I stayed at the Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow over the weekend. It is currently undergoing some much needed renovations, ‘tired’ looking as someone put it, which meant there was a certain amount of disruption around the lobby, reception and bar areas. Some people might have found this annoying but I came away with a positive experience. […]
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I’m part of the Lancaster Social initiative which is an open cross sector networking opportunity and a great way to potentially improve your own knowledge base The next one is on 11th June at Lancaster & Morecambe College Business Centre from 5pm – 7pm. It’s free to pop along and there’s just a nominal charge […]
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As an experiment I’m adding the brief slideshow I used last night as a post here. It was a great event and we’d all love to see everyone again – please bring friends next time too. The evening Jane Binnion gave a great introduction and explained what we hope to achieve with Lancaster Social then […]
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I recently attended a presentation by Lancashire County Council’s Sustainable Travel Team at Lancaster & Morecambe College. While it was primarily aimed at businesses with a number of employees I was curious to see how freelancers could benefit from thinking about travel sustainability. Initially, the team said, people view what they do with resistance as […]
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I am currently helping to test through an initiative from Lancaster University, the Barter Project. The BARTER research project aims to use mobile and ubiquitous computing to raise the understanding of how fiscal localism can produce new complementary economic models to build a more sustainable society. I’ve only been using the card (as a guinea […]
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So here’s the usual ‘end of the year’ post. I am spending this week ensuring that all my client work is done so that I can take the next two weeks off with a clear conscience. Not that I will be off work totally, but I will not be doing any client work as I […]
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Well, I guess it’s inevitable that at some time or other you will succumb to illness and be unable to work. Here’s a few strategies to help … 1. Don’t hide it from your customers – especially if it’s going to be more than a few days. They deserve to know that their work may […]
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Earlier this year I joined the local ESTA (Ethical Small Traders Association) but didn’t manage to get to many meet-ups until recently. The more I talk with them the more I know I am in tune with what the group envision for our area and the future.
We aim to provide a mutually co-operative framework for local social entrepreneurs to work together on developing products and services which serve to develop the prosperity and common good of the wider community. Taken from Lancaster ESTA website.
It has been lovely to connect with like-minded people in my local area. While I don’t always ‘trade local’ I do try to support and promote local businesses wherever possible. I always aim to be ethical in my dealings with clients and suppliers.
ESTA seeks to be a model of best practice in how to run a successful, resilient, environmentally and socially responsible local business network.
As a condition of joining, members agree to improve the way their business affects environmental sustainability, community well-being and the development of everyone. Rather than being additional business burdens this can actually enhance the success of your business.
You can read about ESTA’s 4 Principles and perhaps take some, or all, on board with your bubble – even if you’re not in the Lancaster area.
If more people traded ethically then perhaps we, the small businesses, can make a huge difference.
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After around 3 years of saying “I’m going to write a book” I am finally writing the darned book.
It’s not the first subject I’d considered but it is one that is close to my heart – I’ve had so much fun building my bubble and received so much help from various people and places that I wanted to pass that on. I’d be so happy to be able to say that I helped at least one person take the leap to a life they can love.
So, this is the start of things. The very, very first draft is done. Maybe I should say it’s the alpha version of the book, I’ll be working it up to beta level over the coming weeks and then spending August creating something that I wouldn’t be ashamed to show someone. September & October will be adding the final touches to make the book awesome ready for the launch in November 2013.
Why November? Because November is my business birthday month and this year Bay Web Designs will be 5 years old. I will be eating cake and blowing bubbles to celebrate.
Some considerations at the moment are whether to release myself or find a publisher and also whether to release a ‘dead tree’ version along with an ebook.
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So here it is…
A few years ago, via the wonders of Twitter, I met Colin the Radio Cartoonist. We meet for geeky & fun lunches (together with Pam) and chat on Twitter.
I have finally got round to asking him to draw a cartoon for me (of me) that I can use on my website & also in the book I am writing. I am writing honest Tracy.
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Eva, The Enterprise Vision Awards have been created to specifically recognise those ladies in The North West who are inspiring others by successfully running their own businesses or are at the forefront of their profession.
This will be the third year the EVA Awards have been held. Coral & Rae from Pink Link Ladies put a lot of effort into creating a great event and promoting women in business.
Want to enter or nominate someone?
Want to know more about the event or buy tickets?
Help celebrate business women in the north-west
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One big problem as a freelance web designer is that, for a lot of my work, I have to be sat at my computer. I’m always trying to find a way to get my body moving a little so here’s some of my suggestions…
1. Put on a favourite song and dance around your workspace. Most songs are around 3 – 5 minutes and if you’re clever you’ll pick something energetic that will get the blood pumping.
2. You’ll have to go to that bathroom at least once a day. Run up those stairs, run down and then run back up again. Once you’ve made your visit run back down, up again and then down again.
3. Making a coffee? Dance or jog on the spot on do some stretches. I’ve put my small step machine infront of the table where my coffee machine resides. While it’s making my coffee I try and see how many steps I can make before it’s finished.
I was going to say ‘go for a walk around the block just after/before lunch’ but then I saw the weather outside. When did May become the new October?
Staying healthy is necessary when you run your own business. Exercise is important.
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Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments.
