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nappentass

Morning All
Been keeping up with you all via the digest - seems like you've been busy.
Welcome amatheya - they're a great bunch here.

Well done Horace sounds like a great idea to organise a fair - FWIW a friend has just given up organising holistic events because exhibitors wouldn't pay in advance and despite saying they would attend and pay, simply didn't turn up so I would suggest giving a 'Big' incentive to book & pay up front to help you avoid this situation.

Still haven't finished my monthend completely but the no of clients aren't down too much even though I had completely dead weeks over the last couple of months.
My CCCS interview has been re-scheduled to Friday just hope I've got everything I need ready to hand.
BB & I went on a one day training course last week for a different muscle release technique and it blew me away - I don't have pain in my knees anymore and can squat, kneel and get in & out of chairs without pain - yahoo - so I want to start the practitioner training next year and am asking the Universe to help provide the funds. The great thing is that BB wants to do it too, he's interested in Complementary therapies but it's the first thing we've found he's can see himself doing.
We were also away over the weekend so I'm completely out of my routine this week. Hope eveyone's having a good week
TTFN

nzmegs

Hello everyone. Welcome to amatheya. Illustraters are so clever. My kids can both draw really well but I am completely useless. I draw with words though i guess - as corny as it sounds!

I am still counting down my final days at work. Just 2 to go!!!! I have cleared my emails and passed over most of my work. I will hopefully not have too much to do in the next couple of days.
I sent off an email today to cancel the meal out and replaced it with casual drinks if anyone felt like it. Got a lot more positive repsonses from that idea. So even if all else fails I am sure that 4 or 5 people will be there at least for a while.

I am still really excited about working my own hours - as Horace pointed out this is such a bonus. But have been having soe worries about money. Our account has slipped (once again ) into OD due to the time it takes for cheques to clear and transfers to be made. With two self employed incomes this sort of thing will happen more often. it always seems to be famine or feast moneywise with us. I hope we can find some sort of balance. I know some of my clients pay immediately but others pay after a few days. It is so hard to judge.

I have been thinking about a website too. I do already have one which I set up when I originally wanted to do virtual admin work, I had no calls which came from it. I have learned a lot more now about how to get people towards your website. But with all these freelance sites out there perhaps it is a waste of time?
Writing is one of those things where people don't know they need it until it is pointed out to them how useful it can be. But how to get that message across....
I also want to start promoting myself to print magazines. It is a scary thought, but after a year of experience I think I am ready to write something a little more substantial.
Anyway all in good time. Oh I sent off my first blog to a client today. it is a creative blog about a builder ( completely made up) and my client is over the moon. he loves it and I made a very easy £20!

Horace

Thanks for the tip about exhibitors Nappentass and well done on your course.

I went to a seminar today with Brad Sugars - I dragged my accountant along. I am afraid that I didnt really do any networking as there were 750 people there and it was extremely daunting:eek: Some of you may remember that Brad Sugars is an action coach (apparently one of the world's biggest and best companies) and he is my friend on facebook. Brad kindly send his facebook friends a code to use when we booked the seminar meaning that we could get in free and not pay £97:j I suggested it to my accountant and she came with me and then took me out for lunch so we could have a chat and I could pass on my accounts. It was a brilliant day especially as he knew exactly who I was when I went to introduce myself (I also wanted to catch a glimpse of his blingy watch..£50K and one of only 5 in the world - it was a nice watch though:D).

As I was leaving the tea area..I happened to bump into the woman that invited me to the BNI meeting last week - you should have seen her face..she looked as though she had swigged a bottle of vinegar:eek: As soon as she clapped eyes on me it was "oh, its you! what are you doing here?") me being me said Brad had invited me so she said "Brad who?" - my reply, you know Brad Sugars the guy that you have paid to see speak today, then she said something along the lines about how I must be joking because why would Brad bother with someone like me - I turned around to her and politely pointed out that I was there as his personal guest and that he and I are good friends, she then said that I never mentioned it at the BNI meeting last week when they were asking if anyone knew anybody famous so I said that as I wasnt a member of the BNI that I didnt feel the need to name drop. She was such a moo - anyway I have emailed her to say that I won't be going on Friday:j I have found a different networking group that meet later called 4networking which were recommended to me by one of the action coaches that I know. It was well worth seeing Brad today as he imparted words of wisdom in a fun way and then offered us all a free one hour coaching session. Its a pity that I couldnt afford the 2 day business coaching session that he is organising but he did say that I should attend group meetings which will be cheaper and he pointed me in the direction of all his free stuff. I know that my local business coach charges £3000 per session so to get an hour for free is brilliant.

I also met up with Paul - the guy that I have a strategic alliance with and he was knackered after driving down to Manchester from Glasgow and driving all over the country to set up the sound systems for each of Brad's seminars. I also shared some information with him so when I come back from Spain we will be meeting up again...that's one alliance that is going to bear fruit and will be extremely lucrative.

I am off out again tomorrow - this time to see Snow Business as I want to become an approved supplier again this would be great for weddings and the corporate events (and maybe even for Brad as his daughters love snow and apparently coilect snowglobes but then I don't think they have snow in Las Vegas).

I learnt a few things - always thank your customers for their business - send chocs to your accountant (mine is now licking her lips at the thought of getting chocs from me:rotfl:), put your prices up by 10%, if you are cheap then people will think you are bad and will go elsewhere.

moneymabel

Nice one at getting your own back on the 'moo'!!! must have been a good feeling lol!
Hi megs-go get those magazines girl-you can do it :-)
Hi Ametheya-loving your illustrations and your ickle ratfinks :-) I used to have rats and they are the best pets ever,so loving and funny. Unfortunately OH is petrified of them (stupid man) so my rat owning days are over...unless I get rid of him......;-)

moneymabel

Oh speaking of chocs Horace-yesterday I went into town to catch up with some people I don't see much anymore coz I work out of town, including the manageress of Thortons. They do a small wedding catalogue of their favours etc and she offered to put my cards into it when she gives them out. I know I had a headstart coz I already knew her but with your business skills I'm sure you can easily persuade your local Thortons to do the same with yours!

Horace

Thanks for the tip Megs..a trip to my local Thorntons might be in order. Am feeling a little despondent today - Snow Business have cancelled the demonstration today so I have no need to go out, best get on with some housework I guess:rolleyes: Well done on getting your cards into the Thorntons brochures though:T

I have already tried to sort out my email problems because my business email isnt forwarded them onto my email so I am losing business:mad: Erk..I have just discovered that a bugler lives in the houses over the way..I could hear a bugle the other day and thought that it was the scrapman..it seems I was wrong, all the local dogs are barking like crazy:eek: I do know that there is a drummer over the way too but I don't mind listening to him because he's pretty good (I am assuming its male).

Purpleroses

oh man i haven't posted on here in a while oops. glad to see everyone doing so well.

welcome Ametheya your drawings are fab!

Good going with that moo Horace! lol must have felt great. Anyhoo must get back to work, too much to do and not enough hours in the day!

wigglebeena

Horace wrote: »

Thanks for the tip about exhibitors Nappentass and well done on your course.

I went to a seminar today with Brad Sugars - I dragged my accountant along. I am afraid that I didnt really do any networking as there were 750 people there and it was extremely daunting:eek: Some of you may remember that Brad Sugars is an action coach (apparently one of the world's biggest and best companies) and he is my friend on facebook. Brad kindly send his facebook friends a code to use when we booked the seminar meaning that we could get in free and not pay £97:j I suggested it to my accountant and she came with me and then took me out for lunch so we could have a chat and I could pass on my accounts. It was a brilliant day especially as he knew exactly who I was when I went to introduce myself (I also wanted to catch a glimpse of his blingy watch..£50K and one of only 5 in the world - it was a nice watch though:D).

As I was leaving the tea area..I happened to bump into the woman that invited me to the BNI meeting last week - you should have seen her face..she looked as though she had swigged a bottle of vinegar:eek: As soon as she clapped eyes on me it was "oh, its you! what are you doing here?") me being me said Brad had invited me so she said "Brad who?" - my reply, you know Brad Sugars the guy that you have paid to see speak today, then she said something along the lines about how I must be joking because why would Brad bother with someone like me - I turned around to her and politely pointed out that I was there as his personal guest and that he and I are good friends, she then said that I never mentioned it at the BNI meeting last week when they were asking if anyone knew anybody famous so I said that as I wasnt a member of the BNI that I didnt feel the need to name drop. She was such a moo - anyway I have emailed her to say that I won't be going on Friday:j I have found a different networking group that meet later called 4networking which were recommended to me by one of the action coaches that I know. It was well worth seeing Brad today as he imparted words of wisdom in a fun way and then offered us all a free one hour coaching session. Its a pity that I couldnt afford the 2 day business coaching session that he is organising but he did say that I should attend group meetings which will be cheaper and he pointed me in the direction of all his free stuff. I know that my local business coach charges £3000 per session so to get an hour for free is brilliant.

I also met up with Paul - the guy that I have a strategic alliance with and he was knackered after driving down to Manchester from Glasgow and driving all over the country to set up the sound systems for each of Brad's seminars. I also shared some information with him so when I come back from Spain we will be meeting up again...that's one alliance that is going to bear fruit and will be extremely lucrative.

I am off out again tomorrow - this time to see Snow Business as I want to become an approved supplier again this would be great for weddings and the corporate events (and maybe even for Brad as his daughters love snow and apparently coilect snowglobes but then I don't think they have snow in Las Vegas).

I learnt a few things - always thank your customers for their business - send chocs to your accountant (mine is now licking her lips at the thought of getting chocs from me:rotfl:), put your prices up by 10%, if you are cheap then people will think you are bad and will go elsewhere.

OMG, seriously? Was she kidding or is she just bloody rude? Way not to go to influence (and recruit) people.

Horace

wigglebeena wrote: »

OMG, seriously? Was she kidding or is she just bloody rude? Way not to go to influence (and recruit) people.

Wiggle - I think she was jealous as I was dressed to the nines in my reduced price Fenn Wright & Manson clothes, my posh watch was on my wrist and I basically I looked fantastic. She is just rude and when I first met her at the wedding fair - she wasnt really interested in me and just invited me to these silly BNI people. I have spoken to a few people about BNI and all of them agree that they are rude and only interested in themselves. I would rather network with people who are genuinely interested and not made to feel as though I am there to make up the numbers:rolleyes:

Have had a busy morning - had a chat with the chamber of commerce because according to them I am a limited company and I live at an entirely different address which I found out when the publishers of their business directory rang me up today. I managed to get through to the membership director and had words with him and he virtually accused me of filling in an online form incorrectly - he then commented on why I don't go to networking events so I said that I am a start up business and don't have the money to waste especially when real members can go for free whilst start ups pay. Two tiers of membership and two tiers of service...I don't think that I will renew especially as my membership was backdated to 1st April and I joined in June:mad:

Oooh hellooo Purple - not seen you in these parts for aaages - hope you are well and I am looking forward to seeing these swanky shoes of yours.

TCM_3

How are the shoes Purple? Was thinking bout them the other day! I looked at a pair then saw the price tag and set them down rapdly before I put my mucky paw marks on them!

Horace, you've had a busy day again. The chap I am mentoring was up with me today and I was thinking back to when we first started up and all of the ones looking down their noses. He is finding the same, people aren't taking him seriously and I think even now, I love the look on faces when they realise 4 years on, we're still going!

Shop busy but stock running low and I am scared to order more incase I can't sell it. I have one grumpy lady who asked me to order a ridculously priced hat in for her, I asked her for a 50% deposit (it retails at over £300 and there ain't no way I'm forking out that in one go!) as she had ordered stuff before and never came in for it. She'll get over it!

Hope everyone wrapped up for the cold. I have put the heating on today for the first.

T xx