Federation of Small Businesses Anmeldelser 

I attended the FSB North London event today, led by Cheryl-Lya Broadfoot. I've been to many FSB meetings, all of which have been enjoyable, but this one stood out. Cheryl-Lya had prepared some great topics for personal reflection, as well as discussion in the breakout rooms.
Also, the duration of the breakout room sessions were longer than usual, providing ample opportunity for more than just a business pitch.
We were able to have some very interesting discussions, connecting us at a human level.
Thank you to all the FSB staff who gave us updates and provided a meeting of great variety and conversation.

**Unnecessarily confusing payment system and poor customer experience**

FSB’s membership and payment system is unnecessarily complicated and extremely frustrating.

They charge £195 for the main member and £97.50 for a second member, making the total £292.50 per year. For a business owned by two equal partners, it would make far more sense to allow the cost to be divided equally or charged as one straightforward business membership. We both need to be covered individually, as certain tax and legal matters can affect the business owners personally rather than simply the business itself.

The payment process is even more frustrating. FSB will only allow a Direct Debit to be taken from a bank account, meaning we would have to remember to leave enough cash in the account every year. We can pay by credit card, but this requires us to telephone FSB each year, provide all the payment & security details for both people's details again and spend around 30 minutes on the phone.

I have just gone through this process and paid for both memberships by credit card. I then asked to set up a Direct Debit from my bank account for future renewals, so we would not have to repeat the same lengthy phone call next year. I was told this was not possible unless they cancelled the credit-card payment I had just made and took the payment again through the Direct Debit.
I had to cancel my credit card payment i just made then wait 2 weeks for it to go back and then ring up again go through security another 30 mins just to set up a direct debit.
This is completely unnecessary. There is no sensible reason why a customer should not be able to pay this year’s membership by credit card and then set up a Direct Debit for future renewals.

Because the whole process is so awkward, confusing and time-consuming, our cover had also lapsed for a period before we managed to arrange payment. For an organisation that is supposed to support small businesses and make their lives easier, FSB’s own administration creates far more work than it should.

The service itself may be valuable, but the membership structure and payment system badly need modernising.
There legal team is 50/50 useful most of the time telling you very vague information.

FAB networking event led by Cheryl-lya!

Been to a few FSB Virtual Online Networking events now and I always come away with a smile on my face and new connections.

Thank you so much!

Molly - The Content Coven

FSB has such great resources. Just attended a great webinar on Marketing delivered by Phill Agnew of Nudge - wow! learnt so much in just an hour.
Networks make such a difference too!

Having just started my new business -Pet Lighthouse, an online second opinion vet for pet owners struggling with their pet's health- I have found FSB invaluable. The advice, support and templates have made the transition from working in a large organisation, where these things are done for you (I was Chief Vet of the RSPCA), to an entrepreneur much easier.

I have just spent the most amazing day at the FSB Boot Camp at Keele Hall in Newcastle under Lyme. Every speaker was relevant and the networking was incredibly well organised and made sure that everybody had a voice. Congratulations on an outstanding event!

The Surrey area FSB meet-ups are really well run by Tracey C. She's an avid FSB promoter in a pragmatic but motivating way so you really appreciate the benefits of what FSB offers. She brings a great energy to the room in the way she engages everybody and encourages people to network actively. Very impressed...

Great service, helped me with a business legal case with their advice.

I have been a member of the FSB for more than half a decade and they have honestly always been among the most valuable membership organisations I have used. The FSB have a deep understanding of SMBs and represent our interests to government, as well as offering loads of member-led initiatives and services. Markel Law themselves are excellent, the FSB Legal and Business Hub is worth its weight in gold. FSB Insurance is also stellar. Unlike most places, the FSB is always just a phone call away and they have membership advisors across the country - often having run their own businesses for decades themselves.

I've been an FSB member for a while and the legal protection and employment support is genuinely useful. However, trying to find the right contract templates on their website today was a really frustrating experience. The system has clearly been redesigned and it is now harder to navigate than before, not easier. Finding a simple self-employed contractor agreement took far longer than it should have.
The deeper problem is this. If I cannot find and use their contract templates, then the legal cover that comes with the membership may not apply if there is ever an employment dispute. That effectively renders the majority of the membership value pointless. For small business owners who are time-poor, this is a serious issue, not just an inconvenience.
I am now actively considering cancelling my membership as a result. The core product has genuine value. The digital experience urgently needs fixing before more members reach the same conclusion.

Very insightful webinar, full of valuable information waiting to be put into business action! If you’re a small business owner, you would do very well to be a part of FSB!

Attended a great Marketing webinar which was incredibly helpful. FSB provides amazing support opportunities.

As a proud member of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Wolverhampton, I’ve had a truly positive experience. I really enjoyed taking part in the FSB Bootcamp and the West Midlands online events, which were both informative, supportive, and full of useful insights for small business owners.
The Disability Networking sessions with Rob have been especially valuable to me. They provided a welcoming space to connect, learn, and share experiences with others in a similar position.
I also enjoyed creating an FSB PowerPoint, and throughout my membership, the FSB staff have been incredibly supportive and kind. Their professionalism and friendliness have made me feel valued and included.
I’m genuinely glad to be an FSB member, and I highly recommend joining to anyone looking for a community that truly supports small businesses.

Great hosting by Karen Howell at today's Women in Business virtual meet-up. Well executed break out rooms and 2 great speakers. Time well spent.

Staff have rude telephone manner, I had to call to cancel my membership as a written email wasn't enough! Very rude and patronising when you try to cancel however she did cancel and I got a refund as I was in my 28 days right.

After 6 years of membership which auto-renewed without notice (red flag 1), I found I could not cancel online (red flag 2) but had to call. The person I spoke to gave me a pushy, hard sell (to the point of passive aggression), trying to dissuade me from cancelling (red flag 3) and only agreed to cancel after I was obliged to push back.

Over the years I found I had little to no use for all the services offered by the SFB. My only real interaction was a little while ago when I called for legal advice. The so-called legal expert was rude, disinterested and dismissive, telling me to 'go a solicitor'. I doubt she even listened to what I had to say (red flag 4) and couldn't end the call fast enough.

After I cancelled my membership, I was then sent repeating auto-emails (reg flag 5) asking me to complete a customer survey. I eventually completed the survey just to stop the emails but I leave it to the readers this review to infer the tone of my response.

I highly recommend joining the FSB.

I started my business in June 2021 and joined the FSB as strongly advised by my government relationship manager.

Membership comes with many benefits. For example, I have used their Legal Advice Line a few times. There is also a Legal and Business Hub that offers valid documents and templates, like contracts.

I used their exclusive discounts to open a business bank account with the Co-operative Bank.

Now, four years later, I enjoy attending both virtual and in-person networking meetings. The members are supportive and genuinely interested in the progress of my business and my well-being.

There is nothing negative I can say about the FSB, so what do you have to lose?

Online networking and opportunities to speak are good. I've not been able to make any of the in person events as of yet - nor had cause to use any of the other services ... but I only hear good things.

Life is about connection - and when you are a solo business owner it's easy to get lost in the alone. FSB creates community

Fantastic opportunity to network and receive advice from intelligent, like-minded and friendly people. Thanks so much FSB!

I joined the FSB earlier this year when I decided to start my own HR Consultancy service after being made redundant.
As a sole trader trying to grow a business you need to wear a lot of "hats" including sorting insurance, marketing and networking. The Federation of Small Businesses have helped me with all this and so much more, all in one place!
For me, the real benefit comes from having a regional support team who I can contact with any questions I have.
I would highly recommend them!