Tuesday 10 January 2012
Sunday 16 October 2011
Everything that is real, was imagined first...
"Everything that is real, was imagined first". I have borrowed this quote from a great and inspirational friend and I know she won't mind. As long as I give it back.
The above quote sums up my journey into making my new business a reality. Ever since I can remember, two things I wanted to do were own business and to write a book. I have always been creative and spent much of my working life as a Desktop Publisher, working in London. I came to live in the North East about 5 years ago and there was not much opportunity to do anything creative. So I happily installed myself in a job working for Northumbria Police (and I still love the job!). However, I first thought actively about starting my own business when I was off on maternity leave, after I had my beautiful son Jake. When I got a bit of quiet time, I started to draw again. My son had long bits of spikey hair and these big gorgeous blue eyes. Out of nowhere I drew a little character, a little hairy, big eyed spider and from there other characters were born. After drawing, I began writing a book to accompany them. I was loving be able to be creative again, without being embarrassed.
When preparing for my son's first birthday party, I loved every second of the party preparations and was in heaven making up the party bags. Whilst doing this, the idea for my business was born... just like that. I had noticed a little bit of a gap in the market for the younger kids at parties and felt that I could accommodate this. Don't get me wrong, providing party bags is no new thing, but for me, it just gets me excited! I love kids, I love kids having fun and I love to be creative. From here, my idea for new baby baskets progressed (again not a new invention but something that I had thought about doing for a long time). Whilst processing my ideas, I realised that I wanted to make a party range using my characters and then go on to my dream of writing and illustrating a book. Hello! I still smile from ear to ear knowing that I am making this happen. Happy days!
So, I started researching and making plans and preparations. I decided to go with the party bags and new bag gift baskets, and for the party range and book to be introduced later - one step at at time. I am lucky to have a good friend who works in marketing and another who creates websites. I spoke with my local Business Link and decided to get the ball rolling. I hit hurdles straight away. There were many things that were not clear. I was hoping to get a Government Grant, especially since I was starting a small business to supplement my part time income. It was quickly apparent that these are advertised constantly, but are rarely available. I was crest fallen, but not deterred. Next stop was to look around for a business loan. Unfortunately, again these are sparse (unless you wanted big sums which I didn't) but I was lucky enough to get one from HSBC, having been a good customer for many years! Waiting for the money to be put into my account were a tense few weeks, especially since I couldn't quite believe it was happening!
Once I had the loan, I bought the stock in and got the website build in motion. I was very happy with it and it came together smoothly. All was going well... and then it came to advertising...
Most of my money had been spent setting up the business and a my initial advertising in the form of fliers, business cards and stickers. I had a Google Adwords voucher with my new business account which I quickly put to good use... and quickly spent!!! Then came the social media, bloggers, tweeting... eh? Am an old hand on Facebook... but Twitter... total mind bend! I couldn't quite grasp it and set up a business account only to be kicked off for spamming! I was furious and a bit confused but my friend who is a blogger informed me of the rules (don't ask me to read them, mind turns off after more than one sentence). So I started again and haven't looked back. Not only have I got my name around a bit but have made some great connections with really lovely people. As for blogging, that was a whole new medium that I knew nothing about. I would say I am less green to it now, and here is my first little blog! However, in true Charlotte style, I seem to have gone on and on so nothing is actually little about it. If you can say it in 1 word, I will say it in 20!
So then, out of the blue came a fantastic opportunity for me to do party bags for a local ice cream parlour Lickety Split. They arrange kids parties and needed someone to help them with the bags. I am lucky enough to have got to know a co-owner, who pointed me in the right direction to get the business. After a few informal meetings and a nice little pitch from me, I got the work. I have to say this was a real achievement for me and I am so incredibly excited by it. Not only do I get to make their party bags, but I also get to eat loads of ice cream. Can't be bad! This made me realise that anything is possible if you are prepared to put the work in and have an open mind.
So what would be my advice to you? I am a huge believer in when something is easy for you, it's the right thing. When it's too hard, stop and have a good look at it. From the outset, I have felt that I am doing the right thing. I have confidence in what I am selling and in how I sell it. I have years of professional customer service experience which have helped me extensively. I am at the point now where I need to keep spreading the word, so people don't forget about http://creationsbycharlotte.co.uk. That is a pretty amazing feeling.
If you are thinking of starting your own business, whatever it may be, I would recommend you have a clear vision of what you want to do. Be prepared to put in the time and very importantly do not rush. Do your research and make sure it's viable and can make you money. Source your financing carefully and use all the expert advise that is available to you. I think it is very important not to overspend when starting up, especially in this climate. That said, it also isn't worth cutting corners either. Be measured and organised. Although my business hasn't been up and running for very long, it was long in the planning stage. I found too many people, with little or no experience, having far too many opinions about what I was doing. Try and take it constructively and act on it if it's right for you. It's all too common for people to say 'I wouldn't do that' rather than, 'Actually Charlotte, that's a job well done'. It's sad, but true. So lastly, be positive and go with your instincts. Cliche, but dreams really can come true!
Have a great week.
Charlotte x
http://creationsbycharlotte.co.uk
The above quote sums up my journey into making my new business a reality. Ever since I can remember, two things I wanted to do were own business and to write a book. I have always been creative and spent much of my working life as a Desktop Publisher, working in London. I came to live in the North East about 5 years ago and there was not much opportunity to do anything creative. So I happily installed myself in a job working for Northumbria Police (and I still love the job!). However, I first thought actively about starting my own business when I was off on maternity leave, after I had my beautiful son Jake. When I got a bit of quiet time, I started to draw again. My son had long bits of spikey hair and these big gorgeous blue eyes. Out of nowhere I drew a little character, a little hairy, big eyed spider and from there other characters were born. After drawing, I began writing a book to accompany them. I was loving be able to be creative again, without being embarrassed.
When preparing for my son's first birthday party, I loved every second of the party preparations and was in heaven making up the party bags. Whilst doing this, the idea for my business was born... just like that. I had noticed a little bit of a gap in the market for the younger kids at parties and felt that I could accommodate this. Don't get me wrong, providing party bags is no new thing, but for me, it just gets me excited! I love kids, I love kids having fun and I love to be creative. From here, my idea for new baby baskets progressed (again not a new invention but something that I had thought about doing for a long time). Whilst processing my ideas, I realised that I wanted to make a party range using my characters and then go on to my dream of writing and illustrating a book. Hello! I still smile from ear to ear knowing that I am making this happen. Happy days!
So, I started researching and making plans and preparations. I decided to go with the party bags and new bag gift baskets, and for the party range and book to be introduced later - one step at at time. I am lucky to have a good friend who works in marketing and another who creates websites. I spoke with my local Business Link and decided to get the ball rolling. I hit hurdles straight away. There were many things that were not clear. I was hoping to get a Government Grant, especially since I was starting a small business to supplement my part time income. It was quickly apparent that these are advertised constantly, but are rarely available. I was crest fallen, but not deterred. Next stop was to look around for a business loan. Unfortunately, again these are sparse (unless you wanted big sums which I didn't) but I was lucky enough to get one from HSBC, having been a good customer for many years! Waiting for the money to be put into my account were a tense few weeks, especially since I couldn't quite believe it was happening!
Once I had the loan, I bought the stock in and got the website build in motion. I was very happy with it and it came together smoothly. All was going well... and then it came to advertising...
Most of my money had been spent setting up the business and a my initial advertising in the form of fliers, business cards and stickers. I had a Google Adwords voucher with my new business account which I quickly put to good use... and quickly spent!!! Then came the social media, bloggers, tweeting... eh? Am an old hand on Facebook... but Twitter... total mind bend! I couldn't quite grasp it and set up a business account only to be kicked off for spamming! I was furious and a bit confused but my friend who is a blogger informed me of the rules (don't ask me to read them, mind turns off after more than one sentence). So I started again and haven't looked back. Not only have I got my name around a bit but have made some great connections with really lovely people. As for blogging, that was a whole new medium that I knew nothing about. I would say I am less green to it now, and here is my first little blog! However, in true Charlotte style, I seem to have gone on and on so nothing is actually little about it. If you can say it in 1 word, I will say it in 20!
So then, out of the blue came a fantastic opportunity for me to do party bags for a local ice cream parlour Lickety Split. They arrange kids parties and needed someone to help them with the bags. I am lucky enough to have got to know a co-owner, who pointed me in the right direction to get the business. After a few informal meetings and a nice little pitch from me, I got the work. I have to say this was a real achievement for me and I am so incredibly excited by it. Not only do I get to make their party bags, but I also get to eat loads of ice cream. Can't be bad! This made me realise that anything is possible if you are prepared to put the work in and have an open mind.
So what would be my advice to you? I am a huge believer in when something is easy for you, it's the right thing. When it's too hard, stop and have a good look at it. From the outset, I have felt that I am doing the right thing. I have confidence in what I am selling and in how I sell it. I have years of professional customer service experience which have helped me extensively. I am at the point now where I need to keep spreading the word, so people don't forget about http://creationsbycharlotte.co.uk. That is a pretty amazing feeling.
If you are thinking of starting your own business, whatever it may be, I would recommend you have a clear vision of what you want to do. Be prepared to put in the time and very importantly do not rush. Do your research and make sure it's viable and can make you money. Source your financing carefully and use all the expert advise that is available to you. I think it is very important not to overspend when starting up, especially in this climate. That said, it also isn't worth cutting corners either. Be measured and organised. Although my business hasn't been up and running for very long, it was long in the planning stage. I found too many people, with little or no experience, having far too many opinions about what I was doing. Try and take it constructively and act on it if it's right for you. It's all too common for people to say 'I wouldn't do that' rather than, 'Actually Charlotte, that's a job well done'. It's sad, but true. So lastly, be positive and go with your instincts. Cliche, but dreams really can come true!
Have a great week.
Charlotte x
http://creationsbycharlotte.co.uk
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