🌿 Founder’s Diary – Jeev Sahoo 29 Mar 26 What if the breakthrough you’re working toward… is already quietly in motion?
There was a time I used to pick up fast food receipts left on tables just to get a discounted burger next .
Not because it was clever — but because things were … yes that bad.

And like many founders, jobseekers, and small businesses I meet today, it wasn’t just about money… it was about belief.

That’s why moments like being recognised as Business Person of the Year (HSBC & London Chamber of Commerce and Industry) feel meaningful — not as a personal milestone, but as a reminder of what’s possible for anyone building, rebuilding, or trying again.

Because the real story isn’t the award.
It’s the journey that so many of you are on right now.

This week reinforced that more than ever:
• Wonderful pitching session for our bootcamp with the amazing Big Pitch next week!
• Meeting the HSBC team with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) at University of Surrey — people who genuinely support SMEs and growth journeys
• Continuing conversations with the FSB — helping companies access real, practical opportunities
• Working with jobseekers, learners, and employers — all trying to close the same gap: skills, confidence, and direction

And across all of this, one thing is clear:
👉 Businesses don’t just need people
👉 People don’t just need jobs
👉 Both need capability, consistency, and the right opportunities

At Step8Up, that’s what we’re focused on — helping:
SMEs grow without burning cash unnecessarily
Jobseekers build real, employable skills
Corporates like HSBC support meaningful ecosystem growth
Because when these pieces align, growth becomes possible for everyone — not just a few.

As we head into the next phase, I’m taking a little time with my family to pause and reflect. But the mission continues — and it’s bigger than any one person.

So I’ll leave you with this:
If you’re a founder, a jobseeker, or part of a growing business — what’s the one consistent choice you can make this week to move forward?
Because transformation doesn’t come from one big moment.
It comes from many small, aligned steps.

#FoundersDiary #JeevSahoo #Step8Up #BusinessGrowth #SMEs #Jobseekers #Upskilling #Leadership #HSBC #LondonChamber #FSB #OneChoiceAway #CommunityGrowth #Bootcamp #Funded

Dave Davies David Boddy Renata Vincoletto, MSc, CISSP Elena Angela Sathana Senthil Jack Adcock Pallavi Sahoo Mark Hammond Network My Club Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Jason Sammon Step8up Academy (part of Step8Up Group UK) Step8Up Global Skills England SME Business Awards Tom Sammon Bradley Hatchett Walk the Walk Worldwide M3 Job Club Drew Durkin Dagmar Albers Ursula Tavender Laura Kimber Mark Clendining Hampshire Business Show Josh Mitchell Jennifer Upstill Leonard Mergulhao Tom Acton Heeral Shah Taryn Robertson Tracey Carter