Ealing Homebiz - September 2013

contactusealing.co.uk September 2013 / Vol1 No2

FREE – PLEASE TAKE A COPY

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Ealing Homebiz Profiling and promoting local home-run businesses

What’s going on in Ealing’s thriving homebiz sector?

Carole Ann Rice – newspaper columnist and life coach – is running the Ealing Half Marathon see page 13

Add a splash of magic: we road-test Ian Gray’s ScaleBREAKER

see page 7

see page 8

pages 19-23 / •Home-businesses

Ealing Running See our 8-page supplement, including Q&A with last year’s Ealing Half Marathon first Ealing Resident and third place winner, Robert Wilson (left) pages 11-18

Psychic, crystal healing, tarot cards, colour therapy: trust your fate to Suneet Goomer

in HANWELL

•andDiscounts promotions on every page

These mums mean business: Erin Thomas-Wong and Shelley Henderson see page 5

Here’s another

Contactus

publication

Bold Training Club Bold training club helps ambitious professionals and entrepreneurs take their businesses, their career and their lives to a desirably higher level. This is achieved by inspiring, guiding and supporting them to conquer their limiting inhibitions, enhance their social skills and develop their leadership qualities.

Reza, the club leader

Bold meetings are held at the prestigious Grosvenor Hotel (Victoria) at 101 Buckingham Palace Rd, London, SW1W 0SJ.

To get 20% special offer, mention ‘Ealing Homebiz’ as your introducer For further information visit Bold website at

www.joinbold.com Contact Reza, the club leader, on reza@joinbold.com or call him on 02071128785

CONTENTS and WELCOME

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 3

Hello

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Ealing Homebiz Want to see small business owners smile?

Say that you saw them in ‘Ealing Homebiz’ Business finder

See page(s) Professionals training (Bold Training Club) 2, 25 Phone app for parents (Gobaby map app) 8, 9 Physiotherapy (CK Physiotherapy) 10, 16 Personal training (Bodyline Fitness) 12, 15 Personal wellness (Shape up and Tone) 16, 17 Yoga and meditation (The Joanne Sumner Studio) 19, 20 Legal advice (ViaLegal Consultancy Serv.) 19, 20 Nanny agency (Buttons Nanny Agency) 21, 22 Graphic designer (Joshi Was Janes) 21, 22 Tutoring (Graduate Tutors) 23 Bespoke jewellery (Chiswick Gems) 24, 27 Image advice (The Colour Consultant) 24, 26 Videos for websites (Viva Videos) 27 Handmade gifts (All Original) 27 Leaflet distribution (Letterbox Lovers) 28 Printers (Express Print Ltd) 28

Contactus

Introducing the £20 ‘mini-ad’ (this size box)

Enough space for your logo, slogan and contact details

More info on our website:

contactusealing.co.uk

Or book by email: info@contactusealing.co.uk

Features

The joy of vouchers

The Big Issue

4

Homebiz Helpers

5

Guest column

6

What’s it like at the...

7

Homebiz Roadtest

8

Start-up of the Month

9

– network marketing: why?

– Ealing Mums in Business – Glenda Shawley on building the perfect print advert – Also: latest from the West Ealing Hub planning committee – Healer Suneet Goomer – The ScaleBREAKER

– Jen Corlew’s Gobaby map app

EALING RUNNING

11-18

– Nine pages about the sport that’s taken over Ealing.

Featuring local businesspeople/ runners Carole Ann Rice, Robert Wilson, Roy Summers, Jo ScottDalgliesh, CK Physiotherapy, Joanne Stacey, and Sosi Ross

HANWELL HOMEBIZ 19-23 – Working from home in W7.

Profiles of businesses run by: Jo Sumner (The Joanne Sumner Studio), Sara McCracken (ViaLegal Consultancy Services), Felicity Sandford (Buttons Nanny Agency), Alison Joshi (Joshi Was Janes) and Andrew McRobbie (Graduate Tutors)

Reaching out to Ealing 24-25

I’m always so thrilled to get a booklet full of vouchers through the door, I sit there and cut out the ones I know will come in useful, and stuff them in my purse, so they’re always falling out when I open my purse to pay – which then reminds me to use them!

That’s why we thought it would be a good idea to add vouchers to the adverts in ‘Ealing Homebiz’.

Business owners like nothing better than seeing that they have a new – local – customer, and that you found them through a local resource, like our magazine.

So don’t be shy about saying “I saw your business in ‘Ealing Homebiz’” – claim your discounts and gifts; they’re your reward for supporting and shopping local.

You don’t even need to cut out the voucher, just saying the magic words will get you your discount.

Thanks for shopping by.

All the best, Carlene Bender Editor-publisher, Contactus magazines Web: contactusealing.co.uk Email: info@contactusealing.co.uk Twitter: @ContactusEaling Facebook: ContactusEalingHomebiz Tel: 07960392677 Read our online edition at: issuu.com/contactusealing

– Businesses from neighbouring boroughs want to say hello: Chiswick Gems, The Colour Consultant, Bold Training Club

If you would like to advertise with us, our next publication is ‘Contactus Ealing’, due out in November 2013.

Booking deadline: 31 October 2013.

This Christmas edition highlights shops and services in Hanwell W7.

Fish-eye view

‘Contactus Ealing’ & ‘Ealing Homebiz’

– What are we like?

The home pet sees it all...

26

Cover photo credits: The Ealing Mums in Business photo was taken by Terry Emment of CJ Williams Contemporary Photography; the Rob Wilson photo was taken by Lynn Wilson

All content (articles*, photos, drawings, unless otherwise credited) and advertising sales plus ad artwork design and build – C. Bender Magazine concept, design and layout – C. Bender (*100% original copy; we don’t do advertorials) Distribution: 3000 copies Printed at: Express Print Ltd, West Ealing Distributed by Letterbox Lovers, Ealing Made in Ealing, for Ealing

THE BIG ISSUE: NETWORK MARKETING

Contributed

Page 4 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013

(Above): Kirsten Brown has written glowingly about her Arbonne experience.

(Left): Sean Beardmore has a few words for network marketing unbelievers.

Network marketing: it works from home Once you have access to a changing group of people, and enough time to make the calls and stage the presentations to them, network marketing can bring you profits

N

etwork marketing has some work to do on its image, it seems.

Despite ongoing defence of the business model in blogs, columns and online forums, a negative perception persists around what is also called multi-level marketing, word-of-mouth marketing, or referral marketing. Perhaps its greatest fault is that it’s difficult to explain.

NM (let’s go for a shortener) works by cutting out big-media advertising and other so-called “middlemen”, so that the product sales profits all go to consultants/distributors. The multi-level aspect comes in the fact that each distributor builds a team, and receives a share in team members’ product profit.

Sean Beardmore, who describes himself as an “internet and network marketer”, has a practised response to NM sceptics.

He tells them: “Network marketing isn’t pyramid

selling – that’s illegal”.

What attracted Sean to NM, where he “tells not sells” about video marketing technology company Talk Fusion, is “the potential to turn £500 into £100,000 in a year”. But is this an exaggerated promise?

Not to Sean, because he knows someone who already did it.

Personal growth There’s something else that network marketers get out of it: a personal development boost. This is because of the intensive training that’s offered when you become part of the organisation.

Kirsten Brown, an independent consultant with Arbonne, explains it in a recent article on her Fabulous Women networking blog.

She wrote: “My Network Marketing Business [...] has afforded me something else – something I wasn’t really expecting.... personal growth and development. Having a

support mechanism in place has allowed me to explore and learn about the business world whilst having a cushion to fall back on. :))” For many NM businesses, a minimum of 10 hours a week is recommended, to spend on making calls and organising presentations.

Other businesses NM probably works best if the consultant/distributor has other businesses, so that clients from one can refer into the others. So sounds just right for many of Ealing’s home-based entrepreneurs.

Jo Sumner, another local Arbonne consultant, runs two other businesses: the Athena network, and her yoga classes and training (see page 19). She maintains that NM-structured businesses are set to increase in number because jobs are so scarce. “This is one of the most efficient models,” she maintains. “It only costs between £500 and £1500 to set up a business.”

Joanne Stacey, independent distributor for Herbalife (see page 17), reels off a list of companies that are using the NM model, including Ann Summers, Avon, Usborne Books, and The Utility Warehouse. She thinks the NM stigma will go “the more we talk about it”, and show there’s nothing to be afraid of.

“Network marketing isn’t pyramid selling – that’s illegal” Sean Beardmore, Internet and network marketer

HOMEBIZ HELPERS

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 5

The mums who mean business

BIZMUMS CALENDAR

As new mums in Northfields, and running children-oriented businesses, Shelley Henderson and Erin Thomas-Wong easily struck up a friendship, which led to Ealing Mums in Business

Facebook fans Over the past few years, Shelley and Erin built up an active fan base via their Ealing Mums in Business Facebook page, now with over 600

likes, where they would advertise their family fairs and joint events.

But business stepped up a gear in 2013 – with the launch of a website, alongside the inaugural Northfields Night Market, and the start of small business training sessions.

Contributed

W

hen you hear they have four businesses between them, you wonder if it’s true that the only way for mums – women – to be taken seriously in business is if they are what TV people like to call “serial entrepreneurs”.

Ealing Mums in Business started in 2010, when Shelley Henderson and Erin ThomasWong decided to work together to promote their own individual businesses, as well as to offer help and advice for other local business-running mothers.

Shelley’s company, Roobub and Custard, sells ethical toys, and Erin’s franchise is Smallprint, which makes silver jewellery from children’s handprints and fingerprints.

Erin and Shelley also run another business together, Pitter Patter – the Hub for Bubs, which provides daily activities, events and support groups for young families.

The start of each business roughly paralleled the birth of a new Henderson or ThomasWong, and as the children grew, so did the businesses.

According to Shelley, “It does seem like to earn enough in self-employment, you have to run more than one business.

It’s not unusual for women like us to run two, three, four businesses.”

11 Sep: Facebook for business 5 Oct: Autumn Family Fair 7 Oct: Twitter for Business 4 Nov: Time Management 23 Nov: N’fields Night Market

Working together “We put in over three years of hard work to establish ourselves,” says Shelley, who takes the lead role for Ealing Mums in Business, with Erin in the lead for Pitter Patter.

“We work really well together, utilising the best of each other’s strengths.”

Erin, a former TV production manager, explains: “Now we are offering support and affordable training at convenient times of the day or evening, making it easier for mums to attend.”

“Getting back into training is a real passion of mine,” says Shelley, keen to put over 20 years of training and development experience to use to benefit local businessmums. “If I hadn’t started my own business and worked within the community, I feel I would have less credibility.”

Erin explains “we don’t describe ourselves as a network group, but we welcome everyone. It’s all about support and working together.” www.mums-in-business.co.uk

The first Northfields Night Market in June was “well supported”, with over 500 visitors coming through the doors in two hours.

(Above): Erin (left) and Shelley of Ealing Mums in Business

“It’s not unusual for women like us to run two, three, four businesses” Shelley Henderson, Ealing Mums in Business

Page 6 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013

‘Don’t forget the phone number’

GUEST COLUMN

What to put in your print advert

Are you sending the right marketing messages to the right people, at the right time?

For 21 years, Glenda Shawley has been helping small companies reach their target market.

While a print ad is a safe and traditional method marketing method, we must remember to include some key bits of information for it to work.

Here she reminds us what those key bits are

The smartest businesses have a marketing plan which defines strategy and tactics to keep existing customers and win new ones. If you don’t yet have a marketing plan we can help. ‘My Marketing Plan’ is available in three versions depending how much help you need.

Visit www.thetrainingpack.co.uk/products for more information or call Glenda Shawley on 020 8991 2767 now and take the first step to joining the smartest businesses.

‘A

dvertising doesn’t work’ is a statement I often hear from owners of small businesses, but if it were true the advertising industry would have died out long ago and publications like this (‘Ealing Homebiz’) wouldn’t exist.

Sadly the fault usually lies with the advertiser who has probably made one or more classic mistakes.

readership or request a media pack which should give you the information.

• Spend time working on your headline. Your headline needs to get attention from your target customer. The best headlines specify the target and the problem you can solve for them.

• Generate interest and desire. You now want to encourage your target to want what you have to sell so make them feel the pain and then offer them the cure!

• Be specific about the action you want them to take. This is crucial. Too often advertisers are much too passive about telling their target what to do. I sometimes see advertisements with no phone number, address or website let alone a call to action. Make sure you tell your

Five tips So before you start overspending your advertising budget, here are some tips to increase your chances of success: • Understand your target audience and ensure they read the publication you will be advertising in. Ask the sales representative to explain their

Training Pack: Glenda’s ad in a The past issue of ‘Ealing Homebiz’

target what action to take and make it easy for them by supplying the details, for example: “Phone 020 8991 2767 now to book your free consultation.”

• Repeat advertising.

Advertising works when someone wants what you have to sell. They may not want it now or next month, so you have to repeat your advertising so they find you when they are ready to buy.

– Glenda Shawley of the Training Pack is a business and marketing consultant helping people to start and grow a small business www.thetrainingpack.co.uk

H

ome-based businesses looking forward to the launch of the West Ealing co-working hub will be happy to hear that planning has moved to the next stage.

The three-month feasibility study conducted by the hub’s working group earlier this year found that “there was a case to be made” for the hub.

David Highton, chairman of the working group, says: “One

Contributed

West Ealing Hub news: long-term plans

West Ealing Hub Working Group: (left to right): Kitu Jhaveri, Jelena Giric-Ristic, Beth Forde and David Highton. Want to get involved?

Email: westealinghub@gmail.com

idea I hope to see happen will be to start a series of regular hub meetings and events whilst we look at the long-term options to secure a space for the hub.

“I think it’s essential we maintain the interest and momentum from the study and find ways to bring interested people together who may in turn be willing to help develop our plans for the hub,” he added.

WHAT’S IT LIKE AT THE... NATURAL THERAPIST

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 7

Healing with crystals Using a combination of readings from colours, crystals and energy, Suneet Goomer can see into the mental, emotional and spiritual problems that can lead to physical illness. This is what happens at one of her healing sessions...

S

uneet is passionate about supporting and restoring others on their life journey.

She blends together the techniques of colour, crystal and energy healing to provide a unique alternative therapy session. Her intuitive abilities means she is able to quickly get to the root of your issue and give you tools that empower

you to move forward.

A colour reading is taken from the aura and her colour cards, the correct crystals are chosen then placed around the body and energy healing is used to enhance the effect.

A subtle and non invasive treatment session with Suneet will leave you feeling calm and re-balanced. www.divinesouls.co.uk

This healing session is taking place at the Alexandria Healing Centre on Alexandria Road in West Ealing (above and above left).

Suneet chooses a combination of stones to release pent-up feelings (above right).

Later on she may use some colour therapy to identify imbalances (right).

Even the doorstop is an amethyst (left).

Positioning of the stones is critical for achieving the correct result (left and above).

View through skylight from treatment table (above right).

Suneet holds a powerful healing crystal (right).

Suneet prepares her client for treatment.

Page 8 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013

HOMEBIZ ROAD-TEST

Anti-limescale magic ‘Ealing Homebiz’ test-runs the ScaleBREAKER – Ian Gray’s answer to the problem of limescale that slays so many London kettles. We’re lucky to get a bit of wizardry thrown in too...

W

ith gallstones and kidney-stones aplenty in my closest family, I’ve always been concerned about drinking hard London tapwater. My hand eczema was also apparently due to washing my hands in the hard water.

We’d had an inline plumbing unit installed 10 years ago, but thought it time to replace or update it, and jumped at the promise of the ScaleBREAKER, sold and installed by Ealing regular, engineer Ian Gray.

All we needed was a power outlet (the unit is switched on all the time) close to the water inlet pipe – which isn’t cut, by the way. Ian had it all rigged up in less than 20 minutes.

Within five minutes the fizzing started: clods of limescale fell from the tap, and as we Ian at work in the Bender kitchen. boiled and rinsed out the kettle, (Below): our kettle before the ScaleBREAKER; (bottom): and after the mass of limescale flakes www.limescaleproblem.com caused the sink to back up.

Ian spent the time in-between kettle-boils demonstrating his card magic tricks – his other business is as a magician.

The results were spectacular.

And within a day even the cracks on my hands had sealed up. Another satisfied customer.

The fizz and fireworks do calm down after a while, however, but one of the lasting effects is that the ScaleBREAKER makes it easier when it comes to scrubbing the kitchen and bathroom! Thanks, Ian.

**Innovated by Ealing mum Jen Corlew** Gobaby is the first app for helping on-the-go mums and dads find baby changing spots and pram-friendly Tube stops in London • map app offering more than 1,000 locations for easy baby changing spots • detailed accessibility information about Tube and DLR stations • avoid the struggle of sweaty, tearful and sometimes smelly journeys!

• £1.49 on iPhone; available on Android in October jen@gobabyapp.com with ‘Ealing Homebiz’ in the subject line and she’ll FREE! Email email you Gobaby which can be instantly downloaded on your iPhone for FREE

START-UP OF THE MONTH

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 9

Have app, will travel No more being stuck at home in London with the buggy, the nappy-changing bag and the baby and wondering how far you can venture before a smelly incident occurs. Jen Corlew’s Gobaby iPhone app for mums, dads, nannies and grandparents on the London underground is here to show the way

J

en Corlew launched her The app works by placing the Gobaby map app on user’s location on a map and Monday 22 July 2013, showing a series of icons for the day that Prince George of in that area, such as Tube and Cambridge was born.

DLR stops, restaurants with And as if that were not nappy-changing facilities, and – enough of a happy coincidence crucially – stations with to relate to, she had had her stair-free access (or escape). own son at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s hospital two years ago.

Tube focused Which set her up just right “The focus is on the tube and for a spot on the Vanessa Feltz baby-changing – I’m not saying Radio Show that memorable where to go, but I can tell day, where she had the you how to get there,” Jen opportunity emphasises. to talk Once she had settled about her on the idea for her app, app to BBC inspired by her own London’s nerve-wracking days out in listeners.

London with “I could son Jonah, never guess she started in a million meeting years how with app lucky I would developers – be with the 12 in all – in timing,” says March.

Jen, settling A draft down to a coffee after was ready having a quick check

by April, and of the nappy-changing was almost facilities at the new ready for Harris + Hoole, a launch in late few steps from her June, when Ealing Broadway home. Screengrabs she realised taken at Ealing the app could be so much “Thank you Kate!” she Broadway adds. more useful if it could station work underground, i.e.

On sabbatical without a phone signal.

Originally from St Louis, That added a month to the Missouri, Jen is on sabbatical launch date but means Gobaby from her media manager job is now a little database, all at the Red Cross. Her media contained in your phone. relations experience over the Were there any nightmares past 10 years means she along the way? already had the skills and “The only hiccup was my connections to do all the app impatience,” she says. “I had marketing herself. a timeline of benchmarks I

“I’m not saying where to go, but I can tell you how to get there” Jen Corlew, Gobaby wanted. But the app was built in three months, and then I had a team of fantastic friendmums go out and test it and send feedback.”

As the ‘Ealing Homebiz’ new biz of the month, what advice does Jen have for other startups?

“Hook your product to an external event,” she offers. “Make yourself seem relevant.” Yes – and add a little luck!

See Gobaby ad on page 8 gobabyapp.com

T: 020 8566 4113 M: 07957 246185 E: info@ckphysio.co.uk W: ckphysio.co.uk

We treat injury and disease by stimulating the body’s natural healing process

“Thank you for the excellent advice you gave me regarding my knee injury while training for the marathon. I followed your advice and exercises to the letter.

The results were amazing and I ran the whole marathon without any problems” – Howard Townsend (Hanwell)

10% O F F

Show us this advert to claim a 10% DISCOUNT on the initial assessment, next treatment session or sports massage at CK PHYSIOTHERAPY

THIS IS AN ‘EALING HOMEBIZ’ SUPPLEMENT

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 11

Ealing Running Are we having a running boom?

Q

uick spot-check at the entrance to Pitshanger Park, 6pm, a weekday evening: five runners go past in 15 minutes.

Hardly empirical data to prove yes or no that Ealing’s been bitten by the running bug since last year’s Olympics, followed by the inaugural Ealing Half Marathon.

Andy McFarlane, of the Ealing Eagles Running Club, has some useful figures: “We had massive growth in membership last year,” he says. “Going into 2012, we had fewer than 100 members. We ended our financial year (April 2013) with about 450 – and we’ve maintained that sort of level since then.”

Resident winner Over at Perivale race track, Fiona Kennedy of Ealing, Southall and Middlesex Athletics Club confirms that they too had “a tremendous surge in youngsters coming along”, inspired not least by the fact that third-placed runner (and first place in the Ealing Resident category) in the 2012 Ealing Half was one of their members, Robert Wilson (see Q&A on page 14).

Sandra Courtney, who is organising the 2013 Ealing Half Marathon, promises that this year will be bigger: “All 4650 places sold out last year,

UPCOMING RACES SUN 15 SEPTEMBER 2013 • Bishops Park 10k www.mccpromotions.com SUN 22 SEPTEMBER 2013 • Richmond Running Festival • Kew Gardens 10k • Kids Mile www.richmondrunningfestival. com

(Above): Sandra Courtney on Pitshanger Lane, a new section of the Ealing Half route.

(Below): ‘Ealing Homebiz’ talks running (and cricket) with Mark Caswell

SUN 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 • Ealing Half Marathon • Ealing Mini Mile www.ealinghalfmarathon.com SUN 6 OCTOBER 2013 • Royal Parks Half Marathon www.royalparkshalf.com SAT 12 OCTOBER 2013 • White City 10k www.mccpromotions.com

this time we have 6000 places on offer.” She remembers that more than half the entrants last year were Ealing-based runners.

“We want to spread the ‘Ealing Feeling’,” she adds, “and get more local businesses involved.” For example, to offer spot prizes, and to open up shop on race day, a Sunday.

Stores along the 13.1mile route are bound to benefit.

Mark Caswell, of MCC Promotions, organises 5ks, 10ks and fun runs in the Ealing environs, including in Gunnersbury Park. He won’t stage anything further than a 10k, however. He says: “I don’t think the human body was meant to run more than 10k.”

SUN 1 DECEMBER 2013 • Perivale 5 & Fun Run www.esm.org.uk

Going for a jog in Pitshanger Park?

These handy markers every 100m show how far you’ve run

Springbridge Mews • Ealing W5

Do you run your own business and want to achieve more in your working day?

Bodyline Fitness now offers 30-minute high-intensity workouts aimed at business owners and self-employed people.

After your 30-minute high-intensity personal training session you will: • • • •

Feel fitter, healthier and stronger Increase productivity as you will be sharper and more focused Have more energy to achieve more for you and your business Have a clearer head to problem solve and make decisions

30 minute sessions are just £20 between 9am and 5pm, weekdays Call Roy Summers on 07921 777477, email roy@bodylinestudios.co.uk or see our website: bodylinestudios.co.uk

FREE!

30 minute TASTER SESSION at BODYLINE FITNESS: Show us this ad, or say you saw it in ‘Ealing Homebiz’ magazine to claim your FREE taster session

Running SUPPLEMENT Ealing RUNNING EALING

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 13

A way to stay slim

I

’m meeting Carole Ann Rice at Munson’s Coffee Shop on St Mary’s Road, where she’s a regular in the Saturday morning Munson’s Coffee Running Crew.

But first I want to nip to their cafe next door for some froyo, so I tell the barista, in case Carole Ann comes in before me.

He replies: “You mean Carole Ann, the slim one?”

I think she will like that description, and she does. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it, to be able to see that difference,” she says, when we’re finally settled at a table. Then she admits: “I’d always been a podgy youngster, but I’m fitter now at 53 than I was at 26!”

The runner’s lean and supple physique is currently the desirable one, as opposed to a Madonna-type muscly and taut weightlifter’s body of a couple of years ago, or even the pumped-up smooth contours of the Jessica Ennis Olympic body of last year.

Starting out Carole Ann took up running almost four years ago, after hearing that a friend – who’d never been particularly sporty herself – had started running as a hobby.

“I’d never done any running ever,” she says. “Sure, I went to the gym occasionally, but I thought that other people ran.

“For my first run, I went to Syon Park, where no-one I knew would see me. At the end of that, I didn’t know which was worse, my legs or my lungs.”

But Carole Ann is a life coach, she trains people to get over mental obstacles, to achieve the goals they want for themselves.

Carole Ann Rice, and her finishing time in the Bodyline Fitness 10k on 30 June. (Photo: Roy Summers)

So she applied her own skills, started walking-running, losing weight, and eventually “it didn’t hurt anymore, it felt good.”

Now she’s training for the Ealing Half Marathon with some help from personal trainer Roy Summers (see Roy’s column on page 15). “Roy gets you out of lazy habits, gets your shoulders up, and builds your overall fitness,” she says.

“Currently we’re working on hills...” as there are a few steep places along the Ealing route.

“I love running in Ealing, it’s so scenic, and it sets you up psychologically for the day,” says Carole Ann, whose family has been in Ealing “for generations.”

She remembers 60s ska star Prince Buster signing records in her father’s West Ealing record shop, Lullaby of Broadway, and wishes that there were more independent stores nowadays – “and more restaurants, especially upmarket restaurants.”

CHARITY SUPPORT Raising money for charity is a great motivator for many runners taking part in races.

Local businesswoman and celebrated Daily Express ‘Happy Mondays’ columnist Carole Ann Rice has chosen to support Yeldall Manor, a Christian residential rehabilitation centre in Reading, for men with drug and/or alcohol addictions.

Carole Ann’s older brother, Glen, died of a heroin overdose in 1986. “I wish a place like that had existed for him back then,” she says.

Donate to Carole Ann’s campaign at: original.justgiving.com/ Carole-Ann-Rice More about Carole Ann, the life coach: www.realcoachingco.com

‘RUNNING’ A HOMEBIZ Nobody ever *walks* a business, so the saying goes, and especially for people working from home, running is a convenient and easy method of keeping fit – a pair of trainers doesn’t cost the earth (usually), and you can have a quick run of 20 minutes with all the benefits and less of the hassle involved in going to the gym.

“Keeping fit doesn’t just work the body, it works the mind,” says Perivale-based mortgage broker Maryam Khorsandi, who is training for the Royal Parks marathon. “I get my best business ideas while out running.”

On home turf Q&A Ealing Homebiz

with Robert Wilson

Overall 3rd place (men’s) in the 2012 Ealing Half Marathon, and 1st in the Ealing Resident category, the Pitshanger native tells what it’s like to be running on home territory Q: Rob, you know the streets of Ealing pretty well. Is that a distinct advantage for running the Ealing Half Marathon?

Knowing what to expect helps you to judge your effort accordingly. Especially on a course like Ealing which is relatively hilly, it’s nice to know where the big efforts are going to come. Though, at the end of the day fitness doesn’t lie – running is beautifully simple like that, so any advantage is really only slight.

I’d never take any great care in checking out a course before running it beyond perhaps jogging a part of it in warm-up and having a glance at the course map.

Q: How does the Ealing Half Marathon compare to other races you’ve run recently?

I run a lot of cross country in winter, track in summer and then road races like Ealing intermittently throughout the year. Each discipline differs quite a bit in my mind. Amongst road races Ealing certainly stands out as enjoyable to me, it’s not a ‘fast’ course, it’s obviously not as huge or dare I say it corporate as the London Marathon, it falls in between – a challenging course, the sense of a fairly big event and a real good community feel.

Q: What’s in your running kit?

Haha I have a lot of shoes!

Contributed

Ealing Running Page 14 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 EALING RUNNING SUPPLEMENT

Probably about 10 pairs, ranging from track spikes to road racing flats to everyday training shoes.

Kit-wise, things are fairly standard – lots of ‘technical’ running gear. I use a GPS watch for a lot of my runs, though this is only a luxury really. I think you can become a bit overly obsessed with time and distance when using these.

For a race I’ll wear road racing flats which are very light low-profiled shoes, very short light shorts and a vest. This is how I feel most comfortable – light and unrestricted.

Comfort is by far and away the most important variable when choosing kit.

Q: What will you eat for breakfast on 29 September?

For a morning race like Ealing I’ll have a bagel with peanut butter, tea and coffee. I don’t like to eat any closer to the start than three hours away to make sure it’s settled.

Q: Any special routines the night before?

Nothing too special. I’ll do an easy 30-minute run the day before a race, and try not to go to bed too late. I normally have a beer or two to help me sleep/relax – that goes against the grain for some I guess.

Q: Are you the kind of runner that goes fast from the start?

I try to run an even effort as it’s the most efficient way to run,

“I normally have a beer or two to help me sleep/relax” Robert Wilson.

Ealing Half runner

Robert on his way to a time of 1:13:09 in last year’s inaugural Ealing Half Marathon. (Photo: Lynn Wilson)

I’m fairly good at pace judgement. If I’m feeling good or like having a dig I might go out of my comfort zone early on and see what happens.

Q: Top tip for someone running the Ealing Half for the first time this year?

Train. Don’t worry too much about the details and the specificities of it – just get out there and run. Ninety per cent of running is just about getting out there and doing it. If it’s your first time don’t get hung up on ‘intervals’, diet, kit etc, simply get your body used to running.

Q: How do you see Ealing benefitting from this event?

I think it benefits in a number of ways. It raises the profile of the sport, it heightens the sense of community, but most importantly it helps get people active and participating. That’s got to be a good thing.

EALING Running SUPPLEMENT Ealing RUNNING

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 15

Warming up, warming down ...and why you should do both

By Roy Summers

I

f you are planning to run a marathon, remember to set aside some time for warm-ups and warm-downs, not only for your training runs but for the actual race itself.

The warm-up A good warm-up will prepare you for your training runs and can help you achieve a personal best on the day. The warm-up and stretches prior to running are really important as they prepare the body for what is to come. The warm-up should be what is known as a “dynamic warm-up” with dynamic stretches. This

Roy in his fitness studio: “Remember, jogging slowly before your run isn’t a warm-up!”

basically means preparing your muscles for the run ahead, so your warm up should include: • skipping on the spot (no need to use an actual skipping rope, just replicate the leg/foot movement only) • heel flicks, flicking the heels up to the bottom • high knees • bunny hops The dynamic stretches should include hip flexors and hamstrings. You should work on mobilising the joints; ankles and hips mainly.

At the end of your warm-up, which should only take 5-10mins, your heart rate should be increased, you should

be slightly sweaty and, therefore, ready to run. Remember, jogging slowly before your run isn’t a warm-up!

Warming down The warm-down can be a little more conventional. When you have finished your run, you must start your cooldown by jogging slowly until your pulse rate comes down a little and you have stopped breathing heavily.

Then you can go into your basic static stretches.

The warm-down is to slow your heart rate steadily and to give your muscles a chance to stretch out a little, thus, hopefully, avoiding muscle aches the following day.

We have two short videos on our BodylineFitness YouTube page, which shows demonstrations of the warm-up and the cooldown stretches.

See Roy’s details on page 12 bodylinestudios.co.uk

How nutrition affects your race Contributed

need to plan your nutrition carefully for the race itself.

By Jo Scott-Dalgleish

C

ongratulations on entering the Ealing Half Marathon! You’ll be training hard, no doubt, but how much thought have you given to your diet? The foods you eat, and when you eat them, can make a big difference to your energy levels and recovery after running sessions. You also

Here are some tips: • Eat more carbohydrate foods on days that you run than on other days. Carbohydrate is your main source of energy for high intensity exercise like running. Choose wholegrain or rye bread, brown or basmati rice, whole-wheat pasta, oats, noodles, new or sweet potatoes, plus four to five servings of vegetables and two to three of fresh fruit.

• Have some protein at every meal and most snacks, as this helps promote muscle recovery.

Choose from lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils.

• And don’t forget your healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado and oily fish.

• On race day, eat a high-carb breakfast about two hours before the race. Make sure you’ve tried it out before. Start your race well-hydrated and drink according to your thirst as you run. Water will be provided.

You will also need some carbohydrate to keep energy levels up: 30-60g an hour from gels or sports drink. Always try these in training beforehand.

I’ll be racing myself on 29 September – see you at Lammas Park!

– Jo Scott-Dalgleish is a nutritional therapist based in West London. www.nutritionsolutions4health. co.uk

Ealing Running Page 16 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 EALING RUNNING SUPPLEMENT

Taking away the pain

B

efore the race: you’ve got a niggle. During the race: you get injured.

After the race: the pain just won’t go away.

Bryan Kelly and Emma Cadwallader and their team of physiotherapists at CK Physiotherapy, located on Elthorne Avenue in Hanwell, have seen enough sports injuries since 1999 (when they first worked together in the Physiotherapy department at St Mary’s hospital, Paddington), to know that if it’s not treated, it’s not going to suddenly go away.

“It’s better to have it seen to sooner rather than later, of course” offers Bryan. “Having treatment even a few weeks before a race can make a big difference.”

Bryan grew up and trained in Australia, becoming interested

in physiotherapy following a basketball-related ankle injury and a back injury aged 12. Emma originally wanted to be a nurse, but ended up working with her mother, who was a physio herself. “It was inevitable, apparently,” she jokes, noting that her 3-year-old son seems to have “the touch” already.

Physiotherapy works by treating an injury with mobilising joints, massage, electrotherapy, acupuncture, postural advice, education and exercises. About 30 per cent of their clients come in with sports-related injuries, while the rest can be anything from whiplash to back aches and pains from breastfeeding.

“Many of the problems we see are postural,” Bryan says, “from people holding tablets

Emma Cadwallader and Bryan Kelly: Treating injury and pathology

and iPhones in bad positions.”

How fast can they make it better? Bryan replies: “We can see people fairly quickly, as we have early morning, late evening and Saturday appointments.”

Emma adds: “After the initial assessment, we get an idea of how bad an injury is. You can get a lot of improvement after a few sessions.”

See CK Physio ad, page 10 ckphysio.co.uk

HAD A GOOD RUN? Ready, steady, go: the Ealing Mini mile

Now call

Joanne Stacey

07841 375390

Shape up and Tone

• Hanwell • Ealing • West London •

www.shapeupandtone.co.uk

£10 O F F

ANY ORDER OVER £50 (just say you saw us in ‘Ealing Homebiz’)

Children from as young as six years old will get to run in the first Ealing Mini: a mile around Lammas Park after the Ealing Half Marathon runners have left the starting area.

“We’re going to make it a little bit special for the children,” reveals race organiser Sandra Courtney. “They’re even going to get their own medal!”

Sign up your little runners on the Ealing Half website, and while you’re there, offer to volunteer on the day too (breakfast is provided).

Sandra needs another couple hundred helpers to get involved to make the event go smoothly.

She is proud to add that the 2013 Ealing Half will be a “green” event, with plastic recycling in place, and as little material wastage as possible.

Running SUPPLEMENT Ealing RUNNING EALING

Healthy breakfasts mean lots of energy, something which will come in handy on race day

I

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 17

Start the day with a shake

t’s Hanwell client day for Joanne Stacey, and as she rocks up the motorway on her white scooter, biker jacket flapping in the wind, her mind is on shakes, athletes, and body fat testing.

As a “personal wellness coach”, Joanne starts each client relationship with a “wellness checkup”, followed usually by a programme of nutrition and weight loss, using Herbalife products (she is also a Herbalife independent distributor).

Her own favourite is the high-protein, soy-and-lactose-free, no-gluten “healthy meal”: “We use it for everybody, whether they want to lose weight, gain weight, maintain weight, or even improve skin conditions,” she says.

“A lot of people need treating from the inside out...

“We don’t do medicine, but through Joanne Stacey, good nutrition we Shape up and can solve a lot of Tone problems,” she adds.

Joanne recently moved from Hanwell to Surrey but comes in once a week to see her five or six regular clients in Ealing, in between her full-time job as a technical operator at home shopping channel, QVC, in Chiswick.

“It’s good to see clients face to face, and build up a relationship,” she explains.

For runners, she especially recommends the Herbalife sports nutrition product range “depending on where you are with your training, there are five different products,” including the hypotonic electrolyte drink, the sports energy drink, and the post-exercise protein shake.

See Joanne’s advert on page 16 www.shapeupandtone.co.uk

“A lot of people need treating from the inside out...”

RUNNING GROUPS

Ealing Eagles www.ealingeagles.com

Ealing Southall & Middlesex AC www.esm.org.uk (Perivale Park Athletics Track) ALSO: Munson’s Coffee Running Crew @MunsonsCoffeeRC

us Contact EALING • iations • c o s s a s Trader orking groups • s w Net isation • n a g r o rs ss Busine nity supporte Commu Tired of waiting for Contactus to come to you?

Then come to us!

Commission us to make a booklet all about your members Distribute at summer fetes, winter fairs, fun days, or just display in shops on your parade

Email info@contactusealing.co.uk for a quote

10% O F F

MAGAZINE COMMISSIONS: 10% off any booked in 2013

Born to run

P

robably the most fascinating bit of Sosi Ross’s life story is that she, her brother and sister, were the first Armenian triplets born at Perivale Maternity Hospital.

Proud to be Ealing born-andbred, Sosi is looking forward to running the Ealing Half Marathon on 29 September, the day after her 53rd birthday.

“I’ve been running now for about 14 years. When I was

“I’ve pretty much run every inch of Ealing” Sosi Ross, Colin Bibra Estate Agents

Tips for first-timers

Contributed

Ealing Running Page 18 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 EALING RUNNING SUPPLEMENT

40, I started jogging with a personal trainer,” she says. “I’ve pretty much run every inch of Ealing.”

Previously a financial adviser for 10 years, she recently switched status – from client to manager – at Ealing-based traditional estate agents, Colin Bibra. with the Ealing Eagles Running Club mascot Her CEO, John Bishop, Sosi after running the Gunnersbury 10k in May is also a keen runner. covered the 13.1miles in two “He keeps threatening and a half hours. to get a big Colin Bibra team “Ealing is the perfect running together to run the Ealing track,” she says. “There are so Half,” she laughs. many parks. We just run from “My objective for this one park into the next. I feel half-marathon is to run without sorry for people running along stopping,” Sosi says. “I’m the A40, the North Circular, usually in the last third, I don’t we are so lucky.” run for time.” www.colinbibra.com In the 2012 Ealing Half she

Lammas Park here we come

A few guidance points for beginners – with help from www.runnersworld.com 1. Get the right running shoes, don’t just buy off the shelf or internet – have them fitted at a specialist running shoe shop 2. Be patient with your body, and pace yourself – don’t start running faster just because others are going past you 3. Train with friends – join a running club (check out ESMAC or Ealing Eagles for starters), or start one yourself 4. Run regularly – being in the habit of running prepares your body (and mind) for a race 5. Mix walking and running – on race day, don’t try and run it all in one go. Do what you can to avoid injury.

A runner goes past the scheduled finishing area for the Ealing Half Marathon.

‘Ealing Homebiz’ wishes all runners – especially our ‘businessrunners’ a safe and enjoyable race on 29 September

HANWELL HOMEBIZ PROFILES

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 19

Stop in any cafe in Hanwell from Greenford Avenue to Boston Road, and see the many cards and flyers jostling for attention in windows and on noticeboards. Home-run businesses are huge in W7! Over the next five pages, we profile a few members of the local homebiz community...

M

ulti-tasking is a big no-no in Jo Sumner’s book of well-being.

“Really, that’s only splitting your focus. Meditation helps you control your mind. So when you focus, your to-do list doesn’t take such a long time.”

Jo is well-known locally as a multi-preneur, running three successful businesses in a flexible four-day week. “I only work eight hours a day,” she adds, “and I don’t wear a watch or have a clock in every room.

Our experience of time is very dependent on our mindset and mood – so manage your mind/mood and you will manage your time.”

The secret? She lives by what

Contributed

Relax some more she preaches: yoga, meditation and relaxation, the core methods at The Joanne Sumner Studio, along with coaching, reiki and flower essence therapy.

“The first thing to do is to take your head out of what’s coming up,” she advises.

“Focus on what you’re doing now. It’s the ‘what-if’ that causes the stress.”

When a client comes to her seeking help, one of the first questions is: “what do you think caused the problem?” She then works to unravel the problem from there.

“For example, if someone hasn’t slept well in 10 years, we try to find out what

“It’s the ‘what-if’ that causes the stress”

Jo Sumner

happened 10 years ago.”

“Exercise and relaxation are really important for business owners,” says Jo, “because the customer feels your feeling.”

See Jo’s details on page 20 www.joannesumner.com

ViaLegal Consultancy Services

“Customer service is at ourheart

”

Maria Pittortou, Freedom Recruitment “ViaLegal have been our legal advisers for over a year now. Sara has a genuine interest and enthusiasm to see us succeed, which is evident in the quality, timeliness and the cost effective manner in which her advice is provided.”

Mr Kettering, Bookkeeping Services “ViaLegal provided me with sensible and practical advice on my concerns regarding my franchisee agreement.

I wish I had spoken to ViaLegal earlier.

I would recommend any potential franchisees speak to ViaLegal.”

Sara McCracken Hanwell Email: enquiries@vialegal.co.uk Telephone: 020 7060 9913 Website: www.vialegal.co.uk

you saw this ad in ‘Ealing Homebiz’ magazine and get 10% OFF 10% Say your FIRST HOUR OF LEGAL ADVICE with Sara at VIALEGAL O F F

Page 20 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 Contributed

“In-house legal staff may start to need extra support”

HANWELL HOMEBIZ PROFILES

Legal advice from start to finish

industry, comes to the fore.

She started up the Sara McCracken, legal consultancy ViaLegal firm ViaLegal two years ago, with a focus on corporate clients and SMEs who are ara McCracken doesn’t looking to expand. come across right away “That’s when I come in to as a ‘typical’ lawyer – or help them,” she says, “because “non-practising solicitor” as that’s when they start to need she calls it. to consider documents like With her room-filling laugh employment contracts, or and anecdotes about the contracts for interns, animals in her life (her partner apprentices and self-employed runs a pet-visit business from workers and so on. their home off Greenford “Eventually as they grow big Avenue, Hanwell), she puts you enough to have their own at ease before her keen in-house legal or HR staff that’s expertise and experience, when they start to need extra especially in the recruitment

S

support and advice,” she adds.

ViaLegal also spends a lot of time advising start-up businesses, especially on matters like terms and conditions, franchise agreements, and shareholder agreements.

Having worked within a business environment for many years Sara has a commercial sense about her and seeing the many recommendations on her website it is clear she has a natural rapport with businesses and takes the time to embed herself into an organisation.

See ViaLegal ad on page 19 www.vialegal.co.uk

The Joanne Sumner Studio Your home from home to relax and restore your spirit Yoga Meditation Coaching Healing Retreats Training Products

www.joannesumner.com ~ jo@joannesumner.com ~ 020 8579 7659 74 Elthorne Avenue, Hanwell, Ealing W7 2JW

10% O F F

Show us this ad, or just say you saw it in ‘Ealing Homebiz’ magazine, and get 10% off a class, or a coaching or healing appointment with Jo

HANWELL HOMEBIZ PROFILES

‘I

feel completely self-employed, but without the risk factor,” says Felicity Sandford, explaining the benefits of her franchise arrangement with Buttons Nanny Agency.

The family owners of the business – which has been going for 22 years – offer her support and training, but don’t restrict her creativity.

And, having taken over the well-established West London branch of Buttons in October last year, Felicity is now facing her busiest period yet: “A lot of nanny jobs start in September, when children’s school arrangements change, and families find it more costeffective and convenient to employ a nanny.”

She emphasises that Buttons Nannies is “only an introduction agency between nannies and families, but we do advise where to go for payment admin

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 21

Nannies to the rescue

Felicity Sandford: “I love my job.”

(payslips, national insurance, year-end taxes), and provide after-placement advice, such as on contracts and pay-rises.”

“We get a lot of calls about au pairs, but we’re mainly interested in placing a qualified

nanny who will stay with a family for three or four years.”

Felicity’s policy is to interview every new nanny before they go on her books. She covers a fairly local area from Ealing to Kensington and Chelsea, Chiswick, and Notting Hill/ Bayswater.

“People try to save costs by using the internet,” says Felicity, “but you can’t be sure a nanny you find online has all the checks and certificates in place – DBS police checks, Ofstedrecognised paediatric first aid, real character testimonials.

“It’s shocking that there are nannies working without these background checks,” she adds.

“I love my job, I feel really passionate about it. I can’t say that I felt this way about building insulation!” she says, referring to her previous management job.

See Buttons ad on page 22 www.buttonsnannyagency.com

A Hanwell based graphic design company providing bespoke creative solutions for print and digital communications.

• Logo & branding • Business stationery • Direct mail

Contact Alison to see how joshiwasjanes can help your business.

• Advertising & marketing

e: alison@joshiwasjanes.com

• Editorial design

t: 0781 376 9436

• Websites

• Wedding stationery • Newsletters & enewsletters

Don’t miss out...

@joshiwasjanes www.joshiwasjanes.com Show this ad, or quote ‘Ealing Homebiz magazine’ and receive 10% off your first design commission with joshiwasjanes.com

Page 22 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013

HANWELL HOMEBIZ PROFILES

Designer with print in mind

H

ere’s a bit of a brain teaser for you: Joshi Was Janes, graphic design company in Hanwell.

What’s the secret in the name?

Alison Joshi started up this company two years ago, leaving behind 10 years in the City’s top advertising and marketing agencies.

While she enjoys working on virtual designs such as websites, Alison’s background and passion is print: “It’s like second-hand furniture, people are always going to value the traditional,” she says. “Print media is coming back stronger than ever.”

“An online presence is essential for any business these days but a piece of printed material for me will always say more about a

Alison Joshi: “Print media is coming back stronger than ever”

business,” says Alison.

So she enjoys producing brochures, leaflets, exhibition stands and collateral, corporate literature, alongside the usual corporate branding.

Thanks to the age of Skype

and Dropbox, she can cater to clients near and far, from Surrey to Norway and beyond.

And who is her ideal client? “Probably a foodie – a restaurant, or someone who’s created something to eat. You get to be more creative with it.

And you get to eat it after!”

Asked about her favourite shop in Hanwell, Alison doesn’t hesitate to recommend GH Baxter on Greenford Avenue: “It’s a different service.

You go to Tesco’s for price and convenience; you go to the local butcher’s and hear how to cook things. I like supporting the local high street.”

So... what’s in the name?

Janes was Alison’s maiden name. Get it now?

See Alison’s ad on page 21 www.joshiwasjanes.com

We match high-calibre, thoroughly checked nannies with families across West London Call Felicity – West London Branch (based in Hanwell) 020 8567 3112 or 07742 104553 london@buttonsnannyagency.co.uk www.buttonsnannyagency.com

10% O F F

YOUR FIRST NANNY INTRODUCTION FEE: Say you saw us in ‘Ealing Homebiz’ magazine, and get a 10% discount with Buttons Nanny Agency

HANWELL HOMEBIZ PROFILES

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 23

Inspiring scientists

A

Andrew McRobbie: “Hanwell is a special place for me – it’s got a gritty edge, which I like.”

(Below): April 2013 – The Hanwell Hootie at the Royal Victoria

ndrew McRobbie is nose-deep in Jack Kerouac, sitting over his coffee in W7 Emporium; Blackberry, shades and chunky headphones at the ready.

So far so 20-something male University of Manchester graduate. Except, his degrees are in chemistry, and he’s not just a graduate, he’s a businessman, making cool things happen in Hanwell.

Such as the Hanwell Hootie, which put W7 back on the rock’n’roll map since the days when Jim Marshall brought out the Marshall Amplifier.

Andrew isn’t here, however, to talk about his musical ear, but about his nose for

business. Graduate Tutors was launched in 2011, with a mission, as Andrew calls it “to keep graduates off the dole and to inspire younger people.”

His tutors are hand-picked, recent graduates, mostly specialising in maths and science, who still remember all the exams, so are more in-touch with their students.

With a family line in science – his dad, Donald, is a physicist at Imperial College – Andrew’s business is set to boost a new generation of British scientists.

But how effective is tutoring?

“I’ve seen magic in one hour,” Andrew asserts. “If there’s a problem a student doesn’t understand, there’s a classroom pressure not to put your hand up.

“But in the comfort of your home, with someone who’s the same age as you, then it’s ok.” graduatetutors.co.uk

Find out about local shops and services you never even knew existed!

us Contact EALING Ealing Homebiz {

^

www.graduatetutors.co.uk

Magazines all about local businesses

Plus, our affordable advertising rates (£50 per quarter page) make it the ideal place to promote your own business

£5 O F F

Say you saw us in ‘Ealing Homebiz’, and get £5 OFF your FIRST CLASS

Call Carlene for more info: 07960 392677 email: info@contactusealing.co.uk website: contactusealing.co.uk

Page 24 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013

So beautifully put together

REACHING OUT TO EALING Isia Tlusty-Sheen (left), with Annie Bucknill

“Annie and Isia working together to make you look better” may not be much by way of a slogan suggestion, but it does describe what Annie Bucknill (The Colour Consultant) and Isia Tlusty-Sheen (Chiswick Gems) do for a living

A

nnie Bucknill’s Hammersmith-based company, The Colour Consultant, was set up 12 years ago, while Isia TlustySheen’s Chiswick Gems started operating in 2005.

“We saw the synergy between us right away – I offer image advice and makeovers,” explains Annie, “and Isia designs and creates the jewellery pieces to complement this.”

They met four years ago at local women’s networking group, Athena, “and we just clicked,” says Isia, a linguist by profession, who also turns her hand to upholstery restoration.

Annie, a former NHS and Harley Street nurse, is also a Colour Me Beautiful consultant, and uses CMB products in her workshops and presentations.

Of course, image is important when you run a small business?

Isia agrees: “People buy from people – and everybody makes a judgement when they meet someone, and that impression stays with them.”

“If a customer thinks ‘ooh I wouldn’t buy a car from her’, you’ve failed with your image,” she adds.

Annie sticks by her slogan, “Image advice for everyday life”, and it’s for both men and women: “Our ultimate aim is to make clients’ lives easier, even if it means pictures of outfits on the cupboard door.”

She goes beyond “doing colours”, however: “When clients see my Pandora’s Box full of make-up, bags, scarves and Isia’s jewellery, suddenly their minds open up to ideas...”

Isia loves working in silver, using “old things, like buttons” to create what are practically family heirloom pieces.

“If a customer thinks ‘ooh I wouldn’t buy a car from her’, you’ve failed with your image” Isia Tlusty-Sheen, Chiswick Gems “I just had a lady client who wanted a necklace re-strung.

They were just glass beads, completely worthless, most of the pearl had come off, but it had belonged to her motherin-law, and she’d loved her so.

She was delighted to be able to wear the necklace again.”

Annie’s ad: p26; Isia’s ad: p27 www.chiswickgems.co.uk www.thecolourconsultant.com

Rain boosts craft sales at Hanwell Carnival The Hanwell Carnival in Elthorne Park on 15 June faced a fearful downpour, which was enough to cram the craft tent full of people, who hopefully turned into lots of buyers!

REACHING OUT TO EALING

Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 25

Take a Bold step

H

ow does someone go from being a fighter pilot in Iran to coaching business-people at the Bold Training Club in central London?

If you’re Reza, you’ll become a teacher first. It makes perfect sense the way he says it, like it’s a natural progression: “It was during my teaching career more than 10 years ago that I became interested in and formally studied performance coaching and emotional intelligence. Now all my workshops have a focus on emotional intelligence.”

Reza moved to England 25 years ago, and after going through a series of business start-ups, decided to put his science and mathematics knowledge to use as a secondary school teacher.

“My day-job now is arranging workshops for business on leadership, management, sales and customer care,” Reza explains.

People skills But, on the evenings when the Bold Training Club meets at the Grosvenor Hotel next door to Victoria Station, that’s when Reza draws all his best ‘peopleskills’ together.

Supported by his team of associate coaches (three women and four men for now), Reza leads a two-and-a halfhour session where businesspeople learn how “to conquer their limiting inhibitions, to enhance their social skills and to build up their leadership competencies.”

This is done via a series

Contributed

Bold Training Club offers the kind of training in ‘personal effectiveness and social confidence’ that home-workers don’t easily have access to. ‘Ealing Homebiz’ meets club leader Reza Zolfagharifard after a short District Line hop to the club’s central London base...

WHERE TO NETWORK Here are some of the networking groups and events in Ealing. Do you know of any to add to this list? Tweet me: @ContactusEaling • Fabulous Women (Ealing) First Friday of every month Contact: Kirsten Brown @Fab_Women • Athena (Ealing) Network Third Tuesday of every month Contact: Jo Sumner @AthenaWLondon

“Bold is aimed at professionals who want to take their business to the next level” Reza Zolfagharifard, Bold Training Club of innovative exercises, inspirational talks and supportive programmes.

One such exercise, the Twisted Debate, was enough to bring the public speaker persona out of the quietest people in the room.

Reza points out that “Bold is aimed at professionals – employed or entrepreneurs – who want to take their business or careers to the next level.

“Whether they want to boost their sales or enhance the efficiency of their operation, Bold can help get them there.”

The Bold Training Club is inviting Ealing entrepreneurs to join the club – first visit is free, and if you decide to join the club, you’ll get 20% discount if you mention ‘Ealing Homebiz’ as your introducer..

See Bold advert on page 2 joinbold.com

• The Best of Ealing Contact: Sue Riddiough @TheBestofEaling • 4N Ealing Business Breakfast Contact: Emma Renton @4N_Ealing • Ealing Chamber of Commerce Connect4Lunch Contact: Sandeep Grewal @EalingChamber • London Ealing Business Networking Business Biscotti @DTLondonEaling • Ealing Mums in Business Contact: Shelley Henderson or Erin Thomas-Wong @ealingmumsinbiz • Linked4Growth Contact Dipa Kotak @Dipakotak • Ealing Tweetup Contact Michael Greer @MGreer_PR

What does £50 mean to your business? (a) dinner with a client? (b) a couple of networking meetings? or (c) spreading your message to thousands of potential customers?

Choose (c), and advertise in ‘Contactus Ealing’ or ‘Ealing Homebiz’ – magazines about Ealing businesses

Details on our website: contactusealing.co.uk

Page 26 / Ealing Homebiz / September 2013

FISH-EYE VIEW

Fish-eye view You think you’re on your own at home, working your fingers to the bone and feeling all alone, but there’s still one pair/set of eyes watching your every move... the Family Pet. Here’s a day in the life of Ringo, the home-worker’s fish 7am – I’m up, I’m up. All’s quiet.

I have a nibble on my leaf.

type. Boring. When are the kids coming home?

7.15am – Spoke too soon. Alarm goes off, clonking down the stairs, kettle on, people invading my space.

Noon – Click type click type. Ahha! A phone call. Click type click type. Swipe swipe swipe.

7.30am – Really picking up now.

Shouting up the stairs. More clonking around.

2pm – Oh, back from the shops.

8.40am – Phew, I couldn’t take much more of that racket. Off they go to school. At least I got a little wave.

9.15am – She’s back again.

Much quieter now, thankfully.

9.30am – Cup of tea, computer up. Click click click. Type type

1pm – Where’s she going now?

8pm – Still on the computer 9pm – Still on the computer, 3.45pm – Hey! I was just napping children eating crisps. Bad Mum! 10pm – At last, splashing. And on my tail. What’s with all the quiet. Dad comes home. Hi. people? School’s out I see.

Midnight – Back on the 4.30pm – I’m watching you, computer. You’re nodding off! stirring the pot and checking Why don’t you just go to bed? your phone at the same time.

Dangerous, tricky business.

2am – You still up? Cause, you 6pm – They’re fed, they’re fed! know, I’m calling it a day... Amma My turn! Yum. gonna c ya in da morning. Zzzz.

2.45pm – Gone again.

How to transform your style, image and wardrobe(s) and discover the real You!

All my workshops cover Colour, Image, Style and Make-up

How to become a Personal Stylist

Lots of useful info with practical demos

Capsule wardrobes for work and for holidays!

£10 O F F

7pm – You do realise in other households, children are being shepherded off to bedtime stories and warm loving baths? Why are you still on the computer and your children running around?

Say you saw us in ‘Ealing Homebiz’ and receive £10 OFF a colour and style consultation

Your consultant is -

Annie Bucknill www. thecolourconsultant. com

020 7603 7280

Viva Videos specialises in web videos for small to medium sized businesses Contact Valerie: valerie@vivavideos.co.uk www.vivavideos.co.uk 020 8566 0738

‘Ealing Homebiz’, and get £5 Mention £5 OFF a ‘love-in’ testimonial video O F F

Website: www.alloriginalealing.co.uk Email: alloriginalealing@mail.com Phone: 0203 689 7034

20, The Green, Ealing W5 5DA

For a fantastic selection of locally handmade and carefully selected gifts Opening Hours: Monday – Closed Tuesday – 9am – 6pm Wednesday – 9am – 6pm Thursday – 9am – 7pm Friday – 9am – 6pm Saturday – 9 am – 6pm Sunday – 11am – 5pm

Craft workshops also held on site – enquire for details

you saw us in ‘Ealing Homebiz’, £5 Say and get £5 OFF purchases over £50 O F F

Next issue of Contactus Ealing: December 2013 – Hanwell W7 Advertising deadline: 31 October

Calling all Ealing advertisers

Reach thousands of local customers with your quarter-page full colour ad.

bo ok now!

Price: £50. Are you in?

Vintage blue button earrings with silver mount and decoration

us Contact EALING

Chiswick Gems “Made by me for you and only you” Contact Isia on 0787 313 7544 Mon – Fri , 9.30am - 5pm or email: isia@chiswickgems.co.uk

www.chiswickgems.co.uk £5 O F F

Mention ‘Ealing Homebiz’, to get £5 OFF ORDERS OVER £50

Promoting nee d more Ealing’ s businesses ? o inf see our website: contactusealing.co.uk give us a call: 07960 392677 send us an email: info@contactusealing.co.uk tweet us: @ContactusEaling like us on Facebook: contactusealinghomebiz

10% O F F

Say the magic words ‘W7 Christmas’ and get 10% OFF your December ad

where colour matters

Graphic Design & Branding

Digital Print Printing

Leaflet distribution is a great way of getting the message about your business or organisation across to your potential customers, especially if you do not have a high street address.

Website: www.letterboxlovers.com Email: info@letterboxlovers.co.uk

you saw us in ‘Ealing Homebiz’, £5 Say and get £5 OFF your first delivery O F F

sales@expressprint.co.uk www.expressprint.co.uk ebrat ng cel

30

160 Broadway, West Ealing London W13 0TL years

(020) 8567 8727

you saw us in ‘Ealing Homebiz’, £5 Say and get £5 OFF orders over £50 O F F

us Contact EALING Magazines all about local businesses

Ealing Homebiz

^

Current issue: NORTHFIELDS (June 2013) Our December 2013 edition will highlight shops in HANWELL

Web

Design

Let us help you to grow your business or organisation.

07927 711600

& Copying

Full Colour

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We deliver leaflets across West London, concentrating on Ealing and its surroundings, door-to-door, hand-to-hand, and business-to-business.

Get more Christmas customers

Book your Our next ‘Contactus Ealing’ is the Christmas bumper edition, out in early November. ad space by Advertise your shop, business, school, or club 31 Oct for with us, and we will spread the word about your our December products and services to the eager Ealing market.

3000 magazines printed 2013 edition. ••this issue distributed to W7 homes and offices Half-page ad: £100

10% O F F

• online version reaches thousands more readers Find out how we help promote local small businesses: call Carlene: 07960 392677 Twitter: @ContactusEaling Facebook: contactusealinghomebiz Email: info@contactusealing.co.uk Website: contactusealing.co.uk

Say the magic words ‘W7 Christmas’ and get 10% OFF your December ad in ‘Contactus Ealing’ magazine

“We’re in it for the biz”