In her column focused on small businesses, Waltham Forest Business Network’s Jo Sealy interviews a community-minded coffee shop owner Afshan Ahmed runs an independent, family friendly, ‘foodie’ coffee shop and larder based in Chingford that specialises in fresh, innovative foods, homemade cakes and locally-sourced gifts and food products. I asked what the drive was to start up her business, Oh My Coffee; Afshan said: “I had an idea to create a place that was family friendly, where children could develop their social skills in an environment that felt welcoming. “When I started up, I found lots of information online, and through asking lots of questions. I felt the bank and tax offices were helpful. I am a great believer in planning, planning, planning. “It’s not been without its challenges though – building our fantastic team of staff has taken time.” The businesswoman and mum says that her biggest achievements have been growing the business every year and not staying static. The coffee shop has won awards for good service and prides itself on its sense of community, which includes offering book and craft clubs. The recent opportunity to expand into next-door premises was a calculated risk which has proved to be a turning point for the future of the business. “In 12 months’ time, I would love to see all our plans coming into fruition. We are working to increase our own range in the larder, which stocks lots of great locally-produced products, and bring added interest to the high street. Watch this space!” Afshan is passionate about having a vibrant high street with diverse shopping opportunities. She says: “We do not consider rivals or competition, we see other shops as adding something different to the high street which is in turn great for us, almost like partners. A diverse shopping area is great for all local businesses.” What advice would she give to those thinking of starting a business? “My advice to budding entrepreneurs would be to see every hurdle as an opportunity, and keep positive. “The most satisfying part of running my own business is I love what I do. Every day is different, from business planning to making handmade chocolates. I love the flexibility it gives me. I am a great believer in ‘you reap what you sow’.” To find out more about Oh My Coffee: Visit ohmyltd.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
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In a new small business column in association with Waltham Forest Business Network, Jo Sealy interviews a freelance photographer. 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 The Waltham Forest Business Network is pleased to announce that it will be working with Enterprise Enfield on two new business programmes:
Inspiring Women Programme Inspiring Women Business Growth Service Further details on the 2017 programmes will be posted shortly. The Waltham Forest Business Network will be working with Enterprise Enfield and their sponsor the JP Morgan Chase Foundation to run two, 4-month accelerator programmes next year, called the Women Enterprise Growth Accelerator (WEGA). WEGA is an accelerator programme starting in February for women who are ready to scale their businesses and will cover the following areas:
To be eligible to join the scheme you will need to:
You would work with Jo Sealy of www.to-market.co.uk (and founder of the Waltham Forest Business Network) on marketing and strategy across the four month period and how you use that time to support the other growth areas of your business is something that will be taken into consideration, agreed and then aim to get you in front of the right people. If you are a woman in an established business and would like to be considered, please could you complete the attached Expression of Interest form at this link and return it as soon as possible, thank you. Enterprise Enfield is currently recruiting for the following vacancies under a new ERDF Inspiring Women Programme. Please see brief details below with links to our website for further information and to apply. Business Skills Development Manager Job Title: ERDF Business Skills Development Manager Contract type: Full-time, 1yr fixed-term contract (with potential to be extended) Salary range: £33-35K per annum FTE (subject to experience) Closing date: 10am Monday 17th October 2016 Interview date: Wednesday 19th October 2016 Enterprise Enfield is seeking a Business Skills Development Manager to deliver business skills development support to start ups and small medium size businesses (SMEs) participating in the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Inspiring Women Programme. Click for full details and to apply Marketing and Development Assistant Job Title: ERDF Marketing and Development Assistant Contract type: Full-time, 1yr fixed-term contract (with potential to be extended) Salary range: £20-22K per annum FTE (subject to experience) Closing date: 10am Monday 17th October 2016 Interview date: Monday 24th October 2016 Enterprise Enfield is seeking a Marketing and Development Assistant to provide marketing support for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Inspiring Women Programme. Assisting the Marketing and Development Manager with the promotion of the project and development of Business Hub services. Click for full details and to apply Feasting on art – award winning gallery seeks new caterer An exciting new opportunity is coming up at the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow to provide a catering service in the Gallery’s beautiful Tea Room overlooking Lloyd Park. It is also tendering for caterers to join its approved list for corporate and private hire events, including weddings. The multiple award-winning Gallery attracts over 100,000 visitors a year with stunning displays of the permanent collections, ever changing temporary exhibitions and a busy programme of events and private hire. The Tea Room, housed in a beautiful glass extension, operates 5 days a week (Wed-Sun) with scope for extending the service outside these hours. Waltham Forest Council, which owns and runs the Gallery, is looking for a dynamic operator capable of delivering the high quality of service visitors enjoy, in keeping with the spirit of the Gallery and using locally sourced produce wherever possible. The Tea Room is an essential part of the visitor experience and a destination in its own right. There will be two market-warming events at the William Morris Gallery on 22 and 29 February and the tender will go live in early March. The tenders will be published on the London Tenders Portal www.londontenders.org. To register your interest and reserve your place at one of these events please email martyn.tillier@walthamforest.gov.uk. ENDS About the William Morris Gallery The William Morris Gallery is the only public Gallery devoted to William Morris: designer, craftsman and radical socialist. Housed in the grade II* listed building that was Morris's family home from 1848 to 1856, the Gallery reopened in August 2012 following a major redevelopment that attracted widespread public and press acclaim. Since its re-launch the Gallery has developed an ambitious exhibition programme, hosting Morris-inspired exhibitions by artists including Grayson Perry, Jeremy Deller, Yinka Shonibare and Bob and Roberta Smith. The Gallery, which is owned and run by Waltham Forest Council, was awarded the Art Fund prize for Museum of the Year in 2013 and was nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award in 2014. The Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm; admission is free. www.wmgallery.org.uk
Now in its 8th year, Global Entrepreneurship Week continues to shine a spotlight on enterprise across the globe. Use this year’s event to start a business with help from Enterprise Nation founder and StartUp expert, Emma Jones. Click here to book your ticket. Here she offers 5 steps to become your own boss and announces the biggest StartUp event of the week.
Starting a business will be one of the best things you ever do. With self-employment comes the freedom and flexibility to work how you like and with whom you like! Here are 5 steps to get you started. 1. What’s the idea? Every business starts with an idea. What’s yours? In coming up with an idea for a business, ask yourself three questions;
2. Make a plan A business plan acts as your routemap and writing it will help confirm how you move from where you are now, to where you want the business to be The plan does not have to be long and it’s easy to remember what to include as it spells I’M OFF:
With plan in hand, your sense of direction is confirmed. 3. Make sales You’re not in business until you’re making sales! Start selling to friends and then widen the network through selling online, considering template sites such as Moonfruit, Wix and Weebly, or make sales on powerful marketplaces such as Etsy, eBay and Notonthehighstreet.com. Deliver the product or service on time and in budget to ensure customers keep coming back! 4. Get known Increase sales and profile through getting known. Achieve this by reaching out to local and target media with the story of what makes you special and embrace social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc) to reach customers and contacts across the globe. Agree to speak at events, enter Awards, host events and take steps to quickly become an expert in your field. Soon journalists will be knocking on your door asking for comment. 5. Repeat! Repeat the above steps to stay in business and try to balance your precious time by dividing it across three key tasks; business development and making sales, taking care of existing customers and staying on top of company admin. Before you know it, you’ll be a fully fledged business owner and by this time next year advising other StartUps on how to get going! Attend the biggest StartUp Saturday during Global Entrepreneurship Week and pick up all these tips and more in person from Emma and the Enterprise Nation team. Click here to book your ticket today. www.enterprisenation.com/startupsaturday Emma Jones is Founder of Enterprise Nation and author of best selling books including 'Spare Room StartUp, 'Working 5 to 9', 'Go Global' and 'The StartUp Kit' |