In challenging times, innovative solutions are called for. And for three local entrepreneurs from Leicester, the pandemic inspired them to come up with a creative way to support local restaurants and food businesses. 

Thomas Edde, Ali Datoo, and George Martin founded eKitchenette, an app that combines influencer marketing and online ordering to build a trusted community of food business owners, influencers, and consumers. I met Thomas via Zoom this week to learn more about the business and the team’s journey so far.

Multi award-winning Deaf performance artist Vilma Jackson has launched a new chat show featuring an all-star selection of Deaf panellists. The first episode of The Vilma Jackson Show was released on 11 March, and the second will follow soon. Episode 1 showcases the wide array of talent that exists within the Deaf community and the barriers Deaf people face, while the second will address the wider debate around diversity, inclusion, and equality as they apply to the Deaf community.

Talking about mental health and struggles can be challenging, and this is often particularly true for men. Unfortunately, we live in a culture that does not encourage men to open up about their feelings.  But one man is on a mission to change that. As we mark the one year anniversary of lockdown this week, editor Marc chatted with Kenny Mammarella D’Cruz, also known as The Man Whisperer, about his vital work in the area of men’s mental health.

Founder Anneka Hicks has stepped down from Excluded UK to create a new venture dedicated to tackling the mental health fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here she tells us why she’s stepped down from the group she founded, the toll it’s taken on her personally and fighting for the 3 Million self-employed and small business owners excluded from financial help from the UK Government.

Small Business may well be dealt a tougher hand in Post-Brexit Britain as VISA are set to notify an INCREASE in interchange fees for doing business in Europe. 

The payments giant is to hike fees for purchases made by UK-based customers from most of Europe – prompting more fears of higher prices and fuelling the argument that Brexit is adding to the cost of trading with the EU.ck on their feet.