Starting a business often begins with a spark, an idea, a need, or a memory that just won’t let go. For Khadijat Fashola, founder of JHU Cleaning Services, that spark was ignited years ago on the streets of Nigeria. “I wasn’t born in Barking and Dagenham,” she shares, “but my journey has brought me here to build something close to my heart.”

Originally from Nigeria, Khadijat studied accounting in Lagos. Her early professional experience included internships with prestigious companies like Treasury House and Total Energies. But while those opportunities were invaluable, they didn’t reflect what truly lit her up inside. “I found my real passion lay in seeing clean, healthy spaces and environments,” she says. And that passion is rooted in lived experience.

Growing up in a Malaria-stricken area, Khadijat witnessed how a clean environment could significantly transform a community’s health. Monthly volunteer cleaning days weren’t just about aesthetics, they were about saving lives, reducing infection, and building pride in the spaces people called home. “I saw how cleaning could educate, unite, and heal,” she explains. “It’s not just tidying up, it’s caring for a community.” That ethos is at the heart of JHU Cleaning Services, a business she’s built in London that offers builders' cleans, sparkle cleans, pre/post-tenancy cleaning, communal area maintenance, and more. “Every space we clean, we do so with purpose,” she says. “Because cleanliness impacts people’s lives more than they realise.”

Finding Amplify 

Khadijat first discovered the Amplify Programme and Barking Enterprise Centre (BEC) in an unlikely place, Eventbrite. Browsing for SME events in the borough, she came across a listing that piqued her curiosity. “I grabbed a ticket, but honestly? I was sceptical. So many programmes promise support but fall short. This one didn’t.”

That event became a pivotal chapter in her journey. She met Shanice Bako, and Natalia Nicholson, members of the Amplify team whose support went far beyond the basics. “They were incredible,” she says, “and the programme quickly became a space where I could ask questions, gain insight, and, most importantly, feel understood.”

Overcoming hurdles, one lesson at a time

Before Amplify, Khadijat admits she felt overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of scaling her business. Navigating procurement processes, pitching to larger clients, and understanding licences and certifications, all felt daunting. But with guidance from her mentor throughout the programme, Khadijat began building the knowledge and confidence she needed. “He helped me break it all down. Suddenly, things that once felt complicated started to feel achievable.” Networking was another game-changer. Through the programme, she connected with professionals who offered best practices and real-world advice for sustainable growth. “It’s one thing to Google something,” she laughs, “but it’s another to hear it from someone who’s lived it.”

A standout moment of empowerment

Among many meaningful moments, one stands out: preparing for a pitch-to-win event with industry leaders. A combination of steady encouragement and practical tips helped Khadijat feel ready to take the stage. Meanwhile, Shanice worked behind the scenes to make sure Khadijat didn’t miss a beat, even with a packed schedule. Together, their support reminded her that her voice matters. “As a woman, and as someone from a global majority background, there are moments when you doubt your place. This experience reaffirmed that my perspective is valuable, and my business belongs in those rooms.”

A community worth joining

Reflecting on the programme, Khadijat’s favourite part has been the sense of community it creates. “It’s more than just business support, it’s people who get it. People who see you.” She’s also been inspired by how seriously the council is taking the growth of local SMEs. “Their commitment gives me hope. It tells me that I’m not building alone.”

Her advice to others? Just start.

“For anyone considering Amplify, my advice is simple: dive in. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Don’t be put off by a busy schedule. This programme meets you where you are and helps you grow.” For Khadijat, it wasn’t just about receiving support, it was about finding belonging in a business journey that often feels isolating.

“If you care about your community, if you want to build something meaningful—this is your space. It’s where ideas grow, confidence grows, and you grow personally.” From the streets of Lagos to the boroughs of London, Khadijat Fashola is proof that with passion, support, and a little courage, we can clean up more than just buildings, we can clean up self-doubt, fear, and barriers, too.

Well technically our main event supported by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is not till 3^rd April, for a good reason I hasten to add. We here at the BEC are committed to equality and so we wanted to wait till our colleagues had finished fasting and Eid celebrations have been concluded.

Love it or hate it (it is a personal choice) events specifically designed for women have become powerful platforms for networking, skill development, and community building. Whether you're looking to attend, host, or simply learn more about these gatherings, here's a look at why women-focused events matter and how they're making a difference.

 Why Women-Focused Events Matter

Women-focused events create safe spaces where participants can discuss unique challenges, share experiences, and form meaningful connections. In our experience here at the BEC,  women are more forthcoming in discussing the challenges they face in starting or running a business. There is no denying that events like this help address gender gaps in various industries by:

• Providing mentorship opportunities with successful women leaders
• Creating networks that support professional advancement.
• Offering skill-building workshops tailored to women's needs.
• Celebrating achievements that might otherwise go unrecognised.
• Fostering conversations about gender-specific challenges and solutions

Womens events come in all shapes and sizes and believe me in my ten years at the BEC we have been to some shockers. We have concluded that there is fine line in celebrating women in business and the flip side is a very tokenistic, toe curling, celebration of being a woman which makes people feel uncomfortable and comes across as all men are terrible! Well, it does for myself and my Operations Director 😊

Womens events can take the shape of informal networking events they create opportunities for women to connect in relaxed settings. When starting out be mindful that some of these women networking events come with a hefty price tag ranging from £25 to around £70 per session. A decent brunch or lunch is included but it is worth evaluating what you will get from these before joining as a regular attender. Our events here at the BEC formal or informal are free and will always be free to support businesses male or female.

A fairly new concept which is gaining in popularity is wellness and personal development retreats focusing on wellness, leadership, and personal growth which offer women space for reflection, self-care, and holistic development away from daily pressures and responsibilities.

Some of them look fabulous who wouldn’t want a retreat in Portugal for 5 days but again they can come with a high price and so weigh up the pros and cons.

Skill-Building Workshop, or hands-on workshops focused on specific skills—from coding and public speaking to financial literacy and negotiation—help women develop expertise in areas where they may have had limited access to training. Of course, they also offer networking opportunities and a chance to meet like minded women in business.

Lastly there are of course professional conferences which are normally industry specific and offer the opportunity to bring new founders, and industry leaders to share insights, research, and career advice. These events typically feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions.

We would like to think that our two events on Thursday 3^rd April and Thursday 10^th April are offering a pick and mix of all the above. 

Our business conference on 3^rd April Power Forward:  Women Transforming Business

‘In celebration of women’s empowerment month, yes, we know we are late! But we intentionally scheduled to ensure our entire community could participate! ‘

We are hosting a women’s business conference and are delighted to be joined by Cllr Ashraf Deputy Leader of the Council and Cllr Sade Bright Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Enterprise.

We are delighted to have a keynote speech from Gilly Tobin a Director from Altair a leading construction consultancy who will talk about her journey as a woman in Construction.

We also have two fabulous workshops, a mental health literacy workshop and a brand story workshop you can choose on the day.

Find more information for this event here.

On Thursday 10^th April we are hosting a Women in Care networking event as part of our Amplify programme funded by London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and UKSPF.  You can find the link here.

It is clear women-focused events continue to evolve as powerful catalysts for change, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond the events themselves. By bringing women together to share knowledge, build skills, and form connections, these gatherings are helping reshape industries and communities to be more equitable and inclusive.

PS. Before I get a barrage of comments men are always invited and welcomed!

Starting a community-focused initiative is never easy, and for Valeria Giannuzzi, the journey of founding The Magic Stock was no exception. As a chartered psychologist and researcher in social sciences with a specialisation in migration studies, Valeria saw gaps in mental health services—particularly in how they catered to culturally diverse communities. Determined to bridge this divide, she launched The Magic Stock just over a year ago, in December 2023.

“The idea is to provide mental health services at a community level in a way that is culturally sensitive, as well as multilingually and multiculturally,” Valeria explains. “It means that we wouldn't just provide mental health support in your language, but also in a way that understands all the differences that come with having a different background, a different culture, a different faith.” 

Her vision stemmed from a clear need: while the NHS offers invaluable mental health services, mainstream options like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) don’t always suit everyone. “CBT is widely used,” she says, “but it doesn’t work for everyone, right? Some populations don’t access services, not because they don’t need them, but because they feel they won’t be helpful for them. So what I’m trying to do is build a connection between these communities and also offer an alternative, should this not be the right support for any reasons.”

Overcoming Challenges with the support of BEC

Launching The Magic Stock wasn’t without its obstacles. Like many social entrepreneurs, Valeria encountered practical challenges—figuring out funding, structuring the organisation, and handling operational logistics. This is where the Barking Enterprise Centre and the Building Bridges Programme came in.

“The BEC has a wealth of experience,” she shares. “They know what’s happening in Northeast London, what’s coming next, what the Boroughs are prioritising. That kind of insight is invaluable.” Beyond local knowledge, the BEC provided her with technical expertise she didn’t realise she needed.

“For example, I learnt that to access certain types of funding, you need a board of at least three directors,” Valeria recalls. “And how do you price yourself? How do you do payroll? These are things you don’t think about unless you’ve had business experience.”

Mentorship 

Mentorship played a crucial role in helping Valeria navigate these hurdles. Her sessions with Karen, CEO of the BEC, became a cornerstone of her journey.

“What I really appreciate—and please make sure this is on record—is that Karen has a can-do attitude. She’s very optimistic. At times, when I've been overwhelmed and struggling to find a solution, I would reach out to her and she'd say, ‘Okay, so this can be done. Here’s how.’”

Crucially, Karen didn’t just hand Valeria the answers. “That’s what a mentor does,” Valeria reflects. “They don’t solve the problem for you, but they give you the tools and space to figure it out.”

Taking the First Step

Reflecting on her experience, Valeria wholeheartedly recommends the BEC to aspiring entrepreneurs.

“I understand that there are so many barriers to starting your own project,” she acknowledges. “For me, it was possible because I received a grant that allowed me to leave my full-time job and dedicate myself to this. But I know that for many people, financial constraints are real.”

Her advice? Start small.

“If you’re passionate about something, treat it like a passion project. If you can make time for the gym or other activities, you can dedicate a few hours a week to your project. It doesn’t have to be huge. Build, little by little, and see how it grows. If, after a while, you’re still excited about it, then getting support from the BEC can help you realise how viable it really is.”

For anyone hesitating to reach out for mentorship, she offers this final encouragement:

“You don’t have much to lose—only a dream if you don’t try. It takes time and effort, but happiness, satisfaction, and fulfilment are on the other side of fear. Just take that leap of faith. You don’t have to risk your full-time job. You just have to put in the work.”

Valeria’s journey with The Magic Stock is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and the right support network. For those with a vision but unsure where to start, the BEC might just be the perfect place to begin.

Well January came and went, and I can honestly say I don’t know whether it was lack of time, or lost mojo or a combination of both but January has passed without me writing a single blog. This has played on my mind to be honest as it is something I do enjoy but sadly last month it did not happen. If I think back to December, it was equally a bit of a challenge too! It felt more like a chore than an enjoyable task, and I blamed it on the famous ‘it felt like a really long year’.

However,  I am back in February and already working on the themes for this year, of course February is a very special month not just Galantine’s and Valentines but also the BEC’s Birthday on 28^th February, a whole nine years of supporting small businesses; I can’ t believe it has been that long and still so much to do.

Here are some of the things I intend to do, to rekindle my blogging mojo and change things up so its enjoyable again.

1. Change my environment

I have the luxury of being able to work from home, and other places so I am going to try writing from a café or a park. At home I have decluttered the office and got rid of all the covid related files into storage, and like a lot of us I am looking forward to the warmer weather and getting outside to write and walk of course. 

2. I am going to give new content formats a try and write a series of how to guides which I hope our audience will find useful, and I am already recording audio notes to assist me with this. Please do let me know what you think.

3. Refilling my creative tank – I am going to make time to read other people’s blogs from different industries and use some of the conversations I have with interesting people as content, whilst safeguarding their anonymity, of course.  A friend and I recently started a walking group which I hope will help develop new content on our travels.

4.  I am going to adjust my routine and try writing at a different time of day, and set myself smaller achievable goals, so I feel less like I have failed when it doesn’t pour off the page. A friend suggested the pomodoro technique (which is not a tomato sauce, sadly 😊).

 The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that breaks work into 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks. The goal is to help people work more efficiently by focusing on one task at a time and taking breaks to maintain focus.

I am also going to give myself permission to take a short break if I need it, to not worry if its not perfect and to have more faith in what I am doing.

If there are any subjects you would like covered or indeed you want to guest blog then please do reach out to us here at the BEC.

Well quite frankly I cannot wait to get to the end of the year, I don’t think I am alone in that much of the work of the BEC this year has been supporting businesses through very challenging times and situations.  The pandemic seemed hard five years ago, but since then the cost-of-living crisis, and the struggle for small business survival has become very real for business owners.

It has not all been doom and gloom though and 2024 brought many highlights, we welcomed the start of Amplify which is our flag ship business support programme financed by UKSPF and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. We have seen 30+ businesses on the programme to date food, care and other businesses have benefited from one-to-one mentoring and a range of training to support business sustainability at all levels and overarchingly achieve growth.  We welcomed Julie Cleijne as part of our mentoring team on the programme and her expertise in food sustainability has been invaluable to all the businesses not just those food related.  

We were delighted that this programme has enabled us to reconnect with Care City CIC, who started in our building with some support from us on getting going a few years ago, but it has been great to collaborate with them on innovation ideas for care businesses. They do great things in the borough so do take a look at them and their impact.

Early in 2024 we welcomed two new board members to our board, alongside the existing board members who have been with us from the start. Karthik and Geraud bring a fresh perspective to our work, and we look forward to further contributions from them next year.

After a long process, we were delighted to receive funding from City Bridge foundation to work with social sector businesses in the same we do with commercial businesses. We are seven months into a three-year programme and have already seen some great outcomes, we have supported four social enterprise start-ups, a conversion from a limited company to a CIC which has a huge opportunity to grow. Final Checks Academy CIC will move early next year to the film studios and will continue to deliver there film and media make up courses in the best location for them and more importantly continue to provide first class training and industry placements to young people 16+ who want this to be there chosen career.

Thinking about young people we committed to ten work placements for Year 10 and 11 pupils across the borough secondary schools. These young people always bring enthusiasm and ideas and keep our mature staff on their toes! 

There are far too many businesses to mention individually but on reflection it has been a transformative year for us marked by some key trends and lessons.

Our biggest trend was the development of resilience we saw those businesses that prioritised resilience outperformed their competitors. This year highlighted the importance of adaptability and robust decision-making processes to navigate economic uncertainties.

We started to include AI Integration and there is no doubt that AI has become an essential tool for businesses, significantly improving operational efficiency. Companies that adopted AI solutions saw a notable increase in productivity and customer insights. I was with a colleague yesterday from the social sector who told me they had used Chat GPT to support the writing of a funding bid, wow that really is progress!  

We also saw micro employers embrace employee wellbeing; undeniably this is not such an easy task for small businesses who do not have the finance and resources of big organisations. However, the focus on supporting mental health and flexible work arrangements has been significant amongst our small business community.

We noted a shift in customer centric businesses we have been ‘banging on’ about brand story for years, we are committed to our small business community and their niche in getting their customers to understand and embrace their brand. It worked this year, we saw businesses who valued their customer experience grow, and how personalisation became a key driver. Again, Care City have supported this work with the care businesses it has been great to see the growth in them.

Our work in the Voluntary and Community sector or social sector as we prefer to call it now has seen the BEC work alongside the BD Collective for the last five years and now BD giving to work together for the benefit of the community. The key message of collaboration over competition has seen new ventures and funding come into the borough and let’s face it Barking and Dagenham still is a community need help and support across many areas.  We look forward to seeing how BD Giving bring a fresh perspective to forming the new Community Benefit Society which will lead on collaboration over competition and support a thriving social sector.

At the end of this year, we said goodbye to Paul Creavin one of our business mentors who has hung up his hat to retire, his reflections will be published soon but he will be missed. His ‘old fashioned’ bank manager style approach was very much appreciated by all the businesses we work with, and we wish him and his wife Patricia a very long and healthy retirement.

In the final weeks of this year, we added a new strand to Amplify in working with construction companies who want to develop their work and opportunities to the borough. We brought in an old friend to BEC in Glen Addis formerly of East London Business Place to support this, there will be more about this early next year. 

Lastly from me is the final list of thank you’ s to the businesses we have supported who come back and say how helpful our support was, that means a lot. To our very small team who keep the show on the road in the buildings, and our fabulous mentors and trainers who are part of the BEC family. Our partner anchor institutions who see the value of what we do and how collaboration is key to all our success. To our contractors who support our work and in particular Innocom who manage our comms and marketing, you are a testament to our growth, if you had said four years ago lets work together but we are in South Africa and the Netherlands and we won’t meet often but we can do it, I would never have believed it but it does and we are grateful for your input and support,  and lastly but by no means least to my work wife Donna Finley who will do almost anything she is asked unless it involves spiders 😊 thank you life would be less tolerable without you as part of our journey!

Wishing you all a peaceful and happy festive season and a Happy New Year and please do join us in mid-January or Hump time as we call it 😊 for lunch and to find out about what we are up to in 2025.

If you know me well you will always know I like the final word on every level I am moving into 2025 with the following motto in my mind same girl, same name, different mindset, new game!

I have been having a dilemma with the team here for a few months now, and still, I am struggling where to take the issue. Through our experiences we have observed a significant difference in the turnout number for training against the number of registrations. It is no consolation, but it appears we are not alone and that both nationally and internationally many training providers are reporting a poor turnout for their free courses and sessions.

We have undertaken some research, and it appears that one the primary reasons could be the perceived value theory. In a nutshell when something is offered for free people often assume it has a lower value/ or of inferior quality compared to paid alternatives. In our case this could not be further from the truth, all of our trainers are brilliant and are industry experts! Part of our social enterprise commitment and our social value policy and ethos is that all training should be free at the point of access to participants.

I would be horrified to think that people think of our free training offer as promotional tactics rather than a valuable learning opportunity.

Other research suggests that commitment and consistency play a crucial role in participation, individuals are more likely to follow through if they have made a financial commitment and without this feel less responsible for attending, leading to lower participation rates.

Ever heard of the reciprocity norm, no me neither but apparently participants may feel a sense of obligation to return favours. So could it be that participants feel by attending that we expect them to reciprocate by signing up to paid course. That would be difficult as all of our courses are free, as is the mentoring and advice. We are back to our values on this one, the only paid product is the affordable workspace which starts at £99! I hasten to add.

Another theory is that it could be about psychological ownership, which is affecting engagement, maybe paid for training creates a sense of responsibility, and a free offering are leading to lower conversion and participation.

Across this research we found some tips some of them we are already doing but some offer something to consider.

1. Highlight the value and benefits clearly and communicate the value and benefits of the training emphasising practical outcomes and real-world applications. We could definitely do more on what you can get from this training and how it can help your business day to day.
2. Encourage commitment by introducing elements that require participants to make a commitment such as pre-work assignments or follow up activities. Hmmm! I am really not sure about this one, it would certainly put me off!
3. Create a sense of exclusivity by limiting the number of spaces to create a sense of exclusivity and urgency. Surely this just supports dwindling numbers, we have found we have to ramp up the number of spaces to get a 50% turnout, so I am not sure about this!
4. Leverage social proof, which means showcasing testimonials and success stories from previous participants to build trust and credibility. We could do more of this, but I am always mindful that it is resource intensive in creating this type of content and we are and always will be a small team.

 With all this mind professional network colleagues I remain stumped as to where we take our training programmes. My thinking is.

• Should we move them all to a flexible model whereby they are all pre-recorded and participants can engage at a time that suits them; but recognising this gives no opportunity for questions or participant interaction.
• Should we just do them all online, and no face-to-face delivery. However, in other areas of our work businesses are craving human interaction post pandemic!
• Finally, should we completely remove ourselves from this area of work, and use the financial budget in other areas.

• Colleagues your views, advice and suggestions would be most welcome, karen.west-whylie@barkingenterprisecentre.co.uk