Why am I here??

It's been a testing time recently, and in a lot of ways these are the times when you have to take stock and ask yourself good questions. So I'll start with - Why am I here?

Well taking that as the lead I thought I'd let you know why I started this blog.  The theme that 'Starting a Business in the Credit Crunch is Great' sounds a very positive one, and so it should be.  As I listened to the debate on BBC This Week last night on cynicism or scepticism and (I think it was Michael Portillo) it was said that scepticism is heathly (questioning of motives) and cynicism is a disease, a debilitating mind set which is all too often these days the first and primary response.  I have to agree to a point, it is becoming so much easier these days to be cynical and the glass half empty response is given more credibility than a glass half full response.

It has been a tough 18 months for the country for all kinds of reasons and even from the 'half-full' viewpoint that is the reality.  However, that's where I do draw the line (after a bit of a moan of course).  Recent events seem to me to show a growing mindset from some quarters that we are looking back and down as the norm.  Now as someone who does a bit of walking I've yet to achieve much in the way of distance by walking this way.  I'm pretty sure that isn't what Run DMC and Aerosmith were meaning either.  If you travel forward whilst looking back and down it doesn't take long for you to hit something or end up with something nasty on your shoe.

I started this blog to say look, I'm here and I'm looking forward.  There may be a recession, but then there is never a wrong time to take control of your life, dream a dream and go for it.  I've mentioned my Dr Pepper moment before and I'm not sure if I was extremely cynical that I'd have been able to give a measured and positive response to 'What's the worst that can happen'. 

I started this blog not to say, look at how well everything I touch is going, let me just put that point to bed now.  It's been tough and very, very loney running the business, and for someone who has boughts of depression that isn't a good combination.  But you know what? I wouldn't change it! I'm now doing something that makes me happy.  That isn't to say it just puts me in a happy mood, I have a genuine deep feeling that this rocky path is MY path, it's taken me a while to find it but it's the right one for me.

So whilst times are tough and the air of cynicism is seemingly growing it is up to all of us as individuals to do the things that are guaranteed to make us happy, learn from mistakes (but don't be afraid to make them) and raise our heads and turn them forward.  Then we'll all get where we are going a lot quicker and with a few less (smelly) bruises!

Being social in real life

Headed home from my mastermind group tonight (that's mastermind as in the group principle advocated by Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich as oppose to a group that meets to put each other in a black leather chair and ask searching questions...I've started so I'll finish)...after an interesting discussion and ideas on Social Network/Media.  We were coming up with ideas for three different businesses tonight to do with Social Network/Media and it got me thinking about the latest 'marketing black art'.

Now I call it 'black art' as being a relatively new arm of marketing it holds a lot of fear for some people.  But it really shouldn't.  In fact give it another 2-5 years and aspects of Social Networking/Media/Marketing will no longer be known as that, they will have reverted to just marketing.  And for those of you filled with fear and confusion when terms like blogs, linking, buttons, updates etc etc I give you the line to ease your mind...

Forget the technical terms, its just a different way to speak to your customers.

Honestly that is all there is to it.  By all means create a proper plan (to prevent ps poor performance) and dedicate resource to it, but most of all embrace it - don't be scared of it.  For the generation or two (yikes) below me - the next raft of employees and employers - the above terms are second nature.  So put aside the fear and meet it head on.  Start learning, using and engaging - you'll find the new marketing black arts will soon merge into all those other marketing black arts that have been scaring us for years.

Mum...I'm in the paper!

So the power of social networking shows itself.  Just 48hrs after returning to this very blog and sending the update on my Twitter account (@simonbrooke) I've entered the world of social commentator.

Lancashire Business View magazine, top lancashire business publication read my latest posts and have now featured it on their e-bulletin update. To see a copy follow this link http://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/news-details.htm?news_id=73 . 

This is a great example for one of the best lessons I've learned over the past 15months of being an entrepreneur...you are a trumpet so make sure you blow!  Ok, that is a little silly, but the old adage is certainly true, always blow your own trumpet, particularly in these tricky times.  And the other thing is - always say yes (ok maybe within reason).  It is amazing in this age of social media how quickly your voice can be heard and promoted. So don't be shy!  If you have done something, plan on doing something (that you can talk about - no revealing secrets early), or even have an feeling that something is 'good news' talk about it.  And don't think that you need expensive PR to do it, its promotion not a black art.  (though I should say at this point that professional PR are brilliant if used right - mwah pr bods x)

So tell your story, we need more good news stories - the more positive stories that are out there, the quicker we'll see us normal folk back on a natural high.

We learn so much from each other, from people we can relate to, people in our situation, people who provide us with a living example.  So why not be that example, then you'll be making the call 'Mum...I think I might be in the paper over there, can you go and get a copy please, no I don't know what it is we haven't put it out...put it on the fridge next to that finger painting from 1984'.

The Cheekiest Bird gets the worm!

Another post shocker...yep, but then I did make a promise that my next post would cover cheekyness so here goes.

A tip for anyone with a business or more likely starting a business.  Be Cheeky!

Now that is certainly not to be the case with your lovely customers, but certainly with anyone you even have a glimmer may be able to help your business.  By this I mean that gut feeling you get when you're in a conversation or even listening to someone speaking.  Don't be afraid, steal yourself and even if you've never done before spring into action....and ask a simple question - Can you help me?

I call this my Dr Pepper moment, after all what is the worst that can happen.  Example I hear you cry, well here goes.  In my 4th week of running Happy Sweet Shop (http://www.happysweetshop.co.uk/) I was listening to Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 and he was auctioning places for his BBC Children in Need Dine and Disco event.  Top places and I so wanted to be able to bid, but sadly no way I could.  But a thought occured to me, wouldn't it be great to get some good coverage from BBC Radio and help Children in Need at the same time.

And so without a moments thought I dropped a quick email to the show along the lines of 'You are missing something from your event, some retro sweets for all the guests would be excellent!!..etc etc.  And sure enough within a couple of days I was in contact with Chris' brilliant PA and the event got the sweets and we got some BBC coverage.  This has lead onto other things this year and culminated in us being a partner for the BBC Children in Need 2009 appeal.  That and some fab contacts and more importantly a very good case study of what we can do.  You shouldn't underestimate the power of being able to legitimately link yourself to strong brands - but remember it has to be legit. Never make claims you can't back up.

But always go with that cheeky gut instinct when it comes to promoting yourself and your company.

Much later and careers advice!

It's been a while. It won't happen again!
I guess that's what happens when you are running businesses especially in such a troubled time. I saw a programme this morning featuring a 16 year old who's career choice is to be an entreprenuer. Now let me start by saying that this is fantastic, anyone who wants to run their own business should be commended and encouraged. However, the next few minutes pained me some what. He was making this decision as a vocation weighing up whether he should go to uni or start a business (incidentally he didn't know what business he wanted, just that it could make him rich - materially rich). For me this is painful and I'll tell you a couple of reason why.

Here is a guy who has ambition and his only role models are those entrepreneurs that didn't get a choice, they had to start a business to survive. Which leads me onto the next reason, being an entrepreneur wasn't a 'career choice' as it seems to be. Now I wouldn't have had the 'inspiration' to start my business if it wasn't for the more accessible approach to entreprenuer that the recent media age has created. However, I also believe that such a 'careers advisor' type of choice is itself wrong. Certainly without the explanation of all the pitfalls of starting a business.

I think more people, especially youngsters like this chap, but anyone of any age should be encouraged to take the leap if they feel ready. And that is really my point....feel ready.

We all make our own way, we all control our own happiness and for that reason we all get that feeling at different stages. With perhaps different role models out there in media 'entrepreneur' land more young chaps like this would listen to their happiness (or heart) and take the approach to starting their business when they feel ready - not when the careers advisor needs to take notes.

So right back to the start...

Having done my 2nd redundancy, which to be honest hit me harder than I let on, my mind was made up...it was old-fashioned sweets. So I did what all good business people should do - hit the research. That was my first suprise, there were so many already doing it.

The more I looked (and purchased), the more adament I was that my marketing skills could really bring something to this. I looked, noted and surfed for days on end. Made calls, attended a couple of meetings. Bless, I even went to speak to the local enterprise centre. Firstly I should say, for those who have no real experience of 'business' the resources available were excellent. However, for those of you with a bit of knowledge (and those others like me that have been learning business/marketing theory since 15 and been heavily involved in someone elses business) it was a bit of a waste of time. The one good thing I got out of it was some key local business folks knew I existed - and I got a couple of contacts. Well worth doing.

The one real boggle I had was the lack of financial support available for a young (29), white male. Without finding a postcode that was covered in a 'support' area we got nothing! So much for plenty of opportunities for all. I'd just like everyone, whatever age, creed, sex or colour to get the opportunity to benefit from some start-up financial support. I think then you'll find plenty more businesses being created, after all many of us of all shapes and sizes are seriously looking to start a business. And there will be plenty of people like me who have 'had' very little need for any state help in any area of our lives up until now. Just to be told that we don't fit the check boxes! Funny, our business rates and taxes that we'll pay seem to fit the check boxes fine.

Still, whether you think there is or isn't funding available, one thing I would say - keeping asking! Eventually you will find the answer you are looking for. If one route is a no, there may be another. If you don't fit the profile for one type of funding, think laterally (ps. I'm not suggesting get a sex change by the way) - by that I mean can you move the location of you office, can you look at investing in training...all kinds of things like that.

Next time...how to be cheeky and get loads of contacts easily when starting your new venture.

And so the story starts...late!

Best to give you a quick catch up...I'm late...again.

Not for the first time that must be said. I heard business is all about timing and not timings. I believe in the first, the second I'm working on.

I'm Simon and I'm now termed an entreprenuer - this isn't meant to sound like a counselling session. I found my path to business through a number of different paths. I'd love to start this blog by saying I had such a hard early life and I was rubbish at school so I had to battle to make this great life for myself. I can't lie to you though. I didn't have a bad early life, indeed quite the contratry, and I was very good (and loved school). I followed the tried and trusted route of GCSE's/A-Levels/Degree (Sheffield Hallam by the way) and ended up on a great graduate scheme with a great company. All sounds fantastic so far!

But for me that is also the point. It took me to the age of 29 (and 2 redundancies) to realise that what made me happiest was for me to take control of my life and just give it a go. And so we arrive to today - well actually I'm going to go back to last summer, July 2008 to the start of my newest venture, to give you an idea of what many people seem to think is impossible - starting a business in the credit crunch.