PRIME business club

Cousins Jackie Hatton, 52 and Denise Lever, 50 have set up a gift shop in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. The shop offers affordable country lifestyle gifts, which can be anything from handmade soap to second hand furniture. Taking it in turns to man the counter, Denise and Jackie each enjoy a three-four day week, and split the profits of a full time business.

Manchester-based Jackie and Denise were selling at markets and trade fairs, when they realised they could open a gift shop for almost the same amount of expenditure. The shop opened in May 2009, and the ladies are now making profit and making themselves known to the Hebden Bridge community.

Starting Out

The cousins did some research a gift fair in Harrogate. They saw what was on the market, and what was selling, and the cousins began to get a picture of the stock they wanted to invest in. It was then a case of buying a small selection of products, and testing them out at trade fairs and markets.

The two complemented each other. Denise was the creative one out of the two, and made cushions and tablecloths to sell. She had worked in a gift shop before, and was always suggesting new ideas. Jackie dealt with the accounts, and made sure the ideas were realistic, before anything went ahead.

The cousins also differed in taste. ‘Denise will go for pink and fluffy, whereas I like anything with a cockerel on it!’ Says Jackie. The cousins have to get each other to agree to stock before ordering it in, which means nothing is bought on a whim, and there is little that does not sell.

Business Support

The cousins attended a Business Link workshop, but found the information too general. The help also seemed to be aimed at bigger businesses, as Jackie and Denise discovered they could not get a loan or grant unless their business could generate jobs. However, the networking session was helpful, and the two did take advantage of a free hour consultation with Business Link later on. Jackie says ‘The business advisor suggested the shop, but it was too expensive. Over time it became more realistic, and Denise gradually convinced me to do it.’

Jackie also signed up with PRIME, who sent her a free information pack. She says ‘It was reassuring to know there were support networks out there. I know we can contact them if we have any problems.’

Finding a premises

Jackie and Denise decided to rent, as this was cheaper and had fewer obligations, should the business fail. Jackie found a place on the Internet with reasonable rates, and the cousins looked into securing it. Unfortunately the premises was taken, but this gave Denise a kick to find something else. Finally Denise found an empty shop but Jackie believed the rent was too high. The cousins broke down the cost that they would incur when running the market stall, and realised the shop rent, at £11,000 per annum would not be much more. If things did not work out, there was a two-year clause where the ladies could negotiate. By selling the stock and working for a short period of time, the ladies would have a safety net to fall back on.

As the cousins could not attain funding to start the business, they had to improvise. ‘I had money saved some money for my son’s 21st birthday, so I’ve got a year to get that back!’ Says Jackie. ‘Denise had some savings as well, and my husband helped by making some cabinets and doing the painting.’ Jackie also negotiated a three-month rent-free period with the landlord. This meant that they had some extra time to get customers in and earn some cash.

Marketing and advertising

In May 2009 the cousins had a Grand Opening to encourage people to the shop. They gave out free cake and wine, and invited lots of family to make the shop look busy. The event created some chatter around the community, so the cousins are repeating the tactic this Christmas. The shop will stay open late while the Christmas lights are turned on and the festive drink Pimms is handed round.

Most of the cousins’ marketing comes from word of mouth. Jackie is naturally social, and cannot help but get to know the community. She has introduced herself to the neighbourhood shops, and spends time getting to know the customers. ‘Denise and I feel it is even more important to get to know the community, because neither of us live here.’ Says Jackie. The cousins have joined the local business association, which gives them the opportunity to network with other businesses in the area.

Not long after opening, the Halifax Courier did an article on the shop. This created a lot of publicity, gave the shop a good review, and was free of charge. The success of the piece encouraged the cousins to utilise other papers. The women advertise weekly in the local paper for £25. Jackie says ‘Every other business in the village is in it, so we thought we better be in it to!’ The cousins also spent £270 to appear in Yorkshire Life’s shopping guide, and £450 for six months advertising on the ticket sleeves of the local theatre. Although expensive, the advertising is well targeted. According to the website, Yorkshire Life is ‘aimed at those who aspire to a high standard of living.’ This description also fits the average theatregoer, and is the market audience of Country Cousins Lifestyle.

Just a few months after opening, the cousins are making profit. The next step is to get to website and blog to keep people in touch with Country Cousin Lifestyle news, and enable customers to buy online.

Denise and Jackie will be speaking about their business at the PRIME Olderpreneur Roadshow in Manchester on 9th December 2009. Click here to book your free place.

Contact
Jackie Hatton and Denise Lever
Country Cousins Lifestyle
21A West End
Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
HX7 8UQ
Tel: 01422 846317
Email: countrycousins@live.co.uk

Fifty six year old Janet Wilks is earning £30,000 a year after starting a business in Belief Therapy.

Janet, who lives in Leeds, helps people dismantle conscious and unconscious limiting beliefs, so that they can live a fuller life. Janet specialises in confidence building, personal development, and new businesses. Private sessions cost £100 per hour, but clients can get the service for free if they sign up for the Personal Enterprise Coaching Programme run by Business Link. Janet sees seven to ten people a month, enabling her to live comfortably and still have some free time for herself. She says ‘the key was knowing what I wanted to do, and persisting until it happened’.

Janet retired from her Manager Coach position at British Gas in June 2008. Her father was ill, and Janet wanted to go and look after him. By October he had recovered, and Janet was uncomfortable being the ‘lady of leisure’ her friends expected her to be. She began gathering business ideas.

Research

Janet approached PRIME and was sent a free pack on self-employment. The pack included a directory of local business support, and guides to Ideas for Business, Finance, and Working for Yourself. Janet says:

It was inspirational. The Working for Yourself booklet told me everything I needed to know in plain English. It gave me a bit of a kick, and I thought ‘I WILL do this.

Janet knuckled down and contacted everyone she could think of. She spoke to Business Link, where an advisor helped her brainstorm some ideas. At the time Janet was considering a social enterprise, but Business Link advised against this, and instead recommended a list of enterprise community centres that specialised in belief coaching.

Janet researched online and found out about Sharing the Success; a project run by Leeds Local Enterprise Initiative to put government funding into new and existing businesses in Leeds. Janet investigated the scheme and arranged some voluntary work for herself at Harehills and Beeston community centres. She continued to network and discuss her ideas at these placements, and when lecturing at other voluntary events. Eventually a representative of Age for Employment (A4E) suggested the personal enterprise coaching programme at Business Link.

Personal Enterprise Coaching Programme

Janet was taken on after submitting her CV and Mission Statement, and discussing her terms with Business Link. Business Link pay Janet £200 for every client she sees on their behalf. Janet is obliged to spend two two-hour sessions with the client, but often goes over if she feels the participant would benefit from it. Clients are then given exercises to do in their own time, so that they can continue to see the results after the sessions are over.

Hedpop

Another venture was becoming a guest speaker at Hedpop, who specialise in business transformation and lifestyle management. This is similar to Janet’s old corporate coaching role at British Gas, and helps her keep a foot in the door. The company is run by former colleague Dave Newsome, and is aided by NLP trainer Mark Thompson. The three support one another. She explains: ‘I am the artist who comes up with new ideas, and Dave and Mark have the logic to shape them and make them work’.
Training

While Janet was at British Gas she took a course in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and became a practitioner. She also took the Life Coach Handbook Diploma at the Achievement Specialists centre in Bournemouth. These qualifications are popular in the personal development sector, and give Janet accreditation.

Advertising

Janet’s main advertising medium is her website www.adoptcoaching.co.uk.  The site was made by Phil Johnson who contacted her through the Leeds Chamber of Commerce. ‘He is the most amazing person in the world’ Janet says. Phil charges £500 to set up a website and £15 a month after the first year to maintain and update it.

Janet also uses Phil’s services to print her business cards. Janet has a different quote on the back of each one, which she says provides a talking point when networking. ‘I find that quotes are very inspirational, and can mean something to the person that takes the card’ she explains.

When Janet bought her first lot of cards the business was in its early stages. This meant that after a couple of months the cards were no longer relevant. Her advice is to wait until you are sure about your message and what branding you want to use.

In other advertising, Janet found that flyers were largely ineffective, but that networking and events were successful. Janet volunteered to speak at a number of events including Reach Further Coffee Mornings, Forward Ladies, and My Catalyst.

Problems

Janet’s main problem was negativity:

My family and friends would say ‘Don’t you think you’re a bit old to start a business?’ and ‘How are you going to make any money?’ I didn’t know how it was all going to work, but I wanted it so much that I just kept pushing.

Less than a year after starting, Janet has generated a good income and reputation.

Contact

Adopt Coaching
Janet Wilks
Tel: 07904 865 847
Email: janet.wilks@live.co.uk
Web: www.adoptcoaching.co.uk

Are you over 50 and thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Then come along to PRIME’s FREE taster workshop at the Merrion Hotel, in Leeds city centre. View map and venue details

* Decide if self-employment is right for you
* Hear from older entrepreneurs who have gone ahead and started.
* Meet local organisations that can help you
* Meet and network with your peers

The speaker line up includes local olderpreneur Janet Wilks, who set up her own coaching business, plus speakers from PRIME, business link and other sources of useful free help in the area.

This event is suitable for those still at the ideas stage, and those with a firm plan in mind who are almost ready to go ahead. The emphasis throughout is on establishing whether self-employment is the right thing for you. Find out the practical steps involved and hear from people who have already done it before making the leap.

You can come to either or both sessions, in the afternoon and early evening. Please let us know on the booking form so we can plan for numbers. All PRIME events are free. As a charity we are interested in helping people make the right decision - to start in business or do something else. Our role is to provide you with good information so you can make a well-informed decision.

This event is part of PRIME’s Olderpreneur Roadshow. For list of other cities visited click here.

PRIME is currently working with Success Doncaster to help you assess your idea and decide if this could be the right move for you. To take up this offer you should reside in the DMBC area.  

For more information about starting your own business come along to our free Workshop Session for beginners!!

We will focus on:

• What your strengths are and how you might be able to use them by working for yourself
• What you have to do to ‘officially’ start ‘trading’
• How to start looking for customers, finance and premises

To book your FREE place call PRIME on: 0800 783 1904

Date: Monday 23 March 2009

Time: 10am - 1pm

Venue: The Circle, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW

Status: PRIME event

PRIME is running a free workshop for anyone who is over 50 and thinking about becoming self-employed or starting a business in Sheffield.

Find out if self-employment is right for you. The workshop will help you identify skills you have, explore business ideas and produce an action plan to take those ideas forward.

To book your FREE place call PRIME on 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Date: Tuesday 31 March 2009

Time: 5pm -7pm

Venue: The Circle, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW

Status: PRIME Business Club event

 ‘A good website will make money not cost money’

 Do I need one?

What do I put on it?

How much will it cost?

How do I get one?

Do I need to understand how it works and how to change it?

Mike Teare from Abbeydale Associates will guide you smoothly through getting your business on to the World Wide Web. This session is also useful for anyone with a website who wants to check if it’s working effectively. This is a FREE event.

“We’re not spotty geeks!

We’re not prima donna designers!

You’ll get sound advice from plain-speaking Yorkshiremen

We’re highly recommended - ask any of our clients”

Abbeydale Associates

www.abbeydale.net

To book your free place telephone 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Click here for event location

Date: Monday 23 March 2009

Time: 5pm -7pm

Venue: The Circle, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW

Status: PRIME Business Club event

‘Let’s talk finance’   

An opportunity to spend the evening with three knowledgeable speakers and ask them questions on the topic of finance and tax. This is a FREE event.

Lee Siddall is a Business Specialist for HSBC, he will talk about account opening, savings, business insurance, lending (commercial credit cards, loans, overdrafts), external lending options as well as business plans and cash flow forecasts.

There will be a selection of brochures and copies of business plans and forecasts to take away.

Neil Flowers is one of the Financial Planners at the HSBC city centre branch, and his role covers a host of different products such as investments, protection (both personal and business), pensions and wills, which he will discuss and answer any questions about.

Cynthia Chamberlain is a Business Advisor for HMRC, she will give a presentation entitled ‘thinking of working for yourself’. The presentation will cover:

• How to register as self employed
• National Insurance
• Tax allowances and rates
• Record keeping
• Tax returns
• Payment of tax/NIC
• Employing someone

You will also be given details of where you can get free help to give you the confidence to get your tax right first time.

To book your place telephone 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Click here for event location

Date: Thursday 26th February 2009

Time: 5:15pm - 7:30pm

Venue: The Circle, 3 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4WF

Status: PRIME event

Confidence and motivation for business
Facilitator
Pat Carr
From 360 Degree People a Coaching and People Development Company
http://www.360degreepeople.co.uk/

Some days you may feel more confident than others about starting your business or finding new customers. This session will help you to say “yes I can” and give you tools and techniques to stay motivated and confident in what you’re doing. Pat Carr is an experienced coach, trainer and consultant who set up her own business in her 40s and has enjoyed great success. She is looking forward to working with PRIME and unlocking the potential of everyone who attends the session.

For more information and to book your place please contact Sara Robinson on 07833178682 alternatively book via the PRIME central office on 0800 783 1904. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
email prime@ace.org.uk

PRIME has other free workshops coming up for anyone who is over 50 and thinking about becoming self-employed or starting a business in Sheffield.

Venue map

PRIME is currently working with Success Doncaster to help you assess your idea and decide if this could be the right move for you. To take up this offer you should reside in the DMBC area.  

For more information about starting your own business come along to our free Workshop Session for beginners!!

We will focus on:

• What your strengths are and how you might be able to use them by working for yourself
• What you have to do to ‘officially’ start ‘ trading’
• How to start looking for customers, finance and premises

To book your FREE place call PRIME on: 0800 783 1904

Date: Wednesday 28th January 2009

Time: 1:45pm - 5:00pm

Venue: The Circle, 3 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4WF

Status: PRIME event

PRIME is running a free workshop for anyone who is over 50 and thinking about becoming self-employed or starting a business in Sheffield.

Find out if self-employment is right for you. The workshop will help you identify skills you have, explore business ideas and produce an action plan to take those ideas forward.

To book your FREE place call PRIME on 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Date: Wednesday 14th January 2009

Time: 1:45pm - 5:00pm

Venue: The Circle, 3 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4WF

Status: PRIME event

PRIME is running a free workshop for anyone who is over 50 and thinking about becoming self-employed or starting a business in Sheffield.

Find out if self-employment is right for you. The workshop will help you identify skills you have, explore business ideas and produce an action plan to take those ideas forward.

To book your FREE place call PRIME on 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Date: Tuesday 9th December 2008

Time: 9:45am - 12:45pm

Venue: The Circle, 3 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4WF

Status: PRIME event

PRIME is running a free workshop for anyone who is over 50 and thinking about becoming self-employed or starting a business in Sheffield.

Find out if self-employment is right for you. The workshop will help you identify skills you have, explore business ideas and produce an action plan to take those ideas forward.

To book your FREE place call PRIME on 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Date: Tuesday 2nd December 2008

Time: 9:00am - 13:00pm

Venue: The Pointe, Darts (Doncaster Community Arts), 16 South Parade, Doncaster DN1 2DR

Status: PRIME event

For more information about starting your own business come along to our free workshop session for beginners

To book your free place, please call 0800 783 1904

Map

Date: Tuesday 18 Nov 2008

Time: 9.30am to 4:30pm

Venue: Poundland, Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley, BD21 3QQ

Status: PRIME recommended event

Enterprise event providing free information and refreshments, with the option of booking a business advice meeting. Relevant for Pre-starts with concerns of raising finance. Over 50s welcome.

For more information, please contact Mr Rav Panesar on 01535 607 775 or rav@airedaleenterprise.org.uk