tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82284851238859987882024-02-20T15:20:49.864-08:00Scottish Mumpreneur NetworkScottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-71741691166809745562011-02-06T13:51:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:52:27.614-08:00Why every Mumprenuer needs a Virtual Assistant<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are delighted to have the very talented<strong> Lisa Dunn of Hexagon VA</strong> running our Dumfries & Galloway network. She offers services that every <strong>mumpreneur </strong>should consider.....in which I am sure I will be needing very soon!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lisa tells us all about the services she provides.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And what do you do?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it goes at every party, networking event, social occasion or even family gathering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’m a VA.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Oh.” (polite bafflement) “Em, so what’s that then?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“A Virtual Assistant. You know, like a Personal Assistant, but I work from home and offer administrative and business support online.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Oh, I see, how, er, interesting.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It really isn’t that strange these days to be working from home, but not all of us are good at making beautiful things to sell, or delivering motivational speeches! Personally, I’m very organised and am never happier than when making life simpler for people, so I work from home as a VA. For lots of reasons, my best career move has been setting up my own business to help other business mums.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why would a mumpreneur need a VA? Well…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you find the most bother in your business? Maybe you keep double booking yourself, or leaving your diary behind. Your VA can make sure that your diary is always up to date with online diary management that can be accessed from your smart phone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps you can’t keep track of your clients. You go to a networking event, then lose the contact details of potential clients, wasting the money you have laid out. Maybe it takes ages for you to send the same email to lots of different people, and following up leads becomes a nightmare. VAs are particularly good at making use of customer relationship management (CRM) software to help you convert leads to clients, and keep your existing clients in touch with what you are doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe you find it hard to use social media. Facebook, Twitter and blogging are so important these days for getting your message out to your potential clients, but so difficult to get around to doing. Your VA can write and schedule your status updates, tweets and blog posts so you don’t even have to think about them, especially if you are so modest you find it hard to tell the world how wonderful you and your products are!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, are all VAs the same? Not at all! Most VAs have core skills that they offer such as the diary management and CRM mentioned above, but one VA is unlikely to be offering every service you require. However, commonly, your VA will be able to recommend other providers for services she does not offer. It is worth chatting over your requirements with a VA to get the best advice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you find that you are spending too much time on your business and not in your business, you should consider working with a VA who can help you restore that precious work-life balance, and work with you to take your business to the next level. Why spend ages on tasks you hate when you could be doing what you love, and went into business to do? Do what you do best, and outsource the rest!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most importantly here is Lisa's website </span><a href="http://www.hexagonva.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>www.hexagonva.co.uk</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> </strong></span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-31932492528849545872011-02-06T13:37:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:39:36.960-08:00Business Spotlight on Cochrane Cottage<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>We were delighted when Cochrane Cottage joined our Glasgow meeting and we got to taste some of the delicious products. So we got some business tips from Carol-Anne who runs Cochrane Cottage.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Is your business full time or do you work elsewhere too?</strong> Myself & my husband are pretty much full time </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Has your business aims changed over the years/months? if so what has changed?</strong> We try to drive the business but due to recent opportunities that have come our way and we have grasped , we are finding that the business is driving us ....although we strive to re-address the balance every single day . Our Growth at the moment is exponential . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>How do you market your business?</strong> The usual ways - Web-site , networking , direct selling at events , throught outlets , tasting sessions , charity events . We try not to say "no" to even the smallest events if we are available .....you would be surprised what can come out of these wee events . Life is about being in the right place at the right time and you never know when that will happen .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What is your greatest business achievement so far?</strong> People contacting us to get work, be involved with Cochrane Cottage - it is a 2 way street now . It has taken us a lot of hard work to get to this point but there is always more to do </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>How do you juggle business and family life?</strong> It is difficult but we try to have particular days when we don't work but it doesn't always turn out like that . Of course the family is involved and sometimes I don't know what we would have done without their help but it will get better - I hope !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What are your plans for your business in the next few years?</strong> There are financial goals and targets but I'd really like to get some recognition for our branding , the innovative nature of our products - great taste without the FAT or the calories and of course the products themselves . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Do you have any advice that you would like to share with fellow mumpreneurs starting out or growing their business?</strong> Keep it simple , do your reasearch and where you start is not always where you finish . We are only 1 year old but I am increadibly proud of what we have achieved in a year . Always remember that every business , no matter how big , was only 1 year old once .And finally be very careful about devoting time to activities which distract you from your goal - time is one of your most valuable commodities - that doesn't mean that you can't take time to experiment . In fact I would encourage it - that is how you learn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out the mouth watering products at </span><a href="http://www.cochranecottage.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.cochranecottage.co.uk</span></a><br />
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</span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-40464647541114901652011-01-30T14:12:00.000-08:002011-01-30T14:12:56.257-08:00What to do when someone copies your business or ideas?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We posted an article about 6 months ago on how to protect your designs and website for being copied. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just revisiting this topic, as we have many new members who have joined us since then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can be frustrating when you set up a business and work really hard to make it a success for someone to come along and copy your words and ideas. This is never easy but competition can be healthy - it makes you work even harder. However it can be annoying when the people who are copying our ideas are industry colleagues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Behind the scenes we regularly advise members on how they can protect their ideas, from everything to how they present at trade shows to networking their business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is a great article that I have found which is worth a read - </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Many may imitate what you are doing, in fact they could outright copy, what they can’t have is the essence of the idea, the passion that has kept you awake at night with excitement at the thought of launching a new business idea. They can’t copy the integrity that has formulated the plan … nor understand everything that whirrrs and cogs behind it nor the commitment that your family and team have made to you to ensure it is successful</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Howard Schultz, the Chairman of Starbucks states in his book ‘The Starbucks Experience’</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We have no patent on anything we do and anything we do can be copied by anyone else. But you can’t copy the heart and the soul and the conscience of the company.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Howard Schultz, Chairman of Starbucks"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read the full article here </span><a href="http://jacquelinerogers.co.uk/?p=102"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://jacquelinerogers.co.uk/?p=102</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately it isn't a case of IF your ideas get copied but more like WHEN they do. Remember too that the person copying you will also become a victim of copying too ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A quote one of our mumpreneurs used is from McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc "My attitude was that competition can try to steal my plans and copy my style but they can't read my mind: so I'll leave them a mile behind"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be yourself. There is something that you can do better than any other. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re in our network then remember that alliances are extremely beneficial. Building good relationships with other network members can actually boost your business success.</span><br />
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</span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-72221827138677157942011-01-01T06:38:00.000-08:002011-01-01T06:38:58.051-08:00www.withbellson.co.uk offers advertising opportunities for Scottish Mumpreneurs<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Delighted to bring you yet another opportunity for Scottish Mumprenuers Network members. We have been speaking with Tracey Bartlett of new national wedding directory </span><a href="http://www.withbellson.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.withbellson.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is offering advertising opportunities to our members - so make sure you get in touch quoting <strong>Scottish Mumpreneur Network/Wedding and Baby</strong> to benefit from the latest discounts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here is what Tracey had to say about her new site - </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy76ApjVvL-7eZ2VXUsbZDhuCx-xvxStH2CDhU4qMJoTFEYhrqP0XjthORk062aZK34CWaIKjyq24-m6Iv9NC4IayAbZKT-3DZAk5srp0qRymBp0X4_QlkTR3ZEn47eZX9fqgH4deCnGU/s1600/WithBellsOn+-+Me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy76ApjVvL-7eZ2VXUsbZDhuCx-xvxStH2CDhU4qMJoTFEYhrqP0XjthORk062aZK34CWaIKjyq24-m6Iv9NC4IayAbZKT-3DZAk5srp0qRymBp0X4_QlkTR3ZEn47eZX9fqgH4deCnGU/s1600/WithBellsOn+-+Me.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Hubby and I married on 15th October 2009, not our first wedding, but definitely our last. Because of this, we only invited our four daughters to the ceremony and celebration meal, it was glorious!! I have done the big white wedding, although nice (and expensive) it was lovely to experience a low key celebration which concentrated on what we as a family wanted. We were very fortunate to meet the lovely Myleene Klass whilst on honeymoon in Windsor that night. After ages watching her filming in our hotel courtyard we went and sipped champagne, a real treat and a perfect end to our wedding day. It was a simple quiet day that ended with a big bang.....eureka moment that is! It The idea was planted to one day branch into wedding planning (watch this space) but in the meantime I vowed to plough my spare energies into the wedding website my husband developed for me. Since this day it has grown immensely and I am very grateful for the time and help my husband has assisted me.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiV4Sws2apCx7wfCR-Pm2GJTCfTua2euldhyphenhyphenp4DNDtl2EE9OPCKoHHwC409IIpGRGq8mEnZ_6JV5Duac95bt66RSKmZwEUfSug2vovAPvN65FSVJIAtxfhi7FleKtilCQM8Qc3dEVPBI/s1600/WithBellsOn+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiV4Sws2apCx7wfCR-Pm2GJTCfTua2euldhyphenhyphenp4DNDtl2EE9OPCKoHHwC409IIpGRGq8mEnZ_6JV5Duac95bt66RSKmZwEUfSug2vovAPvN65FSVJIAtxfhi7FleKtilCQM8Qc3dEVPBI/s320/WithBellsOn+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The WithBellsOn wedding information website aim is to bring brides and their local businesses together, connecting those who have wedding services to those who need wedding services.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope both the information and directory provided in WithBellsOn will help engaged couples get the information and services they require to make their day run smoothly, whether it is their first, second, third, forth.....I personally wish all engaged couples the very best of luck with planning for their special day and hope their future is bright, with many smiles and only tears of joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, if you are getting married please come to www.WithBellsOn.co.uk for all your wedding information needs, we have some beautiful jewellery! If you are a business owner and wish to advertise your business to all the engaged couples out there, then please come and find more information here... <a href="http://www.withbellson.co.uk/wedding-advertising/">http://www.withbellson.co.uk/wedding-advertising/</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.withbellson.co.uk/">http://www.WithBellsOn.co.uk</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Email - </span><a href="mailto:tracey@withbellson.co.uk"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tracey@withbellson.co.uk</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://twitter.com/WithBellsOnCOUK">http://twitter.com/WithBellsOnCOUK</a> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1052174911"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1052174911</span></a><br />
<a href="http://weedle.com/withbellson"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://weedle.com/withbellson</span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYpMo2DlIRj84YavhCbbdJEIFFz02EYsO7SAlfwlSZRzWuOhPjTiPSmNkw20TOAG7HgJTeGX0VSBW3Y9uYzGlZny6IdqFtAL5jPDb2TSmQlR_9R0uP0ouF9sLGj3gZdhenFeyAGK-MdY/s1600/WithBellsoN+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYpMo2DlIRj84YavhCbbdJEIFFz02EYsO7SAlfwlSZRzWuOhPjTiPSmNkw20TOAG7HgJTeGX0VSBW3Y9uYzGlZny6IdqFtAL5jPDb2TSmQlR_9R0uP0ouF9sLGj3gZdhenFeyAGK-MdY/s320/WithBellsoN+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-19610400303767690312010-12-30T04:58:00.000-08:002010-12-30T05:06:53.425-08:00Award winning Scottish Mumpreneurs<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entering awards can be daunting for Mumpreneurs but two of our Glasgow Network Mumpreneurs have got it spot on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">M.T O'Donnell of <a href="http://www.theglasgowgirlsweddingguide.com/">http://www.theglasgowgirlsweddingguide.com/</a> successfully won the <strong>The Best Supplier Website at The Bridal Magazines Awards,</strong> beating off big companies like Confetti.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The award ceremony takes place in 2011 so we will be interviewing M.T after the awards, to get the low down on what life is like as an award winning business.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXdgCQ5HPbCd-pyvviIQwnq-RnYnMci2cV2QTzczpn8XnkIOknLoAoaAeG61pH4kmhI1H3ZcVzVOpsTk2EDTyEHSLZfFFdceUjR9bgiokwALD1w0jxAvgr9Sz1hMHBK0mcO-jVhpw6Oc/s1600/m.t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXdgCQ5HPbCd-pyvviIQwnq-RnYnMci2cV2QTzczpn8XnkIOknLoAoaAeG61pH4kmhI1H3ZcVzVOpsTk2EDTyEHSLZfFFdceUjR9bgiokwALD1w0jxAvgr9Sz1hMHBK0mcO-jVhpw6Oc/s320/m.t.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glasgow Girls Wedding Guide</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Irene McNamee of <a href="http://www.i-craft.co.uk/">http://www.i-craft.co.uk/</a> made it to the shortlist for <strong>Best Stationery Supplier</strong> and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Louise Graham of <a href="http://www.weddingandbaby.co.uk/">http://www.weddingandbaby.co.uk/</a> also made the shortlist for <strong>Accessory Supplier of the Year</strong>. Both ladies are also in the Glasgow network.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiSIbXZCPfGZ5olcW5qxxQuGUKgrh6goXG25S0uVtoUDVckKIqAWip1U13Fqrv4Apmy9J8UNalZEM5HYe7f5egUznx0T2zuG_dOdHs6TerwMlTvCwtwiDRmsPXwretiZyQqjSDDEG83Q/s1600/irene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiSIbXZCPfGZ5olcW5qxxQuGUKgrh6goXG25S0uVtoUDVckKIqAWip1U13Fqrv4Apmy9J8UNalZEM5HYe7f5egUznx0T2zuG_dOdHs6TerwMlTvCwtwiDRmsPXwretiZyQqjSDDEG83Q/s1600/irene.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I-Craft </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oZjYUUD09SZcO6ksTQza0JupGJXJXZCk8lC0Cw1s0prz36HiomsWGF7-LhdzGiCRL6ote-yP37dQH2jLwNrTb9zvT7YN7cc7_RmbUGZXqSvBSut0601L_Uq1hsiTUn4cEQq-V9lsV9o/s1600/icraftinvite.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oZjYUUD09SZcO6ksTQza0JupGJXJXZCk8lC0Cw1s0prz36HiomsWGF7-LhdzGiCRL6ote-yP37dQH2jLwNrTb9zvT7YN7cc7_RmbUGZXqSvBSut0601L_Uq1hsiTUn4cEQq-V9lsV9o/s320/icraftinvite.bmp" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright <a href="http://www.i-craft.co.uk/">http://www.i-craft.co.uk/</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-qRdGpJSPBSdHyAzlU5nfLtzhPSuy-5bFEe76pfxgwvgKm7jbNTctfn1ldUW_hSSV2VV5FUTY3EbgTd3lq1FawhqaGouPVituuA2TH1TJf1Wk73YtWiyLUw_2WEx9El0Ts4NraJ-IAY/s1600/weddingandbabyimage.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-qRdGpJSPBSdHyAzlU5nfLtzhPSuy-5bFEe76pfxgwvgKm7jbNTctfn1ldUW_hSSV2VV5FUTY3EbgTd3lq1FawhqaGouPVituuA2TH1TJf1Wk73YtWiyLUw_2WEx9El0Ts4NraJ-IAY/s320/weddingandbabyimage.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding and Baby Bespoke Accessories</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Alison Tinlin of <a href="http://www.plansandpresents.co.uk/">http://www.plansandpresents.co.uk/</a> has also successfully made it to the final of <strong>Wedding Ideas Magazine Awards</strong> 2011. Alison has been shortlisted as one of 5 top wedding planners in the UK. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on the 14th Jan 2011. So we wish her all the best.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKds1Dhv8ejXwCMGUtKEA-CxIJLR6O0NCBo9cNbv1U6Dg0GTgVqB2gNc3YwwMMz_ZoUI98CCCDlIqTDPQ3H76VXONnyCxQl2KS0JeeRLrC0-ZP3JKiWPxrdnHB6BHCAifPdH9QS4AfHDo/s1600/alison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKds1Dhv8ejXwCMGUtKEA-CxIJLR6O0NCBo9cNbv1U6Dg0GTgVqB2gNc3YwwMMz_ZoUI98CCCDlIqTDPQ3H76VXONnyCxQl2KS0JeeRLrC0-ZP3JKiWPxrdnHB6BHCAifPdH9QS4AfHDo/s1600/alison.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plans and Presents</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also celebrating earlier in the year was Edinburgh Scottish Mumprenuer Anna Louise Simpson of <a href="http://www.mamatea.co.uk/">http://www.mamatea.co.uk/</a> . Anna Louise scooped the <strong>Best Start Up at the Mumpreneur Awards 2010.</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYwYBrwu_DQn0nVOUYRsObyNAyQCohPWNraijO_BnhdbSWvd8gjnM6PI4lpKMrntbib0guk30ssiR4qUTjUoHJTsu6SPYyqg_OIa2ZeZRKnAvIsCJfMLb7K_86Peaj0XZekfmavFFNJQ/s1600/mamatea.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYwYBrwu_DQn0nVOUYRsObyNAyQCohPWNraijO_BnhdbSWvd8gjnM6PI4lpKMrntbib0guk30ssiR4qUTjUoHJTsu6SPYyqg_OIa2ZeZRKnAvIsCJfMLb7K_86Peaj0XZekfmavFFNJQ/s1600/mamatea.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Tea at Mumpreneur Awards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-31961205941630104622010-12-29T12:43:00.000-08:002010-12-29T12:43:11.647-08:00Scottish Mumpreneur Network speaks with www.bridesupnorth.co.uk<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We as you know at Scottish Mumpreneur Network I am always working hard to get our members special discounts. This one comes from the wonderful </span><a href="http://www.bridesupnorth.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.bridesupnorth.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bridesupnorth.com/sponsor"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pNBCFympey3liWLTGhcQ5YH3AishPASbuTQ669ZyhSkYFR5My3TUGCWHE0BkvByGwoPe4BGwzjUD3f2Dpchc-dZS59JlV1qd5FkXKETjcHA61GNPoe70LioGmL5s70JTRcOtnm6LESQ/s1600/brides-up-north%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The premier blog and directory resource for weddings in the North of the UK and the wider web. A double daily dose of wedding inspiration, supplier showcases, real and celebrity weddings, giveaways and more!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Currently adding Featured Suppliers to the Brides Up North directory. <strong>Quote Scottish Mumpreneurs for preferable rates!"</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been speaking with the team behind this site and rest assured they are fab. In fact you will see my business on there next week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please contact them direct at <a href="mailto:contact@bridesupnorth.co.uk">contact@bridesupnorth.co.uk</a> for your special rates.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
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</span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-24829897905150075732010-12-27T09:00:00.000-08:002010-12-27T09:00:12.706-08:00Wedding & Vintage Headband maker Louise at www.weddingandbaby.co.uk talks to SMN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cIfZEdNc8zBXaXA23QATJ9bFYW_JF-RkFOkuwTu4I2gb412BCyrecrCmxexLvym8hgz733nGfUga3xTshCYnEAy1kzDWfX34OH65r0GJMuIlgVi92rtr9rW3e-12L5LQt6wDQIB8u7Q/s1600/weddingandbabylogo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cIfZEdNc8zBXaXA23QATJ9bFYW_JF-RkFOkuwTu4I2gb412BCyrecrCmxexLvym8hgz733nGfUga3xTshCYnEAy1kzDWfX34OH65r0GJMuIlgVi92rtr9rW3e-12L5LQt6wDQIB8u7Q/s320/weddingandbabylogo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Wedding and Baby</strong> launched in Jan 2009 and is now gaining recognition from wedding industry experts for providing a range of vintage inspired headbands, combs, tiaras and jewellery. Wedding and Baby was also shortlisted in <strong>The Bridal Magazine Awards for Best Accessory supplier of the year 2010.</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzb2RJtkZ-NV3uXqB2UzmdJsM6lf0wodD_sdxKI_P8FYzku2Qvrgb1b6JQhNkWrZDnWW3TTukcgCxVH8LfLBPowIdNAeK3ZSB6HcFB3UodeEF9twa8ieDLmsUqgy2FgmK6x3nwVi04Ro/s1600/rhinestonerose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzb2RJtkZ-NV3uXqB2UzmdJsM6lf0wodD_sdxKI_P8FYzku2Qvrgb1b6JQhNkWrZDnWW3TTukcgCxVH8LfLBPowIdNAeK3ZSB6HcFB3UodeEF9twa8ieDLmsUqgy2FgmK6x3nwVi04Ro/s320/rhinestonerose.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhinestone Rose hair comb</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the beginning, Louise Graham decided to build her business by working with extremely talented designers to establish her business. This decision was purely due to her time commitments being limited as she cared for her young son. However as a Product designer to trade (having graduated from Napier University Edinburgh with a BSc Hons in Industrial Design) it wasn’t long before Louise’s creativity was bursting to get hands on again – so she launched her own range of tiaras, headbands and jewellery in Sept 2009. Around this time she also gained recognition from X – Factor contestants, which resulted in her designs being worn to the premiere of Shrek 3D in June 2010.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVtgpe8y5hyphenhyphengShWQ7oCKVayn1_w82dNjmkFtnpVZsDt_So-V5fDWFVfcNJQsdb02nDGtWjto8x9uoePVBx9hvtsGPXLLnOrzome0YpLBDX5f9PtRGOAyj-UtfqIOPzOCQSNgBz43zWJg/s1600/clamheadband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVtgpe8y5hyphenhyphengShWQ7oCKVayn1_w82dNjmkFtnpVZsDt_So-V5fDWFVfcNJQsdb02nDGtWjto8x9uoePVBx9hvtsGPXLLnOrzome0YpLBDX5f9PtRGOAyj-UtfqIOPzOCQSNgBz43zWJg/s320/clamheadband.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clam Headband</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within a year and a half in business Wedding and Baby have launched a wholesale option, allowing the designs to be available to try on in bridal boutiques throughout the country. Already within a month of setting this up Louise has stockists eager to stock her designs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Louise focuses on vintage inspired pieces with a twist. Her work is renowned for being more than just a wear once accessory. In fact many of her designs can be converted into a brooch and worn again. As well as the website, Louise offers appointments in Glasgow for bespoke orders.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTPH5Q-GbwLnilfkx1h8GKyGHdwEwl8762TtpvCMBZAYmwRVzYPeOUKDC7wErR3wQCbv7aT7ufBe10bGAeRbkiieC6f9VofyjkXBjGI_5detEaZtvTJB7zn7oRs2v416ngpz_Kpwl6Es/s1600/birdcagevintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTPH5Q-GbwLnilfkx1h8GKyGHdwEwl8762TtpvCMBZAYmwRVzYPeOUKDC7wErR3wQCbv7aT7ufBe10bGAeRbkiieC6f9VofyjkXBjGI_5detEaZtvTJB7zn7oRs2v416ngpz_Kpwl6Es/s320/birdcagevintage.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Wedding feather fascinator with bird cage veil</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Spring/Summer 2011 collection is causing a stir with the media. As always Vintage is the essence of the collection, although this season sees more fabric and feathers along with the usual rhinestones. You can be sure to see Louise’s designs gracing Bridal magazines and Wedding T.V programmes throughout 2011.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes Wedding and Baby so unique is that Louise becomes part of the style team. She instinctively uses her design qualifications to create a headpiece that will suit the bride, the dress and the ceremony. Cuddles are a regular occurrence from brides who are blown away by their breath taking bridal accessories.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What’s more Louise keeps in touch with most brides long after the big day and is always delighted to see the baby photo’s that follow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To have your dream wedding tiara, headband, comb, fascinator, birdecage veil or jewellery created for you make sure you contact <strong>Wedding and Baby</strong>.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.weddingandbaby.co.uk/">http://www.weddingandbaby.co.uk/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:weddingandbaby@yahoo.co.uk">weddingandbaby@yahoo.co.uk</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Wedding-and-Baby/52939309408">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Wedding-and-Baby/52939309408</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Twitter @weddingandbaby</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_cLz_4PUlQUcr5on2wiIUeyGrfmZjuREKNGgUWHQ1ayidWt9I_EXKQpM4we0zD0jf-_mWZ1siSSM8D1Vwm8F0kXifTeBYDRkRqTo6vzQ5-sLdg1Tdoq2Aet7mlkdgtwn-VXCGGpFeZA/s1600/braceletcuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_cLz_4PUlQUcr5on2wiIUeyGrfmZjuREKNGgUWHQ1ayidWt9I_EXKQpM4we0zD0jf-_mWZ1siSSM8D1Vwm8F0kXifTeBYDRkRqTo6vzQ5-sLdg1Tdoq2Aet7mlkdgtwn-VXCGGpFeZA/s1600/braceletcuff.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Cuff Bracelet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-8914061563531057102010-12-04T01:08:00.000-08:002010-12-04T01:12:30.815-08:00Interview with inspiring mumpreneur Chez Bec.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am truly delighted to have had the chance to interview Rebecca Doyle of Chez Bec for The Scottish Mumpreneur Network. Personally she is a huge inspiration to me as we are in the same field of business and shows that she utterly is a "gem" in the wedding industry. I hope she can mentor me some time when she is free and isn't away collecting awards and launching her brand all over the world. So personally thank you from the bottom of my heart - Louise x</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHqaUuShuXs1_meuYDJf1xmaC4QWJ8WsebX57Xu1X4UE8qylRILi1iBWyaHrPq3yOC04mS9JejnJel7Ik3PEz6LLy_SyTBSsYV3NMLtPHyrL8Z8U6CVZ8Bnqq-me4t-ojpK4JsyJWa6Q/s1600/chezbec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHqaUuShuXs1_meuYDJf1xmaC4QWJ8WsebX57Xu1X4UE8qylRILi1iBWyaHrPq3yOC04mS9JejnJel7Ik3PEz6LLy_SyTBSsYV3NMLtPHyrL8Z8U6CVZ8Bnqq-me4t-ojpK4JsyJWa6Q/s1600/chezbec.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is her amazing story -</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It takes real courage to fly in the face of everything you have worked for, throw away a hard-won career and follow your dreams, but that is precisely what Rebecca Doyle did five years ago when she gave up her career as a lawyer to start a jewellery business. If she ever wanted proof that she did the right thing, it came in the form of an award from Wedding Ideas magazine earlier this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rebecca owns and runs successful wedding jewellery brand Chez Bec, which in January scooped the award for Best Bridal Accessories as voted for by readers of Wedding Ideas magazine. She is also mother to 20-month-old twin boys, a role which she juggles with the demands of a growing business. “Life is pretty full-on,” she says, “but I couldn’t be happier!”. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happiness certainly seems to be one of her qualities, together with positivity, entrepreneurship, a clear head, sound business sense, determination and, above all else, a clear sense of direction. Affable, personable and full of energy, she has the courage of her own convictions and, now, the joy of spending her days doing something she loves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn’t always so. On the advice of her careers officer she studied law at university (“It’s such a dry subject, and only later did I learn that you can do a different degree still be a lawyer – if only I’d known!”), but took a year out after she left to consider other options. Nothing obvious sprang to mind and nothing attracted her either so, almost resignedly, she applied to two top law firms and came back from an interview with one of them to find an answerphone message offering her a job. After a couple of years spent training and another two years working in corporate finance, she was well-entrenched in the glamorous role of being one of the only women in a male-dominated environment. “Crazy hours, suffocating demands and working under intense pressure all came with the territory,” says Rebecca. “But the crunch came when my boyfriend (now my husband) booked a holiday to Antigua and the firm gave me a BlackBerry so I could be contacted at all times. And contacted at all times I was!” Rebecca realised that despite the kudos, the career progression and the fantastic salary, this was not how she wanted to live her life. In September 2005, with her boyfriend’s total support, she handed in her notice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was an ulterior motive behind this. Ever since she was a little girl, Rebecca had cultivated a love of jewellery and had shadowed her mother, an antique jewellery dealer, at shows and fairs for years. “I used to love visiting the flea markets with my mum and I used to spend my pocket money there. Once I bought a silver locket and I sold it in my mum’s shop in Tetbury. A man bought it for his fiancée for Valentine’s Day. That was my first sale! I was seven.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The never-forgotten kick from this sale, plus a love of pearls, trinkets, accessories and pretty things, together with a wealth of business knowledge gained from her years as a lawyer, put Rebecca on a clear and determined path. She knew she wanted to set up her own jewellery business. “It was obvious to me that it should be an online business. When I was a lawyer, the ridiculous hours meant that I never had time to go shopping. So I became queen of internet browsing and online purchasing! The relatively low start-up cost of an online shop as opposed to taking premises was a huge incentive, too, and meant that I could get up and running quickly.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rebecca set up an office at home, from where the business is still run. Her stepfather came up with the name (a French and abbreviated translation of ‘at Rebecca’s house’). She took herself off to jewellery trade shows in the UK and Paris to take a good look at what was out there and to decide which wholesalers and designers she was going to buy from. The next step was to sign up a PR company to promote the business (“now I do it all myself because it’s far too expensive to use an outside firm”) and invest money in search engine optimisation, which means that if a bride keys ‘wedding jewellery’ or ‘bridal jewellery’ into Google, Chez Bec will appear on the first page of results. She decided not to sign up to any existing online jewellery stores as she felt sure that having a strong web presence via her own website was key to building the brand, and so she spent her limited marketing budget on making sure that potential customers were directed straight to her own website. Rebecca also sent an email alert to over 1,000 contacts that she had built up over the years and got herself listed on Daily Candy, the online magazine that sends alerts to 250,000 readers every day. She placed adverts in fashion glossies such as Grazia and Marie Claire. “I learnt the hard way through trial and error what works and what doesn't. I used my knowledge of the law to do all the legal bits myself, but if there was a book on how to run a successful online jewellery boutique then my life would have been a lot simpler and easier!” she says. “I realise now that when I started up I underestimated the extent to which online marketing was necessary, and I should have invested more money in it. If I had my time again I would go straight into bridal jewellery, as concentrating on the niche market has made us a bona fide brand, and has been a great success!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just nine months after Rebecca resigned from the law firm, <a href="http://chezbec.com/">chezbec.com</a> went live. It started life as a contemporary jewellery boutique selling affordable pieces and the stock was brought in by Rebecca from designers in the UK and Europe. However, when Rebecca was planning her wedding in August 2006 she became totally obsessed with weddings and slowly began to source wedding jewellery. She also advertised for designers locally and put the word about through contacts she had made that she was looking for jewellery designers to work for her. In May 2007, almost a year after launch, Rebecca launched a wedding collection. “It went absolutely crazy!” she laughs. “The collection outsold everything else, so I started cutting back on the other ranges and asked my designers to start making pearl jewellery.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rebecca stopped buying in jewellery and focused on designing her own, and employed her two designers to work full-time for Chez Bec. They are based in Kent. By 2008 the boutique sold bridal jewellery exclusively. The company prides itself on selling exquisite yet affordable necklaces, earrings, bracelets, tiaras and hair accessories set with sterling silver, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals. From simply stunning to fabulously ornate there is something to suit all brides, and there is a bespoke service for those who want something designed and made exclusively for them (it is also possible to have standard pieces altered). For men, there are pearl cufflinks and cravat pins. Each piece is beautifully designed and handmade in the UK, and gift-wrapped as standard in luxury branded gift boxes with generous amounts of soft white tissue paper. If it is a gift (and there is plenty that is suitable for bridesmaid’s presents!) it is supplied with a hand-written gift card too. These simple yet important touches really do make a difference. Meanwhile, the user-friendly website is easy to navigate with clear photography and clever features such as style guides and testimonials from happy customers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having gone 100 per cent bridal, Chez Bec now advertises in wedding publications. The wedding ideas award was, for Rebecca, the icing on the cake of everything she has worked for. “The real thrill of this award is that it is voted for by brides themselves. I love my brides and I get a kick every time one posts a comment on the Chez Bec website saying how delighted they were with their purchase from us. We were finalists in the Best Bridal Accessories category two years running, and finalists in the UK Jewellery Awards 2008 for Best Bridal Jewellery. But to actually win the Wedding Ideas award, and by a big margin, as we did, was really fantastic, especially as there were 70 companies in our category!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chez Bec has fared well in the recession and figures actually went up last year. “I do think that couples are delaying their weddings due to the financial situation, but they are still getting married. And when they do, our prices are really affordable – our most expensive item is £68. I believe we really fit a niche in the market, and we are getting more and more orders, not only from the UK – we get orders from France, Spain, the US and even Australia and New Zealand!” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chez Bec retail has been such a success that at the beginning of last year Rebecca decided to expand into the wholesale market. “I realise that not all brides are online shopaholics like me, and that some do like to try jewellery on before they buy it. Very often they like to try it on when they are trying on dresses so they can get the complete look. I really didn’t want to open a shop, so supplying other shops seemed like a natural move.” A brave step in a credit crunch perhaps but, like everything else Rebecca turns her hand to, a good one. The first wholesale range, launched for AW09, was extremely well received and has a fast-growing stockist network (currently 15 shops) in the UK. Rebecca hopes to expand that network and to this end she is exhibiting for the first time at Harrogate in September, where she will be launching two stunning new collections for SS11 – organic designs incorporating vintage-inspired components and a myriad of freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals. What bride could possibly resist?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Is your business full time or do you work elsewhere too?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I run my business full time alongside being a mum to 2-year old twins. Life is pretty busy as you can imagine! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Has your business aims changed over the years? if so what has changed?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My business has grown year on year since I started it back in the summer of 2006. It has even grown through the credit crunch when a lot of businesses are failing. I sell more in one month now than I sold in the whole first 6 months of opening! I have recently gone international with a stockist in Munich in Germany and I hope this is the first of many international stockists. I sell all over the world through my website with a strong customer base in the US, Hong Kong, Dubai, Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, Spain, Germany, Malta and Italy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>How do you market your business?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I advertise in all of the leading bridal magazines and I invest a lot of time and money in SEO. Never underestimate the power of marketing, both online and offline. Being a website, if people don’t know where to find you, how can you ever expect to have any customers unless you tell them where you are! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>You have had great success over the last year winning awards. Would you encourage others to enter awards and what has the benefits been to your business from winning an award?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winning the Wedding Ideas Awards 2010 was like a dream for me. Having been runners up for the two years before, I never thought we would actually win the Award but it really was 3rd time lucky! Winning the Award has boosted my business more than I ever imagined it could do. We are now an “award-winning” brand and that gives customers a certain confidence when buying from us. Winning the Award was like the most enormous seal of approval one could wish for. It meant that the last 5 years of hard work had been worth it. I get emotional every time I think of winning the Award. After my wedding and having my twins, it really was one of the best moments of my life. I would certainly encourage others to enter awards. It can only give recognition if you win and if you don’t win, you’ve not lost anything. And if at first you don’t win, try, try and try again. We’d been runners up in the Wedding Ideas Awards for the two years previous to winning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>We know you are also a mum to twins. How do you juggle business and babies?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am indeed Mummy to Max and Isabella, my 2-year old twins. We don’t have any family nearby to help out. Our nearest family is 2.5hours away and the rest are in Scotland , Canada and France ! I have limited childcare and work pretty much every single second I can around my babies (nap times, evenings and weekends). Most people think I am totally crazy even attempting to run a business with twins but for me, my business is my third baby and there was no way I could ever give it up. I was even on my blackberry two hours after my c-section as the babies had decided to turn up rather early (at 35wks instead of their booked c-section at 37.5wks) and I’d just begun a total re=-design of my advertising campaign and I had adverts to sing off left, right and centre! It wasn’t ideal but what could I do. Let’s just say I’ve learnt to do a lot whilst balancing two babies on my lap!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What are your plans for your business in the next few years?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope my business continues to grow from strength to strength as time goes on. Each year, I launch one of two new collections and I love each collection more and more. Dealing with brides every day of my working life is an honour and I wake up every morning raring to start work. Not many people can say that now can they. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Do you have any advice that you would like to share with fellow mumpreneurs starting out or growing their business?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Research, research, research! If you don’t know your target audience you won’t know what products they want to buy and you won’t succeed. Also, never underestimate the power of marketing, both online and offline. If people don’t know you exist, how will they ever find you? When starting out it is very normal to eat, drink and sleep work. Indeed I still do this most of the time now, 5 years on and with twins to look after! But you have to stay focused and one step ahead of the game. If you can find a niche then do it as that will make you stand out and give you a place to put down your roots and make your own. Stay determined and have 100% belief in what you do. It is not easy running your own business. No holidays (I have to work even on holiday!), no sick days, no guaranteed income. But the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Nothing beats being your own boss. And I still get a kick from every single order that comes in. I love my brides and I still get that warm fuzzy feeling every time one sends in some feedback or a photo from their wedding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out Rebeccas' website </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chez Bec </span><br />
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<a href="mailto:rebecca@chezbec.com"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rebecca@chezbec.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.chezbec.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.chezbec.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZGBfAGOPxsg2SqnmuXspeYDAhqxcgwCkDPMo9rJ_eWPMTQuZ-tInl_AQ7PvPSb1q9sr_1fdDdOry-iXKSSH25hWG0mM7qhU9g-uruTfhC-AOsSx5Ndr7XCjZTf4ODImPCPqI-aTXimI/s1600/ea_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-7442686197676390442010-11-04T10:11:00.000-07:002010-11-05T09:47:24.037-07:00SCOTTISH MUMPRENEUR NETWORK RECEIVE CASH BOOST<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> SCOTTISH MUMPRENEUR NETWORK GAINS BURSARY</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0usVh5yI90GKwldrOc9FhpDCmk12_KVuNKygN73syOQ6rq5GprE7yKHqLOm3UUH7DbtkL4TPp8ZLrmp94HgECsDtnTNiEfsm8PxYPB3hWqXQIvyVWTJ0m_6tiLz8ZEnjha0d7DERhvqs/s1600/cheque.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0usVh5yI90GKwldrOc9FhpDCmk12_KVuNKygN73syOQ6rq5GprE7yKHqLOm3UUH7DbtkL4TPp8ZLrmp94HgECsDtnTNiEfsm8PxYPB3hWqXQIvyVWTJ0m_6tiLz8ZEnjha0d7DERhvqs/s320/cheque.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buchanan Galleries shopping centre has presented the Scottish Mumpreneur Network based in Paisley with a cash boost from its Community Bursary fund. More detials to follow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Scottish Mumpreneur Network <a href="http://www.scottishmumpreneurnetwork.webs.com/">http://www.scottishmumpreneurnetwork.webs.com/</a></span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-43341550143585553452010-10-30T06:58:00.000-07:002010-10-30T06:58:46.781-07:00Dumfries & Galloway Scottish Mumpreneur Network meetings<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Dumfries & Galloway network is going from strength to strength with the following businesses now attending. Meetings are FREE to attend so make sure you check out </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Scottish-Mumpreneur-Network-Mums-in-Business/103134376391823"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Scottish-Mumpreneur-Network-Mums-in-Business/103134376391823</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to find out all the latest information.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.renitaboyle.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.RenitaBoyle.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.magicalmeditations4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.magicalmeditations4kids.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.ginalillycropdesigns.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.ginalillycropdesigns.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.cupcakesbyclaire.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.cupcakesbyclaire.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.brora-lodge.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.brora-lodge.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.hillcrest-wigtown.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.hillcrest-wigtown.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.gallowayalpacas.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.GallowayAlpacas.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.hexagonva.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.HexagonVA.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.louisellewellyn.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.louisellewellyn.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.signaturephotoshoots.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.signaturephotoshoots.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.foods4life.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.foods4life.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-14170238146545343112010-10-20T09:36:00.000-07:002010-10-20T09:36:41.717-07:00Lesley Reid from Carla Barla Beads tells us how she approached retailers.Hi my name is Lesley Reid and have a jewellery business called Carla Barla Beads <a href="http://www.carlabarlabeads.co.uk/">http://www.carlabarlabeads.co.uk/</a><br />
My Business is a new business and it has been running since July 2010. I have been asked to give you some pointers on how to get your items into shops. <br />
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What I will do is tell you how it started for me, the first shop happened due to meeting someone at a fayre and they liked my stuff and they started to stock it, really it was as simple as that so the first thing I would advise is always network your fayres you just dont know who you will meet.<br />
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The next shop was a customer who advised me to visit her local boutique, she thought my jewellery would suit this shop. So popped in checked out their range, made some stuff to match there collection and phoned them. They asked me to come in brought in the range and they loved it. What i would advise if you can to start with offer sale and return so there is no initial outlay for the shops and they are more likely to stock it.<br />
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Another shop I was told about through facebook some people who liked my site, when they found out I was approaching shops told me about one near to them. So dont be affraid to ask people and use soical networks to your advantage.<br />
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Managing shops can take alot of work and alot of the time its builting on relationships formed and trust made. All my shops mark up my jewellery so dont undercut yourself, and always keep a copy of the stock they hold. In alot of the shops they wear my jewellery, people tend to finding it easier to visualise how it is going to look on if someone is modeling it.<br />
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The main points I would advise are:<br />
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1. Always network you dont know who you are going to meet<br />
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2. Use social networking to your advantage<br />
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3. To start with offer sale or return<br />
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4. Dont undercut yourself the shops can easily mark items up<br />
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5. Keep a note of stock held in the shops<br />
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6. Work on building up relationships and trust between you and the shops.<br />
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I am currently trying to get into department stores and magazines so i will keep u posted on how this goes in the future.Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-46446643614547532712010-10-19T11:28:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:28:26.478-07:00Erica Douglas of Ace Inspire gives us an Introduction to Business BloggingIntroduction to Business Blogging<br />
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<a href="http://www.littlemummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Erica-Headshot.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-5330" height="151" src="http://www.littlemummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Erica-Headshot.jpg" title="Erica Headshot" width="226" /></a><br />
<br />
Hi, I'm Erica and I'm new to the network. My business is <a href="http://www.aceinspire.com/">ACE Inspire</a> and we provide remote courses training for online business success, which covers business blogging, social media, email marketing etc.. <br />
<br />
I'm not sure how many of our members are already internet savvy so I thought I'd make my first post an introduction to business blogging. I hope it's not too basic!<br />
<strong><br />
So What is a blog?</strong><br />
<br />
The word 'blog' is shortened from it's full title 'weblog' and a blog is just that, a 'web' 'log'. A log, journal or collection of articles on any topic.<br />
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<strong>What is a business blog?</strong><br />
<br />
A business blog is an ongoing log about your business. It can comprise articles about your business and products or services, new launches, promotions, your backstory, industry news, case studies, testimonials and more. It can be presented using text and multimedia such as podcasts, vlogs and slideshows. Done well it will demonstrate your expertise, build customer loyalty, drive traffic to your business and increase your sales and profit.<br />
<br />
The power of blogging should not be underestimated and you really are missing a trick if you aren't already doing it. <br />
<strong><br />
Here are some benefits of business blogging;</strong><br />
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* It is a platform to create preeminence and expertise<br />
* You can capitalise on relationship marketing<br />
* You can improve SEO by creating a steady flow of keyword rich relevant content<br />
* You will increase incoming links <br />
* You can increase your pagerank<br />
* And overall increase traffic to your business website<br />
<strong><br />
How to start a blog</strong><br />
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Starting a blog is fairly easy today. Purchase a URL, sign up to a blog hosting company and then outsource the set up to a tech expert. In total this should cost no more than £150. Then it's just a case of starting to write. Stuck for content ideas? Watch the video below for my content generation technique.<br />
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<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/urfUshvNyPc?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/urfUshvNyPc?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
<br />
-- <br />
Erica Douglas<br />
www.littlemummy.com<br />
Twitter - http://twitter.com/EricaScottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-67865703238637877402010-10-07T11:11:00.000-07:002010-10-09T00:39:23.623-07:00The Scottish Mumprenuer Network celebrates it 1st birthday in style!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTZXmQ6VWoc3yzUXAmcu58u58kJ6b7WRKA4IvjGbduoQvJUFMIJR5RvLInK3JFC0Vm05QNT1DqaHl4CVpbzHWJYXQ9_aznfE5kC1aD4I7bQ9Rhi0d_JjhHN3oz8XwuhunElw2xIlk15Y/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTZXmQ6VWoc3yzUXAmcu58u58kJ6b7WRKA4IvjGbduoQvJUFMIJR5RvLInK3JFC0Vm05QNT1DqaHl4CVpbzHWJYXQ9_aznfE5kC1aD4I7bQ9Rhi0d_JjhHN3oz8XwuhunElw2xIlk15Y/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Scottish Mumprenuer Network celebrated their 1st Birthday in style on Sat 2nd Oct 2010, at Malmaison Hotel Glasgow. With 20 members in attendance they had a chance to network, listen to 2 very inspiring speakers and enjoy a lovely 3 course meal. </span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course the Mumpreneurs were sure to check out the cocktail bar before the proceedings got under way.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68A8EbPE6mYRTtwruuEZLy7NK0fT9X12DXuIuMxRs33ugx845VQGQ9Dj7lf-Y_8-HPirTl9VPoMsl1gyyV86gn6D7ngz6UIJuQdq4DCMPPqrUDcgY8fAr5uh3tMPzX3wHhhbRa6IlFLY/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68A8EbPE6mYRTtwruuEZLy7NK0fT9X12DXuIuMxRs33ugx845VQGQ9Dj7lf-Y_8-HPirTl9VPoMsl1gyyV86gn6D7ngz6UIJuQdq4DCMPPqrUDcgY8fAr5uh3tMPzX3wHhhbRa6IlFLY/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We are delighted that Gemma from Glamour Eyes came along to do mini manicures in aid of Cash for Kids. The Scottish Mumpreneur Network had been raising money for cash for kids in an online raffle - which saw a total of £257.96 being handed over to cash for kids.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-y5lDBVPuW8-_e9iu6e6WUIDRcIJq4i8juAFRFj6wnDSlQgDk-vMkryAx60F7WuJ_0r2MC5cGsnxNh2LNWkGC2PlgZ7nUuJrlPxpEqYuLaGYyDeE2If1qZlTHoH_6Ft2VIDmeg-gQzo/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-y5lDBVPuW8-_e9iu6e6WUIDRcIJq4i8juAFRFj6wnDSlQgDk-vMkryAx60F7WuJ_0r2MC5cGsnxNh2LNWkGC2PlgZ7nUuJrlPxpEqYuLaGYyDeE2If1qZlTHoH_6Ft2VIDmeg-gQzo/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The room was decorated beautifully thanks to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.divinepartyknights.com/">http://www.divinepartyknights.com/</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> , </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beautifullywrapped.com/">http://www.beautifullywrapped.com/</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> , </span><a href="http://www.i-craft.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.i-craft.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.seasonaldecorations.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.seasonaldecorations.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wonderful Marian from </span><a href="http://www.marianmcneilphotography.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.marianmcneilphotography.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> took photo's on the night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnNwI4qHmKiZt9T0T8SihP0OYcqyt2FUboyMQEUQInedPMLoo8sZP2IwdnKPKwWeK0KLBGVWQRXt0lt9JCs5nUwxNl-aiyimlar8plgBh0X5M7iCt2rbufU90v5zENjCL42lVIQNhUWY/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnNwI4qHmKiZt9T0T8SihP0OYcqyt2FUboyMQEUQInedPMLoo8sZP2IwdnKPKwWeK0KLBGVWQRXt0lt9JCs5nUwxNl-aiyimlar8plgBh0X5M7iCt2rbufU90v5zENjCL42lVIQNhUWY/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Louise Graham (Founder & Glasow Co- ordinator) </span><a href="http://www.weddingandbaby.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">www.weddingandbaby.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and </span><a href="http://www.charmingangelsparties.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">www.charmingangelsparties.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">, Irene McNamee </span><a href="http://www.i-craft.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">www.i-craft.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Heather Dunsmore <a href="http://www.handmadebyheather.co.uk/">http://www.handmadebyheather.co.uk/</a> , Alison Tinlin (event co- ordinator) </span><a href="http://www.plansandpresents.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">www.plansandpresents.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> , Karyn Taft </span><a href="http://www.ynaughtmedia.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">www.ynaughtmedia.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> , Elaine Busby (Co-Founder and Glasgow Co-ordinator) Ready Steady Go Childminding </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcl1Uq0E6yo444ZzioXy0MH-__lHVTEg-3Ua1MJMTBKdymATju4E5WqYQmvpT_wgq7ZxSGpnV8PzhyphenhyphennYntov3RoLx42BnHMs_VhK3CTgJtMHYiJlkQfeu2d9UsQZ_WbomIi_8l_dYZkfM/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcl1Uq0E6yo444ZzioXy0MH-__lHVTEg-3Ua1MJMTBKdymATju4E5WqYQmvpT_wgq7ZxSGpnV8PzhyphenhyphennYntov3RoLx42BnHMs_VhK3CTgJtMHYiJlkQfeu2d9UsQZ_WbomIi_8l_dYZkfM/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Libby Young ( Central Co-ordinator) </span><a href="http://www.bareknees.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">www.bareknees.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">, Kelly Mazengera Fairweather <a href="http://www.thescarletbakery.co.uk/">http://www.thescarletbakery.co.uk/</a> , Debbie Foley <a href="http://www.decadencecupcakes.co.uk/">http://www.decadencecupcakes.co.uk/</a> Lisa Dunn ( Dumfries and Galloway Co-ordinator) <a href="http://www.hexagonva.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.hexagonva.co.uk</span></a> </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUSrK-m1RF22vZTIi5t0aOmvygjilpi27hdmVG4x_PHljkc19qbXcUPtfWUYqDL98DEkYkl2YCk1lGZa8UBKHwUjIu5yQdoDo_S4m-JM6dgBLCwtSD7fp-KQ-t2wWDMWwyUSC_czVhmI/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUSrK-m1RF22vZTIi5t0aOmvygjilpi27hdmVG4x_PHljkc19qbXcUPtfWUYqDL98DEkYkl2YCk1lGZa8UBKHwUjIu5yQdoDo_S4m-JM6dgBLCwtSD7fp-KQ-t2wWDMWwyUSC_czVhmI/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0011.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As founder, Louise made a quick speech to thank everyone for attending and gave a brief history about the Scottish Mumpreneur Network. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRce5MuclYKp1NQwxG3fxdu6322xPxk-gbt1e8syQN4vYEm7AvieLW4eQHjfTypNOg1IFDKsGXMZhyA3YKm3WhFOx6w0KzvGO3KmZCJhaIxR2fjEQTanRwS5zEOEnwsyDiyeKjWGuYXQs/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRce5MuclYKp1NQwxG3fxdu6322xPxk-gbt1e8syQN4vYEm7AvieLW4eQHjfTypNOg1IFDKsGXMZhyA3YKm3WhFOx6w0KzvGO3KmZCJhaIxR2fjEQTanRwS5zEOEnwsyDiyeKjWGuYXQs/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0012.jpg" width="212" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a delicious meal Alison introduced the very inspiring speakers. </span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpCkqDkZFLZqE3uR_hC-oxrxEqHIvD_MjTUSx0TLcgUxxjG36bue1kFBfWkoxJBsVUEU7IedANDTgUsMfOBFM5Ugo-wuYBXEfEs06iR11rBgfLNE5RsZCWweraQfT0b4iPos3ua20UjQ/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpCkqDkZFLZqE3uR_hC-oxrxEqHIvD_MjTUSx0TLcgUxxjG36bue1kFBfWkoxJBsVUEU7IedANDTgUsMfOBFM5Ugo-wuYBXEfEs06iR11rBgfLNE5RsZCWweraQfT0b4iPos3ua20UjQ/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gillian Dick from </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.findmeglasgow.com/">http://www.findmeglasgow.com/</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">told us why she set up her own business and shared some of her top tips to fellow entrepreneurs.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Gillian is a real inspiration to any woman in business.</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJShn4BynPU0rB-qme4WBuj8m9koYAt8CFMmVRgug2cXnXKSQ79ujOZg1d9a6KzFkpKWjm3J04heT_jaNwA09PD1NAvkGxMX5A7FpmnQ3XaMj40Aop4J5TiS6YxUwbobetm5I3ScTVfSk/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJShn4BynPU0rB-qme4WBuj8m9koYAt8CFMmVRgug2cXnXKSQ79ujOZg1d9a6KzFkpKWjm3J04heT_jaNwA09PD1NAvkGxMX5A7FpmnQ3XaMj40Aop4J5TiS6YxUwbobetm5I3ScTVfSk/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0023.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Morag Malloy from Fission Creative <a href="http://www.fissionc.com/">http://www.fissionc.com/</a> then took the floor to tell us about her journey into being a mumpreneur. Morag had the audience nodding their heads as she described situations of how she manages business with small children to care for. It was great to laugh out loud at some of the things that we ALL do as mumpreneurs.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObUpq0cHjjxmXGTWJjg81YXSQs2cIUHtIjS1TyQaOUukpSfJ_V793ro62gEoYn4Vcy9i1hdZLeXTzA6dHDwA6qW2QHG2fSjMMVpO_nisRKXN5RlJZehOMxsCw-w6bONEDDQByrcESn3E/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObUpq0cHjjxmXGTWJjg81YXSQs2cIUHtIjS1TyQaOUukpSfJ_V793ro62gEoYn4Vcy9i1hdZLeXTzA6dHDwA6qW2QHG2fSjMMVpO_nisRKXN5RlJZehOMxsCw-w6bONEDDQByrcESn3E/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ann Louise Simpson </span><a href="http://www.mamatea.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.mamatea.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and M.T O'Donnell </span><a href="http://www.theglasgowgirlsweddingguide.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.theglasgowgirlsweddingguide.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> watch as the speakers deliver their very interesting talks.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t5vLBIKnVlbbU1S3iU3zPZUIkPsUwKXDpSJ-Crw4w71eEx2wS83GNkgma7YfKHYdNK4FTJtv5TQrO5RNYEQebQoEy1sgqI5qfEn37kXTT50ReQCG2Il53OeWQI6XucdyEdH1HdR_og4/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0016.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jill Wadge <a href="http://www.thescottishbabyshow.com/">http://www.thescottishbabyshow.com/</a> </span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2ksy4bxiCS0k7Ph2mORi5QQukI-ehnC1BLu47SPsLMrxUZbyjKwYxUCKhvftLcApfYwqeuI177jmT1Z37H3DpDbqPHnSL9kpoi1RKPUs7oVYZQeDqgzUlx9KWxxcexLNJ6JiRPti9Mw/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2ksy4bxiCS0k7Ph2mORi5QQukI-ehnC1BLu47SPsLMrxUZbyjKwYxUCKhvftLcApfYwqeuI177jmT1Z37H3DpDbqPHnSL9kpoi1RKPUs7oVYZQeDqgzUlx9KWxxcexLNJ6JiRPti9Mw/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lisa Dunn </span><a href="http://www.hexagonva.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.hexagonva.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and Lesley Reid <a href="http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Barrhead-United-Kingdom/Carla-Barla-beads/144678092240206">Carla Barla Beads</a> look on too.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6ap54Z3Q7jbIPvGsYZ8zgr2t8pbtPiP5iABAV_EEd6X7g3p8f2fI_1BR7JJA95wKTLBDPYSUovyIoXkawN2KnYER50vlAe26w-efg3Qz8VOJuKzdomAJ447g9LAIhsQwukcaWx1H52Y/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6ap54Z3Q7jbIPvGsYZ8zgr2t8pbtPiP5iABAV_EEd6X7g3p8f2fI_1BR7JJA95wKTLBDPYSUovyIoXkawN2KnYER50vlAe26w-efg3Qz8VOJuKzdomAJ447g9LAIhsQwukcaWx1H52Y/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gillian Burke of </span><a href="http://www.ollieandforbes.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.ollieandforbes.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> networking.</span> </div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11WLDh4Oks1uYce5woNjlHWO7tAjl20YZwxrqvyXiA5IFL-MVOkDmCTXf2JwGteRw0ktXtFP7gsTrJV0fbHcamVIaHfs0lImL4i6JXC53NhvSL8Ukw0SeWU4UKw6POl02QVMHaao2u4s/s1600/Marian-McNeil-Photography0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11WLDh4Oks1uYce5woNjlHWO7tAjl20YZwxrqvyXiA5IFL-MVOkDmCTXf2JwGteRw0ktXtFP7gsTrJV0fbHcamVIaHfs0lImL4i6JXC53NhvSL8Ukw0SeWU4UKw6POl02QVMHaao2u4s/s320/Marian-McNeil-Photography0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ladies get networking as they await dinner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also in attendance were Jen Allan </span><a href="http://www.thefingerprintcharmcompany.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.thefingerprintcharmcompany.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jill Marshall </span><a href="http://www.expressions-childminding.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.expressions-childminding.co.uk</span></a> </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V7V0fPru9EliVdfQ2DY_DUvbE7M7vbvyqI2_bb9hw5IYtIIr0sL7RM5_5T4iXfazmgbdLo8mA8aa_D0ZcdngxeWDzLE4Gkf-lS7wK589A-IRpCATalilWxtuUue1umuhLsF050_d3RU/s1600/smnphoto2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V7V0fPru9EliVdfQ2DY_DUvbE7M7vbvyqI2_bb9hw5IYtIIr0sL7RM5_5T4iXfazmgbdLo8mA8aa_D0ZcdngxeWDzLE4Gkf-lS7wK589A-IRpCATalilWxtuUue1umuhLsF050_d3RU/s320/smnphoto2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Our delicious birthday cupcakes and cake pops were created by Nicki McCourt from </span><a href="http://www.cupcouture.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">www.cupcouture.co.uk</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-4174400381976023672010-09-30T11:40:00.000-07:002010-10-21T10:15:43.334-07:00Directory of Scottish Mumpreneurs - Mums in business<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are delighted to announce our brand new directory of Scottish Mumpreneurs - Mums in business. If you would like to be listed in our directory at </span><a href="http://scottishmumpreneurnetwork.webs.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://scottishmumpreneurnetwork.webs.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> then please complete the subscription link below.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.nectarbusinesstips.com/tips/10340">http://www.nectarbusinesstips.com/tips/10340</a>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-48835764337479561112010-09-05T09:00:00.000-07:002010-09-05T09:00:43.057-07:00Scottish Mumpreneur Network in Dunbartonshire!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dunbartonshire Scottish Mumpreneur Network meet ups</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our meet ups were held on the 24th and 26th August. We held one during the day and one in the evening for those who could not meet before 6pm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24th August in Goggle-box, Helensburgh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goggle-box is a soft play centre which meant we could bring our children and not have to worry about childcare. 11 people stated they would attend but in the end there were 5 of us (one had forgotten, I do not know why the others did not attend).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We brought business cards and examples of our work.. Several mums from nearby tables came over to see what we were doing and we issued our business cards and spoke about the SMN. Also the owner of Goggle-box informed us she was doing a ladies night and would we like stalls? We discussed amongst ourselves the possibility of having our own regular craft fairs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 5 who attended were:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Kirsteen Allison – Your Wedding at Loch Lomond, Can You Do Me a Favour,CIA Photography and a careers adviser.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Catherine Marsh – Beauty for You, Cath's Clay Creations and NHS 24</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Jenni Regan – Dub Stitch and Loch Lomond Kids</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Jenny Townsend – See Saw Children's Clothing, The Shepherd's house B&B</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Pam Freeman – Phoenix Trading</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 26th, the Clipper, Dumbarton</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was an evening meet up for those who worked during the day. 7 people said they would attend but only 5 turned up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again we brought business cards and samples and discussed our work over a meal. This evening networking event was good for getting to know each other but the Gogglebox one was much more successful, I feel mainly because there were more mums and it was held in a 'mum' environment (soft play).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The people who attended the evening meet up were</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Kirsteen Allison – information as above</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Catherine Marsh – information as above</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Ann Pryce – aromatherapist, retailer, stress management, tarot reader</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Lauren Munro – mobile hair and make up</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Lauren's mum – administrator</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope to have meetups monthly and hopefully recruit more people to come along.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kirsteen Alison of </span><a href="http://www.yourweddingatlochlomond.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.yourweddingatlochlomond.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.canyoudomeafavour.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.canyoudomeafavour.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.ciaphotography.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.ciaphotography.co.uk</span></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Catherine Marsh: </span><a href="http://www.cathsclaycreations.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.cathsclaycreations.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.beauty4-you.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.beauty4-you.com</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jenni Regan: </span><a href="http://www.lochlomondkids.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.lochlomondkids.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.dubstitch.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.dubstitch.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jenny Townsend: </span><a href="http://www.theshepherdshouse.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.theshepherdshouse.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.seesaw.uk.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.seesaw.uk.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pam Freeman: </span><a href="http://www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.phoenix-trading.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lauren Munro: </span><a href="http://www.bylauren.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.bylauren.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ann Pryce: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dumbarton-United-Kingdom/Lotions-Potions-Gift-Shop/115630285133317?ref=search"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dumbarton-United-Kingdom/Lotions-Potions-Gift-Shop/115630285133317?ref=search</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-54430155989041835012010-09-01T09:45:00.000-07:002010-09-01T09:45:27.245-07:00Scottish Mumpreneur Network in Dumfries and Galloway!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was featured in Dumfries and Galloway Standard, The Galloway Gazette and on West Sound Radio! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first meeting of the Dumfries & Galloway group of the SMN met on Tuesday 31 August 2010 between 10 am and noon at Hillcrest House, Station Road, Wigtown. There were eight attending, which was excellent for a first meet.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those attending were:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deborah Firth of Hillcrest House </span><a href="http://www.hillcrest-wigtown.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.hillcrest-wigtown.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heather Bestel of Magical Meditations 4 Kids </span><a href="http://www.magicalmeditations4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.magicalmeditations4kids.com</span></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Renita Boyle, storyteller and author </span><a href="http://www.renitaboyle.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.RenitaBoyle.com</span></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gina Lawson of Gina Lillycrop Designs </span><a href="http://www.ginalillycropdesigns.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.ginalillycropdesigns.co.uk</span></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claire Nash of Cupcakes by Claire </span><a href="http://www.cupcakesbyclaire.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.cupcakesbyclaire.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helen Arnold of Brora Lodge B&B </span><a href="http://www.brora-lodge.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.brora-lodge.co.uk</span></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fiona Harrison of Galloway Alpacas </span><a href="http://www.brora-lodge.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.brora-lodge.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lisa Dunn of HexagonVA (coordinator) </span><a href="http://www.hexagonva.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.hexagonva.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meeting took the form of introductions, as some had never met before whereas others were old friends. Sitting around the coffee table we introduced ourselves, our businesses and our ideal clients/customers. This threw up some interesting ideas for strategic partnerships and for possible future ventures. Everyone agreed that it had been a great meeting and were keen to meet again, the next meeting being pencilled in for the last week of October, date to be confirmed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finished with a cup of tea and some amazing cupcakes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lisa thank you so much for all your hard work. Ladies I would love to come and meet up with you some time too. Keep up the good work. Louise x</span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-71021650915484148012010-08-04T03:16:00.000-07:002010-08-04T03:16:19.459-07:00The Working Mothers Survival Guide<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scottish Mumpreneur Network talks to Jo Scard Co Author of The Working Mothers Survival Guide. A practical, realistic, down-to-earth and entertaining guide for all working women who want to have babies but keep their careers on track too written by two working mums.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s true—once you have kids you’ll wonder what you used to do with your time. But while life is about to get a whole lot busier,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it will never be better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the Mums’ Club. Enjoy it, enjoy your children, enjoy doing all those things you </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">haven’t done since you were a child. Don’t waste time looking over your shoulder at the next mum who appears to have it all. She is just as fallible as the rest </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact, the words ‘Supermum’ and ‘guilt’ should be banned! A supermum doesn’t exist and guilt shouldn’t.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is about choices and compromises and challenges, and once you have children those factors are even greater. A supermum would be one who handles all these perfectly. We all think we’ve met her—either at mothers’ group or sitting behind the boss’s desk. But trust us, she’s an illusion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every mum </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">struggles, every mum has moments when she questions what on earth she’s doing and why—why the house is a wreck or the kids are screaming or your sex life is but a distant memory. Then throw into the mix the demands of a job and the logistics of childcare and you find your time stretched ever further.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’re so worried about what other people think, particularly other mums, that we forget the only opinion that counts is our own child’s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we can be our own worst enemies. We all want to do everything perfectly, but sometimes we just can’t. We are way too</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">harsh on ourselves. We feel guilt no matter what we do—guilty because we work too hard, guilty because we don’t work, guilty because we don’t have enough time. AHHHH!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s take a breath, give ourselves a break and remember the choices we make are the best ones for our circumstances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our dear friend and mother of four, Sharon, sums it up beautifully—‘We all have the same journey, feel the same emotions, the same fears and the same inadequacies. Some of us just take a different path to get there.’ Nor are you alone on that trek. We all have meltdowns, days we can’t manage, moments we question it all and times when we want to pack it all in and run away. That’s when we need each other. Look at the next mum as your ally in this whole</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">convoluted journey. Nurture your true friends. They are on your team and you’ll appreciate them even more on those days that go </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">completely to the dogs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’re all juggling and struggling and laughing and crying. And there’s nothing wrong with admitting it. Forget trying to impress, let’s just be honest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time is precious, so love every moment with your wonderful children, and nurture every second with your growing family, because it does get easier. You may have to make changes like relaxing on the housework and cutting back on those three course meals you were once famous for—but it will be okay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Promise us this, you won’t forget to stop and enjoy the fairy floss once in a while—the laundry can always wait.</span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-56242402658139523332010-07-31T11:59:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:01:35.904-07:00Scottish Mumpreneur Network talks about getting your designs stocked in a shop.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Scottish Mumpreneur Network talks to Eleanor of <a href="http://www.thingspretty.com/">http://www.thingspretty.com/</a> about getting her items stocked in retail shops.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1. Tell us about your business - what made you start it and how long has it been operating?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I worked in Thailand for several years as marketing manager for a jewellery company and during my time there I saw so many beautiful things that I knew I would buy. So I got to know the designers and producers well and tested the market by sending some items back home and through the excellent feedback I received I decided to set up Things Pretty when I returned to the UK in 2006. I have always worked full time so I started out slowly and worked market stalls at the weekends and progressed to my ebay shop. Since I had my lovely wee boy Charlie, 15 months ago and gave up work, I have really tried to pushed things forward as much as I can by setting up my website and selling to shop, I am now going to attend my first trade far in September so am very excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2. We see you have your designs stocked in a few shops? How did that come about?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have an accessories range in Sam Thomas, luckily she is a good friend and she gave my products a trial run in her shop. Things have been going well over the last five months so we are launching a new range at the end of August. I also approached Mary’s Living and Giving Shop in Stockbridge because I read an article that they were interested in working with local people to promote their products. I popped in one day and asked if i could get involved and I followed it up with an e-mail and some examples of my products. Now I have a regular guest spot in the shop and a range of my brooches are displayed permanently. I also really enjoy working in the shop and giving something back to charity. Also I would say the hardest part is getting the first shop but once you have made that step it’s so much easier to grown from there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>3. Do you have any advice you would give other people about approaching shops?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can be quiet daunting but I find the best way to look at it is from their point of view. If I was a shop owner, I would love someone to come in with an exciting new, different product, it’s great for the shop as much as it is for you. If you have a unique idea or good product then people love to know about it so just tell them. The best advice I ever read was from Mary Portas in her column in Grazia, she said she was sick of woman wasting time because they thought they were not good enough and I read it and thought, you are right what I am waiting for, just go for it and I did, seriously what’s the worst that can happen? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>4. Have you had any difficult situations when approaching shops? If so how did you deal with it?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not really, I did have a shop who didn’t contact me when I thought it was quiet a positive meeting and they seemed so keen but I later learned they had to close their shop, so always be positive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>5. Do you have any advice on how to cost designs for stocking in shops, that our readers would benefit from?</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do your research and know your market, who are your customers and what would they pay for it, ask your friends and family for advice, you can never have enough help. Today’s climate is very competitive and I feel in these uncertain times people are more careful with their money so be realistic, people are choosy but if you have a good quality product that’s a little bit unique then you are in with a good chance. It helps to be different; people also appreciate good customer service and a friendly attitude.</span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-27164309913317634072010-07-28T10:12:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:16:38.411-07:00How to approach Retailers<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scottish Mumpreneur Network speaks with Evelyn Smith of </span><a href="http://www.pollyannapumpkin.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.pollyannapumpkin.co.uk</span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJi0MhxZ8ecp9KzSZXOL9Y0yOSvu-C0gZsKdbtIasQ5VfBRBfGaMCT4U_oW_6wBGqEDoA0uKyqa9cEIK8c2Z2Jv9ov4vtdS6Z4K_Wsn6zohSWfiy96hEwKkoNxumd9zCwMVskeIslfVk/s1600/evy+senior+receptionist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJi0MhxZ8ecp9KzSZXOL9Y0yOSvu-C0gZsKdbtIasQ5VfBRBfGaMCT4U_oW_6wBGqEDoA0uKyqa9cEIK8c2Z2Jv9ov4vtdS6Z4K_Wsn6zohSWfiy96hEwKkoNxumd9zCwMVskeIslfVk/s320/evy+senior+receptionist.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My business is named Pollyanna Pumpkin and I sell handcrafted gift plaques for any occasion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started the business in August 2009 as I'd accidently fallen upon modelling clay and wondered what I could do with it!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ordered everything I thought I might need to create unusual gifts and then began making "test" gifts for friends and family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These proved to be so popular that I then sourced some local Christmas Fairs and booked myself a table at 3 events.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Christmas events proved to be massive! My stall was crowded the whole time and people couldn't get enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the products have my contact details on the reverse, and one woman had bought 3 personalised door hangers for her boss's sons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her boss contacted me and asked if I could visit her shop with some samples. She now has a display cabinet filled with Pollyanna Pumpkin products.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She suggested I visit another local retailer, which I did, and she too now stocks my products!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having got a buzz from the idea of proper shops stocking my merchandise, I then made out a list of shops that I thought might be interested in stocking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have only got round to visiting 2 of these shops! One of which was demanding exclusive rights to the product!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another stockist at Braehead Shopping Centre contacted me as she too had been given one of my plaques as a gift and wanted to stock them in her unit at the shopping centre. I have been very very fortunate that my plaques have landed in the hands of retailers wishing to stock!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My advice to anyone visiting shops with their merchandise is to be yourself. I approached the first shop dressed smartly and with a good supply of samples and a wholesale price list, and of course a friendly smile!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I asked if they might be interested in stocking and on seeing the product they did! I would advise anyone doing this to make sure you have your proposal fixed in your mind and not to be swayed. One shop owner almost bit my hand off for the plaques but she wanted exclusive stocking rights to my products and was also looking for my name to be removed and her name on back of product instead. Needless to say I walked away from that one! I wouldn't say that this was a difficult situation, but it certainly made me realise how protective of my products I am and that I wasn't going to have done all the hard work just to hand it to this retailer on a plate! You have to be 100% about what it is you are offering stockists and remember that every retailer will try to get themselves a better deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would suggest that as far as costing your product is concerned, you have to work out exactly how much each item is costing you to make. I totalled the cost of each without adding on hourly rates or anything, and I then doubled that cost to make my profit. So for example if something costs you £5 to make, you would wholesale for £10. Retailing at £15/20. Retail prices can vary enormously depending on stockist and stockists location!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If a retailer is buying in bulk then 1-10 units would be £10 each. 10-20 units £9.50 each. 20-30 units £9.00 each, and so on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am currently waiting for my website to go live and once that happens I will use a different approach with possible retailers. It still means I can visit with samples, but leave the web address for a wider range and also ordering facilities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My only other piece of advice is that in order to promote your product you must work tirelessly! How on earth are the public going to know that your products exist if you don't draw them to it?Also make sure that your product is labelled with your business name and contact details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've learned alot along the way but I think the most important thing is to believe in what you do and have a passion for sharing it with the world!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember my first ever massage at a beauty salon and thinking "Why is there anyone in the world who hasn't experienced a massage?!?!" the treatment to me was so amazing that I felt everyone should be treated to a massage. I then promoted massage to everyone and anyone who would listen!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's the kind of advertising you are looking for!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your product/service should be so amazing that anyone purchasing it will be telling the world about it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck!!</span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-90198795800426179362010-06-07T10:09:00.001-07:002010-06-07T10:09:33.810-07:00Trash the DressGirls, I wonder if you would help Mareike from MM Photography out a little! She's recently had a baby as you know and is now hoping to really 'launch' her photography business! So to have a big launch splash, she's giving away a 'Trash The Dress' photo shoot worth £200 to one lucky Bride!!!<br />
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All the details on the Home Page of www.theglasgowgirlsweddingguide.com but if anyone was able to add a little bit of text pointing to it in their NewsLetters or indeed had space for a big bit, then that would be great!! She's written a Blog piece too which I've got on my Blog today,maybe you could add it to your Blog?<br />
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Hope all well with all of you - hope to catch up soon!!Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-35521242527297970492010-05-15T05:02:00.000-07:002010-05-15T05:02:06.698-07:00Working 5 to 9 - How to run a sucessful business in your spare time<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Link to buy the discounted copy of working 5 to 9. </span><a href="http://www.charmingangelsparties.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.charmingangelsparties.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> are featured in it - great for bloggers right through to medium sized businesses. Must buy! Reduced from £12.99 to £8.99 via this link <a href="http://www.global-investor.com/track/44/">http://www.global-investor.com/track/44/</a></span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-29909226154075559972010-05-15T04:58:00.000-07:002010-05-15T04:58:25.273-07:00Why Franchise?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amrit at Creation Station tells us Why Franchise? When my third daughter was approaching nursery school age the reality of getting back to work hit me hard.Where could I find somewhere that would let me drop my kids off at school and nursery, be there to pick them back up without relying on expensive after school clubs, and what about the school holidays?? And what could I do anyway; being out of employment for sometime would be mean lengthy retraining that I couldn’t afford financially or commit myself to.So I decided to do it all myself. I couldn't look after my young family and be answerable to someone else at work. I wanted the independence and control of my own business and saw that with the Creation Station I could also be part of a team. The concept is so simple and marketable and it would give me a way to explore my long-neglected artistic side as well as earn a living.I had started thinking about flexible working opportunities, and had considered franchising. I had been really drawn to the Creation Station, as it allows me to still use my teaching skills, working with children and I love arts and crafts.The reason I chose a franchise:I did think maybe I could do this myself and at the same time knew without the right backing I would probably give up at the first hurdle.It is not easy. However, there is great support from all the other franchisees who are now really good friends. We all share ideas on a forum and help each other to grow our businesses. There are lesson plans, which are well thought out and in line with Early Years learning.The support and back-up has been quite amazing and is one of the reasons I was so confident about choosing the Creation Station for my business. People who had bought into other types of franchises had told me how they had paid their money, were given a DVD and told to pretty much get on with it. I wanted more than that. I like that I am helping to build a brand and am part of a bigger picture. My friends and family are giving me so much support and I know that if I want it to be successful I am going to have to work hard. But, it's my business so it's worth it. I'm looking forward to the satisfaction of seeing families enjoy what we do and keep coming back. In the short term I want to earn enough to pay my bills and be available to meet my child from school. Ultimately, I would possibly buy a second Creation Station franchise in a neighbouring area and employ someone to run it. Right now I'm feeling excited and a little nervous. But I can’t imagine where else I would be.</span>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228485123885998788.post-44121053313013148362010-04-30T12:07:00.000-07:002010-04-30T12:23:21.964-07:00Welcome to the Scottish Mumpreneur Network<div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a quite a few business mums in our network from all different types of business fields. So to keep you posted of members and who is who we plan to update you with a little blurb on each of the members.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>So who is behind the running of the Scottish Mumpreneur Network?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are two of us<strong> Elaine Hart</strong> and <strong>Louise Graham</strong>. <strong>Elaine</strong> is the one who did all the phoning and organising of our first meet in Oct at the Beanscene, she has also been in touch by email to many of our members. Elaine runs Ready Steady Go Childminding in Paisley as her full time business and can be contacted at tweetypieelaine@hotmail.co.uk. She has a son & daugther, aged 12 & 2.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Louise</strong> is currently a full time teacher of Design & Technology as well as running 2 businesses! Louise does all the PR and website based work as well as contacting members via email. She runs Wedding and Baby a website full of accessories of those special events in your life <a href="http://www.weddingandbaby.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">http://www.weddingandbaby.co.uk</span></a> and Charming Angels childrens Jewellery and Craft making parties <a href="http://www.charmingangelsparties.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">http://www.charmingangelsparties.co.uk</span></a> . Louise can be contacted on weddingandbaby@yahoo.co.uk or charminganglesparties@yahoo.co.uk. She is a mum to her son aged 4.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Our facebook page</strong> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Scottish-Mumpreneur-Network-Mums-in-Business/103134376391823?ref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Scottish-Mumpreneur-Network-Mums-in-Business/103134376391823?ref=ts</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Who are the members?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Members -</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red;">Louise at </span><a href="http://www.weddingandbaby.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">www.weddingandbaby.co.uk</span></a><span style="color: red;"> and </span><a href="http://www.charmingangelsparties.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">www.charmingangelsparties.co.uk</span></a><span style="color: red;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;">Elaine at Ready Steady Go Childmining</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">M.T at </span><a href="http://www.theglasgowgirlsweddingguide.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.theglasgowgirlsweddingguide.com</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I run The Glasgow Girls Wedding Guide which is an ideas, information and inspirational site for Glasgow Brides planning their Wedding, with a full list of local Wedding Suppliers! The idea behind the site was to allow local Brides to find local Suppliers as most of the UK Wedding Planning sites are very English-based and do not feature many Scottish Wedding Service Suppliers! It has grown however, into a site full of ideas, advice and Chat about all things Wedding!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am mum to a son of almost 4 and a daughter of almost 2! In my former life I was a Principal Teacher of a High School of just under 2000 pupils so this is a bit of a change! I still do a bit of tutoring and also run an Usborne Children's Books business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Mundeep at </span><a href="http://www.candle-lite-party.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">www.candle-lite-party.co.uk</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Kirstin at </span><a href="http://www.fingerprint-jewellery.co.uk/paisley"><span style="color: red;">www.fingerprint-jewellery.co.uk/paisley</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Sharon at </span><a href="http://www.raringto2go.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">www.raringto2go.co.uk</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Mareike at </span><a href="http://www.mariekemurray.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.mariekemurray.com</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am Mareike Murray, originally from Germany but have been living in Scotland for 6 years now, just outside Glasgow in Uddingston with my husband Gary. I am mother to our newborn daughter. I am working full time as a research manager (started maternity leave at the end of January) and also have a photography business which is still in the early stages but which I am very excited about. I am specialising in wedding photography and lifestyle portraiture on location (i.e. I am not using studio equipment). My style is modern, elegant, relaxed - a combination of carefully set up poses and photojournalism. I aim to show the true personality of the people I’m photographing and think the key is a great relationship with the clients and the ability to make them laugh!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Libby at www.bareknees.co.uk/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My name is Libby Young. I live just north of Glasgow with my husband, 2 year old Struan, and 6 month old Angus. I am a solicitor, currently on maternity leave, but have also set up a kilt making business, and will soon have to make the decision about whether to return to employment or not. Bare Knees is my business, and I make hand sewn, bespoke kilts for adults, children and babies. I sell full kilt outfits for adults, and sell or hire full kilt packages for children and babies.As a kilt outfit is a large expense for a customer, I aim to make it as easy and relaxed an experience as possible. If the customer is within Central Scotland, I will travel to them for fittings etc. I make alternative arrangements for customers who are further afield. Each kilt is specifically tailored to the individual customer, and this includes advice on tartan, and accessories. I work with other Scottish craftspeople to ensure that my customers have a wide range of high quality accessories to choose from.I am also happy to tackle more unusual projects, with my most recent being a set of three pink kilts for a breast cancer charity event in Hong Kong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red;">Alison - </span><a href="http://www.plansandpresents.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">www.plansandpresents.co.uk</span></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My name is Alison Tinlin and I live on the south side of Glasgow with my husband, Neill and my two kids, Kathryn, 4 and Leo, 22months. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was a nurse in medical admissions for 14 years before having to give it up due to childcare issues.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started my Wedding and Event Planning business, Plans and Presents http://www.plansandpresents.co.uk in April this year after pre planning and researching for a few years and then getting some practical experience.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My job is to work with my clients to create the vision they have of their special day or event and I offer several services from initial supplier and venue searches through to on the day management and of course the full co-ordination option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red;">Nikki - </span><a href="http://www.cupcouture.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">http://www.cupcouture.co.uk</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red;">Ali - </span><a href="http://www.mindfulmum.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">http://www.mindfulmum.co.uk</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Amrit - </span><a href="http://www.thecreationstation.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">http://www.thecreationstation.co.uk</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Jenni - </span><a href="http://macksmagicalmirrors.com/index.html"><span style="color: red;">http://macksmagicalmirrors.com/index.html</span></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Irene - </span><a href="http://www.i-craft.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">http://www.i-craft.co.uk</span></a></span><br />
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<div></div>Scottish Mumpreneur Network Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252878143012575405noreply@blogger.com0