Saint Francis Hospice is an independent charity and one of the largest adult hospices in the UK. Their team of specialist consultants, doctors, nurses and a range of other health and social care professionals provide care and support to individuals with a life-limiting illness, as well as their carers and family members, completely free of charge.
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This month, our ‘Interview with...’ is with Andy Furneaux from the Local Engagement Team.

At Perfect Layout Digital Marketing we like to talk to business owners to find out about their business. The aim is to learn and share with you the personal experiences of these business owners. What is working for them and what they have learned do differently.

We believe that sharing knowledge is a great way to help other businesses develop. We are passionate about promoting the awesome, creative and varied companies that exist not only in our area, but also beyond.

Read our interview here with Marc Denton a Wealth and Tax Planner at Wow based in Andover in Hampshire.

Tell us a bit about you? 
Personally, I am married and have a baby boy which has been an amazing experience. I’m a big sports fan and regular exerciser, which I love as it is a great de-stress.

​Professionally, I started my career in the fitness industry and after 10 years in the industry I was looking for a change. I ended up spending the summer at a friend’s house who was working for RBS working on property deals in London. I found it interesting and started chatting with him and then going to commercial property auctions. Meeting with investors and getting to know them enabled me to see what they were purchasing and how their finances were being structured. I then went on to become a mortgage advisor by completing the CeMAP training. This was in 2006 and then the crash came…
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I love the name Wow, do you know why the company was named this? 
The three founders of the company were college friends. They knew that accounting, tax and wealth management was always presented in a dull and confusing way. Most people switch off when you talk to them about these matters. They had a vision that it could be done differently and that it really was an amazing industry to be in. They started with a small office in Andover looking over a train line, presenting information to clients in a language that was easy to understand and this started gaining momentum in their business. Today it has a team of 30 staff, all with an ethics and principles that really help clients.

What else makes you stand out from other Financial Planners / Accountants?
Our passion for helping people become financially free. For me it’s about bringing money to life and creating passive income for my clients, they shouldn’t need to engage with a professional and end up having to do more work themselves. Anyone can read and recite technical details but having a grasp on what clients benefit from is a whole different ball game, and that’s what we pride ourselves on.

Across the company the level of service and the duty of care we give is above and beyond and we monitor this closely. We look at clients for the long term, it doesn’t work if you just continue to provide ad hoc work. Life and business is fluid and at a moment’s notice the landscape can change, we adapt the services and advice we offer in a timely fashion to suit the situation at hand.

Importantly on the financial planning side of the business we look at how to set up and monitor passive income, I like to design wealth so that it does not involve my clients having to complete extra work, more paper work or deal with additional stress, so as to add any additional time needed to make decisions as all that dramatically reduces the chance of achieving the goals because you simply become too “busy”.
 
I’ve worked, studied and been mentored by a number of millionaires ​over the last 13 years and developed a system that is really powerful for creating financial ​freedom, for some people ​that is money in the bank, and for others it's about having more time ​to spend with family and not worry about money.
 
What type of companies do you help? Give us some examples
We look for companies and business owners that are open to engaging and working together not just on the business but on their personal situation also, receiving the advice that we offer. We typically work with businesses with up to a turnover of £5 million. Any client with more than that, we would recommend to another trusted contact.

We have a large section of digital agencies which grew organically. These businesses are creative and have a lot of energy, and over time, we gained market leading expertise that helped their particular needs.

We also complete lots of self-assessment and tax work for the company directors and some sole traders.  Whilst directors are able to grasp their business financially, the challenge for them is how to grow their personal wealth at the same time.

We get a lot of referrals from estate agents, solicitors, and other accountants and we have great working relationships with these other professionals.

I also personally have a passion for helping couples who are separating. I financial mediate alongside solicitors and help them sort out their finances. The process helps them understand mortgage needs (what can they borrow individually moving forward) and cash flow forecasting for the future, along with complex pension issues. This service provides them with fantastic clarity around what their finances will look like after they split.
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Why is financial planning so important?
It’s one of those things where transparency and trust is so important, being in control of your finances is a must these days more than ever. Everyone should be looking at ways of becoming financially free, this can mean different things to different people for instance some people want money in the bank, for others they are looking to spend more time with their family. Once you have a hold on your finances you can manage the rest of your life so much easier. We help our clients look ahead to the next 5, 10 and 20 years. What is their earning potential and where will they be? Our cashflow forecaster provides is an excellent tool.

Sadly, our education system doesn’t teach us how to handle money and financial decisions. It’s life circumstances that teaches you these lessons, and sometimes these can be very painful lessons.

When you hire a financial and tax planner, how does it work?  Is it a one-off assessment or do you continue working with people on their journey?
It can be a combination. For some clients they will want a clear picture on their current financial situation. People see money coming in/out and think they are OK. In that instance we provide snapshots of where they are and where they are going, for some people that is all they want to start with.

For others they may engage with us to help them plan for the future, either looking at their pensions or investments, setting up strategies or problem solving, and it is these long term clients that benefit most from our advice.

You wouldn’t not check your insurances each year and look for the best deal on the market, yet people happily leave their investments untouched for years without checking on their performance. This mindset needs to change.
 
It is expensive to hire a Financial Advisor?
The benefits of having a good financial planner should always outweigh any costs associated with it, the client should always be in a better position or be making more from the service than the adviser, so it will never become expensive as it pays for itself.

Our work is carried in a number of ways, we can work on an hourly basis and work within the budget of the individual/company. For some people they may want some advice around tax decisions such as paying into pension vs paying a chunk off the mortgage.

If you want us to invest your money, typically the fees come from the investments themselves therefore making it performance related.

If investments are doing well everyone earns more, but if they don’t perform then we work very hard to turn things around.  It is in our interest to make sure our clients’ portfolio performs. We will have a written agreement beforehand explaining our fees and the value proposition of the work that we are doing.

Since 2006, I have advised a number of people who gone on to become financially free. This has been achieved in the financial clarity that we gave them. This provided them with the space to get on with their businesses.

What advice would you give someone unsure about their finances?
To face the initial fear and book a meeting with someone. Most financial advisors will do a fact-finding meeting free of charge and offer you a detailed explanation of their services, just be really clear on how they could help you and what you need from working together.

Also, don’t feel that you need to hire the first company you meet with. Go and meet with 3-4 companies/individuals and ask to speak with some of their clients. Get a real feel about who they are and who you feel most comfortable with. This is an important decision to get right and you are going to need to really trust them with your hard-earned money.

How does Wow find new clients?
Most of our clients come organically from the accountancy side of the business. We also get referrals from law firms, estate agents, other accountancy practices and existing clients.

I have also written for investment publications such as What Investment, Financial Advisor, and City Wire magazines, and undertaken radio interviews which helps bring clients our way.

Is there anything else that Wow offers?
Yes, I also provide mental health talks for companies in the South of England. There are a lot of financial triggers that lead to doubts and stress in people’s mind. A good friend of mine has been through the mill and started speaking about his illness.

More and more his audience was asking about financials so we got together and now have both of us speak.  We go into companies and present then discuss further with individuals, the highlight was a talk we presented to Microsoft UK a few weeks ago.

Every year at Wow we undertake a BenchPress Survey that goes out to all agency owners. It is the largest survey of UK agencies. Here they can compare their own business and track against what others are doing.


​They can see how companies are growing; how people promote the culture in their business; how cash flow is working and what their worries are.

Off the back of this, we produce additional webinars on the findings and push this across our social media channels. Our marketing department takes care all this and our dynamic website with lots of helpful articles and videos too.

What are the ambitions for Wow in the next 5 years? 
To continue to grow, it’s an ever-evolving discussion and we are engaging all employees so it’s not just a top down approach. 
 
You mentioned to me that you have some other projects too, tell me more about them?
I have two new opportunities in the pipeline.

In 2009 I started a property fund. In the last two years, I found more people are looking for more secure returns on their investments. With the recent changes in tax legislation, mortgage interest relief being pulled and the stamp duty on buy-to-lets this option is not as attractive as it once was.
I have a fund where Ltd companies and those with over £100k can invest. It is a secured fund that produces solid returns for investors.

I am also working on Liberty Investments; this is socially responsible investment platform for conscious investors. We are working with a fund manager who is one of the leading ethical managers in the country.

The platform helps investors to avoid companies that are investing in fracking, tobacco and other industries that they may not want to be affiliated with and will be open to all investors, its designed for those already making conscious choices in their life such as reducing plastic, organic foods etc.

Who inspires you?
On a daily basis, my son. I want to build a better future for him and surroundings that he can be proud of.

Around money management - Warren Buffet and Earl Nightingale. For mindset and energy - Tony Robbins, T Harv Ecker, Zig Ziglar and Alex Mandossian to name a few that your mind have heard of.

​Can you recommend any good books you have been reading?
Yes, I really enjoyed these books:
Legacy by James Kerr
Socratic Selling by Kevin Daily
Grinding it Out by Ray Kroc
Sales Mind by Helen Kensett

Thank you for a really insightful interview. It was great to get to know more about you, Wow and the projects that you are working on. Do you have any closing thoughts that you would like to share?
Here is a thought I like to remind myself of daily.
I won’t get where I need to be unless I help others get where they need to be.

With this mindset everyone wins. This is dispelling the old myths on Financial Advisors who may have been perceived to take people’s money and do what they want with it, whether it benefits the clients or not. Independent Financial Advisors can help run and manage your finances, whilst you get the education that you need to be confident to do it yourself.

If you would like to contact Marc about for finances and tax planning email him at: [email protected]
07931 295116 
Connect with Marc on LinkedIn
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If you have a business that you would like to feature in this regular slot, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you!

Every other month, Perfect Layout Digital Marketing talks to business owners to talk about their business. The aim is to learn and share with you the personal experiences of these business owners. What is working for them and what they have learned to do differently.

At Perfect Layout we believe that sharing knowledge is a great way to help other businesses develop. We are passionate about promoting the awesome, creative and varied companies that exist not only in our local area, but also beyond the Essex borders.
​
Read our interview with Sun Lee, a restaurant owner of Lime Orange that offers Korean food in London.

Tell us a bit about you? 
Lime Orange is a family business that was started by my parents. I used to help them out in the restaurant when I was at school. At 18 years old, I had to choose whether to go into the restaurant business with them or go to university. I felt that university was a good place for those seeking a particular profession, but as I wasn’t going to be heading down that path, I decided to work with my parents instead and gain my training through on-the-job experience.

How did you come up with the name Lime Orange? 
There are two reasons. At the time that my parents opened the restaurant, all the other Korean restaurants in London had Korean names. We wanted to be different. My mum had read and enjoyed the book My Lime Orange Tree, so they decided to call the restaurant Lime Orange.

Was it easy to introduce Korean food into the British market?
Yes, we were fully booked the first week our restaurant opened. Whilst there were Korean restaurants in Soho, there weren’t any around Victoria at the time. The majority of our customers are European and Chinese. We also get a lot of the pre-theatre clientele.

Do you serve traditional Korean food or is it a fusion?
We used to do Sushi and Korean, but we dropped the sushi, and decided to concentrate on our own dishes. 

What is your signature dish? 
Bibimbap – it translates to Mixed Rice. The dish has seven different vegetables, egg, rice, chilli paste, all individually marinated, so each dish is slightly different. There is a meat option for those who want that too.

How long have you been running Lime Orange? 
I have been part-managing it since 2011 but I took over the restaurant completely in 2015. Looking back, I see that by going to work with them in the restaurant they could plan for their retirement. 

How have things changed since you took over?
In the beginning I didn’t see the flaws, it was what I always knew. I was used to the working week being 6/7 days per week and up to 12 hrs per day. Eventually that got to me, so I sought ways to make a change and bring in the right staff and systems to make it run more efficiently.

How did you start making that change?
Part of the inspiration came from the book The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber. It showed me that I was a good manager and technician, however I was working too much ‘in’ the business, rather than ‘on’ the business. I was nowhere near being a business owner but rather becoming an exhausted employee. At that time, I was set on controlling all aspects of the business, despite having numerous members of staff.

A light bulb morning was when my wife went into labour. Had I not given over control to a member of staff, I could have easily missed my baby’s birth. Despite it being hard for me at the time, I called all my staff and told them that I had to leave and that I trusted them to take care of the restaurant for the night. It was then that I realised that I wasn’t always needed at every moment of the working day. 

So, I restructured the team and put the correct systems in place to support the staff. With a kitchen manager and a front of house manager I was able to let go of many of the time-consuming tasks that had to be done each day. 

From there I began creating training manuals, for all new staff members. Check lists to make sure that everything was in place. Today, it is easy to know when day-to-day tasks have been completed or are outstanding.

What makes you stand out from other Korean restaurants?
Our service is something that we focus on. The others don’t tend to focus on the service. Our food is excellent. Even Koreans who come to London often say that it is better than in Korea!

We used to use only Korean chefs but found over time that many of them had their own style, which didn’t always marry with our desired outcome for the dishes. About three years into the business we decided to train non-Koreans in our style of cooking.

I see you have Certificates of Excellence from Trip Advisor from 2016-2019. Tell me how you were awarded these? 
Trip Advisor rewards those businesses that have more than 80% positive reviews. We don’t focus on getting awards, we work on good customer service, excellent food and word of mouth. With those elements in place, the rest follows.

What are your digital marketing strategies for your business?
Influencer marketing and food bloggers on Instagram is what we are focussing on right now. We invite them in for a free meal in exchange for an honest review. Our Instagram following is now up to 1,000 followers and our revenue shot up since then.

What are your ambitions for the next 5 years? 
My plan is to expand the business. I want to bring Korean food to Europe. My plan is to have 50 locations by the end of 2029. I want to start in London, then across the UK. Once they are established, I will set up restaurants in European cities.

What advice would you give someone wanting to open up their own restaurant? 
I have three top tips.
1. Make sure you have good food. There are a lot of restaurants that don’t have great food. You could have all the other things in place, such as good customer service, décor etc, but if the food isn’t right then they won’t come back.
2. Location – this is an obvious one, but is so true. If you’re not in the right place, it could kill your business before it even gets started.
3. Marketing. People need to know you exist, especially when you are opening a restaurant. The aim is to get profitable as quickly as possible. Doing the right marketing at the beginning can make all the difference. Today we are focused on social media marketing and influencer marketing, 

What or who is your inspiration?
Right now, I am following Mac Attram, Tony Robbins and other personal development coaches. Since I jumped into personal growth for myself, it’s an area in which I ultimately want to be in. I’d like to make a change to people’s lives. My calling is supporting secondary school children in years 9, 10, 11. I feel that this is a critical age for young adults. This is the time when they need a positive influence in their life and somehow, I want to be in that space to motive and inspire them.
If you would like make a reservation at Lime Orange, go to: www.limeorange.co.uk
Orders with Deliveroo
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If you have a business that you would like to feature in this regular slot, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you!

What were you doing previously?
I studied Journalism and did my Masters in Media and Communications. My thesis was about how photography impacts how you vote. So, you can see that photography is a theme that has been running throughout my life one way or another.

I worked for a media agency up until I went on maternity leave. Prior to this, I worked at an advertising agency and my role was in accounts management.

What were your initial aspirations for Alina Clark Photography?
At the very beginning, I thought I would do business photography. Creating photos for company websites, such as physical products or plates of food for restaurants. That never really came to fruition. Instead, at that time, I was taking lots of photos of my son and realised that these photos were evoking good responses. So, I realised that there was a market for taking photos of people rather than products.
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Tell me more about the style of photography that you do?
I was always drawn towards the fly-on-the-wall style photography, witnessing events in their pure form. I explored this documentary genre for family photography. I now take photos of families in their own environment, doing everyday activities. This style of photography stands me apart from the posed family photo shoots. My genre of photography sits between the lifestyle and documentary style photos.

Describe a typical commission.
Before any photo session, I would ask my clients what they would like to remember at this stage of their family life. For example, are there any special games, or toys that they like to play or activities that they like to do This way, I know beforehand what the children like and get to know them quickly.

I give minimal direction on how to pose, instead I follow the family and I take photos of parents interacting and playing with their children. My job is to orchestrate real life moments and to steer them into playing out everyday life situations that can be captured on camera.
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For the newborn photo sessions, it’s about capturing the new family as they are in that moment in time. Capturing the family home and what it looks like - showing the emotion and reality of having a newborn baby at home. I try to capture the rawness of their new life as a family.

How long does a photo shoot last?
Up to two hours. With the newborn shoots, the time frame allows for feeding/changing the babies. A baby can also be asleep and awake during that period too.
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For the family shoots, it gives them enough time to do a variety of activities and capture them naturally.

How many photos do you take?
I probably take around 1,000 photos in a session. I am always shooting because you never know when something may happen and how and when that beautiful photos will emerge. Those in between moments, when you don’t expect something to happen, is when the magic occurs.

​How many photos do you deliver back to the client?
I usually show the client 40 images from the shoot. Within the 1,000 images there will be a lot of similar photos, and ones that don’t make the final cut.

How long does the editing take?
As you would imagine, I must look at every individual photo. The culling from 1,000 to 50-60 takes around 1.5 hours. Then the editing of those photos can take another 2 hours. It may sound like a long time, but this is because I hand edit every image to ensure that they of the highest quality and are beautifully enhanced.

How does your pricing work?
As of July 2019, I offer an all-inclusive investment of £295. This includes the consultation, photo shoot, image-editing and access to the final photos in a gallery on a secure webpage. There are no hidden costs.
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An additional paid-for feature that my website offers is an online print shop. If clients want to have physical prints, there is a facility to order what they want and get it delivered straight to them.

I bet people often ask, ‘why would I want a photographer when I have a smart phone?’ What is your response to that?
The skill doesn’t lie in the camera, but in the eye of the photographer. It’s the composition, the lighting and the framing of the photo that makes a good photo.

When you hire a photographer, you don’t only pay for them - you pay for images that last a lifetime. Professional photographs should be timeless. They will be technically correct. They will evoke emotion. Not everyone has that skill with a camera.

How do you promote your photography services?
Word of mouth is a big part of my expanding client base. I am on Facebook and Instagram, where I post regularly. I put leaflets around in the local community.

I also get involved with the local community. For example, I have done photo shoots for a local primary school, when a circus came to visit. I also did a shoot for the Reception Assembly.
I want to do more collaborations with local businesses, where we can do some cross promotion. That will be my focus for the coming months. Also, anyone running family or children-based businesses, there is an opportunity for cross promotion. I can take naturally candid photos in exchange for them promoting me.

Do you have a website?
Of course, my website is a not only a business card, but it’s the shopfront to my business. I need to have an online presence so that people can see and like the work that I do, in order to book my services. I always try to make the homepage images provoke emotions.

On my website I have a portfolio of projects that I have worked on and I have my blog that regularly has fresh content. I couldn’t have my business without all these features on my website.
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Tell me about the Project 365?
This is a personal project that I am currently working on, whereby every single day in 2019 I am taking a new photo and posting it to the website – hence Project 365. These photos on my site allow people to get to know me and get a sense of the photos that I take.

​Where do you see your business going in the next five years?
My love is still around families, maternity and newborn and the events around family life, such as  christenings, birthday parties, baby showers, holy communions with a documentary style edge to them.

I would also like to do more personal projects and shoot more creatively. For example, self-portrait projects, documentary projects and colour orientated projects.

Where do you seek inspiration?
I look at other photographer’s work, but I find there’s a fine line between inspiration and then trying to compare my work to theirs. I do look at other photographers who shoot in a different way to me, as I am curious to see how they shoot and their editing styles. These are photographers that I like that spring to mind, who I follow on Instagram:

• Michelle McKay @michellemckayphotographer
• Claire Menary @clairemenary
• Laura Elizabeth @ourkiddo  
• Meg Loeks @Meg_nlo  

So, if you’re looking for a magnificent documentary photographer, Alina can be found via:

http://alinaclark.com
[email protected]
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

If you have a business that you would like to feature in this regular slot, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you!
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So, tell us a bit about how your entrepreneurial spirit got ignited?
It first started at school. My mum had bought me a pair of shoes, which I thought were a bit plain. I mentioned to mum that I would like a prettier pair, her response was, ‘you need to work hard to get nice things’. And that got me thinking about how I could make money. At that time, I was in secondary school and I noticed that pupils were fed up with having to walk to the corner shop to get their treats, so I decided to buy sweets at a wholesaler and sell directly to the pupils. It worked, and within a short space of time I had the money to buy the shoes that I had wanted.

My next business idea came when reusable shopping bags were coming on to the market. At that time, they were all a bit plain, so I thought about finding (and selling) a reusable shopping bag that was a bit more stylish. That’s when Tiffany’s Totes was born.
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During college (in 2016), I really got into costume jewellery. The high street shops would retail many pieces around the £40 mark, but I knew that I could buy them cheaper if I researched suppliers abroad. It was then that I started following fashion bloggers and finding out what they were wearing. From there I would replicate their costume jewellery by buying the components myself and making the pieces. I would then sell them on eBay. At that time, I did dabble into fashion, but as it is such a fast paced industry, I found the trends were changing too quickly to keep up. Jewellery had longevity.

How did you decide on your product range?
I tested products by wearing them and seeing if people commented on them. Those that got attention were then purchased in bulk and sold on eBay. At this point, it was still a ‘hobby job’.

When did it become more than a hobby?
It happened when I was at university. I was beginning to have a good income (for a student) and at that time I was working at a high street shop, on a basic hourly wage. I realised that I could earn more from making my jewellery and work the hours to suit me.  I resigned from that job and put my efforts into my own business. It was during this period when I noticed the seasonality of my products and the pricing trends (costume jewellery was more expensive in the spring/summer).

In 2017, the choker that the character Harley Quinn wore, from the film Suicide Squad, became the must-have piece of jewellery for Halloween. Ahead of Halloween, I sourced the best quality supplier who could provide the fastest delivery. I wanted to ensure good customer service for not only the product but for the delivery time too.

This was another pivotal moment. Once again, I was reminded of the seasonality of my products that had peaks in summer, around Halloween and before Christmas. From January until late spring, business was quiet.

That’s when I decided to launch year-round products. I decided to make personalised gifts for babies, weddings, christenings, first birthdays and family frames. These events happen throughout the year, so would provide a more stable income. The idea came in 2017, but it didn’t get to market until 2018. During 2017, I was making prototypes and testing it on the market. In 2018, I started selling these products.

How’s business going since you first started out?
I can see month-on-month a sales growth. I also do a quarterly review of the business, to reflect upon what has been achieved and what can be improved. That helps me to address my processes and adjust them if necessary.

What plans do you have for the immediate future? 
As previously mentioned, I want to sell only on my website. I’d like this to be a full-time business and in time I would like to hire staff.

Where do you see your business going in the next five years?
I’d like to have a physical store too. Other businesses do, and so why can’t mine? I still believe that people would like the chance to ‘see’ my products before they buy.

For other people out there with creative abilities and ideas who have not yet created a business, what advice would you give to get them to get started?
You have to TRY! My parents taught me to be a big dreamer. You have to have a goal. Getting there is a matter of taking the necessary steps. Some will be easier than others. But unless you try it, you will never know. I have also been surprised by consumer reactions to products. What I thought would do well, sometimes hasn’t and things that I tried, thinking they would flop, have proved to be popular. So, you should never limit your beliefs. Be open. Push yourself out of your comfort zone.

I always believe it is best to do, or better to try something, than wonder if…

Who has been your inspiration?
My parents and successful YouTubers. I admire those people earning an income by doing what they love, like Amber Scholl.

I always keep to the front of my mind that all the big brands started out just like me. At one point they were all just somebody with an idea. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work at it.

So, if you need personalised gifts that look great, look no further than Tiffany’s Totes and keep an eye out for her other product lines in the coming months. Tiffany’s creations can be found via:
www.tiffanystotes.co.uk
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Email – [email protected]
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If you have a business that you would like to feature in this regular slot, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you!

This month’s regular bi-monthly blog feature sees Perfect Layout talking to an established business based in Romford. We believe that learning from others and how they run their business is the key to increasing one’s overall knowledge.

Even if the sector of the business isn’t like yours, it’s the management and processes employed by that company that can resonate and lead you to improving the systems that you have.

We are passionate about promoting the fantastic, successful growing companies that exist right here on our Essex doorstep.

Keep reading to find out more about this month's business under the spotlight - Crafty Arts.

Every alternate month, Perfect Layout Digital Marketing goes out to local businesses to talk about how business is. The aim is to learn and share with you the personal experiences of these business owners. What is working for them and what they have learned do differently.

Perfect Layout believes that sharing knowledge is a great way to help other business owners develop. We are passionate about promoting the awesome, creative and varied companies that exist right here on our Essex doorstep.

Read our interview with registered baker Priya Shah.

Business name - Buttercup Cakes by Priya
Owner – Priya Shah
Location – Gants Hill, Essex

Tell us a bit about you? 
I am an accountant by trade and a mum of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy. I have a passion for baking and sugar work and this has been with me since I was five years old. I used to watch my mum go to classes and at home I would then offer to help her out whenever she would let me. She made cakes as a hobby and often made cakes for friends and family helping her with both baking and sugar work.

How long have you been making cakes? 
I have been doing it for the last 5 to 6 years as a hobby; making birthday and wedding cakes for family and friends. After a night out with friends and talking about how I would love to do this as a job, I decided why not give it a go. It was in October 2017 that I became a registered baker. In the past year I have been trying to establish the business as a commercial venture, whilst still doing a full-time job. 

How is business going? 
Really well. It’s picked up much quicker than I expected it to. It started as a side project and now I am fully booked for the next two months. I now need to work out how I am going to scale the business up.

I know you make celebration cakes, cupcakes and other sweet treats. Do you have a preference?
I make novelty celebration cakes and wedding cakes. I prefer making wedding cakes because of the more intricate sugar work, personalised toppers and figurines. At the moment, I am exploring a wide range of cake styles to discover what I enjoy most.

Have you had any formal training?
Yes. I have been on various courses along the way to practise, learn and enhance my skills. Courses that I have done include flawless cake covering, creating sugar flowers and how to make lifelike figurines for cakes (focussing on moulding and colouring). It’s amazing how quickly you can hone a skill with the right tutoring.

How did you come up with your business name? 
Being in a competitive market, it was hard to come up with the right name – I’m still not sure I am there… so many bakers have taken the names that I wanted. I came up with lots of ideas that I tested with friends and family. I wanted something elegant and simple. I also liked the flower theme, because I like the sugar work with flowers. Buttercup is a pretty-sounding flower. It may still change as my company grows...who knows.

Where are your premises?
At the moment, I am doing all of it from home. Hopefully the business will grow soon to the point where I can have my own unit and be able to showcase my work. I would love a bigger kitchen and worktops from which to work from. A domestic kitchen is not quite enough. It would also be nice to separate work from home life.

Tell us about your most challenging cake…what lessons did you learn?
I recently did a scale model of a Routemaster bus, which collapsed twice. These style buses are quite narrow compared to their length. I wanted the bus to stand on its tyres, so it needed a stand that wasn’t visible. It took a while to get it just right. I had to use Dowling rods to secure it. I guess this all comes with practice. One tip I have learned from making cakes is that chocolate ganache is useful to use between sponge and icing. When this cake toppled the cake was one solid piece that simply fell onto the board – a buttercream layer may have been a different story!

​What advice would you give to other cake makers and decorators that would like to make money from their creations? 
The first cake I ever did for a paying customer didn’t turn up to pick up the cake until 6 hours after she was supposed to.

​For those 6 hours I was nervous that I had made a cake for no reason and that the time I had spent and the ingredients that I bought would have been wasted. I quickly learned the lesson to always take a deposit.

I would recommend to learn new skills regularly. Cake trends can change quickly too, so keep your skills up. Stick to what you like doing. Try not be everything to everyone, or you will end up doing work that you don’t enjoy doing as much.

Where do you see Buttercup Cakes by Priya in 5 years’ time? 
As a full-time venture. I would love to leave the day job and do this full time.

Do you have a marketing strategy? 
No, I guess that is due to the fact that I didn’t expect it to pick up so quickly.

Currently I am posting my cakes onto Facebook and Instagram and a lot of my customers are coming from there, or from referrals. However, as I want to focus more on wedding cakes, I am planning to attend fayres and showcase myself to potential clients in the near future.

How are you using social media? 
As mentioned before, I am on Facebook and Instagram and whenever I complete a project I showcase it on there. I am also on local Facebook groups for people looking for this service. It is through these posts, word-of-mouth and repeat business that I get my clients.

Your business is doing well on social media, but have you thought about growing your business with a website? 
Only to the extent that ‘yes’ I need to do one at some point. I have spent time looking at other people’s websites and I am working out which style of website I would like to have. It’s my next step.

What programmes do you watch for inspiration?
I love Extreme Cake Makers for inspiration and Bake Off because it is so entertaining​.

It’s lovely to see a company form from the very beginning. We would love to catch up with you in a year from now to see how you are doing? Can we?
Yes of course.

If you would like to see more of Priya’s cakes, you can find her on:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/buttercupcakesbypriyas
Instagram - www.instagram.com/buttercupcakesbypriya
​
You can also contact her to place an order by emailing her at – [email protected]

If you have a business that you would like to feature in this regular slot, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you! ​

Business name – Baby Bears Upminster
Owner – Hayley Worton
Location – Upminster, Essex

​Tell us a bit about you? 
When I went on maternity leave I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back to teaching full time. I had done that for 15 years and felt that it was perhaps time to do something different. I thought about running a sensory group or something along those lines. At the end of the first year after my son was born, all the mummy friends that I had met returned to work. I realised that I didn’t see them anymore. They couldn’t take their children to classes either, as they were working. My son also suddenly stopped seeing his friends. My partner Jon and I had a chat about running a weekend baby and toddler group. We have started by running it once a month, so that it doesn’t eat too much into our own family time.
 
How long have you run Baby Bears? Can you explain what happens during a session?
We started it in August 2018. We were very lucky in that many of the items we use in the playgroup were donated from a local school and the community. I have a trailer to take things back and forth. My mum makes the cakes for us and does the refreshments. Each session has different toys for the children to play with, so that there is variety each time they come - we even have puppet shows. At the end of the session we have songs, bubbles, parachute etc and we sing happy birthday to anyone who has a birthday that month. They also get a birthday card too.
 
In the new year we are introducing messy play. We are also aiming to bring in other local businesses to showcase their products and services to the parents attending. Companies that we have invited include: Painted Peppermint, Logan’s Plate and The Little Letter Company. In December, all parents will have the chance to get a free neck and shoulder massage.
 ​

Where are your premises?
It’s at St Lawrence’s Church Hall in Upminster. There are two halls in the building. We started in the smaller hall but have recently moved to the bigger one. It is more practical for the refreshments as it has its own kitchen, as well as allowing us to hold more families in each session – 25 families vs 15 families.
​
How did you come up with your business name? 
After my son, it’s his nickname.

Did you need any formal training?
Not specifically for this role, as I am a qualified EarlyYears Teacher I am transferring my skills from that to the playgroup.

A recent Facebook post shows that you are fully booked in November and many of your December places are filling up fast; so business is going well. Do people book in blocks in advance?
Yes, they book online, which secures their place. Payment is taken on the day. The price is £4.50, and it includes homemade cakes and refreshments.

It’s unusual to have weekend groups. Do you find that both parents attend? Or do you find that it’s a chance for the parent that is working during the week to do some one-to-one, baby bonding?
I get a lot of families coming altogether although there are some dads who come on their own with their children. Sometimes grandparents and aunties join in as well. I have had some parents comment that they are surprised when we say that the whole family is welcome as there are some groups that only allow one parent. We welcome everyone and we ensure that dads feel comfortable coming on their own.
 
I have also had a group of NCT parents come together too. It’s lovely so see the word spreading and new people attending.

Do you have anything special planned to celebrate the Christmas season?
We are having a Christmas Party with Father Christmas and have an elf dropping by. We are finding out how old the children are and what they are in to, so that we can buy an age-related present that the children will enjoy. The play session will be all Christmassy too. ​

Setting up a new business comes with its challenges. What would you do differently if you started over?
Storage has been the biggest issue. It would be nice to have a hall with storage. Unfortunately, the one that we are using now, doesn’t. We had to buy a trailer to take things back and forth. The trailer also needs to be stored. So, if we could do things differently it would be to get the logistics more aligned.
​
I also need to find a way to stop the repeat offenders who book and then don’t show up. I’ve noticed some people who book several slots in advance, but then don’t show up. It’s a shame as it means someone else could have used that space. We are not at the point of taking money in advance, as it’s such a small amount, but if we were bigger, it would be something I would investigate.

​What are your hopes for the business?
Continue to be fully booked for every session. I’d like to secure the bigger hall for all of 2019. I want to arrange more themed sessions. As I have done already, I would like to bring other local businesses into each session to give them some publicity. 
 
I want to add an educational slant to my sessions by adding numeracy and literacy activities. I have lots of ideas I just need to get them out of my head and action them.
 
Do you have a marketing strategy?
Not a structured and regular one, as such. I post regularly on the Baby Bears’ Facebook page and then I post out to other groups on Facebook. I am listed on Mums Guide to Romford. I also have a poster up in the Soft Play in Harold Hill. The business has grown from friends and word of mouth. A few mums have told me that they found me on Netmums.
 
I know I need to do more, but as we have strong numbers at this point, until we upscale, our marketing efforts are working.
 
Your business is doing well on social media, but have you thought about growing your business with a website?
Yes and no. I don’t think I have time to manage a website. Social media is more on the go. I don’t know how that will help me at this stage, with the business only running once per month, but when this grows there may be a need for it then.
 
If you would like to find out more about Baby Bears Upminster go to:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/babybearsupminster
You can also book places by visiting: https://bookwhen.com/
​

Interviewing local businesses is a bi-monthly ritual that the team at Perfect Layout really enjoy. It allows us to become more known in the community and learn from the experiences of other businesses. By undertaking an interview in this way, Perfect Layout believes that we are able to help our readers learn how to run their business better by taking on board the pros and cons of how a business has conducted themselves.

We hope that sharing the personal experiences of these companies will give them exposure to readers that may need their services as well as providing insights into what has worked for them and what they could do a little better…
​
This month, we interview Jennie Bardrick, Co-Owner and Co-Director of Radfield Home Care Havering & Brentwood. ​

Where do you see yourself and this business going in the next 5-10 years?
Longer term, we have big growth plans to expand beyond Havering and across Essex to help more people, and ultimately support Radfield Home Care to become a national brand with a network of passionate franchise partners.

You can find out more about Radfield Home Care by logging onto their website or by accessing them via: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

​If you have a business that you would like to feature in this regular slot, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you!

​

The summer months can often see things slowing down for many businesses. It's a chance to take some time off, perhaps get away from the usual routine and relax in a sunny location at home or abroad. It may even be a time for reflection and to see what you have done well so far this year and what you want to achieve before the year is out.  For other business owners, it’s time to roll up those sleeves and get ready for an upsurge in productivity as their services and/or products rely on tourism to bring the money in. Whatever your situation, the team at Perfect Layout hope that you are managing to squeeze in some relaxation and reflection time. 
​

We ask, what has worked for you; what is special about your business and what you offer; and what you would have done differently if you had your time over again. It really does require minimal effort, as we come to you (or talk over the phone) to conduct the interview and you get to tell all our readers about your business. Who doesn’t want some free advertising?

It’s even more important for local businesses to get exposure, as often marketing budgets are small (or non-existent). That’s what we are trying to do; to create a sense of community. We believe that sharing such valuable information can motivate and inspire others, as well as assist them in finding solutions that they might not have thought about before.
​
The team at Perfect Layout are not your typical website designers. We don’t only take instruction on how you want your website to look, build it and then leave you to it. We care about the businesses we work with and we strive to give you the best website for your business by asking relevant questions that others may not bother to query. We want to really get to know your business, understand where and how you want to grow and make sure that the website that we build for you caters for expansion.

If you are a local business owner and would like us to feature your company in our regular blog, get in touch with a member of the team today to arrange for your interview. Either call on 01708 578 015 or email us at [email protected]

Are you a local company in the Essex area that would like to connect with new customers? If the answer is yes - why not get in touch so that you can feature in our bi-monthly blog, Interview with...

​The purpose of this blog spot is for Perfect Layout to get to know local businesses better and share with our readers the personal experiences of these companies. What has worked for them and what they could do a little better…

Perfect Layout believe that sharing knowledge and experiences is a great way to help other local businesses. Attracting customers to the Essex area is paramount if independent companies are to thrive. As a result, we are keen to promote the new, bold and varied companies that exist right here on our Essex doorstep.

Read on to find out more about a talented designer that may just have that niche gift you've been looking for...​

Every other month, Perfect layout goes out into the community to talk to local businesses. The aim is share with our readers the personal experiences of these companies. What has worked for them and what they could do a little better…

Perfect Layout believe that sharing knowledge and experiences is a great way to help other local businesses. Attracting customers to the Essex area is paramount if independent companies are to thrive.

As a result, we are keen to promote the awesome, creative and varied companies that exist right here on our Essex doorstep.

Read on to find out more about a talented artist that works just around the corner…

How long have you been an artist for?
I would say about 17 years since I graduated, I’ve been doing it from day one.

Did you always want to be an artist?
Absolutely! From the age of 9 I knew. During an art class at school I drew a still life of a pot plant and my teacher said that mine was the best.

Is this your full-time job?
Yes.

What type of artwork do you produce?
Currently, I am doing large illustrations with pen and ink. Six years ago, I stopped painting and I am enjoying illustrations so much that I might not paint again for a good few years.

​What type of mediums do you work with?
Currently I am working with pen and ink. Although I’ve previously worked with paints, print making, animation but drawing seems to come up as my favourite.
 
Who buys your artwork?
People who visit my exhibitions, primarily. I currently have a gallery that help me to sell my work to a third party.
 
How can your customers find you?
Social media. I have Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter and a personal website.
 
Do you sell any of your work through your website?
No.
 
Do you think that your website is a good medium through which to sell your artwork?
Currently no.

​Have you thought about growing your business more through your website, i.e. create an e-commerce website that would allow people to peruse your work more as though they were in a shop?
Not really.

What other digital marketing do you do to sell your artwork?
I’m on a couple of on-line galleries but they’re not really selling anything.

What advice would you give to other artists trying to successfully sell their artwork?
I would say that sometimes you’ve got to wear the business hat, which I lack. You’ve got to get yourself out there and be happy about promoting what you do, which I think I need to work on.

What plans do you have for 2018? Will we be able to visit your new creations anywhere?
I am working towards a show that will be at The Havering Museum in October. During the year more, exhibitions will start to pop up and I’ll see whether or not my work is suitable to submit.

Where do you see your artwork business going in the next five years?
Hopefully, I’ll be more comfortable wearing the business hat and be happier with promoting my work. I want to be climbing that ladder of success and I want to head to the top.

​So, if you’re looking for some artwork that will add life to a bare wall, how about you check out some of Shema’s amazing creations via:

Facebook – Shema Ladva
Twitter - Shema Ladva
Instagram - shemaladvaarts
​Email -  [email protected]

If you have a business that you would like to feature in this regular slot, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you!