Kate Williams at the House of Lords for the Small Business Britain x eBay Side Hustle Lab celebration, representing KW Marketing and South West founders.

Walking through the doors of the House of Lords this week was one of those pinch-me moments.

This wasn’t just another date in the diary – it was huge for us as a South West agency. To sit in one of the most historic rooms in the country, surrounded by founders who’ve grafted, hustled, and fought to keep their businesses alive… that hit differently.

Because let’s be honest, keeping a business alive is tough. In the first half of 2025, more than 83,000 UK businesses closed their doors. That statistic stopped me in my tracks. It reminded me just how heavy the load is, and just how important it is to have people in your corner who get it.

I was there for the Small Business Britain x eBay UK Side Hustle Lab celebration. Earlier this year, I delivered training for the programme, helping small businesses market on a budget and make every penny work harder. This week wasn’t about me; it was about them. The side hustlers turned business owners. The ambitious founders building something from nothing. The people whose voices need to be heard all the way to Westminster.

Why this moment matters to us

At KW Marketing, food & drink isn’t just our sector. It’s our passion.

For eight years, we’ve been rolling up our sleeves alongside founders, from household names like Pipers Farm and Jane’s Patisserie to rising stars like Popcorn Kitchen and The Cornish Cheese Co. We’ve helped them tell their stories, connect with customers, and grow against the odds.

So being invited into the House of Lords felt like carrying all of those brands and voices with me. Too often, the South West is overlooked compared to London. But here’s the truth, this region is building incredible food & drink businesses that deserve a national stage.

That’s why it was so important for us to be in that room. Not just representing KW Marketing, but representing the ambitious, creative, determined founders we champion every single day. (It’s why we’ll keep sharing insights like how to leverage the top TikTok food trends or spotlighting the UK’s top food influencers to help founders scale online.)

What we heard in Westminster

The day also saw the first public appearance of Blair McDougall, the new Minister for Small Businesses.

He promised to:

  • Cut red tape for small business owners.
  • Expand growth services.
  • Make sure founders don’t feel so alone in the journey.

And that last point? It matters.

Because being a founder can feel incredibly isolating. One day you’re the marketer, the next you’re the accountant, IT support, or even the decorator. It’s exciting, but it’s also exhausting. It’s why so many founders burn out or give up before they’ve had the chance to truly scale. (Here’s how to grow D2C sales without hiring a big team – if you’re feeling that pressure.)

Hearing the government commit to making small businesses less lonely gave me hope. But it also reminded me why we do what we do, to make sure founders aren’t fighting that battle alone.

What this means for food & drink founders

If you’re a food & drink founder reading this, here’s the truth.. you’re not alone!

Yes, the challenges are real. Costs are rising, competition is fiercer than ever, and it feels like you have to be everywhere at once. But there are strategies that work – ones that help you scale sustainably, profitably, and without burning out.

That’s why we’ll always share what we’ve learned from working alongside ambitious brands – from email strategies that drive real sales, to scrappy marketing tactics that work even on tight budgets. If you’re questioning whether your marketing is actually driving sales, you’re not alone.

If you’re looking for somewhere to start, we’ve put together The Email Playbook – a free resource showing how one food brand almost doubled their email revenue in under a year. It’s packed with practical ideas you can apply straight away.

A final word from Westminster

This trip wasn’t about photo opportunities or name badges. It was about making sure the fight and the graft of small business founders are seen, heard, and supported – all the way up to the House of Lords.

For us, it’s another reminder of why we’ll never stop shouting about food & drink brands, especially here in the South West.

WHAT. A. DAY. And yes, the 5:45am start was worth every second.

Kate Xx

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