Walltham Forest Business Network
  • Welcome!
    • What Our Members Say
  • About
  • What We Do
    • Women In Business >
      • Great Little Places to meet in E17
    • Business Directory
    • Creative Exchange >
      • Expression of Interest
    • Small Business 100
    • WF Small Business Competition >
      • 2014 Food Business Category Winner - Star of India Restaurant
      • 2014 Social Enterprise Category Winner - Significant Seams
      • Winner - 2013 Business Competition
      • 2014 Start Up Business Category Winner - Bestowed Kitchen
      • Winner - 2012 Small Business Competition
      • 2014 Retail Business Category Winner - It Does The Job
      • 2014 Creative Business Category Winner - Build
      • 2014 Professional Service Category Winner - Leyton Sports Massage
    • Networking, Events, Workshops >
      • Christmas Networking 2017
      • Christmas Networking 2015 >
        • Past Events >
          • 2014 Christmas Event
      • 'Network & Grow' summer 2014
      • 2012 Christmas Networking Event
      • 2012 Tea at the Town Hall
      • Workshops 2011
      • 2011 Summer Networking, House of Commons
      • Christmas Dinner at Eat17
      • Celebrating International Women's Day
      • 2011 E17 Art Trail
      • NEL Expo 2011
      • December 2010 Waterstones Christmas Networking
      • July 2010 Pimms O'Clock Summer Networking
      • April 2010 - Spring Speed Networking
      • February 2010 - Secrets to Success with NLCC
      • January 2010 - Facebook & Twitter -What's The Fuss?
      • Christmas 2009 - Christmas Networking at Waterstones
      • Summer 2009 - Networking, Health & Beauty
  • WFBN Blog
  • Waltham Forest Echo - Business Articles
  • Enterprise Nation
  • Privacy Policy
  • Enterprise Programme Support
    • Growth Vouchers - Cavendish Consortium
    • Fit For Legacy - East London Business Place
    • Waltham Forest Council - Small Business Saturday

 

Waltham Forest Echo, Business Article - The accidental business owner

3/7/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Marc manages filming projects across the UK

In a series looking at local entrepreneurs, Jo Sealy from Waltham Forest Business Network meets a film maker from Leyton

Marc Shuttle became a business owner more by chance than by design. He had been working as a successful freelancer in multimedia for a number of years, building his client base and working with other freelancers to deliver projects.  Realising that he needed more structure to the business, two years ago Marc decided to rebrand from Marc Shuttle to 'Firebrand Video', moving into a more formal set up with the help of a Virgin start-up loan to purchase extra equipment.

​“I'd become a business without realising it!” explains Marc. “Initially we had focused on live events, with a little bit of video marketing thrown into the mix. But the more I attended networking events and saw what other video marketers ​were doing, the more I saw a real gap in the market.”
Firebrand Video works with small businesses on their digital marketing strategies, with a core focus on video content. It works with clients to combine all of their digital marketing activities – video, blogging, email marketing and social media – to support the growth that they are aiming for in their businesses.

​The company has worked on a range of projects, from filming in some of the biggest arenas in the UK, including Wembley, to producing short promotional pieces for clients such as the mayor of London and City Hall. Free mentorship and guidance from the East London Building Legacies programme has helped Marc to focus on the growth goals.  
 “I’d been ‘winging it a bit’,” Marc admits. “However, the support provided me with a real focus on gaining new business in the last quarter of 2019, using the same strategies I use with our clients to get new leads. “We managed to close two clients on 12-month deals which, alongside our regular roster of clients, has put us in a strong position for 2020.”

​Marc works full-time on the business, with other roles going to freelancers on production days and consultants during strategy sessions. He’s aiming to bring on one other full-time member of staff within the next 12 months. “That’s likely to be my wife – she's currently one of our freelancers and is eager to dive in and bring her own clients when it's financially viable. This will give me the opportunity to focus even more on networking and building business relationships, which has been hugely important to the success of the business so far.”
For more information about Firebrand Video Visit www.firebrandvideo.com 
​
Do you know a great small business in Waltham Forest with a story to tell?
Email wfbn@to-market.co.uk 
isit walthamforestbusiness.co.uk
0 Comments

Waltham Forest Echo, Business Article - Mother of all businesses

3/7/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
In the first of a new series looking at local entrepreneurs, Jo Sealy from Waltham Forest Business Network meets a birth coach from Walthamstow

A single encounter on a train assisting an expectant mother changed Tracey Louis-Fernand’s life forever.
The incident led Tracey to move from being a senior manager in social housing, where she worked for over 17 years, to setting up her own birth coach business, Mothering the Mother, in 2018 – as a professional doula.

A doula provides emotional, physical and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labour, or has recently given birth. The aim is to help women have a safe and empowering birth.

Tracey explains: “I assisted an expectant mother on a regular journey to work – little did I know that our conversation about motherhood and birth would spark the journey to me becoming a fully trained doula.
“I began working voluntarily to gain experience. I continued my paid employment four days a week and supported new and expectant mothers during my spare time. I went on to train with [pregnancy support charity] NCT, working on a wonderful project providing support for women’s perinatal mental health. I have also worked on NHS wards, as a breastfeeding peer support worker.

“During that time, I could see how dedicated and committed the mothers were, but something was missing. No-one can pour from an empty cup and it is when we are well that we can fully take care of our loved ones. This became a ‘light bulb’ moment for many of the mothers I supported and really was the seed from which Mothering the Mother was born.”

Tracey provides complete pregnancy, birth and postnatal packages. Her business was set up with the help of start-up enterprise training from local organisations Allia and Outset.
“Depending on where you are with your business there is support available,” Tracey explains. “This year I am also joining Enterprise Nation. As much as anything else, it is really useful to keep networking with other business owners and I have made some truly wonderful contacts over the last year.”

Tracey sees her business journey so far as one with many highlights.

“I never knew that within my first year of business I would feature in a Facebook live interview and on a business podcast or that I would be a contributing guest blogger; this is quite an achievement for someone that had no social media experience prior to starting a business.

“And to top it off here I am in Waltham Forest Echo!”

Tracey is planning the year ahead with a focus on rolling out a series of affordable perinatal related workshops, collaborating with other businesses and continuing to expand on providing regular, affordable antenatal support.

For more information about Mothering The Mother:
Visit motheringthemother.co.uk
Do you know a great small business in Waltham Forest with a story to tell?
Email wfbn@to-market.co.uk
Visit walthamforestbusiness.co.uk
0 Comments

Mindful Living - Silver Ray Healing Therapies

12/3/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Full Recovery - Post Op Home Physio

11/6/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Bespoke Solutions - Bespokea Kitchens

10/1/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Drawing Ambition - Korero Press

9/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

My Gammies - Hungry for Success

8/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Wheels of Fortune - ZED Waltham Forest

8/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

A Joint Venture - Elbow Creative

8/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Success In A Snap - Jon Holloway Photography

8/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
In a new small business column in association with Waltham Forest Business Network, Jo Sealy interviews a freelance photographer
Leyton-based photographer Jon Holloway
Jon Holloway runs a photography business in Leyton specialising in portrait and public relations work but also documentary, brand, interiors, lighting, retouching, and tuition.
Asked where the idea for his business came from, Jon says: “I have always wanted to do a job that I love. After going to art school it was a logical progression to do something that I was both good at and could see a clear career trajectory in front of me.”
But even with a clear idea, starting up in business is not always easy. “During my photographic education I was introduced to assisting, where I learnt more technical skills than I could have at any institution. I guess you could say that it was my apprenticeship.
“I went on to develop a career as a photographer’s assistant alongside trying to carve out my own place as a photographer in my own right.”
What is Jon’s biggest achievement in business? “There have been so many, and I hope many more to come. I have been lucky enough to take portraits of a few stars such as Jim Broadbent and Ricky Gervais.
“My job also takes me to weird and wonderful places. From quarries and canyons to achieve basements, and the bowels of ships. I love to learn and explore and am lucky enough to have a job that takes me on unless journeys.”
Differentiating yourself from the competition is a key to success in business. How has Jon managed it? “I always like to put my own stamp on what I do. In portraits it’s usually about my relationship with who I’m photographing, putting them at ease or getting to know them. It’s a connection, not just an excuse to show off how good you are at lighting.”
Looking ahead, Jon says he was wants to make more connections and work with more local companies, in what he hopes is a mutually beneficial relationship. “Many individuals and businesses could use my skill set and I enjoy working in new and interesting ways. I’m just looking for opportunities to do what I do best – create.”

For more information about Jon Holloway Photography:
Visit dyslexicphotographer.com
Do you know a great small business in Waltham Forest with a story to tell?
Email wfbn@to-market.co.uk
Visit walthamforestbusiness.co.uk
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Author

    Waltham Forest Business Network writing about great Waltham Forest Businesses

    Archives

    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

CLICK HERE to join the network
      
  • Welcome!
    • What Our Members Say
  • About
  • What We Do
    • Women In Business >
      • Great Little Places to meet in E17
    • Business Directory
    • Creative Exchange >
      • Expression of Interest
    • Small Business 100
    • WF Small Business Competition >
      • 2014 Food Business Category Winner - Star of India Restaurant
      • 2014 Social Enterprise Category Winner - Significant Seams
      • Winner - 2013 Business Competition
      • 2014 Start Up Business Category Winner - Bestowed Kitchen
      • Winner - 2012 Small Business Competition
      • 2014 Retail Business Category Winner - It Does The Job
      • 2014 Creative Business Category Winner - Build
      • 2014 Professional Service Category Winner - Leyton Sports Massage
    • Networking, Events, Workshops >
      • Christmas Networking 2017
      • Christmas Networking 2015 >
        • Past Events >
          • 2014 Christmas Event
      • 'Network & Grow' summer 2014
      • 2012 Christmas Networking Event
      • 2012 Tea at the Town Hall
      • Workshops 2011
      • 2011 Summer Networking, House of Commons
      • Christmas Dinner at Eat17
      • Celebrating International Women's Day
      • 2011 E17 Art Trail
      • NEL Expo 2011
      • December 2010 Waterstones Christmas Networking
      • July 2010 Pimms O'Clock Summer Networking
      • April 2010 - Spring Speed Networking
      • February 2010 - Secrets to Success with NLCC
      • January 2010 - Facebook & Twitter -What's The Fuss?
      • Christmas 2009 - Christmas Networking at Waterstones
      • Summer 2009 - Networking, Health & Beauty
  • WFBN Blog
  • Waltham Forest Echo - Business Articles
  • Enterprise Nation
  • Privacy Policy
  • Enterprise Programme Support
    • Growth Vouchers - Cavendish Consortium
    • Fit For Legacy - East London Business Place
    • Waltham Forest Council - Small Business Saturday