Brexit! What’s next for Start-up Britain
As a nation we’ve jumped off the cliff, now it’s time to build that parachute!
Shocked? Me too, as a pro-European and remain voter I like many others sat glued to my TV until the wee early hours until that gut sinking moment that it was confirmed that Britain had voted to leave the EU. Could it really be true, after all I was born a European! However, in the cold light of the day and hours that past I’ve now found myself pondering, is it really all that bad?
If asked again I would still vote to remain within the EU however as a start-up entrepreneur I’m certainly no stranger to risk. Yes there’s danger, any leap into the relative unknown comes with consequences however when has anything worth doing been easy?
“Everything we ever want to achieve in life is on the other side of fear.”
The UK as a whole has always been a magnet for entrepreneurial talent not only from the EU but across the world. I run a business that hires the entrepreneurial talent from across the globe not just the EU so no change there. The UK has also always been a beacon for global start-ups & entrepreneurs attracted by the talent, access to capital and government support for new business therefore I also don’t see this changing any time soon. Also, the UK has been trading with the world for the last 1000 years, long before the EU existed, the UK is a nation of small business owners and entrepreneurs, we’re very well adapted for change.
So post referendum it’s the fear of change that seems to be driving such an emotional reaction however change can also be good, who wants to live in a world where everyone stands still? Entrepreneurs and business owners are well used to change after all its what makes us entrepreneurs, for those that embrace change this could actually be a good decision although as with all change it’s the fear of the unknown that limits us, but everything we ever want to achieve in life is on the other side of fear.
“behold the turtle, as he only makes progress when he sticks his neck out”
Small businesses and start-ups need to continually adapt to survive, “behold the turtle, as he only makes progress when he sticks his neck out”. We’ve stuck our neck out, well and truly and now it’s time to make progress.
In true Brit start-up spirit we’ve now truly jumped off the cliff and it’s down to a “United” Kingdom to build the parachute on the way down, hopefully not so much of the down! It’s a decision I too also struggle to accept but strip away the emotive response, it’s our democratic duty to accept a majority decision otherwise we’re undermining the very essence of democracy, respect each other’s views and get on making Britain even greater in these post Brexit days.
“I believe in Britain, I believe in our entrepreneurs and small business owners to adapt.”
I believe in Britain, I believe in our entrepreneurs, our startups, our small business owners, and business leaders to pioneer and adapt to this change. I also believe passionately that if we embrace this opportunity and embrace change there’s a huge opportunity for those just willing to reach out and grasp it! Just maybe, strip away the fear, this might be good thing, maybe.
“Risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical.”
Post Brexit it really is now start-up Britain and much like any new business or startup it’s scary at first however as Howard Schultz, Starbuck’s CEO once said “Risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical” and I couldn’t really sum it up much better.
Do I agree with the decision, no. Do I accept the decision, yes. Now let’s dare to dream and work together for a brighter independent United Kingdom.
Edward Relf is an award-winning digital entrepreneur, father of two and self-professed digital disruptor. He is Co-founder & CEO of Laundrapp. For more details visit www.edwardrelf.com
