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NOW CLOSED: Calling all business owners - can you share the secrets of your success? Volunteers needed!

25 replies

NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 15/08/2011 14:29

We've been asked by Barclays to find some Mumsnetters who've started their own businesses and are willing to talk about their businesses - how they started up, the day-to-day aspects of running a business etc.

Some volunteers will be invited to feature in a film as case studies, and others will be interviewed by a Barclays representative and will feature as written case studies (no filming required!). Both film and written case studies will be published on the Barclays pages on Mumsnet. The aim of this project is to showcase Mumsnetters' businesses, highlight any challenges faced and provide useful advice and information for anyone thinking of setting up on their own business.

If you have your own business (however big or small) please read on to find out more...

We are looking for Mumsnetters who run their own businesses and who fit into the following categories:

Start up: Someone who has recently started their own business, say in the last 6-12 months

Established: Someone who has been running their own business for approx 2-5 years

Even more established: Someone who has either always run their own businesses or has been doing so for approx 7-10 years or more

If you are selected to take part in the film, arrangements will be made for a representative of Barclays to visit you at your place of work and film you - this will take place over a couple of days. Barclays will also lend you a video camera and show you how to use it, so you can create your own video diary over the course of a week. The Barclays representative will then pop back to check your progress and provide further guidance on the video. The camera will be collected once you have finished filming. All contact will be between you and the representative of Barclays directly.

If you are selected to take part in the video, you'll get some great PR for your company on Mumsnet and a £100 Space NK voucher as a thank you for your time.

The Mumsnetters who are selected and interviewed for a written case study will receive a £50 Space NK voucher each.

What happens next? If you are interested in taking part, please complete this short survey to register your interest and help Barclays gain a better understanding of the type of business you operate. An initial assessment will be made by Mumsnet of all entries received to identify the most suitable candidates. Only survey information for candidates shortlisted by us will be shared with Barclays, who will then be in touch to chat about the project and to select MNers for the video.

The survey can be accessed here.

Any questions please post them below and we will get answers.

Thanks
MNHQ

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Cattleprod · 15/08/2011 14:37

I would volunteer if it was anybody but Barclays - I cut off all dealings with them when they stole money from my account and refused to reimburse me.

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Tee2072 · 15/08/2011 15:23

Um, you go from none to 2 on number of children! I have one!

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Tee2072 · 15/08/2011 15:24

Also, it says at the end that Barclays will receive my phone number if I am selected only you didn't ask for my phone number in the survey...

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NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 15/08/2011 15:28

Thanks Tee2072 - have amended both oversights!

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NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 15/08/2011 15:30

And I've amended your application to say you have one child

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Tee2072 · 15/08/2011 15:31

Should I PM you my phone number, Helen?

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NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 15/08/2011 15:43

No don't worry - we don't need it, it was the last sentence on the survey that was incorrect!

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CaptainNancy · 15/08/2011 15:52

Will they be interviewing Carrie and Justine?

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NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 15/08/2011 16:14

Watch this space CaptainNancy!

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whomovedmychocolate · 15/08/2011 16:34

I would also do it if it wasn't Barclays. Angry

Helping small businesses my erse. Hmm

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Tee2072 · 15/08/2011 17:17

Okay thanks!

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2madboys · 15/08/2011 17:29

Oh yes - Barclays. Tried to open an account with them for my (very) small business. Account was completely useless as they wouldn't accept cheques made out to my middle name (which I have always used). Went straight to First Direct who had no problem at all with it.

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saintlyjimjams · 15/08/2011 19:25

First direct do business accounts? I had no idea! I use Santander.

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jenpetronus · 16/08/2011 09:35

Just looked at the questions and noticed the "region" one - am assuming then that this is only for UK based businesses? (I'm in France, but all my customers are UK based, as is my banking...)

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NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 16/08/2011 10:31

jenpetronus - sorry, you have to be UK based too to be eligible to take part

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green12 · 16/08/2011 15:11

mmm. hate to come over all Linda Evangelista but if you are looking for women who run businesses in the 1 - 2 million pound turnover range to partake in two days of filming then I think you will be hard pushed to attract them with a £100 space NK voucher?.

...and I'll normally do anything for a freebie!

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crispface · 17/08/2011 17:54

I agree with green. My business is very new, not in the 1-2 million pound turnover range, but not teeny either, however my business would only benefit from local advertising, and therefore great PR plus £100 voucher (for where exactly?) doesnt really mean I am chomping at the bit.

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stirlingstar · 17/08/2011 20:53

Agree with crispface and green12 above. The secret of our success is bloody hard work-work balanced around pre-school children-work. Our business is completely B2B and not going to benefit from exposure on mumsnet. And £100 to spend on overpriced cosmetics is not really going to help or motivate me.

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Poshbaggirl · 17/08/2011 22:50

What an insult to give £100 in vouchers. Having run a business for 10 yrs through thick n thin, brought up 2 children single handedly, having started business with zero capital in a house with no central heating and a car you had to jump start every morning....... I now employ 8 staff and have 3 business premises, I'd have plenty to say on the subject. But £100 in vouchers....... How very patronising. Angry

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Tee2072 · 18/08/2011 07:33

Hey I have an idea for everyone who thinks it's patronizing...don't enter. More chances for me to win and get the PR.

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Poshbaggirl · 18/08/2011 07:57

Good luck Tee! Smile

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green12 · 18/08/2011 08:50

I don't necessarily think it's patronising but definitely only of value to someone who's business will benefit from Mumsnet PR or who runs a more lifestyle business which allows them the time to partake in something like this, so not a really representative sample . It would be good to hear from people like Posh who have succeeded but may need more of an incentive to give up 2 precious days of juggling work and childcare than 100 quid!

However Tee is right - don't like don't enter. Good luck Tee enjoy your lovely cosmetics and hope you get lots of good advertising out of it. I am just jealous as I love a freebie!

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Tee2072 · 18/08/2011 09:06

To be fair, I did check to not be filmed but just used as a case study. For one thing, my turnover is very low as I only work part time. For another, I work from home, so not exactly a fabulous office to be filmed in!!

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Poshbaggirl · 18/08/2011 09:34

Sorry for being a arsey, but utterly loath banks. So nothing they say would make me smile. If you need some cash they utterly screw you on interest, if you dont need it they are all over you like a rash. But this isnt the time or place for a rant.

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QueenOfAllBiscuitsandMuffins · 19/08/2011 10:32

whats in this for Barclays?

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