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New topic - Make It Your Business

213 replies

KateMumsnet · 31/01/2018 09:45

Hello hello,

Welcome to our new topic. We’ve teamed up with the folks at Make It Your Business, who have just launched, and who aim to help women who want to start their own business. It’s a non-commercial partnership between Mumsnet and Make It Your Business - we’re giving MIYB members a forum to chat with others who are keen to go it alone, and they’re letting their members know that Mumsnet is a great place to exchange ideas.

Make It Your Business offers women who are looking to set up their own business information, advice, inspiration and a chance to network. They put on events around the UK, and offer videos, blogs and a monthly newsletter for those who register (it’s free to do so). It’s founded by entrepreneur Alison Cork.

Alison and her team will be posting in this topic from time to time to give you a heads up on events or news you might be interested in, or to answer your questions - they’ll go by the names AlisonMakeItYourBusiness and SophieMakeItYourBusiness.

Most importantly, we hope that those of you who are thinking about going it alone and are looking for some support and companionship along the way find this new topic really helpful.

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
SouthwarkSkaters · 02/02/2018 21:30

Hi all - this is perfect timing for me. I guess new year and all that but I actually decided this week that I need to just take the plunge and start my own business. Might be just a natural reaction to the fact that I can't seem to get a job, not even an entry level one. Sad

My background is in architecture and I am planning to start an architecture and interiors consultancy. I will be watching this forum with great interest!

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 02/02/2018 23:20

@SouthwarkSkaters - good luck and hopefully as you are offering a knowledge based service you can keep overheads to a minimum to begin with.

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 02/02/2018 23:22

@HopeAgain - this sounds like a perfect business that could be run from home to begin with - start small, use social media to market your goods, maybe try something like Etsy, and see what people like and buy most of.

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 02/02/2018 23:32

@KadabrasSpoon - yes, we are also loving how interactional Mumsnet users are - it is all about supporting each other, and sharing knowledge is a relatively simple but powerful thing to do.

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 02/02/2018 23:39

@RimaR16 I asked someone I know of, who runs one, if they would post a response to you, as it is not an area I know much about. Hopefully they will join in and help answer your question. Watch this space!

RimaR16 · 03/02/2018 00:57

Thanks I'll keep an eye out for the post! I have a list of questions to ask! x

BellaNgo · 03/02/2018 03:46

Great discussion topic Katrina. My answer would be stamina, will to learn and discipline!

BellaNgo · 03/02/2018 03:50

@HopeAgain, I would highly suggest you test everything before making it official. Being agile is always the way forward in my opinion. In case you have not read the Lean Start-Up principles, I highly recommend it. You can find a short summary here: theleanstartup.com/principles. I would also suggest using this Experiment Map to systematically test every aspect of your idea: www.movestheneedle.com/blog/lean-entrepreneur-experiment-map/. HTH x

BellaNgo · 03/02/2018 03:56

A question to start the weekend! How do you brainstorm new ideas? Do you have a ritual?

HopeAgain · 03/02/2018 15:06

@alisonmakeityourbusiness @BellNgo thanks for your response. Will look into those.

I journal all my business ideas and do treasure mapping

NetflixandWill · 03/02/2018 17:46

@BellaNgo I've been brainstorming all my ideas with family, friends and people I know who are already doing the freelance job I intend to do. I'm also keeping a big rolling list so I don't lose track. I think when I actually take the plunge I'd rather discuss ideas on here, anonymously, than with people I know, so that I get the truth rather than people who care about me trying to be kind!

NetflixandWill · 03/02/2018 17:48

@HopeAgain what is treasure mapping please? I've just googled - is it the thing I've just seen where it looks like you make a mood board of where you want to be?

Someaddedsugar · 03/02/2018 19:40

Hi all, hoping to get some advice for my future business idea. I’m a graphic designer currently working in-house and would like to move to freelance work with my own small agency. I have done a few branding projects for local charities and I’m able to demonstrate branding projects for national companies, including award winning work. I would like to offer design services to all, but also have a few package deals such as a start up package aimed at new businesses etc. I guess my question is how do I make the leap from employed to freelance, and how do I find clients?

HopeAgain · 03/02/2018 20:10

Yes. It is exactly like a mood board but for your life, hopes and dreams. There is a really good Ted Talk on mapping your current state versus desired future state in stick men form. You can then use that to work out transition steps. Perhaps give both a trySmile

GetUpAndGoGone · 03/02/2018 21:38

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness who are you funded by if you don't mind me asking?

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 03/02/2018 22:31

@GetUpAndGoGone No one Smile It is a not for profit venture and I have funded the set up costs myself. I also have four fantastic women, Bella, Katrina, Fiona and Sophie, who help me as volunteers in their spare time. It’s one of those things that felt like the right thing to do, and what we lack in resources we make up for in ambition. I see this becoming a nationwide force of many tens of thousands of women, all helping each other with their knowledge and advice.

EstherLittle · 03/02/2018 22:39

@neddle for pyjamas you legally require a fire safety label which states flame retard fabric or keep away from fire for pyjamas. I have public liability insurance too.

Booberrit · 04/02/2018 01:59

Hi everyone!

What a fantastic idea.

BlockRockinBeats · 04/02/2018 02:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 04/02/2018 06:02

@someaddedsugar you could try one of the platforms like People per Hour, which would get your name out there and perhaps kick start your freelance career.

KadabrasSpoon · 04/02/2018 08:03

For clients I've mainly used my existing contacts and linkedin. Unfortunately found people per hour etc to be a race to the bottom and not worth my while. I guess it depends what you do though so worth trying everything and testing what works.

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 04/02/2018 08:59

@KadabrasSpoon that’s interesting - my knowledge of it was as someone looking for expertise but you may well be right about the algorithm for advertisers.

KadabrasSpoon · 04/02/2018 09:28

@Alison I gave it a go but what I do is fairly specialist (data / stats) and honestly there would be days work going for £45 or so!
I've known other freelancers make money off it though so I think it vastly depends on what it is that they do!

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 04/02/2018 09:44

@KadabrasSpoon and you are right to avoid the race to the bottom - what I call being in a profitless paradise.

SweetGrapes · 04/02/2018 12:00

Hi,
I have started making my own body washes and body lotions. I know it's a market with many players but have thought of a niche that my products would possibly do well in.

Now am wondering how to ho about actual market research. So far I have been giving samples to friends and family - but need to know if ppl will spend money on it!