Horace's Bootstraps Diary

The_Dragon

Horace wrote: »

Thanks for your good wishes Dragon - guess I am feeling a tad despondent, I have tons to do and I just don't feel like doing any of it right now:rolleyes:

Personally I think you are doing great! You have an agreed business plan (speaking of which as it has been signed off by one person could you not try getting a small business loan through a bank?), you seem to have masses of energy (have you been taking tips from Hypno?) and presumably you could expand the business into arranging all types of functions not just weddings (and are you doing just civil partnerships for the gay and lesbian market or all sorts?)

I wish I could have the Hairy Bikers living with me - they could drink my beer (well only if they like Belgian Raspberry) and they could make me pies and cakes.

Well they liked Bruges and all the different beers there so that shouldn't be a problem at all :rotfl:

My body goes through phases of lactose intolerance but I just can't do without milk and I hate that soya nonsense, I just stop drinking coffee for a while and avoid cheese. I think I had a bug of sorts because I am ok now:j

Ah right! well you take care of yourself - you hear! We want our Horace around and well!

I S'pose I shouldnt hang around on MSE but its so useful especially the weddings board as I offer advice and get loads of ideas which helps me with my various assignments. I am trying to put some words together to make me sound posh and to market my business - what I do is look at other websites pinch bits that I like the sound of and tinker with the wording so I get something suitable for me.

:rotfl:, put the time down as important research :D:D

BTW your signature always makes me smile:D

I thank you! (sight of a Dragon bowing :rotfl:), I did remove it for a while but MSE pressure made me put it back :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Horace

Dragon - I am two steps ahead of you re my business plans - I also aim to cater for normal weddings (don't want to offend folks) and events. My business plan was signed off by one person but was seen by two others at the Chamber and at least 3 people at the jobcentre when I went cap in hand with my begging bowl to prise £520 out of their sticky paws for my Wedding Planning course. I won't only be planning whole weddings but also offering supportive services like sending out invitations, venue searches, just the plan etc. etc. Am looking at high end market and will work on a fee only basis of 15% or a min fee of £4000 (I may bring this down to £2000) as I am offering a fully bespoke service.

I have had some tips from Hypno but guess its just me - I have been kicked in the teeth so many times that I had the stuffing knocked out of me, the last episode was the worst because I was employed by a con woman who sucked me in entirely and then spat me out when she realised that all the Access to Work funds had dried up because the DWP were on to her. Now I don't trust employers so would rather work for myself.

Being on the dole I don't think that I would get a small business loan, anyway I don't think it is allowed when I am on test trading, I am not even allowed to accept credit card payments - this is some silly jobsworth's jobcentre rule:rolleyes:

I shall start bartering as a way of getting goods and services - I still have my 80 words per minute typing speed.:j I am also getting involved with some local female entrepreneurs in that we are trying to set up a network where we can support each other and pool ideas.

Guess I have always been the sort of person who doesnt take the word No for an answer, I will find a way of doing things even if it means almost destituting myself to do it.

There is one thing good about this job - I get to eat cake:rotfl: - not good when I want to lose weight because I am getting a bit porky but needs must. I also blame Strumpet because he serves up 'virtual' biccies over on his blog - no biccies here nor cake or anything else for that matter:D

The_Dragon

Horace wrote: »

There is one thing good about this job - I get to eat cake:rotfl: - not good when I want to lose weight because I am getting a bit porky but needs must. I also blame Strumpet because he serves up 'virtual' biccies over on his blog - no biccies here nor cake or anything else for that matter:D

Well done on not being discriminatory! and it sounds as though you are fully on the ball

Um okay lets leave the biscuits on Strumpet's and Hypno's sites then! How about some nice low calorie dip and crudite! (I recommend sliced peppers, spring onion, mangetout and pitta strips!)

Horace

I might stretch to the odd jaffa cake because they have few calories. Give me a bowl of tomatoes or grapes any day of the week.:D

Have been busy doing research and once again find myself composing my website in my head, if only I could put it down on paper.:rolleyes:

The_Dragon

Horace wrote: »

I might stretch to the odd jaffa cake because they have few calories. Give me a bowl of tomatoes or grapes any day of the week.:D

Have been busy doing research and once again find myself composing my website in my head, if only I could put it down on paper.:rolleyes:

Hmm - have you ever tried chilli vodka soaked cherry toms? then use the vodka to make Bloody Mary's?

Hmm could you jot the IDEAS for the website down on paper and then you can hopefully start planning it properly?!

Horace

Some ideas jotted down - I just have to trawl through some competitors sites and their brochures. I know what I want I just haven't figured out exactly what to say just yet. I think that's a job for Saturday when the temptation of MSE has been removed.

No useful booze in the house Dragon - two bottles of wine, a bottle of Baileys (which has probably gone off) and a bottle of belgian strawberry beer. As I live on my todd I darent open them because it make me turn in a drunken saddo:eek: Anyway I get tiddly after only one glass - cheap date me :rotfl:

The_Dragon

Horace wrote: »

Some ideas jotted down - I just have to trawl through some competitors sites and their brochures. I know what I want I just haven't figured out exactly what to say just yet. I think that's a job for Saturday when the temptation of MSE has been removed.

Saturday morning only I think! so you will have to work quickly :rotfl:, I hope you don't think I am being pushy I just really want this to work for you!

No useful booze in the house Dragon - two bottles of wine, a bottle of Baileys (which has probably gone off) and a bottle of belgian strawberry beer. As I live on my todd I darent open them because it make me turn in a drunken saddo:eek: Anyway I get tiddly after only one glass - cheap date me :rotfl:

Ah right! sorry I had it fixed in my mind you lived with your OH :rolleyes:, um I am guessing your OH has no objections to you getting tiddly that quickly then :rotfl:

Horace

My OH lives in London:j - I jump for joy because I like my own space and can't stand him under my feet all the time. Don't get me wrong I love him to bits and we must be doing something right as we have been together since 2003. He also goes on holidays with his mates and I trust him not to get up to mischief - he goes on holidays with me too.

Today I got up at 7am and already have jotted down some notes for my website and have started typing up. I also have to start putting together my assignment and start looking at the next one - I am determined to get that bloomin' Diploma and to have a logo to go onto my website and letterheads etc:D

Things are slowly coming together - I just get a bit frazzled but I guess its because I take after my mother:eek: as we are both perfectionists. It is also my competitive spirit and the fact that I try to do everything at once and get frustrated when it doesnt happen immediately. Oh well, such is life.

Think I must have done myself a mischief at the weekend, having limited peripheral vision and no central vision in one eye, I don't always see where I am walking:eek: As I was ambling along the beach on Sunday I fell over (I hate eating sand), I had put my left foot into a hole that had been dug by kids:mad: Why don't they dig holes near their parents, why do they have to dig them close to the sea - its not helpful when the public footpath runs along the seashore. I felt like a right nit and since then my foot has been particularly sore. Last night I felt as though I was wading through treacle and when I looked at my foot it had swollen to twice its normal size:eek: The swelling has gone down a bit so I shall keep walking on it in the hope that it goes away completely.

Ooh look, time for a break - I just fancy an Anzac biscuit.:D

Horace

Today, I braved wind and rain and the motorway and drove down to Worcester for a wedding fair. I took a huge pile of business cards with me and I am glad I did because I handed loads out. I had a good chat with one chap who provides all sorts of entertainment from DJs to bands, to laser shows etc and he asked me for a pile of my cards to put into his shop and likewise I have taken a pile of his leaflets.

I received an invitation to a trade fair for printers (all sorts of printers attend from all over the country and they sell weddingy things) so I am heading there on 20 September. A local day spa was there and the lady that runs it gave me an invitation to her landlord's marquee business open day. I had another chat with a woman that has a wedding directory and she invited me to advertise for free on her website:j I have been offered discounts for various things which I will pass onto my clients.

I tried one of the most vilest things ever - a chocolate fountain - give me hard chocolate anyday of the week but the saving grace was that the strawberry was tasty. No free cake samples either which was disappointing so I had to come home for some lunch (I wasn't going to pay silly hotel prices either).

The day was extremely useful and I feel a lot more positive - I think that the next time I go to a show I will take a flask and some sandwiches. I have been invited to a massive show at The Three Counties Showground in Malvern in October so I will wear comfy shoes and take a picnic.

I am buzzing with excitement today:D

Purpleroses

sounds exciting horace! glad its all going so well! :T