ACPR Blog » start up

Mumpreneurs get a New Source of Advice

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:31:42 +0000

Over the last few months I have been working on a new website, The Mumpreneur Guide. Designed for mums who are serious about starting a business, the site currently offers an e-course taking you through the essentials of getting your enterprise going. In the next few months there will be a book to accompany the course. Do sign up: I’d love to get your thoughts on the course so far, and please forward the information about the course to anyone you know who wants to start a business.

If you have yet to buy a copy of A Guide to Promoting Your Business, why not enter the competition on Webmums this month? There are 5 copies up for grabs. Webmums is another great place to talk to other women in business and find out the latest tips on making your website work.

New business start-up figures unaffected by credit crunch

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:15:19 +0000

A recent survey reveals that more people are starting a business to strengthen their financial security despite the current economic climate. Why? The leading reason was fear of redundancy, with flexible working and not having to answer to your boss following close behind.

Recent figures released by Companies House and the British Banking Association show further signs of business confidence. Over 27,000 new Limited Companies were incorporated in England and Wales in July 2008.

The research was carried out by business consultants www.getsetforbusiness.com who surveyed Over 200 businesses established for less than six months on their motivations for becoming self employed.

Could coaching help you?

admin — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:31:23 +0000

Everyone has heard of coaching, but is this just a new trend that will go the way of things like Feng Shui or something that could make a big difference to your life?

From personal experience, I’d say the latter, It took just one session with Suzy Greaves of The Big Leap back in 2003 for me to see that there was a better way to earn a living. I quit my job, fed up with attempting to do five days work in four, yet never getting enough time with my daughter. I then launched ACPR, and have enjoyed the ups, and the downs, of self employment ever since.

But what about the cost? I was lucky to have that first session free as part of a magazine feature. I then did some more sessions with a trainee life coach who charged only a modest amount. Now, I’m back with Suzy who has an affordable Golden Ticket scheme for telecoaching. At about £45 per month, it is helping me make plans for the next stage in my career as a writer, and work on improving the services I offer to women in business. I think it is a worthwhile investment for me, and am setting up an experimental website based on some of Suzy’s suggestions which might quickly cover the cost of the coaching, and more.

If you want coaching, there are a number of coaches who specialise in working with women in business and mumpreneurs:

Karen Skidmore of CanDoCanBe

Amanda Alexander of Coaching Mums

Allison Mitchell of Mums and Dads

and if you want help with a media career try

Joanne Mallon, Media Life Coach

Suzy Greaves, The Big Leap

Most offer a free introductory session so try it: you have nothing to lose. You could also ask your local enterprise centre about business coaching and mentoring schemes.