Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
 


       Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice
Penny Outskirts

Starting In Business Article

As an appendix to the above article, it has been suggested that a few of us who are already in business, do a short piece on their experiences.

If you're willing to do it, could you include the following type of thing:

A bit about what business you're in
Why you decided to start the business
What's been the most difficult thing you've had to overcome
What's the best thing about it
How did you come up with the idea for what you're doing
How did you reasearch your market
What you'd do differently if you were starting again

Doesn't need to be very long.

Shout if you can think of anything else that should be included that would be of help to any budding business people.

Cheers!
Fee

I'm just starting myself, Penny, so I don't think I'll have any valuable input for you just yet Wink
RoryD

Happy to get involved.

Rather than an article, which might duplicate stuff you can get on the DTI/ Businesslink websites, is there value in offering coaching/ mentoring based on skills we might have seperately.

For example;

I run an online shop through an opensource program called OSCommerce. Its ideal for Downsizer's as its free, and i have experience of where you go for info and ideas, and how it works

or

I advertise heavily through the Google Adwords scheme. I would be happy to advise people thinking of setting up their own campaigns.

Any views?
Penny Outskirts

I've already written the article, (well the first half) which is a sort of summary of the course I run at Cirencester College.

Real life examples would help people a lot IMHO

Personal consulatancy sounds good - as long as people were willing to give the time to do it - crunching numbers (cashflow, bookeeping etc) and sales are my fortes.

We've been doing some google adwords, but we're novices really be very interesting to have your take on it....
jema

I guess I should write something, but I don't feel at all guru like in any field of business Confused maybe I should just say that you don't need to be a guru, working hard, and trying different things if things aren't working out is 90% of what it is all about.
RoryD

I was having a clear out last night and found a whole load of stuff I was given by the (largely useless) Business link people.

eg No.17 A guide to Running a business from home or A guide to Food safety regulations 1995 No. 193 etc etc

I just did not want you to duplicate work thats been done elsewhere.

Penny; Happy to advise on Google Adwords if you'd like. I've done it for someone before who was happy to let me have their campaign login's. I'll then set them up, explain why, and leave them deactivated- you can them switch them on your self if you are happy with it. I'm stuck for time for a week or so but happy to have a look in a week or so if you send me some logins.
monkey1973

In setting up my own business I attended a lot of courses during February to get myself as clued up as possible on all things business. One of the buzz mantras was the old "Eat a Frog for breakfast" which I think somebody has as their signature somewhere, but my advice so far to folks is that they better learn to enjoy eating amphibians because there are a hell of lot requiring eating!
http://www.recipezaar.com/mycookbook/book/33889 Very Happy
edit: I will be adding soon to this thread with my other experiences so far.
       Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice
Page 1 of 1
Home Home Home Home Home