Back Small Biz Support – Run by a Refugee Mum

Aim: Help raise £1k in 30 days to grow a platform helping UK small businesses get seen, get clients & survive — led by a refugee mum in London.

So, why me?

I came to the UK with nothing — and I'm building a platform to give back to the small businesses that keep Britain alive.

My name is Snizhana Chaikina, and I have more than 10 years of experience of running a business, working in IT as delivery manager, and launching successful new projects. 

When I came to London with zero money because of the war in Ukraine with my small son, my elderly mum and a dog, we were trying to rebuild a life. That’s when I saw it:

UK real magic lives in its small places - and no one was shining a light on them the way they deserved or giving them affordable tools to grow.

FindInLondon is how I give back—by helping local businesses grow and be seen.

This year, I pitched this idea in the What’s Your Big Idea competition — and we reached the semi-final stage. That recognition gave me even more reason to believe this can work. And now, with your help, we can make it happen.

Why now?

People want to support local — but they can’t support what they can’t find.

In 2020 the pandemic stopped many things, and spelled the end for plenty of UK small businesses and it’s all getting worse with every year.

With rising costs and digital platforms favouring big brands, small businesses are being pushed out of view. 74% of Brits believe it's important to support local — even during a cost-of-living crisis.

It’s time to build the infrastructure that puts them back on the map!

What now?

We’re starting in London — but it’s a blueprint we want to scale to towns across the UK.

We are building a powerful duo - hyperlocal discovery platform that helps Londoners and tourists support independent cafés, pubs, shops, and small services, and an education platform for UK small businesses with free and affordable courses to help them flourish.

For the last year I’ve been planning and developing it and now I need your help to make it happen.

Big brands don’t need help. They’ve got ad budgets, social teams, and prime locations. But UK small businesses do.
The coffee shop with two tables, the pub run by a dad and his daughter. The hairdresser just trying to get one new booking. They’re all invisible unless someone helps them be seen.

First part - FindInLondon.co.uk — a digital platform that helps Londoners and tourists discover the real city: The best pubs, restaurants, and small businesses - through neighbourhood guides, local stories and business listings that feel personal, not corporate. 

We’ve already drafted 20 of London’s top neighbourhoods, and we’re ready to grow and onboard first small businesses, and scale to other UK cities and towns as we grow.

But this is only the first step. Our second platform - Skillminster.com (in progress) - a unique education hub for UK small business owners, with plenty of FREE and affordable online courses to teach  UK business owners how to market themselves, grow, and be visible in a place built for big players.

Together, they form a nationwide ecosystem: one helps businesses get discovered locally, the other helps them grow smarter from anywhere in the UK.

I’ve taken it as far as I can on my own - and now I’m asking for help. To grow the platform. To build the course space. And support people who make Britain, Britain.
Because this country deserves more than big chains and Google reviews.
And every underdog deserves to be seen.

Recognised by the 'What’s Your Big Idea' competition.

Earlier this year, I pitched FindInLondon and Skillminster in the What’s Your Big Idea competition — and made it to the semi-final stage.

Out of hundreds of entries, our project was recognised by a panel backed by Middlesex University, Santander, and Barnet Council — as one with real potential to support local businesses.

This gave me even more confidence that we’re building something meaningful — now I just need your help to bring it to life.

Your donation doesn’t just back an idea. It backs the hard work, the progress so far, and the chance to turn recognition into real-world impact.

What if we hit our target? 

If FindInLondon Crowdfunder reaches its £1,000 target, this will open an an incredible opportunity for me as female founder to win up to £10,000 in cash and prizes, including Muddy Stilettos promo package to get FindInLondon seen by 4.4 million readers. 

Where your money go?  

It allows FindInLondon to pay for hosting, to finish developing an education portal Skillminster.com and launch the first free course for UK small businesses. I’ll keep you updated very step of the way about where the funds are going.

If we raise more than £1,000:

This isn’t just about reaching a goal — it’s about what we can build beyond it.

Every extra pound means more small businesses discovered on FindInLondon.
More founders learning how to grow through Skillminster.
More real materials, tools, free resources, and support that most small business owners never get access to.

With extra funding, we can roll out more listings, more courses, and offer early support to the people still doing everything alone.

We don’t want to stop at £1,000.
We want to build a platform that actually helps small businesses thrive — and with your help, we can.

I’d love to bring you along for the ride 

I need your help to make our project ready to go live, and that’s why I’m launching this Crowdfunder. 

There’s so many many ways to get involved, you can choose from one of our small donation packages and get your name as a Founding Patron on a special dedicated page. 

There’s also a great range of packages for businesses, and you can choose from 1 year of verified premium listing on FindInLondon website, to lifetime 20% discounts for all our premium services, including access to education platform Skillminster.com, to creating full 2 months worth of social media content especially for your business. 

We’d love you to be a part of this exciting history.

I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who shows their support, particularly to those, who will not only be providing funding, but also sharing us to your friends and community and helping us spread the message about helping small businesses and making Britain a better place to live. 

💖 Here's How You Can Help:

• Donate: Every contribution—big or small—makes a huge difference
• Share: Spread the word across your networks
• Join us: See what we’re building together at www.findinlondon.co.uk

We only have 30 days to hit our target and unlock national exposure. Every £1 helps. If you believe small businesses deserve better, now’s the moment to act!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 31st July 2025 at 11:55pm