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MNHQ

Welcome to the Business Start-ups Topic!

7 replies

HelenMumsnet · 12/11/2012 14:42

Hello.

We have created this new discussion topic for those of you who have just started, or are thinking of starting, a new business.

The board itself is supported by Barclays but is very much inspired by Talk threads on all aspects of business that made us realise that many of you would welcome a dedicated space where you can discuss business and share your views. We'll be moving some of those threads to this topic over the next few days.

So, welcome! We hope you'll use this topic to swap all manner of advice, info and tips.

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MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 12/11/2012 15:46

Course you can. You can advise from position of Great Knowledge...

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 13/11/2012 10:16

@gussiegrips

So, how do the advertising rules work on here?

Can I tell you about my business and put up links to the website for help and feedback, but without falling foul of shameless self promotion rules?

OK, this is how we reckon it should work.

As you know, we do charge businesses to advertise on MN (either on leaderboards/MPUs around the site or in our Classified sections on the main Talk board or in MN Local). This enables us to pay our staff, keep the servers running and ensure MN is free to use for all members.

So, obviously, it wouldn't be fair to those who pay to advertise to allow you (or anyone else) to promote your business all over the shop. And, if you did, we'd likely delete your posts.

However, we have no problem with a regular MNer who is using this Talk topic to discuss her/his business ideas/plans posting one link to her/his website, if it is clearly relevant to the discussion (eg: it's a thread about how to improve your business presence online or summat).

So, key things to remember...

  1. No self-promotional links all over Talk
  1. Links are OK in discussions in this Topic ONLY, as long as they're posted sparingly and as a relevant part of the discussion (and not just random self-promotion).

Hope that makes sense. Do please let us know if you have any other Qs.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 13/11/2012 12:13

@TerrorNotSoFrightened

Marking my place also. I have two business ideas but need to get my driving licence first. So, obtain provisional in December, sit theory test in January, intensive week long driving course in February.

Meanwhile buy all the equipment I need to start up business #1...an entertainment business doing karaoke/disco with a sideline in children's parties.
I hope to get a residential spot on a Friday night at a local pub so that I have weekly money coming in.

The money made from this will fund further training for business #2, I'm already a qualified makeup artist and am currently training to do semi permanent eyelash extensions. I want to do further courses in nails, spray tanning etc.
I then plan to rent a room in a local hotel and work from there.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for advice on accounting and marketing as I know very little about these departments, actually I know nothing about them.

So, if anyone has any advice for me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Do please start your own thread, TerrorNotSoFrightened. We're sure lots of people would love to know more about accounting and marketing - and we're equally sure there are some MNers around these parts who've got some great advice to share.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 13/11/2012 13:03

@LadyMaryChristmas

Back to the adverts (sorry), companies are using your business start up section (and other sections) as an excuse to advertise for free. Web sites/stalls at craft fairs etc are all helpful to a small business but small businesses have to pay for these. I've spent less than an hour on here today and have reported 3 or 4 already. I've looked at what you do allow (up there), but it doesn't say anything about companies like these.

Sorry, this probably isn't very clear. My head hurts.

No that's quite clear - and we have noticed. Thanks v much - we're on the case.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 14/11/2012 14:19

@RumBaaBaa

MNHQ could you explain a little more about what 'supported by Barclays' actually means?

What is their involvement with the forum? Can they claim ownership of any of the content here for their own usage?

Yes, of course, RumBaaBaa.

This board is supported by Barclays but it works in the same way as any other MN Talk topic, in that you folks start the threads and you folks make the posts.

As part of their partnership with us, Barclays do have, on the top of each thread, a promotional link to their (rather excellently useful) Mumsnet 'hub', which is full of great content about starting and expanding your own business.

Barclays will also be peeking at the discussions started in this topic from time to time, to see what sort of things you're discussing and what issues interest you most. This will help them make the new info they add to their hub more accurately reflect the kind of business advice you're looking for. They may also occasionally use the odd (non-identifiable) quote from a thread in their hub content, to give it a nice Mumsnetty dash of flavour.

It's also worth saying that Barclays are always keen to hear from you what kind of info you'd like to see featured on their hub. Do please use this thread to post your suggestions and ideas.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 14/11/2012 17:49

We're so pleased that folks are so enthusiastic about this topic - hurrah!

But please do remember that it's whole topic, not just one discussion thread.

Do feel free to venture out and start your own thread within this Business Start-ups topic: the more the merrier!

MNHQ

NewKateMumsnet · 19/11/2012 12:02

@sausagerolemodel

Seeing as Barclays are watching, I would like to tell them that their centralised business support (seminars, online resources) are good but my experience at branch level as been dire. Enquiring about an overdraft I was told by my "business support manager" I would need a profit and loss forecast. I hadnt done one before and asked if she could help with a template or similar. She said I "should maybe google it".

She also recommended that I apply for the credit card online, incurring charge of £96 for the privelege (because start ups can't afford to throw away a hundred quid and it was hidden in the small print). When I called to cancel it having realised this, discovered she had access to an "in branch" waiver of the fee she could have used. I was in her office when she told me to apply online!

She clearly has no real idea of the day to day practicalities of starting a small business and Barclays could do with having better trained people in these positions that at least can point you to the online resources if they don't know the stuff themselves.

We've been in touch with Barclays for you and they've asked us to post up the following response:

"We're sorry to hear that you have had a bad experience. Please contact Barclays direct at [email protected] with your full name and postcode and they will be happy to look into this for you."

Watch this thread for updates

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