Women's Business Magazine Summer 2016

Summer 2016 ÂŁ2.99

FASHION, HEALTH & WELLBEING

Darshana Ubl The Road To Following Your Passion

What's Hot This Summer?

Our fashion gurus share their top wardrobe tips this season

Your Health And Wellness

Helping you reach your goals while looking and feeling great!

And finding a gap in the market

BUSINESS GROWTH

Leading The Way

Take your business from planning stage to becoming the leader you want to be

Empowering, Equipping and Inspiring women executives and entrepreneurs

Women’s Business Magazine

Creative Director Lorah-Kelly Beard

Editor-in-Chief Angela De Souza

Welcome Letter

Copy Editor Eric De Souza

We have passed the halfway mark of 2016! From the release date of this magazine we are counting only 177 days to Christmas, 152 days to our Maximise Conference & Awards and 121 days until the clocks go backwards into the winter months. Make every day, every moment in your life count because it really does fly by. It’s not too late to grab one of our Vision Maps (www.shop.womensbusiness.club) to map out the rest of your year and make it count before 2016 becomes last year!

Most importantly, take time to treasure the little things that really matter. Cuddles with loved ones, enjoying a child’s laughter, watching a butterfly in your garden, really tasting a delicious meal and taking long deep breaths regularly. Life is to be lived not survived, slow down and enjoy the wonderful life that you have.

Grab a nice cuppa something to drink, sit back, relax and enjoy this issue of our Women’s Business Magazine.

Angela De Souza

hello@womensbusiness.club twitter.com/wombizclub facebook.com/wombizclub

Women’s Business Magazine - Print and Online FOUR EDITIONS EACH YEAR DELIVERED TO: Bath | Bristol | Cardiff | Cheltenham| Gloucester | Kingston | Monmouth | Southampton | Swindon www.womensbusiness.club (c) 2016 Women’s Business Club All images and text subject to copyright.

You may NOT reproduce, in whole or in part, any of the pages from this magazine or quotes of no more than two or three sentences with full credit attached to quote. If you wish to reproduce more than this, please contact the editor-in-chief. While endeavouring to make sure that all published information is accurate, the publishers cannot be held responsible for mistakes or omissions. The Women’s Business Club cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions or endorse companies, products or services that appear in this magazine.

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Table of

Contents

FEATU R E D STO R I E S

The Road To following Your Passion Darshana Ubl |Page 04

Woman Behind the Business Fiona Jones |Page 16

Woman in a Man’s World Jenny Garett |Page 30

B U S I N E S S FAS H I O N

What's Hot This Summer? |Page 10

SoSensational: The shopping site for grown up women |Page 12

Working Ethically in the Jewellery Industry|Page 14

FEATU R E D ARTI C LE S

Ask The

Expert Business Office |Page 08

Ask The Expert |Page 09

Editors Choice |Page 18

Finance |Page 20

Food & Recipes |Page 24

Education |Page 32

Social Media |Page 34

Creative Business |Page 40

Music Business |Page 44

Business Growth |Page 46

Health & Wellbeing |Page 50

Members Directory |Page 60

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Darshana Ubl The Road To Following Your Passion and finding a gap in the market

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Darshana Ubl shares her business journey from ‘playing shop’ to designing and creating a luxury car rally for adventurous car enthusiasts.

All this has been achieved whilst pioneering the TripleWin methodology to bring growth and success in all she sets out to achieve.

In 2011, I decided that it was now time to be an investor in my own company and with that I started my very first limited company business.

Tell us about your dream job as a child

I wish I could say that there is one person that influences me greatly, but there are too many to list. I am inspired by many- my grandfather who I have never met but left a legacy, Roger Hamilton who I’ve worked with for a few years and some of my current entrepreneurial heroes and heroine such as Elon Musk and Sara Blakely.

One of the best days for me as a child used to be when my father would come pick me up from school in his car. On those days I was exempt from travelling with the other children by bus or rickshaw.

My father ran his own business, which allowed him the flexibility of time to pick me up from school often. I would look forward to those times as we would run a list of errands like visiting the bank, meeting our broker at the stock exchange and stopping by for some ice-cream or sugar cane juice.

There were times my father would take me along with him for meetings and I would sit and observe.

I remember vividly how much I enjoyed this and I too one day wanted to be a businesswoman. I didn’t quite know what business to run. Although from time to time I’d play a shop owner of a children’s clothes store. During playtime I would display all my clothes and shoes and have imaginary customers who would come into my shop, I would talk them through taking pride in explaining the products displayed.

Why did you go into business in the first place?

I come from a community of business people. For as far as I can trace my family tree, my forefathers have been in business. Whilst studying in university I did get involved in a few business projects but I must say they were micro in size. One was organizing a party at a newly opened go carting place in the town my parents lived in and the other was running exhibitions of clothes I had designed in university.

Both projects were fun and we had raving clients who wanted more. However, the project was not designed for profit and so they barely washed their face. I enjoyed the experience and learnt from it and soon having received my degree, I switched to working for larger companies. I loved my work and as I got promoted, I received more income and gradually I started to save it. I used my saving to invest into properties whilst the markets were depressed. As the markets rose, my investments yielded more returns. Finally I had built assets and had a good capital base, which gave me the security to start thinking about starting my own business.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

What is the best and worst decision you’ve ever made?

As I often say, the best is yet to come. As for the worst decisions, it has been to go with my head when my gut (intuition) was telling me otherwise.

What do you think is the most significant barrier to women in business?

I find women extremely hard working, talented and giving. But often in meetings women hide behind their male counterparts in putting forward an idea or an initiative. I believe that along with skills, aptitude and attitude, confidence is a key ingredient for success. I wish that women believed in themselves more and added more confidence to what they do.

What’s the best advice you have received in business?

The best advice I’ve received in business is to attract the right consumers rather than chase them. This can only be achieved by developing a product/ service that is unique or stands out.

What do you do for fun?

Fun is fundamental in my life. I enjoy the world of business, working hard but also enjoy letting my hair down over a glass of champagne, dinner with friends, holidays abroad, appreciating art, music and dancing.

What did you most fear in the early What’s next business? days of your business?

In business I’ve had several roles over the years. I have worked best through partners and the deals we’ve made. Those deals led us to achieve great successes.

In early days my biggest fear was that I was new to London. Having moved from Asia, I had left behind my school, university and work networks and had to start all over again. It felt like hard work initially.

However, I used the methodology of TripleWin to grow the businesses and soon we started gaining a lot more attraction.

TripleWin is a methodology, which helps one build strategic partnerships in business. The underlying concept is that you can design a good deal which yields long-term benefits for partners. First it needs to have a benefit for one’s company, second it should benefit the partner and third that it should benefit the clientele, customer base, community or society at large.

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It has been a conscious decision to design a business, which brings in elements of what I am good at, what I love and what can be a sustainable return on investment. To answer your question as to what is next in my life project VerveRally. com is my passion. It’s not a race; you follow your pace in this car rally, which combines luxury, travel, adventure and all this with a group of like-minded people.

I find that life is too short not to have the experiences that fill your heart with gratitude. When it comes to working hard, I do not compromise and similarly in my down time I want to design the best holiday. I love travel and creating a community of wonderful individuals. My husband likes luxury performance cars. So last year when he suggested that we go on a rally, I looked for a rally that was more female friendly (not just for petrolheads) and did not make us drive for 9 hours to the next stop. I wanted to join a rally that had about four hours of driving a day,

a route filled with spectacular scenery, staying in luxury hotels and having time to relax, unwind and make new friends over dinner and sun downers. I looked but could not find a car rally starting from London that ticked my box.

As an entrepreneur, this was my lightbulb moment.

A gap in the market. So I asked my husband if he wanted to put our combined 16 years of experience in running events, training seminars and conferences to use in designing and creating a car rally to Europe.

The answer was yes. And the rest is history. Today we are lucky to have a wonderful group of people (entrepreneurs, artists, philanthropists) who are joining us for the rally in the end of July 2016. Due to popular demand, we have announced another rally in September 2016. We’ve gained attraction from sponsors and like-minded individuals who understand the value of a network of selfmotivated people wanting to live life to its fullest.

I find that the more fun I have, the more inspired I am to work hard and help others. After all, dull is a life that is lived without verve (meaning: spirit or enthusiasm).

If you could tell your younger you something what would you say?

I’d say - Dear younger self, worry is a misuse of your imagination and if you work hard, help others and be true to yourself, you will find yourself living the life beyond your wildest imagination.

www.darshanaubl.com @DarshanaUbl The Verve Rally www.ververally.com

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Take a Peek Into...

Wize Virtual Admin

Wize Virtual Admin is a team of virtual assistants working together in Caerphilly. We’re very fortunate to work at Welsh ICE, an innovation centre for enterprises and have been based here since the centre’s conception in 2012. Wize have gone from a single shared part time desk to two full time desks and finally into our own office allowing us to provide a high end service to our clients. We feel very fortunate to work from such an engaging and friendly community full of entrepreneurs and believe this environment has allowed us to grow and develop greatly over the last 4 years!

Due to the nature of our work, no two days in the Wize office are ever the same. A ‘typical’ morning starts at 8.30. We turn the phones and computers on and check our messages. Each member of the team will have their own daily tasks, plus any additional ‘extra’ tasks for our clients.

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Becky is our youngest member of the team and is first response on the phones. Laura spends her day crunching numbers as our bookkeeper and carrying out general admin tasks as they come.

Rachel is our social media guru and splits her time between tweeting, blogging and designing various print/online graphics and Nicola focuses on reception work. As directors, Cariann and Mandy’s days are the most varied but will usually include meetings with potential clients, networking events and the day to day tasks of running a business.

We always make sure we have our ‘10 at ten’, a daily catch up to discuss new leads, ongoing jobs and agree deadlines. We then split the tasks amongst ourselves and crack on with our work. The office is never quiet and is always abuzz with chatter and music. Never a dull moment!

Ask The Expert In this issue we are chatting with Photographer, Lorah-Kelly Beard from creative design agency Strawberry Studios.

Sofia Pacifico Asks: Lorah-Kelly Beard do you have any tips for those that are scared of the camera? Doing video for example, scared me in the beginning.

Lorah-Kelly Says: Sofia Pacifico as with most things practice makes perfect! If you know you need to be in front of the camera often, just make sure you keep taking opportunities to have your picture taken instead of avoiding them. Even if you have to create those opportunities. Maybe get together with some good friends/family and take photos of each other. You don’t need to take yourselves too seriously, it’s all about getting used to the thought of having your picture taken and having a camera in your face.

Video can be particularly daunting, but just keep trying! It would also really help to watch what you have recorded, although you may cringe! It will really help for you to know what you look like and how you act so that you are able to work on any funny ‘twitches’ or bad habits (such as saying ‘umm’ or playing with your hair!). Hope that helps!

Wendy Murphy Asks: With a few tips and help from here and there I’m getting to the point where I can now take my own decent jewellery product photos. I’d now like to subscribe to Photoshop but not sure which to buy for small product photos. Which do you recommend Lorah?

Lorah-Kelly Says: I would recommend Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC. It’s a great way to organise and edit your photos! You can read more about it here helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/how-to/what-islightroom.html and also find some great tutorials to get you started. www.strawberrystudios.net

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FA S H I O N What’s Hot This Summer Our fashion gurus share their top wardrobe tips this season There are so many styles to choose from to help perfect your look: the loose and flowing boho top in statement prints and pretty embroidery; the statement top with signature sleeves or ruffles to add impact; the date night top with a sleek, Bardot style silhouette; the casual top in ribbed knitting for a trip around town or to the park and finally the bodysuit, a great way to wear an off-the-shoulder top when tucked into a fluted skirt or cropped trousers.

And let’s not forget accessories. A great statement necklace and delicate earrings would work well or you could all out with a fabulous chandelier earring and delicate chain that sits just at the base of the neck.

Francesca Ciereszko-Lane Stella And Dot Stylist www.stelladot.co.uk/francescacl This year my latest style crush and wardrobe staple is the off-the-shoulder top, a key trend that has defined Spring/Summer 2016. Fun, flirty, alluring and yet not overtly provocative, the shoulders are stealing the limelight and taking centre stage.

Most of us regardless of age have body parts we dread the thought of exposing once the weather gets warmer; less-than-perfect pins, the dreaded bingo wings plus the far-from-toned midriff, but our shoulders? Shoulders somehow seem to escape the ravages of time and when on show, expose just the right amount of flesh to add a playful edge, whatever you age. Easy to wear and flattering, showing off your shoulders and collarbone accentuates the most delicate and feminine area of the female form whilst keeping those dreaded upper arms covered. Looser, frillier styles are handy, too, as they fall casually on the body and can help disguise a tum you may want to hide.

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So if you’re going to a festival, garden party, family barbecue, wedding or even the kids sports day, an off-the-shoulder top is a great way to show off your style credentials and keep you bang on trend this summer. Let those shoulders shine!

The predictable British Summer is no help when building our Spring/Summer wardrobe.

One day it is hot and sultry and the next wet and windy! We asked Jane Dare Independent Fashion Consultant for French Fashion House Captain Tortue to tell us what is on trend this summer and how to make maximum use of our summer wardrobe whatever the weather.

Jane tells us that denim is a must have this season. Blue denim jeans layered with blue, white or ecru cami, off white blouse and indigo blue cardigan, topped off with an off white denim jacket. As the day hots up you can peel off the layers to enjoy the sunshine. If you are heading to the beach swop those denim jeans for your favourite denim skirt or pinafore dress.

Jane Dare Independent Consultant Captain Tortue facebook.com/janedaremisscaptainfashion You can draw on these bold and muted colours for your business wear too – a cool cotton sleeveless dress teamed with a smart jacket or tailored cardigan provide a smart easy to wear office duo.

This season is about showing a bit of shoulder whether this is with a bandeau top or sexy keyhole shoulder detail.

Garments trimmed with tassels or fringe show you know what's hot off the catwalk this summer.

In terms of colour what do the words Latin America or Cuba conjure up in your mind? This season is full of bold apple greens, cobalt blue and a citrus tang of orange or yellow. Try mixing these colours into a single outfit - make a dramatic statement.

Or if you want a more muted effect taupe is on trend and comes in all sorts of tones to be mixed and matched in an outfit or layers. Remember taupe will carry through to next season and beyond as a base colour for new autumn/winter outfits.

So with these hints and tips don't be afraid to draw from your existing wardrobe bold bright colours and the muted taupe and grey to pull together new stunning outfits and just add one or two new pieces with the keyhole shoulder or a fringed top and you will be set to take the summer by storm!

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From SoSensational The shopping site for grown up women Finding great clothes for your working wardrobe in the winter is easy-peasy – we all know we can fall back on a tailored wool blazer plus trousers or pencil skirt in black, brown or grey.

But as soon as the temperature rises workwear is more difficult because warm-weather clothing is not always office friendly. In fact, let’s be totally honest here, it is the antithesis of office friendly as we can either roast in inappropriately warm clothes or look as if we were heading to the beach but got called in to the office!

Coat, trousers and top, all from Hobbs

So, the dilemma is how to find clever work clothes that spell efficiency and authority but are also warm-weather appropriate (like a wrap dress by Hotsquash at Debenhams, made with clever, keepcool fabric.) And not too cool (in its original sense) either, because many of us work in air-conditioned environments these days so we don’t want to spend the day shivering!

A shirt dress or any dress with sleeves is a great option for summer workwear, as it can be worn without a jacket. A dress with sleeves also represents a good investment because with a deft switch of accessories (plus some statement jewellery) your office dress can be transformed into a going-out-to-dinner dress in no time, flat.

If you prefer separates, jackets are always your friend when you need to look efficient and pulled together for meetings. If you want to avoid shades of plain black clashing (or, for that matter, shades of plain navy clashing) team a plain summer-weight blazer with a skirt in a print that blends with the neutral – we suggest a skirt because print trousers are a great off-duty look, but probably not the best look for business wear.

Or for S/S16, you may want to consider a trouser suit for days in the office or at meetings. Trouser suits are super on-trend right now and a trouser suit in any neutral shade is a great option. If you are good in shirts, add a crisp white shirt for an androgynous and sleek look that is perfectly fashion forward. Alternatively, you could team your trouser suit with a simple, plain tee or vest…

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Summer workwear accessories can be difficult – none of us wants shoes we can only wear at weekends nor for that matter, shoes we can only wear to work. But it has to be faced: beach sandals do not spell efficiency or authority. However, one of this season’s hottest shoes – the classic plimsoll, if worn in black (or any neutral) looks both ontrend and authoritative when worn with trousers (especially a trouser suit) or a maxi skirt. And these can also slot easily into your off-duty wardrobe.

When it comes to handbags, SoSensational’s advice would probably be to avoid pastels or brights for the working day – even in summer. But a terrific tote or roomy grab-bag in a neutral will always be a worthwhile addition to a chic wardrobe and be available for weekend wear, too…

All products pictured are available from www.sosensational.co.uk

Join us for a brighter future.

Are you looking for a more flexible way of working, that can give you the lifestyle you have always dreamed of?

40 minutes of your time is all that is needed to change your life! Talk to me to find out more.

Health, Rewards & Happiness Forever Living Products from Carolyn Henderson

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Karosa Jewellery Working Ethically in the Jewellery Industry Because of environmental concerns, Karin uses reclaimed or 'Eco' gold and silver whenever it is possible - this applies to all completely handmade items, cast pieces are made from a minimum of 50% recycled precious metals. 'Reclaimed' or 'recycled' means the metal stems from scrap gold or silver melted down, refined and remade into wire and sheet.

The suppliers of these metals, Capella Manufacturing Ltd and Cooksongold can use the Fairtrade logo, and so does Karosa Jewellery.

At least 70% of all silver mined is actually a byproduct of the gold and copper mining process.

Precious metals, of course, have a finite source and there are environmental costs to consider when working with newly mined silver. Often workers associated with precious metal mining, are treated unfairly, with wages far below what they should be, and working in dangerous and even life threatening conditions. The contamination of ground water by mercury and other heavy metals is another concern which needs to be addressed.

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In order to have a more sustainable basis, the workshop is run on low environmental impact principles, without the use of large electrical machines or big gas burners. All scrap is recycled, as is any paper and cardboard waste. All Karosa gift boxes are made from recycled card.

Since November 2015 Karosa Jewellery has been registered with the Goldsmith’s Fairtrade scheme, which means that there is a maximum allowance for the amount of gold and silver being used per year, this needs to be adhered to. It also requires the business to be accountable for using only suppliers who carry the Fairtrade logo.

When you are looking for that special gift for someone, please consider what journey it has been on, and if it does come from a Fairtrade registered seller, then you can be assured it hasn’t cost too much environmentally or socially. There will always be a small cost, unfortunately any luxury or precious item can never be 100% totally ethical, but there are many jewellers doing their best to improve the situation. Karosa Jewellery aims to be at the forefront of providing as ethical a product as possible.

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The Woman Behind The Business ......

Fiona Jones is a talented jewellery designer living and working in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Her business, Sunago Unique Creations, specialises in gemstone jewellery and she works with silver, copper coated and fine silver metals. She has overcome many obstacles to get to where she is today, and is happy to share her journey through ME and a career change into the business world.

What did you do before you went into business?

I was a specialist occupational therapist, working in the community with people with learning disabilities in Gloucestershire. I trained to be able to use my creative skills to help others and to aid them to fulfill their potential in life, especially after a life crisis. I was an active member of my church and I enjoyed being creative at home and being active generally, doing DIY, gardening, card making and making gifts for people.

What made you make the leap into business?

I developed a chronic condition. It is known as ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), PVFS (Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome), CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome)

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and now SEID (systemic exertion intolerance disease). It meant that working at a high level on a day in, day out basis, was out for me. It affects every system including temperature and breathing, not just muscle pain or tiredness, so it is really annoying!

I lost my job and ended up on benefits, trying to live in a house with a mortgage and no way to be able to prevent it being repossessed in the (nearer and nearer) future. For a few years I could only do a small amount each day and needed to rest both morning and afternoon after doing a bit. Gradually, as my energy increased I was able to match it with my desire to return to the working world and the need to find money to pay off my mortgage and so not lose my home. I looked at what I was able to do and chose to use my creative skills. I put part of my redundancy pay into buying gemstones and silver so I can make higher class jewellery, rather than wood or glass, as I did when I was a student or a child. Then I practiced selling around to friends and then beyond.

Tell us about one of your scariest business moments.

A scary moment was informing the DWP I was starting the business. Under the rules of the ESA (Employment Support Allowance), I can work a set number of hours a week for a maximum income for a set period of time. The first time I did this I didn’t earn enough and dropped back down to the lower level. I have tried it again.

My scariest business moment is now. I am now coming off the ESA in order to give myself great potential to do and to build my business, but need to make sure the business pays, or the bills won’t be!

I am now able to teach and do half day workshops and so am setting up to do these and advertising for people to attend. Using my facilitating and teaching skills learned in occupational therapy and passing on the jewellery making skills I have something I am looking forward to doing. Currently these happen in and around the Cheltenham area, but I am willing to travel, if there are a group of people who would like to learn and enjoy themselves.

Tell us about your greatest success and failure on your journey so far.

Wow, tough question. I think my greatest success is to actually still be here! There are many obstacles to setting up a business anyway, but especially when there are limitation places all around by health, environment, finance and government.

My determination (also called motivation and pigheadedness) to not give up is to ensure that I am able to pay my way in life, rather than give up and live on benefits (which I am entitled to do and could make my life smaller, but simpler).

I suppose failure is the first time of my building up, where I had to drop back down again. At the time I was trying to do everything myself and didn’t know where to turn. I knew nothing about networking, never mind have a network around. I had no website, no Facebook page, no knowing where to go or who to link up to. I suppose part of that is because I hadn’t met Angela then, who introduced me to Women’s Business Club and also on to other networking groups around. That has given me more links and support.

What are your biggest challenges?

Trying to balance between running a business and not having a relapse. Prolonged stress or activity is something I pay for for days after and that has an adverse affect on my business as well as my health.

I want to be able to get my jewellery into a number of places, which takes more networking links and to be able to teach skills to inspire others to believe they have potential and that creativity does not have to end when we leave school, it has no age limit.

What are your dreams for the future of your business?

I want to be able to create jewellery for people to enjoy wearing, to expand my skills and abilities to create statement pieces. I have a design I am processing to patent, the “Sunago Swirl” and want to be able to take that to the next level for others to use it in their designs and pay me for that. I want to inspire others to explore their own creativity, to provide creative spaces where people can enjoy themselves and being with others (through workshops and jewellery making parties). I make some “make it yourself” kits for sale and was asked at the weekend about doing this more, possibly with themes to tie with school homework, to help parents out. I want my business to provide me with my home, where I can enjoy living, knowing it is safe, warm and welcoming to others again and be able to use my business to bless others.

Sunago Unique Creations www.sunagouniquecreations.co.uk Photography by Andrew Miller | www.andrew-miller.co.uk

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EDITOR’S CHOICE Box Polish Box Polish keeps on getting better and better.

When I first started using Box Polish I loved it, the colours are fresh and original, the polish easy to apply and when removed didn’t leave my nails dry. These pinks are my absolute favourite colours recently released by Box Polish, it’s like getting three polishes for the price of two because I can put WENDY on top of SHERBERT SAUCER, or use them separately too. It’s great fun to play with them!

Buy your polish for only £9.99 at www.boxrange.co.uk

Pink & Green Skincare Pink & Green have launched their latest product and it is all you will ever need! Their brand new One Balm is great for women who don’t like to do too much in their skin care regime, this is an all-you-need-inone solution. Apply balm to remove makeup and wash your face, rinse off with warm water. For a little exfoliation remove with a muslin. For many that’s enough! All done. I love the balm because I don’t even need to tone and moisturise afterwards but if your skin needs a little extra, simply apply some more balm after washing. This comes with my 5-star highly recommended stamp of approval.

Buy your balm for only £27.00 at www.pinkandgreenskincare.co.uk

Members, if you would like your product reviewed please post it to 67 Humber Road, Cheltenham, GL52 5PF with a cover letter telling us about your product, price, link to buy and your email address. We cannot guarantee that your product will be reviewed. All reviews are published on the Women's Business Club website but not all reviews are guarenteed to become Editor's Choice.

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FINANCE A Day in the Life...

Claire Lewis from Eden Chartered Accountants

How does your day start?

What is the atmosphere in the office like?

I get up at around 7am - and then it is the usual mum routine. Get the kids up, dressed and breakfasted and make the packed lunches.

My husband works shifts - so if he is on a late shift he will usually take the kids to school and I will go in a bit earlier. Otherwise, I will drop the kids at school and then head on to the office.

It is a very friendly atmosphere. There are now 5 girls in our office - one of whom started today! We are a mix of age groups, but get on well - in fact we all went on a spa day together on Friday courtesy of our boss Kevin (although he wisely left us to it).

What is the first thing you do when you get into the office?

Put the kettle on! Then I will check my e mails and have a catch up with everyone in the office to see what has been happening. The team are frequently out visiting clients for at least part of the day, so first thing is often a good time for a chat. I also sit opposite my sister, so it is nice to catch up with her too.

What is your role in the office and is there a typical day?

It is a small office so we don’t have official ‘titles’, but I am an accountant. There is no typical day as such, but I do have some regular clients I visit weekly or monthly. Otherwise I might be completing a VAT return or even a full set of accounts for review.

Alternatively, I might be answering a query from the HMRC or tipping out a big back of receipts and flattening them and putting them in order!

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What are your favourite and least favourite parts of the job?

I love working in the office with the rest of the team.

Prior to having kids, I worked in a big office and while on the whole I enjoyed it, sometimes I got to mid way through the afternoon and was desperate to leave and go home. I never feel like that here at Eden - it is a much nicer atmosphere. The other thing I love is the accomplishment I feel when I do a good job - there is something enormously satisfying about getting to the bottom of a set of accounts and it all balances back to zero - I have to even admit to a small fist pump at times! I don’t really have a least favourite part, but I might sometimes put off dealing with a big bag of receipts for a day or two.

It is the anticipation rather than actually dealing with them, because once I start it is absolutely fine and again there is something satisfying when I get them done and they are flattened and filed in date order ready to give back to the client.

When did you decide you wanted to work

in accountancy and how did you set about pursuing this goal?

At school I enjoyed maths and working with numbers. When I started my A ‘levels I hedged my bets slightly and did both maths and art, but by the end of A ‘Levels I knew I wanted to pursue accountancy. I did not want to go to university, but instead moved straight into the world of work at an insurance company. My first job there was not within the accountancy team, but when I joined the company I told them that was what I wanted to do. They were really supportive and transferred me when a place came up as well as paying for me to sit my exams at the same time.

What advice would you give to people considering a career in accountancy?

I really enjoy it so would say go for it. Personally I also found working and training at the same time built up my experience quickly, plus I

enjoyed it and I was being paid - so I would say that you should not feel that you need to go to university unless you really want to.

What time do you leave the office?

Again this depends on my husband’s shifts. If he is on an early shift, he will often pick up the kids and I will stay a bit later. Otherwise I will leave at around 2.30pm to do the school run. My hours here are very flexible - which is a big bonus. I know that as long as I get my work done it won’t be a problem if I arrive a bit late because I have been at a guitar assembly or leave a bit early for a Nativity play.

Finally, what do you like to do outside the office?

Mostly I just chill out with the family or meet up with friends. I am a member of a gym, but I will admit that I don’t go that often - so I would not like to work out the average cost of each visit.

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Five More Top Vision Tips 6. The British Medical Association has stated that 95% of the sensory input required for safe driving is through the visual system. So, is your distance vision as clear as possible with an easy transition to glancing down at the dashboard? All drivers should have a comprehensive eye examination at least two yearly; think of it as your eyes’ MOT. 7. Ironically, many people with a genuine dry eye condition find that their eyes stream at certain times. The problem is often the quality of the tears rather than their quantity, the little glands along each lid which produce the oily top later of the tear film being underactive. Try gentle warmth around the lids (such as with an Ophthalmologist designed “Eye bag”) and an Eye Logic spray.

berries and carrots so eat as many of these as you can, especially if there is a strong family history of macular degeneration.

10. The commonest cause of an eye injury which turns up at casualty? Gardening accidents! Look out for branches swinging back in your face, or leaning over a vertical cane and wear simple eye protection.

The same goes for DIY too; remember, you only have one pair of eyes, so take care of them!

8. Just as most of our input when driving is visual, so it is for learning. If your child or grandchild is not picking up reading as well as you might have expected, or if they tire too easily with close work and are generally underperforming, then make sure their visual system is thoroughly investigated. Find out more at www.babo.co.uk and www.keithholland.co.uk/visionandlearning.

9. As well as avoiding smoking (Top Tip 4 in the last issue), boost your eye health with a diet rich in dark coloured vegetables and fruit. The Lutein and Zeaxanthin required for a healthy macula is found in curly kale, broccoli, red peppers, dark red

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By Clare Holland | www.keithholland.co.uk

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FOOD Golden Rules for a Slimmer Summer Spring has sprung and it’s the perfect time to start a healthy eating plan to get into your best shape for summer. Start now to avoid jetting off on your summer holiday wishing you had started sooner. I have noticed, from my own experiences and when working with my clients, that making small changes is far less overwhelming than going too ‘extreme’.

Small changes add up over time and are more likely to lead to weight loss that’s healthy and long lasting.

Fabulous Fats – Unhealthy fats generally come in the form of margarines and are used in many processed foods such as pizzas, biscuits, fried foods, readymade meals and fast food. They are linked with obesity and known to clog the arteries.

Instead, eat healthy fats such as grass fed butter, coconut oil for cooking, olive oil to drizzle on salads, avocados, raw nuts and seeds, plus flax and chia seeds.

Here are my golden rules for successful summer slimming based on the latest information and research on nutrition and exercise that works:

If you eat them, choose grass fed meats and wild fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring which are high in Omega 3 oils. These healthy fats actually help burn body fat; they stop you feeling hungry, are heart healthy and can help lower cholesterol.

Ditch Sugar – This includes hidden sugars in starches such as bread, rice, pasta and potatoes.

They cause blood sugar imbalances, creating an environment in the body for fat gain. Low sugar or low GI foods help balance blood sugar and create an environment for fat burning.

Managing blood sugar levels means an end to ‘sugar-crashes’, lack of energy, brain fog and the risk of major life threatening diseases.

Swap white bread, rice, pasta and potatoes for lower GI options such as brown rice, quinoa and lentils; they’re higher in protein and taste great.

Cook them with sautéed onion and garlic, turmeric and organic chicken stock. Swap white potatoes and make a mash with steamed cauliflower. Puree in a blender with butter and a splash of double cream, or coconut cream if you’re ‘dairy free’. Sweet potatoes and butternut squash are also great low GI options. Try them roasted with a drizzle of coconut oil and a sprinkling of chilli flakes.

Use Protein Power – A low GI protein breakfast will fuel you and support healthy eating for the rest of the day. You’ll avoid having to counter blood sugar peaks and crashes and you won’t feel so hungry. You will however, feel more energized and satiated. Opt for gluten-free porridge made from quinoa or buckwheat, coconut yoghurt with berries and chia seeds or eggs and wild-smoked salmon on rye toast.

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Use Metabolism Boosters – There are a number of easy things to do daily to boost your metabolism, help regulate or lower blood sugar, reduce cravings and cleanse the internal organs. Sprinkle cinnamon on your food and add to smoothies, eat grapefruits and blueberries, snack on an apple and handful of raw almonds and use raw apple cider vinegar in salad dressings.

Smart Exercise – High intensity interval training (HIIT) is known to be both aerobic (heart healthy) and anaerobic (strength and lean tissue healthy), delivering the best of both worlds. Research shows switching to a form of exercise that creates intensity is key to effectively burn body fat. The easiest way to create intensity is to lift weights, even for us girls!

You’ll sculpt, firm and tone your body, increase your physical and mental strength, reduce risk of osteoporosis and arthritis in later life, plus you’ll release hormones in your body that naturally burn fat. And, it’s also anti-ageing!

Alex Jones is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and NLP Practitioner. She’s also trained in Psychotherapy & Counseling and has co-owned a Boutique Personal Training studio. She’s overcome the pain and upset of Yo-Yo dieting herself and uses the same specialised approach to help her clients to do the same.

www.thehealthygirl.co.uk | info@thehealthygirl.co.uk

Coconut & Almond Choc Chip Cookies These healthy cookies are made from organic nuts, coconut cream and almond butter. In addition to being really tasty, they can help keep your blood sugar in check supporting your weight loss program; and they also deliver depth of nutrition in terms of calcium, antioxidants, healthy fats and protein.

You can easily switch ingredients by try different types of nuts. Maybe add some orange or lemon zest, some cacao or maca powder to give a SuperFood boost too, the possibilities are endless.

Ingredients 2 egg whites 1 cup of ground almonds 1 cup of desiccated coconut ½ cup of hazelnuts ½ cup of almonds ¼ cup of cacao nibs ½ cup of coconut chips ¼ cup of coconut oil ¼ cup of coconut cream ½ teaspoon of vanilla powder or vanilla extract 1 heaped tablespoon of almond butter 3-4 drops of stevia for added sweetness, if desired.

Method 1|Chop the hazelnuts, almonds and coconut chips. 2|Whisk the egg whites until they resemble stiff peaks. 3|Blend the ground almonds, desiccated coconut, vanilla powder and almond butter until combined. Put them in a large bowl.

4|Add the chopped nuts to the bowl and the majority of the cacao nibs. Just save a few to sprinkle on top of your cookies before baking.

5|Mix all the ingredients together. 6|Gently melt the coconut oil and coconut cream on a low heat and add to the bowl of dry ingredients. 7|Gently fold in the egg whites until all the ingredients are combined. 8|Lightly grease a flat baking tray with coconut oil and shape the mixture by hand into 1cm thick cookie shapes and place on the baking tray. 9|Sprinkle the remaining cacao nibs on the cookies. 10|Bake in the oven at 180°C for 10-12 minutes, depending if you like them slightly gooey or more crisp. 11|Remove from the oven and place on a wire cake rack to cool.

These will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

Savour and enjoy!

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Active Business Women Women’s Business Club and Active Gloucestershire have partnered to create ACTIVE BUSINESS WOMEN through the national Workplace Challenge programme. This programme is from County Sports Partnership Network funded by Sport England which aims to engage workplaces in sport and physical activity. The programme is comprised of three ‘challenges’ as well as providing training to create ‘Workplace Challenge Champions’ which is being delivered in partnership with the British Heart Foundation.

Activity Log Compete with other business women.

Log your levels of sport, physical activity and active travel online, whilst competing with other Women’s Business Clubs at the same time. The more activity you do, the more points you get… and points make prizes! Join us! #Netwalking Business women often spend too much time sitting at a desk – is this you? Do you gaze out the window longing for some fresh air and a nice stretch for your legs? Not to worry, you can have your cake and eat it or more to the point, you can exercise and work! Join us!

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If you’re not already a member, please sign up for free at www.active. womensbusiness.club to get started and benefit by: A fitness app for your phone Getting your business name on the national leader board WIN prizes Get your business known by sponsoring a prize Get fit and healthy whilst having fun and building your business

www.active.womensbusiness.club

CROSSWORD

Across 3. 1066 victors?

6. American actress, - Mendes 8. Prejudiced 10. Accidental success 11. Arrange 13. Teach 17. Envisage 18. Eruptive mountain 20. Orchard fruit

Down 1. Approximately (year) 2. Entertain 4. Old fashioned 5. Garment part 7. With competence 9. Beach stones 12. Astronaut 14. Weep, sob 15. College certificate 16. Bee Gees' surname 19. Capital of Norway

- Solutions on page 63 -

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I’m sure my life is similar to many of yours!

I’m sure my life is similar to many of yours. I married very young at 20, had two children by 24 and had put aside my dreams of becoming a nurse, to follow my husband around the world in his army career.

By 30, I was shy, lacked confidence but wanted more than being wife of…., and mother of …. .

Insisting on a move back to UK I started working towards my dream of becoming a nurse. Of course there were many obstacles in the way, but finally started my nurse training aged 35. Sadly, at 40 I was divorced. My confidence and self-esteem had taken a massive hit, but thankfully, I kept my two beautiful daughters, the house and had a career.

It was a really really tough time. It was through nursing that I met a wonderful Australian man, Peter, who was also a nurse. We were so happy, he showed me how to have fun and enjoy life again.

Sadly, he died two years later. I was devastated, his death made me see the world in a very different way. Peter’s philosophy on life was simple, ‘Even if you are scared, do it anyway’. He was so right.

Now I have an amazing husband and my daughters have brought me 3 gorgeous grandchildren.

Unfortunately, through arthritis and a shoulder injury my career needed to be diverted into other areas of nursing. It really didn’t fit well with me and found myself thoroughly miserable as I missed the hands on nursing. But what else could I do!

It was my lovely husband who steered me into photography. I had been playing around with my camera for years and loved it. When my precious bridge camera broke he bought me my first DLSR and flash gun and said, “this could be your way out of nursing”. Fear and excitement hit me like a bolt of lightning.

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The camera and flash gun stayed in their boxes for weeks. I read the camera manual (too scared to read the flashgun manual), and thought this is not going to be easy. I went to night school for three years to learn the essentials and countless other courses and read everything I could. Finally, I reached a point where I felt I could start earning some money, although still working full time as a nurse. Of course that wasn’t all I had to learn. I knew zilch about business and have made some costly mistakes. Thankfully, I met Angela and the lovely ladies of the Women’s Business Club. Since then my confidence and business knowledge has grown so much. Knowing that I have a wealth of experienced and talented ladies to seek advice and support from is priceless. I am a member and co-host of the Monmouth Club and a member of the Bristol club.

My goal of leaving nursing is here! By the time this article is printed I will be solely ‘Photography

by Valerie’. Very exciting and a little scary. I now have a growing photography business, a small studio at home and love what I am doing. Through photography, I am meeting some lovely, lovely people and getting a real buzz out of knowing they love their photographs. And happily, I’m still learning. The next generation of photography is here – Virtual Reality and 360 degree photography, how exciting. By the end of this year this will be part of my portfolio. For now, I am mainly focussing on families, newborn, portraits, boudoir, weddings, corporate events and themed party events.

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A Woman In a Man’s World.

An Interview with Award Winning Coach, Author and Business Woman Jenny Garrett What were your early ambitions and Why was this important to you? passions?

What sacrifices did you make?

I wanted to be a fashion designer, at school I was really creative, I enjoyed art and fashion.

After studying for my A-Levels in Art and English Literature, more study wasn't a luxury my family could afford, so I had to get a job. I worked in retail quickly getting promoted, but realising that it wasn't for me, unless I was perhaps styling the window display. I then took on admin roles and studied in the evening for a business degree at the same time. It was then that I developed a real interest in marketing; it combined my creativity with my organisational skills. It was much later when in a senior marketing role that a colleague came into my office and asked me where I was taking my career next, she suggested that I train people to become marketers, at the time this didn't appeal to me, she said that she had recognised the skills of a coach: helping others come up with their own answers, helping them stay motivated, providing a thinking space. It often takes someone else to recognise our best and unique qualities.

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I think when you find the work you are meant to do, when you don't think of it as a job but a way of life, when you never say 'I don't want to go to work today', you're are doing the right thing.

That's where I am at. Having a really sound underpinning of knowledge is important to me, so I have studied a lot and that's meant being away from home, when my daughter was quite little, but I was convinced it would be worth it. Since leaving school I have always studied alongside a full time role, it's meant that social and family life have sometimes been secondary for those periods. I have also worked long into the night to deliver what I say I will for work and this has meant the laptop on in bed and not switching off from work.

How did you go about this and put your plan into action?

I went part time in my role while I built my client base, I had a target to earn more working less, within a year I was completely freelance and earning more, but probably haven't worked less because

there is always something to do when running your own business.

suppose all of this boils down to knowing that I am making a positive difference in the lives of others.

What does your role entail? Describe What is your duties/responsibilities? vision?

My role is so varied; I create the strategy and work to make it happen. That involves networking, collaborating, building relationships and nurturing existing clients. I also deliver inspiring training and life changing one to one coaching, which I love, but I also really enjoy being able to give others work.

Ultimately I have responsibility for everything, but I do have social media, admin, book keeping and accounting staff. I also have three Associates working with me who help with proposals and some of the delivery depending on the project.

Describe any challenges you faced and how you overcame them?

The challenge in business comes when you can't do everything yourself and your realise that you will drop the ball on projects if you don't get some help.

Getting the right people, employing them in a way that suits the business that they are also happy with is a challenge. Remembering that you might have to go through some short term pain to benefit from long term gain is how I look at it, it is really worth it when you have the right people on board, because she can't do it all, and even if you do, you won't do it all well.

The other big challenge has been around being a working mum and feeling guilt about not being at the playground gates to pick up my daughter from school. I have come to terms with this by being honest with myself, I am not stay at home mum material, a lot of what makes me happy comes from work, so I have decided that it's about quality, when we have a day out the iPhone is off. I aim to be truly present when I am there.

What do you most enjoy about your role?

I enjoy meeting new people every day, I enjoy that it's unpredictability, I enjoy the fact that I can decide what I do each day. I really enjoy one to one coaching, delivering coaching and leadership programmes and seeing individuals’ perspectives change and their goals achieved and knowing that I had a small hand in that. I also enjoy the mentoring I do for the Cherie Blair Foundation, mentoring women in developing countries, which is really satisfying.

I love that the only limits are my imagination. I

your

long-term,

career

To make a positive difference on a larger scale, to remove the stigma around women's success.

Our mission is to: * Challenge leaders to make a positive difference * Motivate women to live their best life * Inspire authentic leadership We want to grow the team internationally and for me to be an Ambassador for what we do. My book Rocking Your Role, which is a how to guide to success for female breadwinners is a vehicle for this. I wrote it because I am the main earner in my family and after researching I found that a fifth of women in the UK earn more than their partner or spouse, if we add into that single and divorced women, the number goes up to 50% of women being responsible for bringing home the bacon.

I want to support women worldwide to find ways to make their life work and celebrate their success together. I believe that if women are happy so is society!

Give 5 tips for success?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Value what you do, if you don't others won't and that means you promoting yourself and being willing to charge.

Be comfortable in your skin and embrace your uniqueness - don't try and fit in, be proud to stand out, you'll be more memorable.

Don't try and do it all, get help and support you need to create mental and physical space to grow and develop, you can't do that if you're doing it all.

Look after yourself - you can't perform at your best when running on empty - it's a selfish act not to look after yourself, everyone around you will suffer if you don't.

Keep learning, never think that you know it all, there is always more.

Find out more at www.jennygarrett.global and she has a special 50% discount on her transformational online programme for Women Business Club Readers using this link www.udemy.com/the-happenista-project/? couponCode=WBC

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EDUCATION War Horse author Michael Morpurgo to headline pupil-led literary festival War Horse author Michael Morpurgo is set to headline a unique literary festival organised by pupils from Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls, Monmouth School and Monmouth Comprehensive. The award-winning children’s novelist is due to speak about many of his bestloved works, including Private Peaceful and its importance as the centenary of the Somme approaches.

Running from June 21 to June 29, The Monmouth Literary Festival is now in its third year and the line-up is more impressive than ever. Planned and run by volunteers from Monmouth's three senior schools, the annual event unites the community in its love of reading.

Annabel Talco, a boarder at HMSG, is on the committee. The 16-year-old said: “Michael Morpurgo’s books have been read by just about every child in the country – he has such a magical way of storytelling and we are delighted to have him as our headliner. I love reading and I liked the idea of being involved in something that would encourage other students to feel the same way. Helping to organise events has also been good preparation for the future – we played a big part in the process and it’s been really enriching.”

The majority of the many events during the festival are open only to local children, with around 10 schools benefiting from the various workshops.

But ticketed readings, such as Morpurgo’s at The Savoy Theatre on June 21, will be ticketed and open to members of the public. Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, was so impressed with the sixth formers’ organisational skills and the warm welcome she recieved last

year that she is returning once again this summer.

She will be performing, alongside other poets, at a public event entitled Shore to Shore at The Savoy Theatre on June 22.

Alongside musical accompaniment by composer John Sampson, the writers promise an evening of the finest contemporary poetry to celebrate what Duffy passionately believes to be our national art form. HMSG committee member Maya Hanson, 17, said: “This year we have really upped our game and secured some unbelievably talented acts. I believe that all members of the public should support the festival as it is vital for it to be passed on to younger generations. The festival isn’t just about education, it’s about coming together and supporting the town in order for it to fulfil its potential. I am most excited to meet Tony De Saulles who is an illustrator because his artworks are out of this world and I would love to learn to draw cartoons like his.”

The volunteers have been working closely together for months to organise the festival, which has involved fundraising and finding suitable venues.

Maya added: “I have learnt to be much more confident and outgoing due to pitching to the council. I have also learnt how to manage my time more efficiently. The festival involves every member of the community, which I feel is very special. However what makes it stand out is that it’s run by children for children. It’s this ethos that really makes the festival as without it, it would just be like every other literary festival.”

Visit hmsg.co.uk for more information.

HABERDASHERS’ MONMOUTH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS GIRLS 7 - 18 boarding from 7

Tel: 01600 711104

A life-changing education is closer than you think

OPEN DAYS 7 & 8 OCTOBER 2016 www.habs-monmouth.org/opendays Email: admissions@hmsg.co.uk

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SOCIAL MEDIA What Does Planning Your Social Media & 60 Minute Makeover Have In Common?

Hi I’m Sofia from Increase Your Social Reach and I’m your “No-Limits” Social Media Strategist.

I help businesses leverage social media marketing and integrate it into their business goals and objectives.

When you work with me, we’ll follow a 3 step system to reduce the overwhelm and time “suck”.

7. How are you going to deal with “unexpected” problems.

Like any single project, unexpected problems may occur and that is fine!! Successes should be celebrated and failures need to be looked at with an objective to overcome them and improve on them.

Because it is a 60 minute makeover, it is expected that problems will happen and it is important that communication between the designer and the workforce is established to resolve those problems and move forward with the project.

Continue with us on a journey for the rest of the year to find out what planning your social media and 60 Minute Makeover has in common!

8. Choose your campaigns wisely.

In previous issues we looked at these points:

When choosing your social media marketing tools, bear in mind what you want to achieve and assess if it is cost effective to use a free tool versus a paid tool. With a paid marketing tool, you will have access to more quality features and therefore saving you time and money. Look into scheduling tools, social listening tools, visual tools, management tools and analytical tools.

1. Start with the WHY? 2. Set your end goal for each social platform.

3. Know your audience.

4. What needs to be outsourced.

5. What needs to be done first.

So, let’s continue to look at the common parts between the two: 6. Team & mission are in unison.

9. Go for quality over quantity.

When you buy a luxurious leather sofa that is going to last you a lifetime, why would you want a cheap version that is going to get stained and ruined in no time.

That’s all we have time for in this issue! Make sure to get the next issue of the Women’s Business Magazine to continue on this journey.

Team accepts the mission of the project from day 1 and they all work together towards the end goal.

If you have seen 60 Minute Makeover, you know exactly what I am talking about?

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www.increaseyoursocialreach.com

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You may decide to break that day up into pieces.

A few hours here and there. That is fine too. Most coaching sessions don’t last more than a couple of hours although some people go straight into action planning which might be you.

Think about where to meet with yourself. In the office when the phones aren’t ringing or going to a quiet place where you can think undisturbed.

The most important thing to think about is what you want to get out of investing in yourself and identifying areas for development or self improvement. The benefits to you. Those benefits will be your drivers for change.

2. Gathering feedback There will be people that you have worked with that can give you some good feedback on you, your business and your future even. They may be your partner, business or personal, your staff, your suppliers and of course your customers. They might be people that you admire or aspire to. Ask them as well.

Be your own coach for a day As a business owner or leader you have already learnt that you are good at making things happen.

You will have come to rely on your own abilities and determination and stamina to make things happen.

Which is good.

You will also know about all those things that you have put off or parked. And about areas that you know you are not good at but are ignoring or doing really badly. But if those things are fundamental to the success of your business you need to address them as soon as possible.

Only undertake this exercise if you are seriously prepared to make some changes. Don’t waste your own time if your mindset is that nothing can change because that will be a self fulfilling prophecy and potentially a self limiting belief.

Be mindful about whether you are someone that takes things personally or can be a bit reactive.

If you are ask someone else to filter and summarise for you.

3. Leading your own coaching session

So you have an agenda and before we start can we look at you?

Are you in the best physical, mental or emotional condition to lead a business? What is your lifestyle like? Do you eat well and get exercise and regular check ups. Do you have any medical issues that need addressing? Or perhaps there are issues from your past or in your personal life that keep on popping into your head but you don’t want to deal with it? Please do. It’s so obvious but being in peak condition, will just give you a big advantage. Niggling issues absorb energy that you could be putting into your business and or career. Issues like that grow and grow and eventually take over.

So take action now because it makes real commercial sense to do so.

1. Plan your own Coaching session

4. Your coaching questions

Allow yourself a day to coach yourself. Choose it wisely. When the business will be quiet. A Bank Holiday. During the summer. Or a Friday.

Here are some questions to ask yourself around your development. Write the answers down or tap them into your laptop. Keep a separate list of any actions or issues requiring follow up that you have identified for yourself.

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•

What is the next milestone for my business/ my career?

Rate them and identify what you’d miss if they left as well as what you’d like them to improve in. Then identify how you can help them develop and grow.

•

What are the issues that are stopping this happening?

•

What makes these issues now?

•

How important are they on a scale of 1-10?

•

How much energy do I have to find a solution on a scale of 1-10?

•

What are the implications on my business/my career of doing nothing if I let things carry on as they are?

•

What have I already tried?

•

If I managed to solve this problem how would my business/job feel?

•

What is standing in the way of the ideal outcome?

•

What early signs are there that things might be starting to improve?

•

What criteria will I use to judge the different options?

•

Which option seems the best one against that criteria?

Plot and share your progress and look forward to the many benefits they will bring you and your business.

•

So what is my next/first step?

Good luck!

Something that is also worth doing (and fun) is getting hold of the Belbin Team types questionnaire to see what team roles you and your key staff play.

This is a simple exercise to do and provides great food for thought.

It will also help you identify the types of people that are perhaps missing from your team. People often recruit people that are very similar to them and that can create big gaps. Know what they are so you can fill them in future.

5. Your action list You will now have an action list and will want to get going!

Remember you have invested in yourself today and just like your business you need a return on that investment. So make some of the actions you have identified happen and follow through. Not just the easy fun stuff but the things you feel a slight dread about facing.

5. Understand your personality Your personality and how you work with others is one of those things that can make or break you in business. To have got this far you will be confident and will have learnt to adapt your personality to the needs of your business.

There are many tools out there that will help you to understand your personality. Myers Briggs is very good and my personal favourite is the Golden profile by Talent Lens as it also measures how you respond to stress.

This is something that is worth investing in. Having your profile done and arranging a feedback session with a qualified practitioner. Doing a random quiz on the internet is not advisable.

Ruth Cornish is the Managing Director of Amelore a Coaching and HR consultancy.

She is the HR expert for Moneywise and is also the HR expert in the latest book from Notonthehighstreet.com “Shape up Your Business”

6. Your existing team

www.amelore.com

Make a list of your existing team and their strengths.

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Spring in nature is a time of budding and blossoming and summer a time for growth and bloom.

Businesses and organisations go through similar seasons or cycles of investment (planting) , growth and harvest and with each comes responsibilities and rewards. For Women's Business Club, this season launches the Women Against Slavery initiative with local events throughout the summer looking at Corporate Social Responsibility and how you, your business and your employees can help fight against human trafficking and realise benefits to both society and your businesses.

As a collective of women, we are stronger and more powerful when we help each other and those around us. Women Against Slavery was established to fight against human trafficking through our business and personal choices and actions, and to help empower women who are vulnerable and exploited through human trafficking. With few exceptions, women don't choose to become sex workers or agree to be trafficked, it happens through a combination of circumstances, threats and violence that coerces them into subjugation and compliance against their will. But women collectively can be a strong voice of action against this injustice. Women's Business Club has formed an alliance with Safe From Slavery, an anti-sex trafficking charity based in the Midlands committed to raising awareness about sex trafficking and to help protect vulnerable women and girls in the UK through political advocacy, awareness education and a safe, long-term recovery programme. SFS established the first UK trauma-sensitive, long term recovery programme for women designed to restore, rebuild and equip women who have been sexually trafficked for a fruitful life beyond the chains of sex trafficking. Each of the women who have been through the programme has remained safe and free from exploitation since.

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Becoming a victim of sex trafficking exploitation can happen through a variety of circumstances. Here is one woman's story. Jane was a divorced single mother with children when she met John. He was kind, thoughtful, handsome and very attentive to her, showering her with love and attention. He was also really patient and good with her children and Jane trusted him with her and her children's welfare.

To everyone who knew Jane, John seemed like an ideal partner. But six months after they started their relationship, John's behaviour changed. He had been grooming Jane and building her trust and once he had it, he was in a position where he knew enough about her and her family that he began to control and threaten her. He started to beat her into subjugation and threatened to harm or kill her children, her parents and siblings if she did not do what he demanded of her. Jane was beaten, raped and trafficked for sex and traffickers repeatedly hurt her to instil fear and compliance using the threats that they would perpetrate even worse on her family. Fortunately she eventually escaped John's control and ensured her children were in a safe place and reported her experiences to the police. Jane joined the Safe From Slavery recovery programme, has worked very hard toward restoration and she is now living independently and safely and is full-time employed with dreams of helping other women victims of sex trafficking in the future.

Women’s Business Club is helping in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation by ensuring that the suppliers we use and support through our personal and professional purchasing power adhere to ethical standards regarding the age and treatment of workers and the conditions of their workplace. We can lobby our politicians and legal system to ensure that no business in the UK is able to exploit its workers, and that no individual can exploit another without being revealed and prosecuted and sentenced under anti-slavery law.

Together we can make a difference to protect the vulnerable and build a better society. Learn more about Women Against Slavery at a local event this summer and by visiting the Women's Business Club website. Look for Women Against Slavery activities and campaigns in the coming months in our newsletter.

Human Trafficking is the world’s fastest growing crime Human trafficking is the trade of humans, most commonly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others.

Due to the hidden and illegal nature of human trafficking, gathering statistics is difficult.

Approximately 27 million are trafficked every year, 1.2 million are children. Left is a breakdown of detected victims of trafficking in persons, by age and gender based on 2011 figures from UNODC elaboration on national data.

We MUST do something about this ladies!

Why? Because we can!

Business Women Against Human Trafficking is not the answer to the problem but it is a small part of the solution. Join us as we do the best we can to end this atrocity.

Become an abolitionist by:

www.stopslavery.womensbusiness.club

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What comes first , the business plan or the brand?

The truth is, either could come first! Some people will get an idea for a strong brand, and perhaps build a business around that. Others will work out all the details first and then brand that. Either works fine as long as you make sure all the fundamentals are there first! As design company, there are a few things we look for in a business before building a brand, and before we even get started we will make sure that you have the answers!

So here are a few questions that you really need to have answered before you think about building your brand.

What does your business do?

You need to be able to get across what your business does in three sentences. This is usually called your elevator pitch. By whittling down all the information you have about your business into 3 short sentences, you are forced to really think about what your business is and what it does!

When we design your brand, we definitely need to know what your business does! Of course we will take the time to really get to know your business, but to enable us to successfully create something that gets the message across we need to know what the essence of the business does.

What is your business vision?

Where do you see yourself going in the future?

What do you want your business to look like in 1, 5 and 10 years?

It helps us to know this when designing your brand so that we can make sure we are creating something timeless that will last as long as your business does. For example, are you planning on expanding into other areas? You may be starting small and intimate, but would you like to become more corporate?

By looking into the future, we can get an idea of where your branding and logo will be going and so we can prepare it for the journey!

Who is your ideal customer?

You need to be able describe who your ideal customers are. Don’t just stop at “Women”. How old is she? What does she do for a living? Does she have a family? Go deeper and figure out who your product or service appeals to. Those particular people will respond better to a brand that resonates with them.

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This is one of the most important questions to ask before developing a brand because if you get this wrong, it can have a severe effect on your business.

A children’s toy marketed with subtle colours would not catch a child’s attention. A toy brand needs to be bright, colourful and simple.

What message do you want to send to your ideal customers?

How do you want your potential customers to feel about your brand? A charity would want to remind you of their cause and hope. A sports brand wants to make you feel motivated and energised.

This can be manifested not just through your logo but other parts of your brand such as photography and writing.

How do your customers hear about your business?

How do you get your brand in front of your potential customers? We need to create something that speaks to your potential customers in whatever environment they are in. This could be on the web, in a coffee shop, in a magazine face to face or all of the above!

Some types of businesses can be negatively affected by marketing in the wrong place. It wastes money, devalues your brand and in rare cases, could offend people. (A condom ad in a new mothers magazine won’t go down well.)

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Once you have the answers to these questions, you are ready to speak to a professional about your branding! So please do come and speak to us, or fill in our brand identity questionnaire online here: strawberrystudios.net/brand-survey.

Or if you are one of those who got too excited about the branding and not so much about the planning, we would love to help you with that too!

Come and chat to us about your business and we will help you formulate a plan and a brand that you will be proud of and that will still be around in 1, 5 or 10 years time.

Samuel & Lorah-Kelly Beard Directors at Strawberry Studios lorah@strawberrystudios.net

Bring life to your business through beautifully thought out photography & design.

www.strawberrystudios.net | contact@strawberrystudios.net

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The Competition Every two years as part of the Broadway Arts Festival I run an open art competition. This year’s theme was ‘conflict’ – in the many senses of the word.

Many artists’ initial reaction was that they didn’t want to be inspired by war and all its attributes but many gave it further thought and have come up with an extraordinary selection of work. There were 570 entries from as far afield as Berlin and Malta.

The judging panel was chaired by Ken Howard, the illustrious painter, professor and RA member ably assisted by P J Crook and others. From the initial entry three hundred were selected for the final judging stage of the competition. Ken Howard said “If you win be happy, if not the judges made a mistake”. PJ Crook was extremely impressed by the quality of this year’s entry.

Ken Howard made a more important point about the appreciation of art in general – we have our spending power slanted in the wrong direction. “The purchase of cars should be a luxury and the purchase of art should be a necessity”. Certainly visitors to the gallery find it difficult to pay £1000 for a painting which will stay with them for a lifetime and quite possibly appreciate in value whereas spending £40,000 on a car which will depreciate as soon as it leaves the showroom is not a problem! Where are we going wrong…

The main John Singer Sargent prize was sponsored by John Noott Galleries as it has been from the Festival’s inception in 2010. This year’s local artist prize, for artists living within a twenty mile radius was kindly sponsored by

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The Richard Hagen Gallery and this year I introduced the Little Buckland Gallery three dimensional prize as I feel creators in 3D are often overlooked. The festival is incredibly fortunate to have five fantastic galleries in the village. All of whom are extremely supportive.

Hanging the exhibition was a fascinating challenge as this had to be selected from work by over one hundred and fifty different artists and makers. As well as the physical challenge of actually hanging and placing the pieces the mental ‘jigsaw’ was sometimes excruciating and I found I could only do a couple of hours at a time. Luckily there was three weeks between the judging day and the start of the festival. My starting point was a wall of strong women. Somehow these eight pieces spoke to me more powerfully than any of the other entries. They were created by five intuitive and thought provoking female artists, as well as one man!

Interestingly we had our first male winning entry since the first competition in 2010 with Rod Ashman’s ‘Exposed to the Landscape’ taking the local artist prize. The main prize was again won by a female artist - Caroline Chappell’s ‘The Waking Path’.

A beautiful, evocative piece. The artist’s brother, a UN envoy who was involved in the Bosnian conflict, cried when he saw it. I was particularly delighted by the judges decision for the 3D prize. Emma Clegg’s beautiful piece ‘Hope’.

I’m sorry this article won’t be published before the end of the Broadway Arts Festival this year but I hope you will be able to visit the exhibition I am planning for the Autumn which will include two of the winning artists – Rod Ashman and Emma Clegg alongside two highly commended participants – Zoe Taylor and Nicki Heenan.

James Kerr, Cup Collection

www.littlebucklandgallery.co.uk

Brass Monkey GrouP 24 June – 3 July 11am – 5pm, daily Coming out of the cold for their first group show in four years with a richly diverse exhibition of ceramics, painting and sculpture.

LITTLE BUCKLAND GALLERY Brass Monkey Group Founding members James Kerr (painter), William Mackesy (painter) and Robin Walden (ceramicist) will be joined by permanent member Adrienne Baba (ceramicist) and by painters and regular guest members Edmund Fairfax-Lucy and Marina Meredith-Owen.

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Little Buckland Gallery, Little Buckland, Broadway WR12 7JH 01386 853739 info@ littlebucklandgallery.co.uk

Brass Monkeys BAF Prog Whole Page Ad May16.indd 1

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06/05/2016 09:52

THE MUSIC BUSINESS Daughters of Davis PART 1 // HOW IT ALL BEGAN What does it mean to give up everything to pursue a performing career? Fern Davis, half of soul duo Daughters of Davis, shares the genesis of the neverending tour…

I couldn’t take back the words I wistfully mused that day. My sister Adrienne’s face changed and I knew I’d both planted a seed I would not be able to uproot, and neither would I fully know the extent to which I’d come to pay for the following sentence: “I think we should just sell everything, buy a campervan, jack in our jobs and tour the country with our music, what do you think?”

From then on it was like a list of planets that had to be forcefully aligned before we could take off.

Cars had to be sold for maximum prices, car-boot sales had to be graced until we were the last stall standing, houses were painted and lastly, final salaries were collected. In April 2011, we finally hit the road in a rusty old van from Ebay that became our home for just under two years, and became fondly known as ‘Bonanza’... Though why it was fondly I remain unsure to this day.

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The van was a hostile habitat for two girls embarking on a UK wide tour on their own. The winter brought frozen water tanks, sleeping in nine layers and standing on hot-water bottles to get changed in the morning, whilst the eagerly awaited summer was no better. Those mornings would greet us with greenhouse effect heat that cooked us until we were overdone and wilting even before the malnourishment set in.

If living in the confined space with a sibling was not enough of a challenge, the food budget was the greatest...Those were the days when there was no high like a ‘Buy One Get One Free’ offer! Economy porridge was a staple three meal deal, with the additional luxury of half a teaspoon of rationed jam to spice things up being a pleasure reserved for exceptionally good days only. Value noodles and 17p soup were also regulars on the DoD menu, in fact anything of sustenance would be considered...

For wifi and phone charging we were regulars at our local (depending what city we were parked in) Wetherspoon’s. We knew no limits to how long we could make chips and a tea last and we always made full use of the conveniences whilst we were there. I even once (OK, more than once…) washed my hair in the sinks of the Wetherspoon’s lavatories, with soap for shampoo and hand dryers as a hairdryer!

Good times all round…

Upcoming GIGS

July July July July July July

2, 9, 16, 17, 23,

2016 2016 2016 2016 2016

London, UK Wiltshire, UK Newton Heath, UK Cambridge, UK Leeds, UK

August Aug 5, 2016 Bedford, UK

September Sep 3, 2016 Fair Oak, UK Sep 24, 2016 Thetford, UK Sep 30, 2016 Ringwood, UK

October Oct 1, 2016 Lyndhurst, UK Oct 29, 2016 Totton, UK

December Dec 3, 2016 Lyndhurst, UK

Find out more and book at www.daughtersofdavis.com

#NotPlayingTheGame (#NPTG) is about standing out to say it’s ok if you don’t meet the media mould.

You only often see one image or ideal lifted up in the media, but it’s not the only thing that should be seen as having worth. Sure it can be good, but different is good too! #NPTG is also about having a space where you can share your vulnerabilities, struggles and scars and say ‘so what?!’ to apparent so-called ‘imperfections’.

No one is perfect!

Well everyone struggles with different things and we’re not saying it’s easy, but this is the place where we challenge each other to be ourselves and try to let go of the lies and false ideas about what it is to be ok and have worth in the eyes of the media.

We’re really passionate about this stuff, but we can’t do it without you - So if you’re bold enough and you’re up for the challenge - stand with us today to say ‘I’m Not Playing the Game’! Send us your views, ideas and challenge us back!! Poets send us your poems, writers - your stories, musicians - your songs or anybody - any other material, photos or blogs..We want to hear from you!

Adrienne & Fern xx www.twitter.com/NtPlayinTheGame

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Be Visual - See the bigger picture As your business grows you will need to re-evaluate roles and resources and adjust how you deliver your product or service to your customer. This is can be a nice problem to have but opportunities also pose as risks to the business coping mechanisms.

The important thing is to make sure the growth is sustainable for the business and that you design your processes so that they can maintain the harmony and equilibrium within your workplace.

It is all too easy for fire fighting, organised chaos and unpredictable costs to creep in unnoticed until finally they overwhelm you and it’s just no fun anymore.

So how can we take a snapshot of how our business runs now, improve our processes to sustain our growth? How do we make sure these little issues that crop up are acted upon and don't become the norm? My answer create pictures or process maps!

THE SNAPSHOT There is a large body of research which indicates that visual cues help us to better retrieve and remember information. This makes sense to me when we consider our brain is mainly an image processor. (I believe they say that images can be processed at 60,000 times faster than text). Add that to the estimated value that 65% of us are visual learners and you will understand why I am so confident of the ability of a diagram to show us the big picture of our business.

By creating a flowchart, process map or similar diagram enables us to digest what is happening.

The flow of work becomes apparent and individual roles become cleary.

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Quite often a new job role has been created to cope with demand or solve an issue; but when we see it in the big picture it actually obstructs data flow and work.

What I am saying here is not groundbreaking technology or new thinking, but an approach that some find difficult by themselves. In fact the larger the organisation the more complex things become.

My advice is to get the following key things right: • How you look at the business process and gather data.

• How you interpret the different perspectives from individuals on how things run within the company.

• How you simplify all of this into a picture that everyone can understand without losing the fine details needed.

MOVING FORWARD Successful companies don’t ignore anything, they innovate and when it works they systemise it. Systems don’t have to restrict as they don’t cause these companies to stand still; they just help make every improvement a habit. There was a quote in Forbes from the Dijwans leaders (this was a company that had a good product related to mapping networks of web content but it epically failed as a start up missing the detail).

“A good product idea and a strong technical team are not a guarantee of a sustainable business. One should not ignore the business process and issues of a company because it is not their job. It can eventually deprive them from any future in that company”.

By focusing on your system you can change the culture to continuously improve. No longer will it be ‘whose job was it!’ because perhaps it is nobody's job because there is a gap in the system that hasn’t been defined yet. Divert away from blame and get everyone focused on how can we make this run like a well oiled machine to deliver our vision. Teach people that is ok to have an issue but only once as we always must learn from the experience and improve for next time. My final advice here is to have a structured approach to dealing with things as they arise, research and find the true root cause of any problems. I know that this is easier said than done for some so here are my tips:•

Make sure the problem is contained and immediate corrective measures taken.

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Always ask, are there any similar processes that will have the same issues?

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Have you informed everyone that needs to know (including the customer).

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Make sure you spend time addressing the true root cause of the problem.

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Always evaluate the proposed actions, what is the impact on the rest of the business?

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Always evaluate your preventative measures to ensure they are effective.

One last tip on true root cause analysis, it is always the bit that gets forgotten. Once a problem goes away or gets corrected we automatically have other things that shout at us louder. Use your flowchart or process map. Think of the issue as being at the end of the chart, write one up with you problem at the end. Now start back at the very beginning and at each step ask the question “what am I doing at this stage that could have an impact on the problem?”

You should find this an enlightening exercise and often it is not the obvious solutions that are the best.

So try some mapping, we must strive to understand not only the business vision and goals but the fine details of how we achieve them. It is the small changes that cost nothing that sometimes have the biggest financial rewards. For example changing how we answer the phone could double your conversion rate! It’s just system design. Strive for excellence and question the norm, we don’t need expensive lean business courses most of it is common sense just learn the tools out there to help you.

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How to become the business leader you want to be.

Over and again I meet business leaders and managers with wonderful potential

7 steps to becoming a successful business leader - fast

. . . who see themselves as far less able than they are.

Follow these simple steps and you will quickly see results:

1. Define what you most want your business to achieve. Paint a picture that inspires you.

The fact is, if we start to behave as the business leader we wish to become, whatever your role, success will arrive hundred times faster.

2. Objectively stand back and list the characteristics, behaviour, skills and focus a business leader who delivered no. 1 would have.

3. List five examples of things you have done that you are proud of. (Have fun with this. It is important.

The examples can be big or small.)

4. Immediately after you complete 3. describe yourself – beside each relevant characteristic in 2. in a in a column alongside.

5. Highlight the areas where you are strong.

6. Pinpoint the top two or three areas where you wish to close the gap (or to outsource it.)

Over and over I see business leaders missing excellent opportunities. It seems they almost waiting for someone to give them permission to provide the leadership their company needs. Here are two examples for you: a. A Managing Director who decided where he wanted to take the business then, listening to clients and employees each step along the way, he fearlessly knocked down each barrier to create the company is his vision.

7. Now visualise yourself being that business leader. Visualisation is incredibly powerful as your mind cannot tell the difference between reality and imagination. Notice how good it feels as you see yourself at your very best, enjoying the success you deserve. Do this daily.

If you are a business leader and you are determined to fast track your company’s results then check out my “6 Weeks to Business Results Service”. I would love to help you achieve your potential.

b. Another Managing Director who, one year later was still unsure where she wanted to take the business and, when guided to do so, still seemed to look for someone else to take ownership of each business challenge.

So be honest now – which of these two examples are you behaving most like today?

You are more than capable of achieving whatever you set your heart on.

Jane Bromley, Strategenic Ltd www.strategicplanningforgrowth.co.uk/6-weeks-toresults-coaching/ | Tel: 01672 861767

WEEKS TO TO THE BUSINESS 66WEEKS BUSINESS RESULTS YOU YOU WANT? RESULTS What is holding your business back?

• Are you really focused on the best opportunities?

• What barriers are getting in the way?

Our “6 weeks to results” programme pinpoints the fastest way to better results.

Jane will coach you to remove the barriers, fulfill your potential and achieve the results you deserve

A few client results

Our clients have increased profit by 237% in 3 months and doubled revenue in 6 weeks!

Call Jane on 01672 861767 to find out how I can help your business to enjoy the results you want . . . now

Web: http://strategicplannningforgrowth/6-weeks-results/

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HEALTH & WELLBEING Essential to Wellbeing We’re all familiar with the phrase ‘there’s nothing new under the sun’. If, that is, you can find some.

And it’s true - there isn’t. Certainly regarding literature this is true. A friend of mine who recently undertook an English degree tells me that pretty much any text you care to pick up references another and that one references yet another. And so it goes on. As with so much in life, what applies to one thing equally applies to another.

In a previous article I wrote about how exfoliation and skin cleansing with oil dates back at least to the ancient Romans and their striggling activities (available on my website) Equally as ancient is acupuncture, colonic irrigation and Ayurvedic medicine amongst other ‘new-age’ therapies. Any belief that such medicine systems are ‘new-fangled’ and possibly invented in San Francisco in the Flower Power era of the 1960s couldn’t be further from the truth.

Indeed essential oils have been a core element of the Ayurvedic health care system for centuries.

Although no one can say with any certainty how old Ayurvedic medicine is - it’s a fair assumption to suggest it’s been practiced for a good 4000 years.

Ayurvedic medicine continues to be used in India today – a principal tenant of it being aromatic massage. Ayurvedic literature dating from around 2000 BC notes that Indian doctors administered oils of cinnamon, ginger, myrrh, coriander and sandalwood to their patients. However, aromatic plants and oils had a purpose beyond being medicinal. They were believed to be a Godly part of nature and were integral to the spiritual and philosophic beliefs and outlook of Ayreveda. Hence aromatic oils had – and still do have – uses across many cultures that range from religious purposes to healing the sick. We don’t talk about ‘pouring oil over troubled waters’ for nothing.

Make like an Egyptian Another culture putting essential oils to good use were the Egyptians. When they weren’t building pyramids (or maybe while they were building pyramids) the Egyptians were using balsams, perfumed oils, scented barks, resins, spices and aromatic vinegars in everyday life. Oils and pastes

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from plants were transformed into pills, powders, suppositories, medicinal cakes and ointments.

It would appear that, at the height of Egypt’s power, it was only their priests that were allowed to use aromatic oils because they were regarded as necessary to be at one with the gods.

It’s all Greek to me!

There’s evidence to suggest that the Greeks, between 400-500 BC recorded knowledge of essential oils adopted from the Egyptians. Like I said – nothing new under the sun. Some actual sun in this instance!

He of the well-known oath, Hippocrates (430 BC) made a big impression on medicine and medical history. So much so that his name is synonymous with medicine even today with newly qualified doctors taking the ‘Hippocratic Oath’. This Greek healer and physician was using healing plants and their essences way before aromatherapy had been invented.

Hippocrates used: ginger as a warming herb to soothe cold conditions and he used members of the mint family to cool ‘warming’ conditions.

From the ancient world to modern times Nowadays you don’t have to be a priest to be able to take advantage of their physical, spiritual and emotionally uplifting properties. Aromatherapy massages are now commonplace in salons and spas and essential oils are present in many cleaning products - surely more agreeable in every way than chemical fragrance sprays and such.

This natural living ideas website: Naturallivingideas. com - 50-essential-oil-uses - lists 50 surprising uses for essential uses. Have a look and see how many you are doing or could be doing. And of course here at Pink&Green we are all about the oils in our range of organic skin care. Should you be fortunate to find yourself under the sun our Rose Floral Water will give you a lovely cooling, calming refreshing burst to get you through a sticky day in the office.

Carol Aplin Pink&Green Skincare www.pinkandgreenskincare.co.uk

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What’s stopping you from reaching your goals?

So you made the decision, your goal is in place, you’ve been working towards it, you’ve made it SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Rewarding & Trackable) but somehow your progress is slow, if not stunted completely!

You start to question why it’s not working…

‘Did I not want this bad enough?’, ‘Why am I not being more disciplined in taking action on the steps towards this goal?’ or you are just simply dumfounded as to why it’s not happening.

Usually the reasons for this are in disguise as limiting beliefs. These crafty mind blockers are well versed in sabotaging your plans. You see it doesn’t matter how much we think consciously about a new goal or a new idea if we don’t deal with the brain core processor (the subconscious mind or paradigm) it will override every good idea we have.

These limiting beliefs are picked up from childhood and onwards and have formed our life so far. They can read like ‘As a woman I am not able to be the main earner.’, ‘What I can offer is not valued.’, ‘I don’t know enough to make this a success.’, ‘I should not be charging for what I offer as people ‘need’ my help.’, ‘I’m too old to start making a change now.’.

The list is endless and you might read them and think rationally, ‘I know these statements not to be true’, but is your subconscious on the same wave length? Usually not, if you’re unable to reach a goal and you are self-sabotaging.

How do we find these hidden beliefs and how do we get rid of them? A simple way to uncover them is to say ‘I can’t do x because…’; you may need to do this exercise again and again until you uncover the real issue. But sometimes when you think you’ve got the limiting belief uncovered there are other more stronger ones hiding. This is where a life coach can really help you uncover them and help you rid yourself of these debilitating beliefs that sell you short of your endless potential. Your brain is a complex thing but it CAN be tamed with the right work.

Step 1. Uncover your limiting belief. This is half the battle; you may find you have to dig deep to work this out.

Step 2. Make a real decision to achieve the goal and rid yourself of the belief, regardless of the work involved.

Step 3. Feel the fear and do it anyway! Override this belief with positive affirmations and plunge forward with utter belief and conviction. Visualise yourself as if you’ve achieved your goal - how do you feel, what will you be doing?

(Read last issue of Women’s Business Magazine Spring 2016 or visit the WBC blog, where I show you how to form and use positive affirmations.)

Step 4. Use your affirmations and visualisation EVERY DAY without fail. You are never done. It is a lifetime commitment to self-improvement. Just like you have a lifetime commitment to keeping yourself clean – taking a shower every day, it’s not as hard as it first might seem.

You CAN DO THIS! Jennifer Hall – The Life Buddy Helping you to be the best version of you, by changing your mind! www.thelifebuddy.guru

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Sky image courtesy of scottchan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net | Brain Image courtesy of MR LIGHTMAN at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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To find out more about our workshops, luxury retreats and newly added dates and to download your FREE Short Guide to Mindfulness visit www.thespiritsanctuary.co.uk

Register your interest with us by emailing jennifer@thespiritsanctuary.co.uk

Contact Jennifer Hall jennifer@thespiritsanctuary.co.uk 07859068752 www.thespiritsanctuary.co.uk

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A little about Box The Box Range is an ethical family business dedicated to creating beautiful handmade cosmetics that will knock your socks off.

I’m Amy Box, founder and creator. I started this business when my eldest was a baby to get something of me back, give me something to work on and keep my sanity! What started as doing friends nails as a hobby turned into doing manicures professionally and eventually developed into making quality nail polish free from all the nasties. I’m passionate about helping women gain confidence in taking care of their natural nails, and giving them a luxury product which they don’t need to feel any guilt about. Box products will always be cruelty free and vegan. We will always use natural ingredients and Box Polish will always be the big 5-free.

5 Top Tips for Beautiful Nails Our hands are precious and powerful. We use them every day (especially as women!) and yet they rarely get the credit or the treatment they deserve.

Did you know that your hands are also one of the first things to age? Those lines and wrinkles you’re nervous about appearing on your face? Nah…it’s your hands they’ll get to first! And we still use and abuse them – we wash them all the time which strips the skin and nails of their natural oils – and then we suddenly realise we have ‘old lady hands’ and it’s too late!

Now I’m not for a second telling you not to wash your hands (horror!). I am however, saying we should treat our nails and hands with very loving care.

Here’s my 5 top tips for hand and nail care to keep those beauties looking beautiful.

1. Moisture, moisture, moisture! Invest in a good quality cuticle oil – preferably one with jojoba oil as its main ingredient as this has properties which closely match that of our own skins oil (called sebum). But don’t stop there – apply hand cream twice daily to really make sure your skin is being rehydrated; keeping it plump and supple and scaring those wrinkles away!

2. Gently push back your cuticles to release the edge from your nail plate. Don’t push too hard

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because you could damage your nail bed – just gentle enough to lift them slightly – this will help your nails to grow faster and help keep those overgrown or dry parts of your cuticle at bay (and don’t forget the cuticle oil!)

3. When you’re filing your nails – use long and controlled movements and only file IN ONE DIRECTION. See-sawing will split the layers of your nail.

4. Sporting a fabulous gel polish manicure? DON’T PEEL IT OFF. You are peeling off the top layer of your nail which is why underneath your nails seem dry and split. Get them removed professionally or learn how to do it properly at home (I have a blog coming up to tell you how! Keep an eye out on my website) 5. Choose nail polish which is kind. Find a cruelty free brand. There’s no need for ugly processes in cosmetic testing. Box Polish is also proud to be 5-free – which means our polishes don’t contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, toluene or dibutyl phthalate. There are healthy and kind alternatives to your regular polish brands which are better for your health and for our planet.

Beauty doesn’t have to be ugly.

And above all else – HAVE FUN! Love, Team BOX.

www.boxrange.co.uk | www.facebook.com/theboxrange 20% off your first order with the code WBCMAG

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Ignite Your Well-being We live in a quick paced culture, we want everything now! We are constantly being advised by the media about magic diets and pills that we can achieve amazing results with, fast. It doesn't matter if it’s stress or obesity. Our culture focuses too much on the idea of a quick fix rather than prevention. The solution for our problems is not hard but requires determination and work, every day. We believe there are four main components to a successful wellness routine - fitness, nutrition, rest and relaxation.

FITNESS & NUTRITION Losing weight or changing habits for a better lifestyle can take months, possibly years. There are no quick fixes. How long have you lived with bad habits? How long have you lived a sedentary lifestyle? What is it about fast food or sweet treats that keeps you dipping in for more?

Writing a SMART Goal: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time Bound Make sure you set your goals clearly, visualise them and use positive affirmation, for example: “I WILL lose 10lbs in 60 days, by April 30th 2016. I WILL fit into that size 12 dress / 34 inch waist suit. I WILL LOOK and FEEL AMAZING.” Crucially, if you are going to change, do it in bite size chunks. Changing YOU takes time but the journey you face and the story you create WILL make becoming a better YOU all the more rewarding.

REST AND RELAXATION: We live in a world where everything is instant, from coffee to sending/receiving text messages. Often we are living a life with little sleep and massive amounts of activities cluttering our diaries. Clear your diary and leave a ‘Time for ME’ space, electronic device free, at least 30 minutes a day. During this time, connect with your family, read a book or take care of your body and mind through meditation or massage therapy. Be good to yourself. When you create your wellness plan, don’t be rigid, ensure you’re being flexible. Nothing has to be set in stone.

A Simple example: "Every day I will make sure I sleep at least 7 hours, go for a walk, eat less fatty food and I will do something relaxing for myself."

A wellness routine is important for you to stay healthy, physically and mentally. Remember, there will be days when you’re busy with your family and busy with work commitments, be flexible. By prioritising wellness into your lifestyle, you will feel the benefits of extra energy, for the family and for those working deadlines. It won’t happen overnight but through persistence, you will achieve your results.

About the authors

Chris Vonk is the owner of Spark Fitness.

He believes that through determination and a strong emotional attachment to the outcome, everyone can achieve what they want. Not just in fitness, but in life. Chris has always enjoyed the physical challenge and mental gratification that sport and fitness induces. Achievement begins by taking action. www.spark-fitness.co.uk www.facebook.com/chrisvonkpersonaltrainer

Magdalena Lorynska is a very passionate woman who believes strongly that the early development of a healthy wellness routine can have a powerful impact on people, improving their quality of life both now and as they grow older. She began her massage therapy business in 2011 and she has grown with it ever since. She strongly believes that, through her work, she has a unique opportunity to learn about people at the same time as providing them with a life-improving service. www.relaxingmassages.co.uk

I DO Fitness I DO Relaxation WE DO Wellness Ignite Your Wellbeing are pre and post wedding wellness programing packages for couples who are looking to build a healthy lifestyle and good wellness routine.

We offer a unique experience for the bride and the groom to be. This wonderful package includes: • •

2 to 3 session of fitness per week 1 relaxing massage treatment for both of you every 4 weeks Start the preparation for your life together today!

To book your FREE consultation please call us at 07545852110 or 07500030324

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This mini cross body / shoulder bag could be yours! Handmade in Italy in the softest calf leather with a little tassel detail and a zipped pocket on reverse. You get a choice of two colours - creamy taupe or cognac tan.

To enter share a photograph of this page on social media and spread the word. Tag @wombizclub and @ezzabaglady to get your name in the hat! Each share will equal a chance. If you choose to share by email copy us in at hello@womensbusiness.club

Limited edition affordable luxury accessories for the modern stylish woman - all from independent, small workshops in Italy and England and emerging new talents and designers in the UK. For the woman with hard earned cash and a sense of style - that Ă­s those of us who appreciate good taste but donĂ­t want the same as everyone else!

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www.EZZA.co.uk info@ezza.co.uk | +441225470048 13 Milsom Place, Bath BA1 1BZ

Alternatively magazines are always available at your local clubs Bath | Bristol | Cardiff | Cheltenham| Gloucester | Kingston | Monmouth Southampton | Swindon

www.magazine.womensbusiness.club

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Members Directory Bath EZZA..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.ezza.co.uk House of Colour......................................................................................................................................................................................www.houseofcolour.co.uk Moonshine Internet..................................................................................................................................................................................www.moonshinenet.com Nu Skin.............................................................................................................................................................................................bridgetjanelong@gmail.comThe The Life Buddy...................................................................................................................................................................................www.thespiritsanctuary.co.uk White Tiger Quality Management Systems..............................................................................................................................................www.white-tiger.co.uk Zest Bootcamp.........................................................................................................................................................................................www.zestbootcamp.co.uk

Bristol Anorak Cat Web Design...................................................................................................................................................................................www.anorakcat.co.uk Karosa Jewellery.....................................................................................................................................................................................www.karosajewellery.co.uk Outsidethebox Makeup..........................................................................................................................................................www.outsidetheboxmakeup.co.uk Photography by Valerie...........................................................................................................................................................www.photographybyvalerie.co.uk SHC Social Media...................................................................................................................................................................................www.shcsocialmedia.co.uk The Box Range....................................................................................................................................................................................................www.boxrange.co.uk Tricia Designs.................................................................................................................................................................................................www.triciadesigns.com

Cheltenham Active Gloucestershire..................................................................................................................................................................www.activegloucestershire.org C. Pool-Graham - Wealth Manager...........................................................................................................................................www.charlottepoolegraham.co.uk Honour Wellbeing............................................................................................................................................................................www.wellbeingandbeyond.net Jurys Inn Cheltenham................................................................................................................................................................www.jurysinns.com/Cheltenham Keith Holland & Associates.......................................................................................................................................................................www.keithholland.co.uk Nuts About Style....................................................................................................................................................................................www.nutsaboutstyle.co.uk Poppy’s Events Ltd...................................................................................................................................................................................www.poppysevents.co.uk Sunago Unique Creations....................................................................................................................................................www.sunagouniquecreations.co.uk Travel Counsellors..............................................................................................................................................................................www.travelcounsellors.co.uk Truly Tailored Recruitment.................................................................................................................................................www.trulytailoredrecruitment.co.uk Utility Warehouse Discount Club..........................................................................................................................................................www.huge-savings.co.uk WMMdesigns.................................................................................................................................................................www.wmmdesigns.co.uk Muffin and Poppy..................................................................................................................................................................................www.muffinandpopy.co.uk

Gloucester Betaris Training Ltd...................................................................................................................................................................................www.betaristraining.com Eco Amor..............................................................................................................................................................................................................www.ecoamor.co.uk Gloucester College................................................................................................................................................................................................www.gloscol.ac.uk Stella & Dot Stylist.............................................................................................................................................................................................. www.stelladot.co.uk Heather Resource Management Limited.............................................................................................................................................................www.hrml.co.uk

Kingston Hub Dot.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.hubdot.com Lola Staffing......................................................................................................................................................................................................www.lolastaffing.co.uk The Editor’s Chair...........................................................................................................................................................................................www.editorschair.com The Underdogs Meetup..................................................................................................................................................................................@underdogsmeetup Téa Staegemann......................................................................................................................................................................................www.teastaegemann.com

Monmouth Aahaan Thai..............................................................................................................................................................www.facebook.com/AahaanThaiMonmouth Awaken..........................................................................................................................................................................................www.awakenlifecoaching.co.uk Wye Media..........................................................................................................................................................................................................www.wyemedia.co.uk Flaxen Hare......................................................................................................................................................................................................www.flaxenhare.co.uk Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls....................................................................................................................................................www.hmsg.co.uk Karosa Jewellery.....................................................................................................................................................................................www.karosajewellery.co.uk Naomi's House...........................................................................................................................................................................................www.naomishouse.co.uk Occasionally Tea & Plenty of Cake.....................................................................................................................www.occasionallyteaandplentyofcake.co.uk Phoenix Trading......................................................................................................................................www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/web/janecadbury38557 Photography by Valerie...........................................................................................................................................................www.photographybyvalerie.co.uk Wize Virtual Admin.............................................................................................................................................................................www.wizevirtualadmin.co.uk

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Southampton Increase Your Social Reach.................................................................................................................................................www.increaseyoursocialreach.com Solent Events & Leisure................................................................... .........................................................................................................www.solentevents.co.uk Step by Step Listening.....................................................................................................................................................................www.stepbysteplistening.com Travel Counsellors...............................................................................................................................................www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/joanne.ioannou Utility Warehouse.........................................................................................................................................................lesleywareham@utilitywarehouse.org.uk

Swindon Bevirs Solicitors........................................................................................................................................................................................................www.bevirs.co.uk Callisto Green................................................................................................................................................................................................www.callistogreen.com Care UK......................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.careuk.com Cheeky Little Prints...............................................................................................................................................................................www.cheekylittleprints.co.uk Driving Miss Daisy...........................................................................................................................................................................www.drivingmissdaisyuk.co.uk Forever Living..................................................................................................................................................................................................www.suefoord.flp.com Fiona Scott Media Consultancy..........................................................................................................................................................www.mumsinmedia.co.uk Infinity Financial Solutions Ltd.........................................................................................................................................................................www.infinityfs.co.uk Loss and Grief Recovery.........................................................................................................................................................................................www.tgrm.co.uk Michelle's Flower Garden........................................................................................................................................................................................www.tgrm.co.uk Millie & Belle Jewellery..............................................................................................................................................................................www.millieandbelle.co.uk Pingthing.........................................................................................................................................................................................................www.pingthing.co.uk Pink&Green Skincare...............................................................................................................................................................www.pinkandgreenskincare.co.uk PPS Chartered Accountants..............................................................................................................................................................................www.ppsacc.co.uk Strategenic Ltd..................................................................................................................................................................www.strategicplanningforgrowth.co.uk

Everyday printing services Large format printing In-house graphic design Website design & development Call Emma to discuss your requirements Find out more at www.membership.womensbusiness.club

01600 775350

emma@wyemedia.co.uk wyemedia.co.uk

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Exhibitors | Fashion Show | Day Plan | Speakers Dragoness’ Den | Awards | Affiliates Business women from all over the UK gather for a day of business networking, exhibiting, inspiring talks and a chance to explore some of their business needs. Spend a day working on your business and not in it – you and your business deserve it!

Pittville Pump Rooms, Cheltenham 9am-5pm

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Advertise With Women’s Business Magazine The Women’s Business Magazine offers the perfect opportunity for businesses to get themselves in front of new potential customers.

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Distribution The magazine is published and distributed to a minimum of 1000 business women each quarter whilst also being published on-line reaching an electronic target audience of 7000.

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Editorial Opportunities Member advertisers can be featured in their own editorial spread. This gives them a depth of coverage that is normally only available at huge expense in other publications.

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If your ad is not available in an electronic format we can design it for a small fee.

Design & Production Charges Members

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(132mm x 198mm) (132mm x 97.5mm) (64.5mm x 97.5mm) (148mm x 210mm)

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