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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:
AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 05/02/2018 16:44

@DeltaG - so glad you are finding it helpful!

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 05/02/2018 16:48

@DeltaG it’s not essential, but would probably be very helpful, just so you are aware of the rules and regulations surrounding online trading. It is relatively simple these days to set up a website, stock system and e commerce payment system, but there are so many other facets to be aware of, such as marketing, that I think some formal preparation would really help. There is a body called IMRG based in London who represent online retailers and I have always found them to be excellent and most helpful.

WooWooWitchetyWoo · 05/02/2018 16:59

Spoon is spot on about PPH being a race to the bottom. Women can be very bad at putting a monetary value on what they do - but it sends out an important message when we, as self-employed individuals, send out a clear message that we have a service/product that costs x . . . don't be afraid to walk away from people who don't accept that. 'Stop Working for Free' is very good at keeping you strong on this!

Yasmin737 · 05/02/2018 23:49

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ - please don't spam the boards. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

hotelduvin · 06/02/2018 07:50

This better be an MLM-free initiative?

MiniMummy576 · 06/02/2018 09:36

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
I've been thinking about starting a small sewing business - Etsy was one of the places I was thinking of selling other than locally. What sort of things do I need to consider for the start up - such as insurance (using my home as a base of business), tax, etc?

MNHQ
KateMumsnet · 06/02/2018 11:09

@hotelduvin

This better be an MLM-free initiative?

Hmm - that's an interesting point, hotelduvin. Although we don't take advertising or recruitment ads for MLMs, we wouldn't want to prevent discussion of them - that would go against the general MN ethos I reckon. So I think if MNers need help or advice about MLMs, they're welcome to post - and other posters would be welcome to advise them not to get involved and why.

Anything that mentions brand names or feels spammy would be zapped as per.

OP posts:
gillybeanz · 06/02/2018 12:32

What is a MLM and PPH, please

MiniMummy576 · 06/02/2018 12:45

gillybeanz
I'm glad you asked that - I've been sat here feeling pretty clueless Blush

SweetGrapes · 06/02/2018 12:59

MLM are the pyramid type schemes. Only they all claim that they are so not pyramid like. They rely on people putting in their own money and targetting friends and family to buy things.

SweetGrapes · 06/02/2018 13:00

It's called Multi Level Marketing nowadays.

SweetGrapes · 06/02/2018 13:03

PPH is People per hour. It's a website (maybe more) where people put jobs up and others bid for the work.
It's actual work - so not like MLM - but not really good for earning much as there is always someone who can do it cheaper elsewhere.

I did this for a couple of months and built a couple of websites. It gave me 100 pounds for a weeks work but I got a couple of good references for my cv.

OlennasWimple · 06/02/2018 13:07

Great idea, watching with interest as I turn a couple of ideas around

MiniMummy576 · 06/02/2018 13:23

SweetGrapes
Ah, I see. Thanks for explaining Smile

gillybeanz · 06/02/2018 14:09

Aw, thanks for explaining, I did some pyramid selling in the 80's and did make quite a bit of money, but knew what I was letting myself in for and was only second level, before lots of others joined, so bottom of the pyramid. i didn't consider it a business though, I was young and it was a good wage.

I haven't heard of PPH, doesn't sound very ethical though.

shecanshedid · 06/02/2018 17:06

Hi @hopeagain This sounds like a great idea. I would suggest setting up an Instagram account solely focused on upcyling, build an organic audience on there and mention that you can make bespoke orders etc... Use the Insta stories to create polls and find out what your audience want to see more of, colour schemes etc... As and when you have that loyal following, look at Etsy!

I would suggest looking at the competitor landscape too to make sure you put your own twist on what you're making so that you stand out from the crowd. There are similar accounts on Instagram specialising in upcylcling and you want to make sure your ideas are seen as original! Good luck!

shecanshedid · 06/02/2018 17:23

Hi there @NoSwsForYou - what kind of business are you thinking about setting up?

shecanshedid · 06/02/2018 17:32

Hi @SweetGrapes I'm Fi and I'm part of the MIYB team. Have you thought about asking a few beauty/make up influencers to trial your products for you? Influencer marketing is a massive trend at the moment. I would suggest researching and reaching out to a few beauty bloggers on Instagram with between 1500-4000 followers (any more than that and they're likely to charge a fee). Message them explaining what you're up to, that you're a start-up and ask them if they'd be willing to review your products for you if you sent them samples. You'll soon know if they like them because it will be all over their blog which doubles up as PR for you! Good luck!

NoSwsForYou · 06/02/2018 18:22

Hi shecan I’ve got a tiny little knitting thing Blush I’ve had one order so far haha but I’m sending things out to ‘key influencers’ that I’ve built a rapport with over the next few weeks and am hoping they’ll get me some publicity...

Lanaorana2 · 06/02/2018 22:30

Neddle - children's clothes have a few more rules than other types of apparel. If you ask me, I'd take a moment to rewind before paying for any labels...

Labelling is a key issue but sort this out after you've done product safety because your labels will need to state some of the safety credentials you'll have once you have passed the various tests.

Kick off with a talk to your local trading standards, who are based at the council. They will signpost to you to rough guides on .gov and specialist guides that you can get from trade associations. Then start tackling the credentials you need.

Product safety and your ability to prove it is huge in kids' clothes and toys. In a nutshell, there are general rules for all product safety you have to follow and a raft on top for kids.

So, for example, as well as making sure the tee shirt can't leak poison dye into anyone, on a kids' tee shirt you also need to follow the rules for drawstrings (no-no), flammability (they could use it as nightwear so it must be flameproofed), choking (no badges or ribbons or bits that can fall off), chemicals in the fabrics you use (less for kids) and the CE safety labelling mark (which you might not need, so don't panic.)

The product safety rules affect the design, so you might want to get to know them first, tweak as nec, then start testing your samples.

Get testing advice from central Trading Standards about this - check this .gov guide for refs. It looks out of date, but Trading standards will have all the nec.info on their website.

SweetGrapes · 06/02/2018 22:35

@shecanshedid thanks. Great tip about the no of followers. Didn't realise that.

AlisonMakeItYourBusiness · 07/02/2018 10:02

@MiniMummy576 - have a look at this, which I think covers a lot of basic but important info. www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/home-businesses

MiniMummy576 · 07/02/2018 12:35

@AlisonMakeItYourBusiness
Awesome thank you. Will head over and have a read

gillybeanz · 07/02/2018 15:02

I have a question that's been puzzling me all morning.

How do I find the demographic of my customers.
I find other agencies/ our competitors a closed book and I can't find the clients we will target, to ask.
I know I need to research the market more, but not sure where to begin.
My business plan asks for the demographic of customers.

I do know we will be positioned at the same price level as our competitors, but will offer a higher end quality product, rather than lower end taking a bigger commission. If that makes sense.

damnthatonestakenagain · 07/02/2018 20:17

Hi there - I am the founder of an award winning business - Supply Teachers Direct www.supplyteachers.direct based in Kent which I set up two years ago. This is an ethically run, home based business. We're offering the the opportunity for people in other areas to run their own network through a franchise. Low start up - from as little as £5,500,