, managing how we respond to triggers and using tools to help us work through them, are all part of our journey towards MENTAL FITNESS, which is how we should be positively defining it. 

Since 2007, Earth Hour has been known as the biggest hour for the planet as millions of people switch their “lights off” as a symbolic action for the environment

The world of work is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the accelerating capabilities of Generative AI. While robots taking over our jobs might be a sci-fi trope, AI’s ability to learn, create, and automate tasks is undeniably impacting various industries. Generative AI is the umbrella term used to describe the type of AI that can create new content and ideas. This can include text, images, music, code and other types of content. We are now seeing how powerful this tool can be. But is this a threat or a powerful tool waiting to be harnessed? We set out to find out, what does the use of Generative AI look like in Gibraltar?

Finding someone who listens, understands, and guides you can make all the difference. For women in Gibraltar, the Women’s Mentorship Programme offers just that – honest conversations and valuable support from people with lived experience who understand. Now in its sixth cycle, the programme pairs women with mentors to help them navigate work, life, and everything in between. Ok, full disclosure: as a recently appointed mentor, that last sentence somewhat triggers the old imposter syndrome and self-doubt, but I am honoured to be part of this scheme and look forward to doing my very best in the months ahead.