So poor I can't even pay attention

ani_26

Piquant wrote: »

Everything except the bacon and sausage. I don't eat meat and I'm not letting Colin find out about bacon, he's already mighty chubby...

Smoked salmon and scrambled egg? Mmmmm. All this talk of food is making me hungry. Breakfast time? ( although none, of the above.) Have a good day. x

Caroline_a

Ok List Making for Beginners. I make lists now as I'm getting too old to remember stuff, plus I'm a PA so I'm not supposed to forget stuff! I tend to make lists in a notebook that I keep with me at work. At home I use my phone or ipad, but a slate or big piece of paper taped to your fridge/kitchen door, whatever you like will do. Make sure you have a pen next to it!! (or you will forget what goes on the list before you have found the pen..)

I think probably you will need several lists for the business - so one for marketing ideas, one for business plan, one financial stuff and one for 'where on earth does this belong'.

So - Marketing Idea list is stuff like logo, business cards, Business Plan might be open business bank a/c, do market research, look at market stall for pots, finance stuff might be wholesale prices, calculate mark up, calculate hourly rate, and general stuff might be source broken pots!

Of course stuff can move from one list to another so if you have a big enough piece of paper you can draw arrows etc.

Does that help? Just brainstorm for ideas, and you'll end up with a list!

Fortune_Smiles

Hi Piq. Not sure where you're based but, if we're close enough to each other, I can offer you some coaching to help you clarify your business goals and decide an action plan.

Fortune x

triple_choc_chip

Caroline_a wrote: »

business cards (best ones although not the cheapest are from Moo), small website just showing pictures, listing what is available and prices..

I second the Moo cards, I had samples at work and I was impressed. They may not be the cheapest but they are affordable because the minimum quantity order is small.

Ref. small website - the google one's are basic but free; but any self respecting student with IT skills should know enough about coding to put something artistic together, do you know any who could help? My son is 14 and he knows how, so a wide age group to ask who would be grateful for extra pocket money.

About giving the flower pots to customers: it's a lovely idea but you need a business not a charity Further down the line it may be a nice gesture at Xmas to your best customers but they have to earn that status first. Concentrate on income before expenditure. It may be that when you have a website selling produce you can give your customers discount codes - things don't have to be free to let people know their custom is appreciated.

walkers60

Hi Piq
I really liked what your Dad said to you - I often think back on what my Dad used to say and think how wise he was in his own quiet way. He was a nurseryman and used to wander round with his secateurs taking cuttings and nurturing his plants and talking to them! I decided I didn't want to be part of the nursery and did a variety of jobs through my life but due to various circumstances I went back to help him part-time in the nursery during the last few years of his life. I'm so glad I did as we spent lots of time together and he encouraged me and now I love doing my own seeds and cuttings.

I think the idea of to leaving a plant at each customer's house is delightful.

Lots of things to think about..... and so many people to share the ideas with.

Walkers

lucielle

Advertising is a minefield and something I'm still battling with. Word of mouth is best but cards in newsagents, post office etc. Is there a local parish mag as that could be a target market. Leaflet drops, target affluent areas. HTH
L

rileydog

Just de-lurking to chip in on the gardening front... If you are seriously considering trying to launch this new venture then I would get cracking with flyers/business cards NOW (even if you sort other stuff out in the meantime). In the last week I've had three flyers come through for gardeners so looks like it's the time when current businesses are plying for trade so you need to strike before others get in there and secure all the new bookings.

Good luck!

NorthernLas

I'm a fan of Vistapr***t. As long as you keep saying no, no, no, 250 business cards can be obtained for postage only. Should you have a vehicle, they do big magnets (size of a mouse mat) that can be used to advertise (I'm fairly sure that you can get one free i.e. postage only)

Or Staples which business cards I think are £1.99 for 100.

Piquant_2

Just popping in to wave:wave:and let you know I adore you all!

I'll update tomorrow. I've had a long cold day at work and I'm really tired, so I'm snuggled up with Colin ready to vegetate in front of the television for a while, then get an early night.

See you all tomorrow.

Piq

missrlr

Morning Piq do you have snow? We had rather a lot and it caused all mann of pain travelling home yesterday and in today.

So I feel the need to get cracking with a plan for you and some lists .... I call a "BoArd" meeting not a bored meeting you understand