Where do we go from here…

Paula Veysey Smith • 12 May 2017

8th June, the general election! But for those in small business what does that mean?

Recent times have been interesting – Brexit, Trump, two budgets in one year and now the election.

It’s enough to make any mind spin.

So, what’s important for small business. For those of you that run a limited company we’ve seen the introduction of the dividend allowance which means that to the financial year end 5th April 2017 dividends up to £5,000 will be a tax zero rate and thereafter, for normal tax rate payers, 7.5% will be applied, for higher tax payers it’s 32.5%. From the 6th April 2017 that allowance has been reduced to £2,000. Will it be further eroded or even abolished in the Autumn?

And for those of you who are sole traders how can we forget the increase of Class 4 contributions be 2% in the budget of April 2017 only to have this retracted! This only compounds my belief that the Conservative Party do not understand the true nature of small business. 99.6% of our economy is made up of small business, the clients I deal with, and I would welcome the opportunity to represent you to whoever is the new government.

I am waiting for a conversation with Greg Clark, the former MP for my constituency but also the former Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. I contacted him a couple of weeks ago and he has agreed to talk with me. My aim is to have a voice for every small business so that the future government understands the driving force of the economy.

R is for Reward

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 8 July 2026
The finish line isn't just a destination. It's proof of everything you put in to get there. “Nothing feels so good as when you've succeeded at something you set out to do.” We made it. Seven letters, seven posts, and one very important journey. If you've been following this series from the beginning, you'll know that back in January we started with a goal — a triathlon in July. And as I write this, sitting in the garden with an iced coffee and a medal around my neck, I can tell you: it happened.  R is for Reward. And it might just be my favourite letter of the lot.

E is for Evaluate

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 8 July 2026
Setting a goal is just the beginning. What keeps it alive — and keeps you moving towards it — is what you do in between. “Evaluating what you're doing is so important. What worked, what didn't, what can I do better?” We're six letters into the SMARTER framework now. We've covered Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Today we reach E for Evaluate — and I'll be honest with you, I think this might be the most important letter of the lot.

T is for Time-Bound

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 26 June 2026
A goal without a deadline is just a wish with good intentions. Here's why putting a date on it changes everything. “Having that end date is something that gives you the enthusiasm, the commitment, and the motivation to continue.” We're now on T in the SMARTER Goals series - and this one is beautifully simple. T stands for Time-Bound, or Targets. It means giving your goal an end date.

R is for Relevant

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 26 June 2026
Short-term goals are more powerful when they're built towards something bigger. Here’s why relevance is what keeps you going when motivation dips. “Goals that are shorter term in nature, but built to a bigger vision, are the most motivating that you can get” So far in this series we've looked at S for Specific, M for Measurable, and A for Achievable. Now we come to R for Relevant -- and this one is about making sure your goals are connected to something that genuinely matters to you.
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