According to Novuna Business Finance, small business owners are ‘leading a quiet sustainability revolution’, incorporating ESG initiatives into their day-to-day work to drive business performance.
In the latest series of its Sustainable Business Podcast, Novuna Business Finance talks to entrepreneurs across the UK, focusing on business owners that are turning sustainable ideas into profitable realities.
This includes a dry cleaner in Edinburgh that is reinventing an industry known for chemical use, a bike repair shop in Cardiff focused on restoring bicycles that would otherwise go to landfill, and a landscape gardener in the north east that is focused on waste reduction and resource management.
“The most interesting thing about these stories is where they come from,” commented Jo Morris, head of insight at Novuna Business Finance. “These aren’t big brands with huge budgets — they’re small firms in everyday communities. They’re proving that sustainability and success go hand in hand.”
With that in mind, here are five top tips from small business owners that are making sustainability work from a profit perspective.
1. Start with what matters to you
The most successful changes come from genuine passion and purpose — building your business around what you care about makes it easier to stay true to your values.
2. Small changes make a big difference
Progress doesn’t have to be complicated. Reusing, repairing, or switching to greener tools all add up over time.
3. Work together, not alone
Collaboration, sharing ideas, and supporting other small businesses can spark innovation and make change happen faster
4. Efficiency is good for business
Greener ways of working often save money, improve quality, and build stronger relationships with customers
5. Keep learning and adapting
Sustainability isn’t a one-off project, it’s about constantly looking for better and smarter ways to do things.
As Morris notes, speaking to small business owners “really brings home how much green progress is being driven by the businesses themselves. What stands out is that they’re not waiting for the green light or government guidance — they’re making changes because it makes sense for their business, their customers, and their communities.” Check out the latest podcast series here.
