Small Business Advice

[wight38]

My business is progressing well and I am at a stage where I have a few questions I need answering on how to proceed with certain areas which are developing.

Who do I ask and do I pay for this advice?

Thanks

 

[wight38]

Perhaps it's a mentor I need having searched the forums. Any recommendations or ideas as to how much they cost?

 

[degadar]

Maybe you can just meet a few local business people at a networking event. If you join the FSB (£200 a year or something) you’ll find they have local groups, regular talks, breakfast meetings that sort of thing.

If it’s general business advice you’re after then just meeting a few old lags who’ve been around the block a few times might be all you need.

 

[S-Marketing]

What kind of questions do you have?

 

[wight38]

thanks for the replies.

Loads of questions re supplying retailers, expanding the business and just the right way to do things and whether I need agreements.

I don't want to set off doing it wrong and then have to go back and change. I make unique items and they are proving to be really popular so need to find out the best way to go forward with this. Also trademarking/protecting my brand... but questions I don't necessarily want to post on a public forum for all to see lol.

You know when you feel like you just need another person who has been there, seen it, done it and to help point you in the right direction.

 

[degadar]

thanks for the replies.

Loads of questions re supplying retailers, expanding the business and just the right way to do things and whether I need agreements.

I don't want to set off doing it wrong and then have to go back and change. I make unique items and they are proving to be really popular so need to find out the best way to go forward with this. Also trademarking/protecting my brand... but questions I don't necessarily want to post on a public forum for all to see lol.

You know when you feel like you just need another person who has been there, seen it, done it and to help point you in the right direction.

Glad things are going well. Yes it sounds like you need to meet a few local business people and to look at how they've dealt with all these issues.

At the end of the day it's you who has to make the decisions and account for the consequences. I tend to carry with me on my shoulders all my old bosses and all the successful people I've ever met (in a virtual way you understand) and when I come up against something new I sift through them in my head and think - right, who do I know who's good at this sort of thing, OK, so what would Maureen do here?

I built my current business with a friend and business partner. As much as I'd not recommend getting into a partnership with anyone, It really is nice to have someone you can chat ideas through to firm them up. After we went our separate ways (a few years ago now) It took me a while to adjust. I know people who use their significant other for this. Often just talking through an issue brings all the points out and makes the decision a lot easier than you think.

 

[BusinessDeli]

Better to use the term 'widget' and ask question here (vast, wide ranging experiences and some utter b******s lol) than taking your known product to a local business unless you have some form of non-disclosure in place which seems perhaps overkill.

Just frame the question without giving detail away.

 

[businessfunding]

Better to use the term 'widget' and ask question here (vast, wide ranging experiences and some utter b******s lol)

On that point, you need to select who you take advice from, whether on this forum our out there

Select one or a few people who you feel follow your ethos and who have previously offered sound advice - follow too many and you will just end up confused or lurching from one place to another

It isn't only about being 'right' it is about what works for you.

 

[Admor]

My business is progressing well and I am at a stage where I have a few questions I need answering on how to proceed with certain areas which are developing.

Who do I ask and do I pay for this advice?

Thanks

Your second post mentioned you may need a mentor. It sounds to me like you do need 1-1 Mentoring - especially if you are understandably reluctant to be fully open on this Forum. Here is a free Business Mentoring Portal:

http://www.mentorsme.co.uk/

While (like forums) it can be a little hit or miss, it is a good place to start and it is free. Like everything though you often get what you pay for and you need to be careful to search for the right mentor for you and your business. While there are some good mentors offering their services through the Mentorsme portal, there are others whose credentials are at best questionable.

If this free option does not meet your needs you should consider paying someone who offers a professional Business Mentoring service. Prices will vary and often depend on the quality of the mentor, type of support required, frequency and format of meetings and the better ones will show you how you will derive real, tangible benefits from the arrangement.

Good luck with your search.