TikTok has taken another step into the business world with the launch of its new SME Council — a group formed to amplify the voices of small and medium-sized enterprises and ensure they’re not left behind in the fast-moving digital economy.
With millions of UK consumers now discovering and buying products via social media, TikTok’s move signals a growing recognition that small firms are not just content creators — they’re key drivers of economic growth.
A New Approach to Business Support
Traditional business groups often focus on boardroom strategies and formal networks. TikTok’s SME Council takes a very different approach — bringing together real business owners who’ve grown their operations through social media and turning their collective experience into practical recommendations.
The group is tasked with helping shape the platform’s features, advising on policy, and guiding other SMEs on how to make digital tools work harder for them.
It’s a space for collaboration, not competition.
A Platform Built for Discovery
The SME Council reflects a wider shift in how small businesses market themselves and sell products.
TikTok is no longer just a space for entertainment — it’s now a major driver of product discovery and direct sales.
More than 1.5 million UK SMEs use TikTok, and the numbers are growing fast.
From short-form video content to shoppable posts, the platform allows businesses to reach highly engaged audiences without the typical cost barriers of traditional marketing.
From Content to Commerce
Social commerce is quickly becoming a dominant force in retail.
Over a quarter of UK consumers made a purchase through a social platform last year — proof that buying behaviours have fundamentally changed.
Platforms like TikTok Shop blur the line between content and commerce, helping small businesses showcase products in a natural, engaging way.
The SME Council will help TikTok develop tools that make it easier for entrepreneurs to sell, ship, and scale within this new digital environment.
Influencing Policy Beyond the App
The Council isn’t just about improving TikTok’s offering — it’s also intended to act as a link between the small business community and policymakers.
With a manifesto set to be published later this year, the group aims to spotlight key challenges facing SMEs, from start-up support to access to digital training.
This type of input is especially important as the UK government looks to future-proof the economy.
By involving businesses that are actively using digital tools, policy can be shaped to reflect the real needs of entrepreneurs on the ground.
Reaching a New Generation of Business Owners
Unlike more traditional forums, the SME Council is intentionally informal. There are no suits, no rigid hierarchies, and no prerequisites — just a shared interest in business growth, technology, and community.
This approach speaks directly to a new generation of founders who are building businesses in non-traditional ways — side hustlers, creators, and digital-first entrepreneurs who don’t always see themselves represented in existing networks.
A Modern Council for a Modern Business Era
TikTok’s SME Council represents a fresh, more accessible type of business advisory group — one that reflects how small businesses operate and grow today.
Rather than focusing on traditional models of retail or formal trade representation, this council puts digital-first entrepreneurs at the centre of the conversation.
Many of today’s most agile and successful small businesses don’t rely on high street footfall or legacy marketing tactics. Instead, they build audiences on social platforms, drive sales through content, and scale operations online.
The council recognises that reality and is built to support it.
This isn’t a boardroom packed with corporate executives. It’s a peer-led forum made up of founders, creators, and brand-builders who’ve harnessed platforms like TikTok to launch and grow their businesses.
They’re not theorising about digital opportunity — they’re living it day to day.
By giving these voices a formal seat at the table, the SME Council acknowledges the legitimacy of new business models and offers practical support for modern business strategies — from live selling and creator partnerships to mobile-first marketing and rapid digital scaling.
It’s a move that finally aligns support structures with how today’s retail and brand promotion actually work.
What This Means for SMEs
For business owners, the takeaway is clear: digital tools are no longer just nice-to-haves — they’re central to how brands grow, connect with customers, and compete.
The TikTok SME Council is a sign that small businesses are being taken seriously, not just as platform users, but as contributors to the broader economy.
If your business isn’t yet using platforms like TikTok, now is the time to consider where your audience is spending their time, and how you might reach them there.
Whether it’s product demos, behind-the-scenes content, or sharing your story, social commerce can deliver reach and revenue in equal measure.
Summary of TikTok’s SME Council
The SME Council shows that business support doesn’t always need to come from government or traditional trade bodies. Sometimes, it’s the platforms themselves stepping in to empower and connect the businesses using them.
For UK SMEs ready to grow in a digital-first world, this move from TikTok isn’t just a tech story — it’s a real opportunity to shape the future of small business.
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