Tag: business

4 Things To Consider Before Starting A Business

By on 2nd October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

The North East business sector is a thriving landscape at the moment. We’ve all got big ideas and bigger ambition, but starting your own business isn’t always easy. It can be extremely challenging, but also very rewarding.

So before you set up shop, here are four things to consider…

 

1. Are You Financially Secure?

Things don’t always pan out as intended, and a Plan B is nothing less than a necessity. What happens if things go wrong? Do you have something to fall back on? Are you putting all your eggs in one basket?

If it’s possible to do so, consider setting up your business while you’re still employed. If things take off, then consider moving over to it full-time.

2. Are You Doing Something You Love?

Owning a business isn’t your usual 9 to 5 job. You’ll be putting in hours of work and incredible amounts of energy, so it had better be something you’re passionate about. If it isn’t, then don’t be surprised when your motivation begins to dwindle.

Devote your efforts to something you really care about.

3. Do You Have A Business Plan?

Diving headfirst into a new business unprepared is one of the worst things you could do, but that doesn’t stop people doing it. You probably wouldn’t be surprised by what happens to most businesses that opt for such a strategy.

You don’t need an enormous 200 page business plan to begin with, but you do need a defined direction and strong idea of where you want to be in a year’s time. Focus on the basics, set yourself clear targets, and make sure you achieve them on a time scale that works for you.

4. Is There A Market For Your Product?

Before you even think about spending money on supplies, staff, premises, or anything at all, you need to think really hard about what the chances are of your business being successful. Who are your customers? Who are your competitors? Does anybody out there really want what you’re selling?

Do yourself a favour and investigate the market. Browse the internet, social media, and see what people are talking about. You may well have identified a gap in the market, but maybe the gap is there for a reason.

Have you launched your own business? Are you thinking about it? Leave a comment below!

Two New Appointments At Lumley Castle Hotel

By on 30th September 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

One of the North East’s leading luxury hotels has strengthened its team with two new appointments.

Lumley Castle Hotel, Chester-le-Street, has welcomed Ashley Small to the position of Meeting and Events Manager, and Adele Lockey to the role of Meetings and Events Coordinator.

Ashley, 30, from Gosforth, Newcastle, brings more than 10 years experience in the hotel and event industries to the role, having held key sales positions with both Marriott and Holiday Inn.

She joins four-star Lumley Castle Hotel from Newcastle-based hotel booking agency Accommodations UK, where she looked after the Conference and Exhibition departments.

As well as consolidating 73-bedroom Lumley Castle Hotel’s reputation as one of the region’s favourite wedding and event venues, Ashley will be tasked with raising its profile within the business and leisure communities both regionally and nationally.

She will be supported in her role by Adele, 31, from Consett, who also has strong sales background having worked at De Vere Slaley Hall Hotel and, latterly, at Allout Adventures; an activity centre based in the Hexham hotel’s grounds.

“I am delighted to welcome both Ashley and Adele to the Lumley Castle Hotel team,” said General Manager, Christine Gott

“The hotel is unique in terms of the style and variety of its event spaces, which is why it is such a popular destination for everything from weddings and parties to conferences, gala dinners and meetings.

“I am confident that, not only will Ashley and Adele be able to consolidate its existing client base, but also expand it, by introducing the hotel to a whole new audience.”

For more information call 0191 389 1111 or visit www.lumleycastle.com.

Jak Inc MD Receives Goldman Sachs Award

By on 29th September 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

Managing Director of design & marketing agency Jak Inc, Andrew Knowles, has been awarded the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Award, following his involvement with the global investment banking firm’s entrepreneurial initiative.

 

Jak Inc, based on Station Road in Chester-le-Street, specialise in boosting the profiles of other small businesses, organisations, and events. Comprising a marketing agency and a print supplier, they are known for high-quality marketing campaigns, web design, and print products.

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to education, capital, and business support services.

Andrew says, “I was extremely pleased to be accepted into the programme. It’s given me immense practical education, and the business support that every business leader needs to create opportunities.”

He goes on, “The programme arrived at a perfect time for Jak Inc, as I had just been made Managing Director, and I needed the extra support to take the business to the next level.”

 

Jak Inc is currently in its tenth year of operation, and is currently undergoing a period of expansion and great success. Making use of the Business Growth Plan developed under the supervision of the Goldman Sachs initiative, Andrew is taking the company from strength to strength.

“The award will take pride of place in my office, alongside the 32-page business plan. All of us in the company are aware of our shared vision, and we look forward to our future here with great anticipation.”

Recent Jak Inc work includes campaigns for a number of national charitable organisations, along with a great deal of local businesses in the North East region. You can keep up to date with their work by following the Jak Inc Blog, or visit their website for contact details.

Get To Know: Cloudy2Clear Windows

By on 15th September 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows…

 

The company, which specialises in repairing windows that are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes, has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services.

Managing Director Tony Telford feels that it’s all about service. “Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up, we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee.”

He goes on, “It’s not just about saving people money, although that helps. Many tradespeople have struggled since last year, and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires, and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service, which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.”

Cloudy2Clear service the Durham, Sunderland and Washington areas, and Tony is finding that his approach is a major factor in his success. “The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job, but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.”

If your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged, give Tony a call for a free quotation on 0800 6121118.

Jak Inc: Introducing Our £500 Small Business Grants

By on 8th September 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

 

According to the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills, as many as two million sole-traders and small companies missed out on £1.5bn sales in a single weekend last year. But yet, online retailers had their best year ever, as consumers spent £1 in every £4 online.

Jak Inc want to redress this balance by helping SMEs start selling online. We’re pledging £50,000 of web development grants for up to one hundred North East startups and small businesses.

To applicants, we’re offering a free one hour consultation, and a £500 grant towards the development of a Jak Inc e-commerce web shop. Only 100 places are available, and when they’re gone, they’re gone.

Managing Director Andy Knowles says:

“We’re offering the Small Business Grant because we want to give small businesses an opportunity to globalise their brands. We’ve always championed the benefits of taking business online, and now we’re able to make those benefits achievable for everybody.

From our wealth of experience in digital marketing, we know just how big a difference an effective digital presence can make, so we’re keen to share that knowledge. It’ll be amazing to tell the stories of how we helped some really fantastic businesses reach their full potential.

I always sign off my own blog posts with the phrase ‘anything is possible’, and with the introduction of our Small Business Grant, it’s truer now than ever before.”

So if you’d like to take part in our Digital Revolution, book your consultation today! For more information, send an email to hello@jakinc.uk, or call us on 0191 3882 698.

Our Ts and Cs are as simple as can be:

  • Grant can only be used towards a Jak Inc e-commerce shop, or a website using an e-commerce element.
  • Maximum amount that can be attained is £500.
  • Maximum of one grant per customer.
  • Managing Director’s decision is final.
  • Grant offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

For more info on the exciting products, services, and opportunities that Jak Inc offer, subscribe to their blog!

You’ll get all of their latest news direct to your inbox, plus industry insider tips and tricks for everything marketing, design, and social media.

Plus, they’re on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Follow them!

 

ADVERTISERS