Small Business Matters

Think the worst, and other ways to manage stress when you’re running a small business

There are many great things about running your own business. In theory, you get up when you choose, work when you like and do things your way without anyone telling you to get back to your desk. Add in the probability that you’re doing something that you’re passionate about and it’s easy to see why the self-employed life is so alluring.

However, there is a downside to going it alone – it can be pretty stressful sometimes. In fact, the stress and anxiety are often caused by the very things that make the life so appealing. A certain amount of stress running your own business is inevitable but there are steps you can take to keep it from becoming overwhelming.

1) What's the worst that could happen?

Making the most of craft events

At this time of year many businesses selling handmade goods or gift-related items are busy attending sales events. Emma Maudsley, the creative mind and hands behind SockMonkeyEmporium, gives her advice on preparing for and making the most of such events.

One of the most exciting parts of being a crafter is being able to get out and about at craft fairs. These could be as simple as a school fete or as complex as a major event at a historic house or football stadium. You can find information about events in your area through various internet sites - stick it in Google and see what comes up.
 
There is normally a fee involved in taking part; make sure you know what is being provided for you - the table is usually provided but not all events include chairs, especially if you need more than one. If you need access to electricity you should certainly ask the event organisers if you can be placed in a suitable space.

Also, be sure that the fee involved is a figure you feel you can afford. I have been offered tables at events ranging in price from £10 to £100 and I price it by monkeys - £10 is one monkey. If I don't feel I would sell more than 10 monkeys at an event then I certainly wouldn't be paying a £100 fee.

Preparation is everything

Prior to the event make sure you are organised. If you have Facebook and Twitter tell people where you are going to be.

Five ways to get more traffic to your website

By Joe  Carstairs

Unfortunately, many people don't realise that their website is sitting in cyberspace completely unnoticed. Unless you direct traffic towards it, it simply won't be seen.Therefore, just as you'd invite people to your office for a demo, you need to be directing people to your website. 

It might seem intimidating but there are simple steps you can take to make it easier than you think. Here are five easy ways to get more traffic to your website.

The advantages of guest blogging

You might not be familiar with the term ‘guest blogging’ but it's really a simple concept that can help to promote your business. It means writing a blog post (normally only 500-1000 words) for an existing blog that is not owned by you.

Freelance writers usually charge for this content, whilst businesses provide it because of the branding and reputation benefits it brings. Here are some of the advantages guest blogging can have for your business.

Working from home with children around: Tips from a real business mum

As half-term swings around once again, many parents who work for themselves will be trying to keep their business going whilst also spending time with their little ones – indeed, many parents balance these demands all the time. Helen Keightley, a real business mum, gives her tips on how to work from home with children around.

Working from home is hard enough in itself but even more demanding as a self-employed mother of young twin boys!

I’m sure many of you reading this will empathise with me.  I am the owner of Bambino Beads Limited, designing and making children’s bespoke jewellery.  I am a new company so I am therefore trying to spend as much time as possible getting up and running.  Not only do I make all the products, I design and maintain my website, do all my own PR and advertising and try not to spend all day tweeting!

The pressures of working from home can be tremendously demanding with split loyalties between your home and your work.

Mumpreneurs, olderpreneurs, entrepreneurs and ninjas: What’s in a business label?

There are a number of labels given to and adopted by business-owners, such as 'entrepreneur', 'olderpreneur', 'mumpreneur' and now even 'guru' or 'ninja'.

The news that the word ‘mumpreneur’ has now been entered into the Collins English Dictionary got us thinking about how the terms are used and how businesses themselves feel about them.

Should you ever ditch a client?

If you’ve ever struggled with the idea of ditching a client, take comfort in the fact that you aren’t alone. Even if it’s the right decision for your business, it can feel like you’re betraying the values of loyalty and commitment that lie at the heart of your company.

There are occasions when it’s necessary, though. The Pareto Principle states that more often than not 80% of sales come from 20% of clients. If this sounds like you, you can probably afford to ditch some clients.

However, deciding whether to ditch a client or not isn’t just a question of profits. 

Before you act, consider the consequences

Congratulations to this year's Mumpreneur Award winners!

We had a great day at the Mumpreneur Awards yesterday, meeting some really interesting and inspiring businesses – so much creativity and determination out there!

These were the winners of each category:

How an ‘accidental’ entrepreneur became Inspirational Business Mum of the Year

 

Ahead of tomorrow’s Mumpreneur Awards 2011, where we’ll be presenting the Inspirational Business Mum of the Year Award, we caught up with last year’s winner to find out what the award meant to her and how her business is doing.

Carry Somers of Pachacuti took some time out of a hectic London Fashion Week to answer our questions.

Awards and advice for business mums

Intuit UK is supporting the Mumpreneur Awards 2011, which honour and celebrate mums who successfully juggle running a business with raising a family.

On 25 September, at The Mumpreneur Conference 2011, the winners of the ten 2011 Mumpreneur Awards will be revealed, as chosen by a panel of entrepreneurs and experts including Duncan Bannatyne.

This year, Intuit UK is proud to be sponsoring and presenting the Inspirational Business Mum of the Year award and we can’t wait to meet the winner later this month.

#mumpreneurhour

We’ll also be giving help and support to business mums on Twitter tomorrow (13 September) in partnership with Mumpreneur UK. Follow us on Twitter and follow the hashtag #mumpreneurhour to get involved.

Between 2pm and 3pm, we’ll be tweeting about small business compliance. Diana Flier, our in house compliance expert, will be on hand to answer any questions, so please do send them to us.  Diana is a payroll and compliance expert with over 20 years’ experience in payroll systems and processes. In her role at Intuit, she works closely with small businesses to help solve their financial management issues.

We hope to see you there!