Human City is hosting its next event in the Baltic Triangle, inviting businesses in the area to share their stories of homegrown businesses in the city. The event, called ‘How can homegrown business create a more inclusive Liverpool economy?’, welcomes a panel of five speakers to talk about their differing experiences of and ideas about a homegrown, grassroots local economy. How does it work, what are its characteristics and how Liverpool can encourage more? The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session and general sharing of ideas.
Baltic is the epicentre of small and growing creative businesses in the city, creating a community of entrepreneurs, activists and idealists. It is homegrown and local, committed to the city and growing in influence. It is collaborative by nature and outward-looking, using new ideas and long-cherished ideals to support innovative new ideas, networks of freelancers, micro-businesses and growing SMEs.
The evening is curated by Erika Rushton, Chair of Baltic Creative and the former Chair of Granby 4 Streets CLT.
‘It’s increasingly apparent to me that accepted economic regeneration methods and models are helping make the rich richer and the poor poorer,’ she says. ‘They require Liverpool to wait around until someone else, from somewhere else, saves us with their inward investment, or jobs – or the latest economic model. But there’s something magical happening in our city.
‘Local and social entrepreneurs, family businesses and people with a passion are opting out of the employer employee relationship, coming up with their own versions of trade, business and economy. And what they are creating is far kinder, more inclusive and equitable. When I was invited to curate this event I wanted to explore whether, when added together, those pioneering an alternative way of doing things in Liverpool can provide a foundation for a more Human City – in which everyone has a role and their contributions are valued and rewarded.’
Speakers include:
• Theresa and Jo from Granby Market talk about how the market provides a local, living, community-driven example of an inclusive economy, offering almost anyone an affordable place to start trading
• Sally-Anne is Homebaked’s treasurer, and sits on the boards of Blackburne House, School for Social Entrepreneurs and the Bluecoat. She plays a vital role in developing viable businesses across the city, bringing professional accountancy experience to the homegrown sector, creating a movement for social change
• Vidhya is the chief executive of Power to Change, which has been instrumental in funding unconventional or un-tested new and community businesses – often before they’re popular or agreeable to the region’s leadership
• Maggie is chief exec of the Women’s Org, the largest provider or training for women in the UK. ‘We work with women so they achieve success and greater prosperity, become leaders and to connect with each other,’ she says.
• Fiona is the cofounder and publisher of Ethos magazine, and a director of publishing and communications agency Wordscape. She has 20 years’ experience as a business journalist, documenting the move from ’traditional’ business to a more inclusive, values-driven economy. She also works extensively across the homegrown sector.
These businesses offer a glimpse of the future Liverpool – they are the antithesis of inward investment and are proudly homegrown. Many are small, but they are many in number.
Click here to share your ideas, experiences and join the conversation…
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