What’s Your Reason?

Come out of your box with Leicester Business Women

“Because I wanted the freedom to work around

my children, make my own decisions and to watch my ideas

become a reality”

Welcome to Leicester Business Women. We are an exciting project to support local females living in Leicester. This project has been funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Working Neighbourhood Funds (WNF) and aims to help women overcome internal barriers to starting up their own business with training support designed to increase self confidence and motivation. Leicester Business Women is here to help local women who have thought of starting their own business but don’t have the skills or knowledge to go ahead with it. You don’t have to be a business expert or have lots of experience to become self employed. You just need a business idea and the drive and commitment to start! We provide simple, easy to understand help and support every step of the way by working along side women in all aspects of setting up their own business from looking at your ideas, increasing your confidence through to the financials. The programme provides access to one to one advice and coaching and regular networking events. In addition, free workshops will be available to clients and will cover all of the above elements. Leicester Business Women training and coaching sessions will take place in a number of locations across the city so that they are easily accessible to clients. For further information, please contact Heena Mistry or Nicole Hocking on 0116 2518 730.

Training Support You’ve thought about starting your own business, or have a hobby that you’d like to make an income from, but are not sure about your next steps, perhaps you are looking for some motivation to see your idea through and want some guidance with the practicalities of setting up your own business. Although it may seem daunting at first, you will soon find out that there are many women in the same position as you, thinking exactly the very same thing! The Leicester Business Women programme of workshops have been designed with YOU in mind. Our support is second to none, and we pride ourselves on the number of women that have developed in confidence and their business through our programme. The programme of workshops covers specific areas such as:

Key elements to consider when setting up Developing your confidence

Focusing on your vision to make it a reality Learning about cash flow forecasts and profit and l oss accounts

Overcoming obstacles How to benefit from your unique selling point

Throughout the workshops, you will see yourself develop and you will feel inspired and motivated by the other women around you. Take a look at what some of our previous clients have said about the workshops:

“Thank you and my tutor Lou for the inspiration and power

that you have given me” Marina Saridaki

“It was thoroughly enjoyable and engaging. I learne d an awful lot at the level I

needed to purse my business idea” Julie Darroch

“Super course and hope it continues to give women t he opportunity to follow their dreams”

Ranjana Kotecha

“I enjoyed the mix of group activities, presentatio ns as well as discussion - also how activities were geared to what I'm doing for my business so I am more

focused and know what step to take next” Mahsuda Snaith

“Tutor was extremely knowledgeable, down to earth a nd motivating!”

Lois McNab

One to One Advice Many people regularly use a coach or advisor to help them develop both their professional careers, as well as the ongoing development of their business. However the cost of coaching support can be very expensive, sometimes costing as much as £250 per hour! Our one to one advice and coaching support is split into a number of categories:

• Pre start support (including confidence building; m otivation; business planning)

• Pre start support (focus on finance) • Business Health Check (once you have just started y our business) • Business growth plan (a 60 day focus on your busine ss putting into place

ideas and strategies to grow your business or gain new contacts / clients / referrals straight to you)

There are a number of ways that meeting with your coach will be able to help you:

Guidance in starting up your business Support with self confidence and motivation

Any finance queries you may have Help and guidance with your marketing and business plan

How to move forward with your business idea Providing you with key business contacts and client s / customers

that you can form a long term partnership with Our advisors help you gain clarity as to which actions to take first, where to focus in order to gain maximum benefit and also how to deal with occasional overwhelm! It is important, however, in order for you to benefit from your advice session, that you take time to prepare. This means thinking about what is important to you now in order to progress your business plan or idea and, if possible, specifics about how you would like your coach to assist you, including bringing questions relating to the areas you want to address. Please also ensure you have pen and paper to take notes, as the greatest value you will gain from your coaching is in actually taking action on the points agreed during the session when you return to your business. Leicester Business Women is a project that is fully funded and therefore, we are able to offer this valuable service to you at no cost! Please be aware there are many other clients waiting for an appointment therefore if you don't turn up, someone else loses the opportunity of taking your appointment and Leicester Business Women also lose valuable funding needed to continue to provide you with this service. Should you need to re arrange, please contact a member of the Leicester Business Women team on 0116 2518 730 Our advisors have different areas of expertise such as Marketing; Finance; Confidence and Grant Finding. So, check if you are eligible for the service today by contacting us on 0116 2518 730, ask for either Heena or Nicole.

Cappuccino Corner Networking Events Following the programme of workshops, you will be able to attend a number of Cappuccino Corner (networking) events. These are informative informal groups that have been arranged for you to network and share experiences. Each session is themed with a different topic to help you get started and develop yourself, your business and your contacts. In addition, a Leicester Business Women coach will be present at each event to answer any queries or concerns that you have. Some of our topics for 2012 include: A Positive and Healthy You for 2012; Making The Most of the Olympics and Queens Jubilee Year and Focusing on Your Finances. Leicester Business Women web portal These days, marketing can cost an absolute fortune and when you’re setting up in business it isn't always practical or possible for you to spend this amount of money to find new clients. By joining the Leicester Business Women web portal you are able to market for FREE as well as access a wealth of information surrounding starting up your own business. The Leicester Business Women web portal is here to help your business succeed with lots of information and interactive elements to help you network online. We have a growing online community of approximately 300 members and this is growing everyday. So this is the perfect opportunity for you to get your business started and gain some new interest. Take a look at the many ways that the Leicester Business Women web portal can help you:

Guidance on the practicalities of setting up in bus iness Tips on developing your self confidence How to move out of your comfort zone

Develop your business Promote your own events online through our online c alendar

Network in a safe environment online Join groups and discussions to help others

Use your blog or wall space to promote your busines s or special offers Ask questions where you are unsure of your next ste ps

It’s easy and FREE to join, just log on at www.leicesterbusinesswomen.co.uk and see how many new people you would be able to market your business to. Contact Leicester Business Women today to find out whether you are eligible for the programme and take your first step to your new business success! Call us today on 0116 2518 730 or by joining our web portal at www.leicesterbusinesswomen.co.uk

Leicester Business Women have supported over 200 women since

the project began in September 2009. Many of these women have gone onto start their own businesses, with some of them starting more than one business, clearly showing

how effective the Leicester Business Women programme is in encouraging and empowering local women from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds to support

themselves. Some of our successes have been highlighted over the following pages.

Liz Knight Holistic Massage Therapy Liz contacted Leicester Business Women in September 2011, and following successful completion of her training programme, she went onto start her business in October 2011, clearly showing her commitment and enthusiasm towards her business. Liz has not stopped since (except of course for the occasional massage)!!! Since then, Liz has met with our advisor Sharon Roberts for a Business Growth appointment, where they went onto discover all the different ways that Liz could promote her business and who her target market was. Following this, Liz gained a contract to deliver on site massage twice a month, and more recently has been successful in obtaining a contract with HSBC to be their on site massage therapist at one of their Leicester call centres – proving that anything is possible with focus and a clear commitment towards your goal. So, how did she do it? Liz says that “having experie“having experie“having experie“having experienced the benefits of massage nced the benefits of massage nced the benefits of massage nced the benefits of massage herself, she wanted to help others whilst having the freedom and creativity that self herself, she wanted to help others whilst having the freedom and creativity that self herself, she wanted to help others whilst having the freedom and creativity that self herself, she wanted to help others whilst having the freedom and creativity that self employment provides.” employment provides.” employment provides.” employment provides.” Liz was stuck in a job which she felt was not really fulfilling her potential, leading her to become frustrated that she wasn’t able to do something meaningful to help people but didn’t know how to get started. She found that trying to work full time and fit in massage therapy in the evenings and weekends was extremely stressful and found that she began to dread doing the massage when she was tired after a long day at work. This was just one of the barriers that Liz had. She also faced many others, just like many women do such as time, feeling de-motivated, a lack of confidence and also not knowing who she was aiming her service at, making her feel that it was not going to be possible to do something which she really loves and is a real passion for her, leading to further de-motivation for her. Liz decided it was time to make a change, and she did so by handing in her notice (which coincidentally happened at the same time that the Leicester Business Women details landed in one of her colleagues email addresses!!!) Definitely meant to be – Liz thought!!! By attending the Leicester Business Women programme, Liz was able to overcome many of her fears and develop a confident and motivated streak. “I met so many lovely “I met so many lovely “I met so many lovely “I met so many lovely people in the same situation that I was in and by meeting the trainers and advisors people in the same situation that I was in and by meeting the trainers and advisors people in the same situation that I was in and by meeting the trainers and advisors people in the same situation that I was in and by meeting the trainers and advisors who have given me so much support and belief that I can do anything if I put mwho have given me so much support and belief that I can do anything if I put mwho have given me so much support and belief that I can do anything if I put mwho have given me so much support and belief that I can do anything if I put my y y y mind to it. I feel that after completing the course I am a changed person, I am so much mind to it. I feel that after completing the course I am a changed person, I am so much mind to it. I feel that after completing the course I am a changed person, I am so much mind to it. I feel that after completing the course I am a changed person, I am so much more positive but it is still work in progress. I really view the world differently now, more positive but it is still work in progress. I really view the world differently now, more positive but it is still work in progress. I really view the world differently now, more positive but it is still work in progress. I really view the world differently now, tend to see opportunities rather than problems.” tend to see opportunities rather than problems.” tend to see opportunities rather than problems.” tend to see opportunities rather than problems.”

Like many of our members, Liz knows the importance of making the most of all the opportunities that Leicester Business Women provide, and she has accessed the training programme, coaching and networking events and goes onto add that this support has been extremely useful. So, what has Liz learnt that if she’d known when setting up her business would have made a difference? “Again it’s a confidence thing, really just having faith in my “Again it’s a confidence thing, really just having faith in my “Again it’s a confidence thing, really just having faith in my “Again it’s a confidence thing, really just having faith in my ability to go for it. Also that running a business or working for yourself not just ability to go for it. Also that running a business or working for yourself not just ability to go for it. Also that running a business or working for yourself not just ability to go for it. Also that running a business or working for yourself not just about beingabout beingabout beingabout being a massage therapist but also about book keeping, marketing, contract a massage therapist but also about book keeping, marketing, contract a massage therapist but also about book keeping, marketing, contract a massage therapist but also about book keeping, marketing, contract negotiation, producing business documentation and giving a professional negotiation, producing business documentation and giving a professional negotiation, producing business documentation and giving a professional negotiation, producing business documentation and giving a professional appearance.”appearance.”appearance.”appearance.” Liz initially never really believed that she would be trading or even making a profit, but has now learnt that all this is possible. And, her three key pieces of advice for other women wishing to set up a business:

Believe in yourself, your product or service with a passion Always do your research, it will keep you one step ahead of the competition, gain as much information as possible a bout your service/product/customers. Be flexible, be prepared to change your ideas/conce pts if something isn’t working – a writer’s best friend is her waste paper bin!

Rehana Sidat Rehana Sidat joined the Leicester Business Women programme in September 2009, since then she has been able to set up her training consultancy company – Transparent Training in November 2009. Rehana is a mother of 4 young children, she works part time and has also completed her degree. As well as these responsibilities, she makes the time towards her business. She has proved that it is possible to juggle all of those tasks that many women face on a daily basis and still be successful. She mentions that she has, “had to m“had to m“had to m“had to make the decision to cut down on some of the things ake the decision to cut down on some of the things ake the decision to cut down on some of the things ake the decision to cut down on some of the things that she enjoys doing like volunteering, which she still does but not as often,”that she enjoys doing like volunteering, which she still does but not as often,”that she enjoys doing like volunteering, which she still does but not as often,”that she enjoys doing like volunteering, which she still does but not as often,” however this is one of the sacrifices that she has had to make in order to pursue her dream of being self employed.

Rehana wanted to become her own boss because when working for someone else – even in a management post, “you are answerable to others, “you are answerable to others, “you are answerable to others, “you are answerable to others, and this can sometimes be frustrating, especially when you see an and this can sometimes be frustrating, especially when you see an and this can sometimes be frustrating, especially when you see an and this can sometimes be frustrating, especially when you see an opportunity to benefit the organisation, but cannot act on iopportunity to benefit the organisation, but cannot act on iopportunity to benefit the organisation, but cannot act on iopportunity to benefit the organisation, but cannot act on it.”t.”t.”t.” In addition, Rehana enjoys learning from others and sharing her own experiences with those around her. She goes onto say that, “I am passionate about making “I am passionate about making “I am passionate about making “I am passionate about making a difference to others and the world we live in.”a difference to others and the world we live in.”a difference to others and the world we live in.”a difference to others and the world we live in.”

Amongst other things, she feels that it is the ability to make a difference to other people’s lives and inspiring others and being a role model to others that really motivates Rehana, Once on the Leicester Business Women programme, Rehana accessed all of the support that was available to her through Leicester Business Women including one to one coaching, training workshops, networking events and networking on the web portal. She has found that the support provided was, ““““vital to her setting up in business.”vital to her setting up in business.”vital to her setting up in business.”vital to her setting up in business.” And she feels that without this support and encouragement, it would’ve taken her a lot longer to set up her business. Although it was sometimes a struggle to get the company up and running, and at times Rehana felt restrained and frustrated, she has however managed to overcome these barriers and found a way to make it work for her, in fact Rehana is also now training as a Leicester Business Women trainer, which just goes to show how much Leicester Business Women are prepared to help make your dream a reality! Rehana goes on to mention that, “I t“I t“I t“I thought it would take a lot longer, and I’m sure it would have if I had hought it would take a lot longer, and I’m sure it would have if I had hought it would take a lot longer, and I’m sure it would have if I had hought it would take a lot longer, and I’m sure it would have if I had not received the training, support and advice to set up in business!”not received the training, support and advice to set up in business!”not received the training, support and advice to set up in business!”not received the training, support and advice to set up in business!”

Rehana’s words for those women in the same position, trying to juggle their daily tasks with setting up a business or thinking about setting up a business are:

• Believe in yourself and surround yourself with thos e that believe in you! • If at first you don’t succeed, then try again (and again) but don’t give up! • Success is not what society perceives it to be, but what YOU perceive to be

success – so don’t let other people hold you back!

Rehana’s passion plan from the programme

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan is local social entrepreneur who started her business with the help of the Leicester Business Women programme through one to one coaching, workshops and networking events. Zinthiya has set up the TomorrowTogether Ltd which is a social enterprise undertaking a hive of activity including cleaning, leaflet distribution, catering and arts and crafts activities, and is also currently working alongside women in prison in Peterborough. This enterprise started in February 2010 and employs 2 permanent employees and several casual people. The social enterprise developed from the activity of the Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Trust which provided women in long term unemployment and who have found their way in to crime with a career and employment guidance and a drop in facility. Zinthiya found that there were a number of women with various skills who were unable to find work, the idea of a social enterprise designed to provide the services that these women could offer was a pragmatic solution to their problems. Many women are unsure of the demands on their time when setting up their own business, however Zinthiya finds that the most enjoyable aspect of being self employed is the flexibility that it brings, and of course with young children this is quite an appealing prospect. In addition, meeting new people always brings with it a range of opportunities, whether they be referrals in or out, or just learning new aspects to other people’s businesses. Clearly, you have to know everything to run your own business, but don’t be frightened by this, because you will want to know everything as it’s your baby! One of the main barriers for Zinthiya was securing funding for this venture, when you’re looking to set up a company, it is very important to be aware of how to sell your idea / services. She mentions that at times she found it de motivating, but then remembered that at the end of the day she was doing it as she had the passion to make it succeed and the commitment to make it work, and a desire to help others. On a more personal note, Zinthiya found that she was not entirely confident in selling herself or her business concept to others, and this is where Leicester Business Women were able to help, Zinthiya states, “The Leicester Business Women programme has been instrumental in “The Leicester Business Women programme has been instrumental in “The Leicester Business Women programme has been instrumental in “The Leicester Business Women programme has been instrumental in helping to overcome my low self esteem and confidence, and provides a fantastic helping to overcome my low self esteem and confidence, and provides a fantastic helping to overcome my low self esteem and confidence, and provides a fantastic helping to overcome my low self esteem and confidence, and provides a fantastic opportunity to develop, getopportunity to develop, getopportunity to develop, getopportunity to develop, get out of your comfort zone and meet other women in the same out of your comfort zone and meet other women in the same out of your comfort zone and meet other women in the same out of your comfort zone and meet other women in the same situation. At the same time, it is an opportunity to learn about the more practical situation. At the same time, it is an opportunity to learn about the more practical situation. At the same time, it is an opportunity to learn about the more practical situation. At the same time, it is an opportunity to learn about the more practical sides of business like negotiation skills, finance and marketing.”sides of business like negotiation skills, finance and marketing.”sides of business like negotiation skills, finance and marketing.”sides of business like negotiation skills, finance and marketing.” She mentions that you soon realise that you’re not the only one feeling like this which is very comforting. She continues to add that it is through the workshops that you see yourself develop and it motivates you being around others in similar situations. As well as Leicester Business

Women Zinthiya received support from UNLTD and ESF. Zinthiya has accessed all the support that Leicester Business Women offer from coaching through to the networking events and web portal where she can promote events and network with other women online. Zinthiya adds ““““the web portal is brilliant as people can see what you do and it is the web portal is brilliant as people can see what you do and it is the web portal is brilliant as people can see what you do and it is the web portal is brilliant as people can see what you do and it is another form of marketing!”another form of marketing!”another form of marketing!”another form of marketing!” See some of Zinthiya’s top tips for setting up in business below:

• Make sure you never under price yourself, no matter how tempting it may seem to do this, you are undervaluing your services by not providing an accurate price that reflects your skills, abilities and experience.

• Never be scared of the competition! • Networking is crucial, so always make some time for this. • Have the commitment and enthusiasm to make your bus iness succeed. • Take the opportunity of any training available to y ou as life is about

learning and development. On a final note, Zinthiya mentioned, “the “the “the “the Leicester Business Women workshops have Leicester Business Women workshops have Leicester Business Women workshops have Leicester Business Women workshops have been extremely helpful to me, it would be difficult been extremely helpful to me, it would be difficult been extremely helpful to me, it would be difficult been extremely helpful to me, it would be difficult to quantify this, but what I can say to quantify this, but what I can say to quantify this, but what I can say to quantify this, but what I can say is that it is only through the workshops and coaching that I had been able to go is that it is only through the workshops and coaching that I had been able to go is that it is only through the workshops and coaching that I had been able to go is that it is only through the workshops and coaching that I had been able to go forward with my business idea, and develop my confidence forward with my business idea, and develop my confidence forward with my business idea, and develop my confidence forward with my business idea, and develop my confidence –––– so I’m glad that I so I’m glad that I so I’m glad that I so I’m glad that I attended.”attended.”attended.”attended.”

Zinthiya’s passion plan from the programme

Hannah Myatt - Doe Demure

“I love being s“I love being s“I love being s“I love being selfelfelfelf----employed as I get to decide when I work and I feel employed as I get to decide when I work and I feel employed as I get to decide when I work and I feel employed as I get to decide when I work and I feel much more in control of my life, my successes and failures. There's much more in control of my life, my successes and failures. There's much more in control of my life, my successes and failures. There's much more in control of my life, my successes and failures. There's something really free about not having anyone to scapegoat.”something really free about not having anyone to scapegoat.”something really free about not having anyone to scapegoat.”something really free about not having anyone to scapegoat.”

Hannah attended the Leicester Business Women programme in June 2011 and started her business Doe Demure and specialises in dance classes, hen parties and performances covering a range of techniques such as belly dance, burlesque and hula hoop. Before deciding to go it alone, Hannah was a full time nurse, but always had that feeling that she “wasn’t fulfilling her true ambitions.”“wasn’t fulfilling her true ambitions.”“wasn’t fulfilling her true ambitions.”“wasn’t fulfilling her true ambitions.” Having a passion for dancing but not believing she would be able to do it as a business became her barrier. But one day, she woke up thinking life is too short to not at least try it out. Initially, Hannah worked part time and started the business, but found it very tiring, not to mention her social life suffered too. On the plus side, she is still doing it so it has been worthwhile. Like Hannah, many women feel that starting their own business is a very selfish thing to do “I felt a lot of guilt when deciding to go self“I felt a lot of guilt when deciding to go self“I felt a lot of guilt when deciding to go self“I felt a lot of guilt when deciding to go self----employed. For some reason it feels like employed. For some reason it feels like employed. For some reason it feels like employed. For some reason it feels like a selfish thing to do, especially for a woman (women aren't supposed to want to earn a selfish thing to do, especially for a woman (women aren't supposed to want to earn a selfish thing to do, especially for a woman (women aren't supposed to want to earn a selfish thing to do, especially for a woman (women aren't supposed to want to earn money didn't you know!?). It didn't help that I'd be thrmoney didn't you know!?). It didn't help that I'd be thrmoney didn't you know!?). It didn't help that I'd be thrmoney didn't you know!?). It didn't help that I'd be throwing out 3 years of owing out 3 years of owing out 3 years of owing out 3 years of university training for my nursing DipHEuniversity training for my nursing DipHEuniversity training for my nursing DipHEuniversity training for my nursing DipHE---- some family members weren't some family members weren't some family members weren't some family members weren't happy happy happy happy aboutaboutaboutabout that idea either, so I didn't feel as supported as I'd have liked. However, things that idea either, so I didn't feel as supported as I'd have liked. However, things that idea either, so I didn't feel as supported as I'd have liked. However, things that idea either, so I didn't feel as supported as I'd have liked. However, things are very different now are very different now are very different now are very different now ---- almost a year into the business and, seeing h almost a year into the business and, seeing h almost a year into the business and, seeing h almost a year into the business and, seeing how passionate ow passionate ow passionate ow passionate and driven I am, my family are massively keen to support me.” and driven I am, my family are massively keen to support me.” and driven I am, my family are massively keen to support me.” and driven I am, my family are massively keen to support me.” Hannah has managed to turn things around with the help of the Leicester Business Women programme who she says “have supported me all the way into self“have supported me all the way into self“have supported me all the way into self“have supported me all the way into self----employment employment employment employment ---- I don't know w I don't know w I don't know w I don't know where I'd be without them! I attended their workshops and here I'd be without them! I attended their workshops and here I'd be without them! I attended their workshops and here I'd be without them! I attended their workshops and found them brimming with useful advice and essentialfound them brimming with useful advice and essentialfound them brimming with useful advice and essentialfound them brimming with useful advice and essential information. My oneinformation. My oneinformation. My oneinformation. My one----totototo----one one one one coaching sessions with Sharon have given me much more confidence in my business coaching sessions with Sharon have given me much more confidence in my business coaching sessions with Sharon have given me much more confidence in my business coaching sessions with Sharon have given me much more confidence in my business and helped me push through the hard timand helped me push through the hard timand helped me push through the hard timand helped me push through the hard times.”es.”es.”es.” Hannah has also received some very vital support to her business through the somewhereto_ project which helps 'young people' under 25 find spaces to do what they love. This is how she got involved with the Richard Attenborough centre where Hannah now teaches some of her classes. Once you start your business, the Leicester Business Women support doesn’t stop, it just continues and gets better to fully support and guide you through those first few years. “Leicester Business Women always give me suppo“Leicester Business Women always give me suppo“Leicester Business Women always give me suppo“Leicester Business Women always give me support rt rt rt ---- I'm always getting emails from I'm always getting emails from I'm always getting emails from I'm always getting emails from the team telling me about good opportunities for my business and offering their the team telling me about good opportunities for my business and offering their the team telling me about good opportunities for my business and offering their the team telling me about good opportunities for my business and offering their services!”services!”services!”services!”

And about starting up when you’re cautious? Hannah goes onto mention “I'd have been “I'd have been “I'd have been “I'd have been much less cautious when setting up my businesmuch less cautious when setting up my businesmuch less cautious when setting up my businesmuch less cautious when setting up my business if I had known that it's ok to make s if I had known that it's ok to make s if I had known that it's ok to make s if I had known that it's ok to make mistakes. Having made a fair few, I now realise that it's a process that all business have to go mistakes. Having made a fair few, I now realise that it's a process that all business have to go mistakes. Having made a fair few, I now realise that it's a process that all business have to go mistakes. Having made a fair few, I now realise that it's a process that all business have to go through and thatthrough and thatthrough and thatthrough and that sometimes you actually gain more respect and loyalty from your sometimes you actually gain more respect and loyalty from your sometimes you actually gain more respect and loyalty from your sometimes you actually gain more respect and loyalty from your customerscustomerscustomerscustomers when they see youwhen they see youwhen they see youwhen they see you make a mistakmake a mistakmake a mistakmake a mistake and deal with it well.”e and deal with it well.”e and deal with it well.”e and deal with it well.” And Hannah’s advice to other women considering using their hobby to make an income:

1. Take all the help that's on offer. 2. Don't give up at the first hurdle - there's goin g to many of them! 3. Give yourself some 'me time', otherwise you'll j ust burn out.

For more details on Doe Demure classes and packages, please see www.doedemure.co.uk

Justine Bates Jus Bakes Like a lot of women, Justine had a passion for baking and that is just what helped Justine start off her cake design and creation business. Justine started the Leicester Business Women programme in October 2011 and went onto start her business straight after in November 2011, which since Christmas also incorporates corporate buffets, and is now contacting all local businesses to offer them her corporate buffets. Justine was off work for a long period of time and was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As with many people who have been working full time and suddenly find themselves at home, she had lots of time to think about what she was doing and realised that she didn’t enjoy her job working in finance. So she began thinking about starting her own business but didn’t know where or how to begin this. Justine had made some cupcakes for my niece’s birthday and the comments from family members were “if you can make cup cakes like that, why are you working in finance?“if you can make cup cakes like that, why are you working in finance?“if you can make cup cakes like that, why are you working in finance?“if you can make cup cakes like that, why are you working in finance?”“ The following year she made cupcakes for a friend’s school reunion and she was so thrilled, she said “you should do this for a living”.“you should do this for a living”.“you should do this for a living”.“you should do this for a living”. To which Justine replied “yes, I’d like too!”“yes, I’d like too!”“yes, I’d like too!”“yes, I’d like too!” Following this, Justine went onto change her job and managed to secure a part-time post, giving her some time to begin planning her business as well a steady income. And the best thing about having her own business for Justine is ““““the flexibility it gives me the flexibility it gives me the flexibility it gives me the flexibility it gives me to work at my best times during the day. I have been so much happier now I’m doing a job to work at my best times during the day. I have been so much happier now I’m doing a job to work at my best times during the day. I have been so much happier now I’m doing a job to work at my best times during the day. I have been so much happier now I’m doing a job that I really enjoy and am able to control my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome mthat I really enjoy and am able to control my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome mthat I really enjoy and am able to control my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome mthat I really enjoy and am able to control my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome much better.”uch better.”uch better.”uch better.” She goes onto say, “It would have been de“It would have been de“It would have been de“It would have been de----motivating without the support of Leicester motivating without the support of Leicester motivating without the support of Leicester motivating without the support of Leicester Business Women; we were guided through the whole process and given lots of support Business Women; we were guided through the whole process and given lots of support Business Women; we were guided through the whole process and given lots of support Business Women; we were guided through the whole process and given lots of support along the way.” along the way.” along the way.” along the way.”

Due to Justine’s health, she is sometimes frustrated that she cannot do as much as she used to as quickly as before, but the great thing is that she is doing something she really enjoys. She has found that she has some fantastic support around her, from my husband, consultant, GP and occupational therapist in moving forward with her business, and all agree that,“it has improved my health and made me a much happier person.”“it has improved my health and made me a much happier person.”“it has improved my health and made me a much happier person.”“it has improved my health and made me a much happier person.”

To date, Justine has attended the training programme and one to one appointments, “I have “I have “I have “I have had tremendous support and couldn’t have done it had tremendous support and couldn’t have done it had tremendous support and couldn’t have done it had tremendous support and couldn’t have done it without Leicester Business Women. without Leicester Business Women. without Leicester Business Women. without Leicester Business Women. The workshops were amazing and so brilliantly delivered they were fun to do and very The workshops were amazing and so brilliantly delivered they were fun to do and very The workshops were amazing and so brilliantly delivered they were fun to do and very The workshops were amazing and so brilliantly delivered they were fun to do and very informative. Lou has an amazing way of delivering her message and some of her informative. Lou has an amazing way of delivering her message and some of her informative. Lou has an amazing way of delivering her message and some of her informative. Lou has an amazing way of delivering her message and some of her sayings are still with me every day. Jim taught me more usesayings are still with me every day. Jim taught me more usesayings are still with me every day. Jim taught me more usesayings are still with me every day. Jim taught me more useful finance information in ful finance information in ful finance information in ful finance information in

one workshop than I had learnt whilst I was studying for accounting. I have told a lot of one workshop than I had learnt whilst I was studying for accounting. I have told a lot of one workshop than I had learnt whilst I was studying for accounting. I have told a lot of one workshop than I had learnt whilst I was studying for accounting. I have told a lot of people this too!”people this too!”people this too!”people this too!”

Justine has found the Leicester Business Women programme and support extremely useful and without the support of Leicester Business Women, she says, “I wouldn’t be running “I wouldn’t be running “I wouldn’t be running “I wouldn’t be running Jus Bakes. I’d still be thinking I wish I could do that.”Jus Bakes. I’d still be thinking I wish I could do that.”Jus Bakes. I’d still be thinking I wish I could do that.”Jus Bakes. I’d still be thinking I wish I could do that.” If you are looking to set up a cake business, here are some key tips that have helped Justine:

• Costing out your product is a huge task for cakes and one that must be done accurately. I know I have let some cakes go too cheaply but I now have a price list available that I can send out on request. It’s also better to agree your price at the start so you and your customers know exactly where they are.

• Never assume that your customers will treat you as you would treat someone else. Payment terms need to set from the start so you’re not left wondering when you are going to get paid.

Finally a few words from Justine Even though it seems really daunting – go for it, y ou won’t regret it. Ask for help – people are willing to give it Take as much as you can from the Leicester Business Women programme – they really are excellent!!!