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CREATIVE NATURE SHOWS HOW BRAVE STEPS DRIVE INTERNATIONAL GROWTH AS 52% OF ENTREPRENUERS FEAR TAKING A BIG STEP

5th November 2026

 

• 52% of surveyed business owners and partners have felt too scared to take a significant step in their business
• Of those who took a significant step, 34% said it helped their business grow
• HSBC UK Small Business Growth Ambassador Creative Nature shows how brave decisions to enter new markets can help a business scale internationally

Creative Nature is among the brave businesses showing how carefully considered steps can unlock growth, despite the hesitation many founders face.

New HSBC UK research reveals that more than half (52%) of entrepreneurs have felt too scared to make a significant move, such as hiring their first employee, raising prices, rebranding, investing in marketing or expanding to a new location. This rises to 56% among South East respondents, meaning nearly three in five business owners in the region have felt too scared to take a significant business step.

The data also revealed the biggest concerns before taking a significant step were losing money (58%), not seeing results quickly enough (33%), lacking the necessary skills (25%) and damaging the business’s reputation (19%).

Building brand awareness was also identified as one of the biggest challenges by almost a quarter (24%) of entrepreneurs, while only one in ten (11%) considered entering or exporting to a new market. Yet businesses such as Creative Nature show that taking this brave, carefully considered step can lead to international success.

This success is reflected in the wider findings: among those who took a significant step, 34% said it helped their business grow. Nearly two thirds (62%) said they saw an impact within six months, highlighting how quickly big decisions can make a difference.

Creative Nature demonstrates what can be achieved when owners take those steps with careful planning and the right support. The South East business has grown its allergy-safe snacks and baking mixes from a six-person operation to supermarket shelves, airline customers and consumers across 18 countries by investing in brand awareness, bringing in specialist expertise and pursuing commercial opportunities beyond its home market.

Julianne Ponan MBE, founder and CEO of Creative Nature, said: “Building a business for people with allergies means trust has to sit behind every decision, but there have also been moments when we have had to be brave. Growing from a team of six to supplying major retailers, airlines and customers in 18 countries meant investing before every outcome was certain, finding the right expertise and backing our belief that allergy-safe products should be more widely available. Careful preparation gave us the confidence to take those steps.

We are pleased to be an HSBC UK Small Business Growth Ambassador and to show people with an idea that, with the right support and determination, it is possible to take it to the next level.”

Heeral Shah, Regional Director, South East England, Business Banking at HSBC UK, said: “Bravery in business means understanding the risks, seeking the right advice and acting on opportunities that support long-term ambitions.

Building awareness, supplying larger buyers and entering new markets can feel daunting when owners are investing their own time and money. Creative Nature shows how careful planning can turn a clear customer need into an international business.

Our research shows how fear can hold founders back, but Creative Nature offers a practical example of how clear purpose and informed decisions can help a business to the next step.”

HSBC UK’s free Small Business Growth Programme supports entrepreneurs with training, events and expert guidance to strengthen their financial skills and make informed decisions as they grow.

To learn more about HSBC UK’s support for small businesses, click here.