The creatives providing a platform for Bristol independents

At a time when many publications stalled due to Covid restrictions, one small team of creatives decided to launch a new magazine to support independents.

With the second edition of The Indie Guide out on June 25, its founders reflect on a rollercoaster year and why they felt it was more important than ever to provide a platform to help small businesses reach a wider market.

Co-founded by three business owners Samantha Hamlin, Evie Daines and Yousef al Nasser, the online publication aims to “lead the small business revolution” by introducing unique independent enterprises to stockists to help them grow into wholesale.

The guide also focuses on changing how consumerism works, promoting sustainability and supports a slow movement with a focus on the transparency of the brands featured.

The Indie Guide provides a platform for Bristol independents – image courtesy of Yousef al Nasser

“Being a small business owner, it is so important to have a community surrounding you and to be able to showcase your work in its best light,” explains Evie.

Speaking about the decision to launch a publication in the middle of a pandemic, the trio say: “After seeing first-hand the lack of support given to small businesses looking to promote their products to a larger audience and the struggles that business owners face when trying to go into wholesale, we knew we had to help.

“We launched the first edition in 2020, mid-pandemic, to assist small businesses on their wholesale journey and offer affordable advertising to the small business community who do not have the same marketing budgets as the large corporations.”

Each edition of The Indie Guide is shared with wholesalers, retailers, and stockists looking to find unique products to stock and sell. It aims to bridge the gap between the buyers and sellers and offer a new wholesale experience only for local small businesses.

The team also worked to build an online community for small independents to offer business advice, support, and the opportunity to be featured in the publication and virtual marketplace.

They have recently appointed Nicholas Higginson, who lives on Gloucester Road, as the editor of The Indie Guide.

Samantha, who is based on the harbourside, is the founder of With Lola, a platform that helps creative businesses to grow, and Frome-based Evie is the founder of independent brand Daines Atelier. Together with Kent-based photographer Yousef, they know first-hand the trials and tribulations of running a small business.

They admit it has been challenging launching a publication with no previous experience in the midst of a pandemic but they felt it was needed more than ever due to the impact of Covid restrictions.

The Indie Guide team say they have received a lot of support from the small business community – photo by Yousef al Nasser

Samantha adds: “The backing we have received personally from our small business community has been incredible. To see the difference we have already made in such a small amount is so rewarding.”

The team have big plans for the future, bringing the virtual community together for a small business celebration featuring workshops and industry speakers in Bristol.

They are also planning a largescale project for next year, which is funding dependant.

Main photo by Yousef al Nasser

Read more: Bristol’s independent stores launch directory