Name: Liz Jeffries

Businesses: Moving U 4ward

Mum to: Catherine

What is that you do, and how long have you been in business?  I am an Alexander Technique teacher.  The Alexander Technique looks at harmful postural habits which may be the cause of pain, stress and under performance. It can help in the areas of back, hip and knee pain, and generally contribute to your quality of life.  I’ve been teaching since 1996.

What did you do before you started your business and what led you to setting up? I was a Human Resources Manager at the BBC.  I had Sciatica for many years.  I went to various therapists. All were good, however an osteopath told me that my postural habits were the cause of my problem and steered me in the direction of the Alexander Technique.  That did the trick and I decided to do the training.

When did you start coming to TW MIBs and how do you benefit from it? I think it’s over a year now!  I have a practice in Tunbridge Wells on Fridays, but don’t live there and it’s great to have a readymade network of contacts.  Everyone is very supportive of each other and eager to help.  The Facebook group is great.

What have been your greatest achievements so far?  My daughter! My Alexander Technique training and practice. Always being a half glass full person rather than a half glass empty one!
 
What have been your biggest challenges and learning curves?  Coming from a large Corporation and paid employment to just me and being self employed.  Marketing and advertising and just getting out there.  When you’re on your own you really have to believe in your abilities.  Get professional help with the areas you’re not sure of or not expert in.

And how do you find balancing motherhood and a business? How does it compare to your “previous life”?  My daughter is grown up now, but it was great being able to be flexible in how I worked.  I could still go to all the important school events without worrying about taking time off.

What are your goals for the next year?  Build up my practices and make connections with different groups and companies.  Continue my exercise routine!

Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time?  With my practice going well, diversifying into group work and Alexander holidays.  Being able to find time for the other things I like to do, painting, making jewelry.

Your 5 top tips for other mums considering starting a business? 

1. Be passionate about what you do
2. Look at the competition
3. Do the finances
4. Expect it may take a while to get going
5. Enjoy it!

And finally, tell us something about yourself that we might not know  I’m a Morris dancer!

Find out more about Liz…
Moving U 4ward website  –  Twitter
 
Special offer for TW MIBs: Lessons in TW are usually £35, For TW MIBs lessons will be £30 for a maximum of three lessons, provided they are booked by end of April 2013.  Ring or email me to arrange and I’ll also post on MIB Facebook page.

Interview date: 21st February 2013

Name: Sarah Gaddie

Businesses: Jumping Beans Exercise & Movement classes, a consultant for Arbonne AND a Pilates instructor

Mum to: Molly 18, Louis 17 and Joss 14.

What is that you do, and how long have you been in business?  I started Jumping Beans 14 years ago and last year I became involved with Arbonne, a network marketing company selling high end Swiss-formulated health and wellness products that are hypo-allergenic, free from Parabens and Mineral oils, safe and beneficial.  Network marketing is a clean and efficient way of selling through word of mouth, directly from manufacturer to consumer without middle men and advertising.

What did you do before you started your business and what led you to setting up? Before children I worked in marketing in London and trained as an aerobics instructor.  When Molly was born I gave up my grown up job and taught aerobics and Post/Ante Natal exercise and have since specialised in Pilates.  I did a course in Health Related Exercise and Movement for Babies and Pre School Children and set up Jumping Beans, with another mother.  Last February I stepped back from running classes myself and started my Arbonne business.

Arbonne started in America 33 years ago but has only been in the UK for 5 years and grew 85% last year.  I wanted to get in at the beginning.   Health and Wellness is a growing industry and all I had to do is recommend products I love to others, just as I would recommend a book or a lipstick.  I had nothing to lose.  The set up cost was £54, plus the cost of some samples at a 35% discount, which I could  use for myself if it didn’t work out.   As long as people continue to shower, use make up and face products, I’m on to a winner!

When did you start coming to TW MIBs and how do you benefit from it?  I joined Tunbridge Wells MIB last June, not long after I had started my Arbonne business and I wish I had joined years ago, to help me with Jumping Beans.  The guest speakers are always interesting and it is a great way of swapping ideas for promoting your business and at the same time meeting like-minded creative and interesting women.

What have been your greatest achievements so far?  I think starting a business of your own is a huge achievement in itself.   I am really proud of my Jumping Beans business and I absolutely love teaching Pilates and helping people lead normal lives, when they may have spent months or years in pain with back problems.  I am also proud that I have started my Arbonne business.  It is a huge challenge.
 
What have been your biggest challenges and learning curves?  Arbonne has been my biggest challenge so far and takes me out of my comfort zone every day.  I love the products and it is wonderful to have a business that I can do over cups of coffee.  I give people samples to try and then tell them about the business opportunity.  Many people are sceptical and don’t understand the simplicity of the business, but I want to teach them.  It’s about turning an expense into an income and showing others how to do the same.
 
And how do you find balancing motherhood and a business? How does it compare to your “previous life”?  It is wonderful having your own business with children.  You can choose when and where you work and can fit it round school plays and pick up time.  Now my children are older they still need me to be a taxi driver in the holidays and I love being able to spend time with them.  It is sometimes difficult staying away from the computer and giving the family full attention, but better than being away from the house every day.

What are your goals for the next year?  This next year I want to grow my Arbonne business.  As a consultant if I introduce 4 consultants, who then introduce 4 more each and that is repeated 5 times I will have 1,365 consultants.  If I introduce 8 consultants in the same way this will lead to 37,449.  We are leveraging from each other’s time and earning money, even when we are not actively working by following a successful format.

Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time?  In 5 years time I would like to have built up my Arbonne business and benefitted from some of their amazing holiday incentives and moved away from the pre-school classes and children’s parties.  I am happy to keep my Pilates business just as it is, with 5 classes each week and a few one to ones.

Your 5 top tips for other mums considering starting a business?  If you are a mum and thinking of starting your own business then DO IT!  Do some research and make sure it is a service or product that people want.  Start slowly to test the water and go for it.  You could always join my Arbonne business to earn some money and help fund your idea.

And finally, tell us something about yourself that we might not know  I live on a farm in the countryside in Broad Oak Brede, but spent my teenage years in Tunbridge Wells and went to Bennett Memorial Girls School, which I hated!

Find out more about Sarah…
Jumping Beans Website  –  Arbonne Website  –  Facebook
 
Would you like to try Sarah’s products or services?  At Jumping Beans we offer a free trial at all of our classes.  Or if you would like to try the amazing Arbonne Anti Ageing skin care products, please get in touch with me.  They work!

Interview date: 3^rd January 2013

Name: Phoebe Oldrey

Business: Smartstyle Interiors

Mum to:  Lucas aged 7 and Seth aged 4

What is that you do, and how long have you been in business?  I am an Interior Designer, and have been working on residential Interiors since I set up Smartstyle Interiors In 2006.  Until this summer I have been based in North London but as a family we needed a lifestyle change so The Oldreys and Smartstyle relocated this summer to Tunbridge Wells. 

What did you do before you started your business?  I trained at KLC School of Design and graduated 10 years ago, following which I worked for Mark Humphries then Sue Symons Interiors. I set up Smartstyle Interiors in 2006. Before going into Interior Design I originally attended Drama school and was an actor.

And what led you to setting up?  I always wanted my own practice but like most women the jump came after having Lucas. When I did the childcare versus wage sum I realised I had nothing to lose by going out on my own. There have been ups and downs but I never regretted that choice.

When did you start coming to TW MIBs and how do you benefit from it? My first time will be January 2013 but everyone recommends it highly. I’m looking forward to spending time with more women who understand the challenges of running a business and raising kids, it’s an interesting balance that can only be understood by people who do it.
 
What have been your greatest achievements so far?  I love repeat business, there is no greater compliment to your work than having a client come back again and again. As well as that I have written about interiors for Glamour magazine and last year was designing at the Russian Embassy following them finding me in Yellow pages!

What have been your biggest challenges and learning curves?  The great thing about working for others is your work and wage is handed to you, by running your own business you have to pursue it and open those doors yourself. On a bad day it can be demoralising but on a good day the feeling of pride is amazing.

And how do you find balancing motherhood and a business? How does it compare to your “previous life”?  It can be very hard. Everything balances when things happen in their “Designated slots” but when I have a work day and a sick child or kid time and a business call, it can be stressful. Why do kids want to talk to you when you’re on the phone!!

What are your goals for the next year?  Moving has been like starting again.  My business goals are to get 3-5 clients and put Smartstyle on the Tunbridge Wells map. Personal goals are to get my BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) membership and continue with my CPDs (Career Practise Development.) You can never stop learning.

Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time?  I would hope to have grown the business and start hiring some staff and to have Smartstyle be recognised for our work and business ethos. For me personally, I would like to start seeing some of my interiors featured in magazines and maybe do some more writing about Interiors.

Your 5 top tips for other mums considering starting a business?  

1. Passion – I’m passionate about Design, without that I couldn’t work.
2. Time Management & Organisation – without these 2 it all falls to pieces.
3. Support –  I couldn’t work without support at home and in my career.
4. Delegation – Know your strengths, for your weakness delegate someone else, that counts in your home life as well as work. I love my cleaner and my accountant!!
5. Look up and smell the roses – I know my choice to work for myself has enabled me to raise my boys. I might not be Kelly Hoppen but I’m the one picking them up from school.

And finally, tell us something about yourself that we might not know  As I said earlier my first career was as an actress and I got Prunella Scales and Samantha Bond (aka Miss Moneypenny to Pierce Bronsnan’s Bond) to sign my equity card application form – they where the only ones who had paid their subscription!!

Find out more about Phoebe…
Website  –  Facebook  –  Twitter

Interview date – 5th January 2013