My Business Buddy

20/11/2022

5 ways to improve your delegation and find more time for you.
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Download my free guide now.

Yes I understand that you will use the information provided via this form to be in touch and to send the freebie, and also to keep me updated with your newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time, and how to do this will be detailed in every communication

18/11/2022

Could you do with someone in your corner?
Business life can be a lonely life, and things are tough right now.
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My Business Buddying service is £250 a month. For that you'll get:
- Arranged phone calls and unlimited emails with me
- Someone by your side to:
- run that new idea by
- work out your pricing strategy
- work on your margins
- work out your cashflow forecast
- plan for the season ahead
- someone to keep you focussed

We'll work together, we'll have fun, I'll explain anything you don't understand in simple terms and together we'll ensure your business grows.

Ready? Here's the link to sign up. I've only got availability for 2 more buddies at the mo, after that I'll pop you on the waiting list.

https://checkout.stripe.com/c/pay/cs_live_a1EY0e3ZPCF3fra8sF7XXypURnnQmgQhmKvRtrN2SQxNyKZxY7jcFDsnkC %2FJzBuRDxAN2Z8YGN%2FMDBPM2dMSCcpJ3dgY2B3d2B3SndsYmxrJz8nbXFxdXY%2FKipofGdwdmxrYHZ2Z3BhYXwrZmorcG4qJ3gl

15/11/2022

I had an amazing weekend this weekend at a festival. Loads of great bands, time away from responsibilities, lots of reminiscing.

If I had one top tip for my younger business self it would be to spend more time totally away from the business recharging, thinking, gaining inspiration. It’s SO good for you and your business.

Highlights for me from the weekend were:
- The Stereo MCs
- The Wonderstuff
- The Happy Mondays
- Sleeper
- Badly Drawn Boy
- The Clone Roses
- Saint Etienne

Surprisingly disappointing were:
- Tim Burgess (Charlatans)
- EMF

Are you a 90s music fan? Who’s your fave?

09/11/2022

No nonsense advice to help you and your business grow.
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I'll get to know you and your business quickly, then we'll get to work.
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You'll hear no confusing jargon from me, and I'll explain anything you don't understand simply until you do. It doesn't need to be confusing.
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Need some help? Drop me an email, [email protected]
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08/11/2022

Spent the afternoon with the team at the Lazy Dog Company this afternoon.

They make stunning and innovative bedding and pillows for dogs.

Exciting times ahead for them as they go for growth over the next few months 😊

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07/11/2022

It was 2006.
I was busy working for a well known national brand as a Senior Area Manager. I had a lovely flat over-looking Hampstead Heath, paid for by the company. I had 2 Trainee Area Managers working for me and between us we looked after about 35 restaurants and a multi-£million turnover. I had just won the CEO's award for best Area Manager. I was young, successful and I was 'going places.'
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But boy was I miserable. I wasn't enjoying the work, I didn't like living in London, I'd grown sick of the (very) long hours and I knew that one day I wanted a family - but not like this.
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So I handed in my notice and booked a solo one way ticket to Serbia! I spent the next few months exploring Serbia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Croatia and Macedonia. I was lucky, many of my employees had been Eastern European and I was lent the keys to half a dozen flats before I left London. I used the time alone to reflect, recharge and decide what was really important to me.
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I came home and Headed up the Marketing and Operations Departments of an independent business for a while before starting my own business.
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I worked really hard in my own business, of course I did. But I always kept the reasons I had left my corporate life behind top of mind. I built it from the beginning so it didn't need all of my time on a daily basis. It meant I had the time to steer the business, market the business, grow the business, deal with stuff ahead of time so it didn't become urgent (and stressful)....... and to collect my daughter from school most days.
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Running your own business doesn't have to be all consuming. Even if you're enjoying it, it's probably limiting the business' potential. Perhaps I could help? Here's a link to book a free chat with me, or drop me an email [email protected]

https://calendly.com/mybusinessbuddy/20-minute

Have you ever done anything a bit mad just for you? Are you glad you did?

06/11/2022

Do you struggle to make time for the things you know you really should be doing in your business? You know the things, they're really important, but not urgent today........
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⭐ Checking the prices you charge, and the new prices you are being charged to ensure you're maintaining your margin.
⭐ Writing your forecast for the next 6 months and your plan to achieve it.
⭐ Thinking about your marketing strategy.
⭐ Training your team.
⭐ Taking a day off.

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But it's impossible, because you're always behind your bar serving customers, or in your kitchen preparing the meals.
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How are you meant to find the time to actually run your business?
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Perhaps my FREE guide '5 ways to improve your delegation and find more time for you' would help? Here's the link

Yes I understand that you will use the information provided via this form to be in touch and to send the freebie, and also to keep me updated with your newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time, and how to do this will be detailed in every communication

05/11/2022

This put the biggest smile on my face this week 😀

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I sold Rays Ice Cream back in July. And the new owners have got the shop shut for a refurb.

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I thought this comment from a customer was lovely and I'm really proud to have created something that people love and recognise.

(and I'm sure this little girl will still love it when it re-opens 😂)

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What's your favourite bit of feedback from a customer?

04/11/2022

So grateful to be able to see views like this on a daily basis 😊
Selling my ice cream business has meant we could fulfill a family dream of moving closer to the sea. It took hard work and I built the business focussing on systems, people and profitability and always knew I’d sell it one day. I’d sold a business before and took my learnings from that to make sure I did this one better.
Are you thinking of selling? It takes time (years) to get the business structured right and to get all your ducks in a row.
If you’d like some help with it, drop me a message and let’s chat.

03/11/2022

Reflecting on the changes in tech since starting my own business in 2011.
- only 11 years ago I'd take a photo (on a digital camera) in my ice cream shop, then walk home the half a mile, upload the photo to my laptop, then use it in a Facebook post. Facebook was an amazing marketing tool for us in our early days - but boy was it time-consuming!
- until 2 years ago all of my event bookings were written in a paper diary. I remember my dad telling me he'd once lost all of his diary info from his Blackberry and it stuck with me that online diaries were dangerous.
- prior to the pandemic I had never been on a Zoom call. I'd think nothing of jumping in the car for an hour or two to get to a meeting.
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I have embraced technology a little more now and regularly use Zoom (although I still prefer face to face meetings). All of my bookkeeping is done in Xero and I encourage all of my clients to use online software to keep on top of their numbers.

And best of all? My diary is online too. If you'd like to book a free chat with me to see how I could help you improve the profitability of your business, you can do it via Calendly, here's the link :-) https://calendly.com/mybusinessbuddy/20-minute

Do you embrace technology in your business?

A free 20 minute chat to discuss your needs and how I might be able to help you and at what cost.

02/11/2022

I'm not used to working alone, and it's taking a bit of getting used to.
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I've been working as a Business Mentor for a few years now. But until July, I was also running Rays Ice Cream. On the days when I was focussed on My Business Buddy work, I'd still get the odd message from one of my Rays team, and I'd know it wouldn't be long 'til our next team meeting. I had other small business owner friends who I'd regularly meet for coffee.
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Before Rays Ice Cream, in the corporate world, I had teams working for me, and of course a boss to answer to.
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Since selling Rays, and moving to Gower, I'm finding that most of my working days are spent alone, or on Zoom. I don't mind it, but I'm definitely looking for some new local clients so I can spend more time with actual real people. I should also get out to some networking meetings too - any recommendations for great networking groups in Gower or Swansea gratefully received!
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In the meantime a HUGE thanks to my clients, I love speaking with each and every one of you, and you all keep me sane. And thanks to my husband and daughter, who are the reason I do it all anyway 😍

31/10/2022

I help hospitality business owners to improve their operations, find more time for themselves, and invariably make more money.

We’ll review your business together. We’ll look at the whole operation- your people, your offer, your pricing, your management style, your forecasts, your P&L, your marketing and so much more.

We’ll prioritise improvements that will make the biggest impact and work on those together.

I ran my own ice cream business for 11 years- building it from scratch and then selling it for a 6 figure sum. Before that I ran bars and restaurants in the corporate world. I’ll get to grips with your business quickly, and we’ll have fun working on it together.

Would you like to find out more? Here’s a link for you to a arrange an absolutely free chat with me.

https://calendly.com/mybusinessbuddy/20-minute