Turning Things around

[OldWelshGuy]

Creativity isnt my strong point, i wish i would have studied design or something now at college!

Gemma

organise your time. Set aside x amount of time for the now of your business, x amount for the future, and x amount for the 'better you'. Se time aside and sped that time doing what should be done within those hours. don't let distractions take it away.

Some things are overrated

One of the best things you can do is keep a log of what you are spending your time on. It will shock you to the bone when you realise just how little time is being spent on the most important aspects.

Once you know your time you can use your time.

 

[oldeagleeye]

Did you ever watch 4 Weddings & a Funeral Gemma.

Professional mourner. Easy hrs and good pay and your be good at it. You have had what 120 posts people feeling sorry for you and trying to help.

 

[joiner]

Start by looking at other webstes in your sector- which one is best? what do you like about it?, why? what are they selling? who are they selling too? How? etc etc etc, get to know your industry inside out and upside down! M

 

[gemd89]

You'd love my brother - he a professional moaner! lol

No, dont really like that type of film!

Time management - Yes thats essential for working at home i guess.

Will do a time plan when i start a new project

Gemma

 

[gemd89]

To be honest i have no idea where places like asos and lipsy get there clothes from. I guess they have a designer and send it out to middle east type countries and get them to make it cheaply and then import it over here to sell, however i havent got the resources to do that so think i will focus on the fancy dress from now

Gemma

 

[joiner]

Last post from me; Learn some zen;
"Learn to yield to the wind like a young sappling, for once you become stiff, ridged and unyielding you'll soon be broken in two." (in relation to your ridged mindset)

Grass-hopper.

 

[jane p]

good luck i admire you for your work ethic and desire.

 

[maxine]

Gemma

Gillie hit the nail on the head for me when she said about not putting problems first but think about your skills and what you can do that appeals to people and work around that.

I started my business when I had a 2yo and a 5yo and when the 5yo when to playgroup and the 2yo had a nap and that was all I needed to do 2hrs a day telemarketing on the phone for £120 a week + commissions.

There's always something that you can do that fits in with lifestyle, childminding challenges, skills but I honestly think the place to start is to think

* What can I do that people will buy?
* What can I afford as initial outlay to get going?
* What is the best profit that I can aim for within my circumstances.

You could do data entry, data admin, Subcontract for a VA in the evenings, or even make telemarketing calls abroad (time differences), you could do commission only sales via email with a few follow ups in the day here and there when you can with childcare permitting to make it worth your while, you can market your business online, there's lots you can do in the evenings.

Even if you stuck with the fancy dress and clothing, then run then as two different businesses so that to the outside word you look like the place to go to for fancy dress or the place to go to for clothing. Then have a different sales and marketing plan for both businesses independently.

I would try very hard to work back from the monthly income target that you have set yourself and listen to some of the help in this thread.

There's been a lot of advice about the website on here but I can't help but think that this is upside-down thinking. You should have a viable business first and a website second. Not a website first and a viable business second. If that makes sense

Good luck

 

[the_agx]

gem, you're most recent child is only a few months old, so can you share more equally with the father to give you more time?

 

[jelly3]

I understand what you are saying evo i really do but the money ive put into trying all different things and the fact its my first little business its so difficult to stand back and do nothing. Theres nothing that annoys me more than failing at things and this is how i feel that all the money i have spent was wasted on something i have no idea to get generating a little income per month.

I just want to work from home selling products that are small enough to package!

Gemma

It is heartbreaking I know. But it will not have been a waste because you will have learnt something new. I have seen similar threads where you have asked exactly the same questions about this particular site. Only you can decide when it is time to step back, but if it was me I would do it now before I lost anymore cash.

(Even consider putting the site on holiday for just 1 weeks reflection).

Perhaps if you come back to a clothing store, you could just firstly just concentrate on men or women. Boys or girls, or kids in general. Or a particular item of clothing. Clothing is so over saturated, you really need to fight for a niche.
Examples: http://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/
http://www.becheeky.com
http://www.sockshop.co.uk/
http://www.mysocks.co.uk/
http://www.mytights.com/


And re finding a job that fits around your children, perhaps in a school environment.
Would you consider looking for jobs as a dinner lady, school auxilary (non-cooking dinner lady), classroom assistant, school support assistant. Of course for non-school age children, do you have anyone you trust enough to care for them during this time?

 

[jelly3]

I feel there maybe other people who need that money more than i do! I dont like taking money when it can go to someone else more worthy. Im happy to spend money to make my business a success but not just throw money at it

Gemma

Oh Gem, give yourself a break.
Claim the Income Support, child tax credits & child benefit.
When you start employing people you will be giving it back in folds.

 

[jelly3]

Did you ever watch 4 Weddings & a Funeral Gemma.

Professional mourner. Easy hrs and good pay and your be good at it. You have had what 120 posts people feeling sorry for you and trying to help.

Bit harsh.

 

[oldeagleeye]

It was a joke at the time Jelly but frankly I am begining to wonder if all this noble nonsense about not claiming benefits is genuine.

Gemma started this thread by saying she needed her biz to generate £200 a MONTH and she seemed so desperate as if she needed to money to feed the children - but lets look at that again.

She is looking to earn £200 a MONTH. That is £46.15 a week. Now how on earth can any mother with 2 young children live on that - let alone pay rent - rates - utilities.

Sorry I may be wrong but I think what Gemma isn't saying is that she CAN'T claim some benefits because her boyfriend is living with her. Fair enough it it's true and basically it has nothing to do with us.

Apart that is wasting a lot of members time their telling her - nay almost pleading with her to claim the benefits.

Harsh Jelly. It was a joke but now I am not so sure who is laughing.

Rob

 

[jane p]

read the complete idiots guide to growing your business with google.

 

[gemd89]

No, Im not saying i cant claim benefits, im saying i dont want to be on JSA as im not sure i could live on it. My childrens father or my ex partner helps financial to keep us afloat, he works many hours and therefore cannot have the children, he probably sees them once or twice a week. The £200 was for keeping us actually living, not just being afloat but actually living!

Anyway - i have a new idea so will see how this goes.

Thank you all for your time, patience, advice and help. I have listened and read what you have all wrote and am now stepping away from the clothing business and researching other ideas where i can work from and be with the children.

Thanks once again
Gemma

 

[stugster]

When the other half gets home, why don't you do 4 hours three times a week at a supermarket?

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

Adverse situations are a kill or cure is business. It will separate those that have it, and those that want it - not everyone is a good business person to start with, but situations such as these will teach those wanting to learn. Some give up, others 'pull something out the bag'.

Stop worrying, and start thinking. Open the bag and look what is inside. I see a site with empty spaces. Empty spaces earn nothing. Hen/stag - great little earner..empty. Get on the phone or send a mail to companies such as red letter days and see if you can stock their product. Fills a space, earns some money.

Would you shop in a store that looks like it is closing down? No! Fill those spaces. If you do not have an item range, don't advertise that you do - that creates a wasted space. Use it for advertising, or some other product that you do have.

Look at kiddies toys - just a small range to fill a space, drop-ship if need be. christmas is coming in a few months, it will fill a space. You are a mother - you tell me what they like! Stock it, sell it, fill that space.

Girly 'impulse/cult' things - silly accessories that could fill a gap.Just low value impulse stuff, profit by volume, fit in a standard envelope.

Need instant answer? Do all the above and then visit sites like bumblebee police auctions - you can buy perfumes, clothes etc for £1 there - all ex shop lifting recovered stuff, then sell on the 'bay.

You can do it!

 

[virtuallysorted]

My view on this is that £200/month isn't really that much money...Especially if you aren't working. Is that harsh? Probably. But I know that there are about 20 people reading this who run their own business and:
A) Haven't watched Eastenders for the last 3 months
B) Have fed their children multi-vitamins and chicken nuggets exclusively
C) Have locked themselves away from friends and family in order to devote more time to their business

Really this is about time management and spending your time in the right area. So if you really have a niche market, write an ebook for them. Or sell them books from an Amazon Affiliate account. Don't spend your time on Facebook/Twitter unless it's actually converting into sales. Or find SOMETHING which actually brings in the cash.

But you need to focus on that goal, rather than anything else. And I suspect that this is not what you want to do if you have young kids.

I get so many people asking me how to become a virtual assistant and earn money online whilst looking after their kids and it just doesn't work like that - if it was that easy everyone would be doing it. I may be a traitor to my sex, but you just can't have everything - something has to give.

No one expects blokes to look after a 2 and a 3 year old, cook nutritious meals, look fabulous, work a full day, have a spotless house, have a relationship and be witty, charming and amusing after zero sleep - so why do we even attempt it?

Because there are loads of Alpha Women stomping around being martyrs pretending their life is fabulous to make everyone else miserable.

Enough: I declare here and now that my house is revolting without the cleaning lady, I don't have kids because I am too busy, and I am wearing raggedy jeans... Anyone else feel like 'fessing up?

 

[Call Tracker]

Why don't you just focus on fancy dress for your local market and build from there. You could leaflet your local area, put flyers in the school book bags and arrange avon style 'parties' to sell locally. This would also be cheaper and easier to market online under keywords such as fancy dress waltham abbey rather than just fancy dress uk.

Try and get your site re-designed if you can and really push the pr and local marketing side of things.

 

[What If]

No one expects blokes to look after a 2 and a 3 year old, cook nutritious meals, look fabulous, work a full day, have a spotless house, have a relationship and be witty, charming and amusing after zero sleep - so why do we even attempt it?

Oh, I know this one.....is it because women can multi-task and men can't!

 

[ScottNelson&Co]

No one expects blokes to look after a 2 and a 3 year old, cook nutritious meals, look fabulous, work a full day, have a spotless house, have a relationship and be witty, charming and amusing after zero sleep - so why do we even attempt it?

I agree. The word priorities comes to mind. Some things have to take a back seat in peoples life's. I haven't seen anyone for the last 4 days (apart from the post office lady). I've got a couple of things high on my list that I need to take care of before I move on to others. That's not to say I completely put a halt to other things in life.

One thing I've learned over the past year or so, is that things don't have to be done straight away, projects can creep along and you'll get there in the end.

It would be nice to have the privilege of pausing life and committing time to a project, but we don't have that option, and I think if we did, life would be pretty boring.

My 2 cents. Probably poorly written, sorry.

 

[the_agx]

I had a whole load of stuff written but the forum logged me out. Here's the main question I asked:

What research did you carry out into this business? What form did it take (e.g. surveying in the street?)? What projections did you make and based on what?

It's not what you wanna hear but you made two kids. It's not fair on them to be chasing a dream. You need to come to down earth and do whatever is best for them (welfare isn't, as you know, which I admire in you). The time for the risky dreams was before making them. You may have to leave the house to earn because that might be your reality now!

It sucks but I guess you fell into the trap that most young girls do in the UK: "I'm having a baby, and everything will fall into place". Then you did the double:

"FACEBOOK: Gemma says: lol! I'm preggers again lulzzzzz!!"
Gemmas-friend likes this.
​

OK. That's a little tongue in cheek, but I do despair with UK teens/youths having kids (coz sex is the easy part), but then being disadvantaged after coz they didn't think much further ahead than a 6-10 second orgasm.

But you do so much emotional growing in your late teens / early 20's such that starting a family then is naive, and is taking life too casual! These days, not many couples who get together in their early 20's see eye to eye with their partner in their 40's.

For whatever reason, you were eager or naive enough to have kids before you were financially stable or work-stable, so now it isn't about YOU. Who cares about yourdream? I care about the kids. They're already in a broken home (you and the dad split up?). Last thing they need is a mum who won't do whatever is needed for them - even if that means leaving the house to work (for the time being!).

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

I had a whole load of stuff written but the forum logged me out. Here's the main question I asked:

What research did you carry out into this business? What form did it take (e.g. surveying in the street?)? What projections did you make and based on what?

It's not what you wanna hear but you made two kids. It's not fair on them to be chasing a dream. You need to come to down earth and do whatever is best for them (welfare isn't, as you know, which I admire in you). The time for the risky dreams was before making them. You may have to leave the house to earn because that might be your reality now!

It sucks but I guess you fell into the trap that most young girls do in the UK: "I'm having a baby, and everything will fall into place". Then you did the double:

"FACEBOOK: Gemma says: lol! I'm preggers again lulzzzzz!!"
Gemmas-friend likes this.
​

OK. That's a little tongue in cheek, but I do despair with UK teens/youths having kids (coz sex is the easy part), but then being disadvantaged after coz they didn't think much further ahead than a 6-10 second orgasm.

But you do so much emotional growing in your late teens / early 20's such that starting a family then is naive, and is taking life too casual! These days, not many couples who get together in their early 20's see eye to eye with their partner in their 40's.

For whatever reason, you were eager or naive enough to have kids before you were financially stable or work-stable, so now it isn't about YOU. Who cares about yourdream? I care about the kids. They're already in a broken home (you and the dad split up?). Last thing they need is a mum who won't do whatever is needed for them - even if that means leaving the house to work (for the time being!).

I didn't know that Jeremy Kyle used UKBF.

 

[stugster]

Did someone say orgasm?

 

[Kernowman]

Did someone say orgasm?

They did, but I think they got away with it

Sheesh, this place is getting less like a business forum and more like an agony aunt forum where people come to unburden their personal tribulations and stresses :|

We'll be answering queries on IVF treatments next.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Can someone suggest a good but cheap IVf clinic?

 

[gemd89]

They did, but I think they got away with it

Sheesh, this place is getting less like a business forum and more like an agony aunt forum where people come to unburden their personal tribulations and stresses :|

Yes because it went off topic, i didnt ask what i should do in my personal life.

Anyway i think focusing on the fancy dress is a good idea, ive been looking on some local advertising website so this may be a good start. I also have some leaflets for student campuses so thanks for that constructive feedback.

And to the guy 2 posts up about dreams - They wouldnt be dreams, they would be follow my career path as i studied business and management after school before i DECIDED TO BE A KID GETTING PREGNANT! lol

I decided to have kids young as i was financially stable at the time and we could then and still do provide for them now as do their 5 grandparents.

Gemma

 

[Kernowman]

Can someone suggest a good but cheap IVf clinic?

I think Bernard Matthews may be diversifying out into that direction soon. May or may not work, but you do get a fantastic rendition of "Booooootiful" for your money

 

[Kernowman]

They did, but I think they got away with it

Sheesh, this place is getting less like a business forum and more like an agony aunt forum where people come to unburden their personal tribulations and stresses :|

Yes because it went off topic, i didnt ask what i should do in my personal life.

Anyway i think focusing on the fancy dress is a good idea, ive been looking on some local advertising website so this may be a good start. I also have some leaflets for student campuses so thanks for that constructive feedback.

Gemma

Aha, vee haff a cunning plan. Go for it.

 

[oldeagleeye]

FANCY DRESS WON'T WORK

Just done a feasibility & evaluation plan for a fairly big player in that market with a view to expansion. No go. I have advised him to get wedding stationery into the retail operation and let the on-line just plod on.

Gemma simply could'nt compete on range of stock - pricing or marketing.

In fact the biggest player has over 250 different ranges in stock and each one of those has 10 - 20 garments.

That is Joke.co.uk

 

[gemd89]

FANCY DRESS WON'T WORK

Just done a feasibility & evaluation plan for a fairly big player in that market with a view to expansion. No go. I have advised him to get wedding stationery into the retail operation and let the on-line just plod on.

Gemma simply could'nt compete on range of stock - pricing or marketing.

In fact the biggest player has over 250 different ranges in stock and each one of those has 10 - 20 garments.

That is Joke.co.uk

Whos the fairly big player?

Im aware of joke.co.uk - they also operate as a wholesaler.

Gemma

 

[oldeagleeye]

WHOOPS.

Meant to add. 2 very real possibilities though.

1) Gemma having studied (what does that mean - never qualified ) business and managment after school. She could teach business studies - then watch out world.

2) Perhaps a a better option. Write to the Government tell them for a small grant your set up an org that with half the teenage pregnancy rate overnight.

Then all she got to do is take the baby around to schools where the 14 year old boys would all be shown how to change shitty nappies. I guarantee it will work.

Come to think of it instead of giving these boys an Aspo. Make em work in a day nursery changing nappies for a week.

They will turn greener than the contents of the pampers pads.

Runny scrambled egg of toast for breakfast anyone.

Rob

 

[oldeagleeye]

Sorry. Can't reveal clients name. Not on.

Escapade another big player just 2 of the 20 thet dominate the on-line industry. Take if from me Gemma - you simply couldn't compete in this market.

 

[ScottNelson&Co]

Sorry. Can't reveal clients name. Not on.

Escapade another big player just 2 of the 20 thet dominate the on-line industry. Take if from me Gemma - you simply couldn't compete in this market.

meh, she's only looking to bring in £200 a month.

Import a 40ft container load of niche fancy dress, have an eBay shop, have an on-line shop, sell to high-street retailers, sell to on-line retailers. You'll profit 200 a month easy.

NB. requires about £10,000 investment.

 

[maxine]

FANCY DRESS WON'T WORK

To what extent would it not work? The Op is talking about £200 monthly income!!

Working backwards from her target this is not unachievable in my opinion. It's just about being a bit smarter with focusing efforts and identifying target audiences and working out how she can appeal to those over and above her competitors.

All this talking about "go and work in a supermarket love" it really patronising! Not the kind of help you would expect from a business forum. She mentioned her personal circumstances to help put things into context but she wants to run her own business and is looking for advice.

Blimey, most 21yr olds I know can't get out of bed in the mornings so I am more than happy to help Gemma where I can

Anyway, I would recommend some market research at this stage to really identify the potential keeping a £200 pm target in mind.

Fancy dress... think b2b sales... call centres who have fancy dress themes. Halloween, Bonfire night, Xmas coming up. Lots of managers on nice salaries who wouldn't be seen dead in a tescos/ebay outfit but have to participate in the festive jollies. Try to capture repeat business rather than one offs

All the local mums & tots centres, local delivery, easy to purchase at last minute when the stores/ebay have run out. Or those who want something special for their little darlings

Market research - what would they buy, why, how much, where from, etc will help identify whether £200pm income potential is viable.

Good luck

 

[gemd89]

Thanks maxine - You have been mega helpful this morning!

Nice to have someone with fresh ideas

Gemma

 

[oldeagleeye]

meh, she's only looking to bring in £200 a month.

Import a 40ft container load of niche fancy dress, have an eBay shop, have an on-line shop, sell to high-street retailers, sell to on-line retailers. You'll profit 200 a month easy.

NB. requires about £10,000 investment.

EXACTLY. Gemma don't have £10K.

Maxine. There are other 5000 items in a typical fancy dress on-line store and with limited sto what would be in demand and Gemma would have to guess what will see next week. Not always as obvious as it seems.

There was one area I identified which my client wasn't interested in and in any event Gemma is in a completely different location and that is selling 'Theme; packages to pubs & clubs. Like all else publicans can buy all this kit on line but if Gemma were to build up a round of pubs and take the orders for the month ahead she could do well.

The average order about £100 quid. £65 profit. Just 10 pubs £650 a month less the cost of some petrol. My suggestion was in fact a full time rep and 100-200 pubs in London and your talking a lot of dosh.

The problem is even with the small operation Gemma wants to work from home and it seems the only walking she wants to do is go over to the PC and switch it on.

Sorry. I don't buy that. Now she says the kids got 5 grand parents. There is always a way to get out and about for a few hours a day.

Rob

 

[gemd89]

Can you elaborate more on theme packages?

I can go round clubs as that would be evening or early evenings which i can do and have childcare for. Yes they do have grandparents however 2 sets work full time, 2 sets are over 70 and one lives too far away so still quite difficult.

PS. I do get out and about shopping, toddler groups, parks, fairs, days out just always with the kids!

 

[Penelope Pitstop]

Haven't had time to read through all replies to this thread properly but re the fancy dress ....

Get a few adult size character costumes eg Iggle Piggle, Peppa Pig, Dora. Build up a business locally hiring them out to parents for parties, school fayres, toddler groups etc. There are a few people who do this on line and you will need to outlay a bit of capital but market yourself well locally and you can offer drop off and collection included in the price.

I've thought about doing this myself - about £150 to buy the costume and then you can charge around £50 hire. They are very popular!!

 

[oldeagleeye]

A theme package is just that a complete package. Take Halloween for example. Aswells masks and fancy dress you can get a cardboard cut out to what looks like a dungeon. Fancy door curtians. Blow up skeletons etc etcThere are sprays that produce cob webs.

In other words with a theme pack as well as the customers dressing up you dress the pub itself up or the publican does and charge extra if he wants you to do it.

Now I have a list here somewhere wihich has a list of at least 2 suggestions for theme nites for every month and the great think about this project is that you only have to start with one theme pack from which you take orders so if you get 10 you only need order 9 and use the same say £65 quid to buy the next theme sample.

Of course if you have a bit more dosh your can carry 3 theme packs giving pubs a choice of someting different. You will always be able to dispose of them so no money in wasted stock.

Aint I great