Live webchat with former Dragons' Den star Doug Richard on all things business and entrepreneurial, Friday 18 May, 12noon

[PatrickMumsnet]

We are delighted to welcome former BBC Dragons' Den panellist Doug Richard to MNHQ for a live webchat on Friday 18 May at midday. As a serial entrepreneur, Angel investor and all round business guru who has delivered instruction to more than 10,000 business owners with help from universities, public institutions like the British Library and philanthropic organizations like the Royal Institute of Great Britain, Doug is in a great position to answer questions about how to start or develop your own business.

Doug is also the founder of School for Start Ups who will be working with the Mumsnet Academy on a programme which addresses the 10 essential questions you must be able to answer about your business in order for it to succeed. There's not much Doug doesn't know about business so please join us this Friday at 12 midday, and if you are unable to make it, please post a question on this thread in advance.

@Shakey1500

Hi Doug

What would you advise someone who has a brilliant idea but neither the capital or business experience? Who believes that this dea should be out there but that it requires a leap of faith.

I even wrote to Richard Branson and it's "on file"

And what's your favourite cookie

And I like any cookie involving slabs of dark chocolate

One last question for Doug anyone?

A HUGE THANK YOU Doug for all the fantastic advice! For anyone who has enjoyed today, please remember to sign up for a course!

Great web chat. Direct answers, no wishy washey, clear and helpful links.

Fancy not giving him any biscuits!

really good to read this webchat, very helpful with good links. The 2 day course looks fantastic but at £495 is sadly out of my league (yet it covers exactly the area I am interested in).

Thanks Doug - hadn't thought of it like that...

Brill, thanks Doug - a hurdle is a really great idea. I don't want to haggle unreasonably, but nor do I want to be giving away more cash than is necessary. Tell you what, when I'm making a profit I'll buy you biscuits, 'kay?

@DorisIsWaiting

really good to read this webchat, very helpful with good links. The 2 day course looks fantastic but at £495 is sadly out of my league (yet it covers exactly the area I am interested in).

Hi DorisIsWaiting, come on the course Doug is running alongside the MN Academy instead? It is much cheaper

Thanks so much Doug... really appreciated...
And shame on you PatrickMumsnet Where were the ?

I have arranged a load of music for saxophone quartet (there's not a huge amount out there for beginners or more modern stuff) - I would love to get them published and sold in shops/on the internet - I can handle preparing the scores as I have the technology to arrange the music and print it (although not with shiny covers etc - I can only laser print in colour on normal paper/card) but I don't have any idea on how to market and how copyright works so that I don't get into trouble with the original composers, e.g. Lennon and McCartney and classical composers. This has been a dream of mine for ages and I really want it to become a reality so I can carry on being creative and not have to teach teenagers in a comprehensive school until I am 107 or die, which ever comes first...
Please, please help me!! Poppyhattie

Didn't answer my question! pffft!