Start an ironing service... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

bbaby_2

Hi fellow Ironers,

Hope your all doing well and reeling those customers in.

I have just completed my website, its pretty simple.


Also,, one last question, has any one here had leaflets made up from an online supplier?

All the best.

sweetpeas_2

its great that bbaby, hope it really takes off for you

xx nog xx

Whoooooooosh

I've been researching setting up an Ironing Service since last November when I was really unhappy in my job. Well things came to fruition about 6 weeks ago & I ended up on the dole queue. A fortnight later I decided to take this idea further & started looking towards setup funding grants etc.

I found this website very, very useful for that http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

They advise you on funding schemes etc available in your area. Sadly it's a bit of a postcode lottery but I am lucky enough to live in an area where the local Council gives grants towards setup costs for some small businesses & luckily I qualify. Unfortunately the grant doesn't cover the cost of a vehicle & at the moment I am vehicleless, but that's soon to be resolved.

I'm seeing a (free) small business advisor who's help is proving invaluable - particularly in helping me do my business plan to apply for the grant.

I've got my new business bank account set up & sorted out my accountant - both of them were unbelievably encouraging, coming up with additional ideas for me to consider to give me 'an edge' over the competition

I've been reading this thread for a couple of weeks now after finding it on a google search & have found the advice on it absolutely brilliant, as well as encouraging & supportive. I've particularly found Stephie's posts helpful - ty for that Stephie.

My plan is to start at the beginning of April, timing it to coincide with the new financial year.

I've costed up having flyers & business cards printed, but I think I'm going to leave the business cards for now & create the flyers myself on Word. My 11 yr old niece & her mates have volunteered to deliver them around their estate (which is where I'm mainly targetting) for the cost of a new computer game.

One thing I've thought of is (for the sake of about £15) I'm getting a cheap laminator. I have contacts in a few shops that will display my flyers for me, they already display others & I've noticed they soon get tatty looking. Laminating my flyer would keep it fresh looking for months to come & put the competition to shame (until they copy my idea lol). I'd only do this for the posters, not the door to door leaflet drops.

Another thing that no-one locally is claiming is "Fully Insured" so for the sake of approx £2 a week for Public Liability Insurance, I'm getting in first with that one.

I've designed my own logo on the PC, so as soon as I manage to find the perfect little van I'm getting the vinyl decals done with my logo & contact details on. I live in a fairly small town, this type of advertising would be worth more than a weekly or monthly advert in the local free rag, although I'll probably drop one in from time to time if I think it's worth it. Decals on ebay are approx £25 for 2 sides of a small van - I'd have the sides & back done. My local free rag charges £15 for a small classified ad.

I know I'm waffling, but I'm so excited & wanted to share my own experiences with you guys.

Any other hints, tips, suggestions etc are very, very welcome.

bbaby_2

Whoooooooosh wrote: »

I've been researching setting up an Ironing Service since last November when I was really unhappy in my job. Well things came to fruition about 6 weeks ago & I ended up on the dole queue. A fortnight later I decided to take this idea further & started looking towards setup funding grants etc.

I found this website very, very useful for that http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/.

Hi Whoooooooooosh, (hope i got that right)

That sounds great, im excited for you:T

Iv seen those decals on ebay and have had them in my watch list for a while for when the time is right.


Please keep us posted on how you get on.

Take care.

bbaby_2

noggin wrote: »

its great that bbaby, hope it really takes off for you

xx nog xx

Thanks noggin,

Whoooooooosh

Hi bbaby, ty for your encouraging comments

I loved your website, it looks so clean & professional. Which software did you use to make it?

I've knocked some draft flyers up today on Word. I've done 2 per sheet on landscape, making them A5. I've got my logo on, my name, my telephone numbers, my main price, the fact that I'm fully insured, & the service I'm offering. My logo is in black white & red, so I've kept to that theme in the writing too, ie only used black & red, planning on white paper background. I've visualised my laminated flyer in either A4 or A5 on the notice boards beside the others in the local shops & I'm happy to say mine wins hands down every time lol

Someone mentioned names earlier.... the name I've chosen is Creasebusters, which although isn't original, there's no local business with a similar name that I can find. My logo is a play on the Ghostbusters logo, I knocked it up myself on Paintshop Pro. I thought that a catchy, even gimmicky name would be memorable, especially on the van & flyers.

I think I'm just going to advertise once a month in the local free rag, they have a deal on for women-related things once a month, only £15 plus VAT for a coloured ad, which I thought was good. Also putting myself in Yell.com cos it's free lol

Keep posting about your progress too bbaby - I feel like we're going through this together

Whoooooooosh

btw, if anyone wants a logo creating, I'm willing to give it a go for you.

cazi

Hi bbaby,

Go to my site and send me an email from the feedback page and we can sort it out. I would need a little info about your area and any weblink.
I will add you link as soon as I receive the info

bbaby_2

Are you charging for this?

cazac71

Those who offer an ironing service, how much do you charge?

Thanks

Caz:j