Late for a conference

I realised today how important good time management is when it comes to trips out of the office. I had a very early morning conference to attend, at a networking event which would be full of other local business owners whom I was keen to make a good impression upon. I didn't leave myself enough time considering I would also need to find somewhere to park when I got to my final destination. As I realised I was lucky not to get caught speeding on my way rushing to the conference, I reminded myself that in fact committing a driving offence is much more serious that a minor lateness!

Looking for a business broadband package

I hadn't envisioned getting a business broadband package was going to be quite as challenging as it has been. I spent a good 90 minutes of my time on the phone to various companies. Half the problem is communicating with the call centre staff and getting through to the right people in the first place, and also speaking to staff who know nothing about running a business or their own company's packages.


I eventually stuck with O2 as I use them for my home broadband. I was told it would take 2 weeks (1 week after the office rental charges start!) but have received confirmation today that it will in fact take them 24 days to set it up. All this and a stonking £67 connection charge. I am now desperately looking for a suitable dongle in the meantime that won't cost a fortune so that we can at least use the office!

A new office

I have found a new full time, private office to rent this week. I am filled with excitement and fear at the same time. I have been to sign the contract and have been allowed in to the office a week early, withou having to pay any extra rent. I found my office by carrying out a targetted search on Right Move

In theory the new office will save me money on parking, give me alot greater flexibility, a better work life balance and the space to grow the business starting with an intern. There are lots of positive reasons for having the office, but at the moment I am losing sleep of it as I am petrified it's going to bankrupt me. Things have already been challenging, starting with the Business broadband which I will cover in another post!

Using a Co-Working Space

The most recent change to the way I work has been to start using a co-working space. I have initially started off at 1 day per week, but from next month I will be using the space 3 days a week. The benefits of using a co-working space as a start-up business are huge. It's much cheaper than renting an office space in the city. 

• No over heads - use the co-working space's shared electricity, water, and Wi-Fi
• Flexibilty - contracts start from just one day and up to one month
• Networking - meet other entrepreneurs and freelancers, who can bring new ideas and business
• Sociability - feel a part of something whilst working for yourself. 
• Use of meeting rooms for clients

As I start to use the co-working space more regularly, I am certain that I will find even more benefits to it over choosing a costly lease. 

Working with Freelancers

I have recently started delegating some of my work to freelancers. I take on a lot of projects, which previously I had managed myself. But now that I have developed a reputation and skill range that allows me to command a higher hourly rate, I can afford to pay other people to help me out and therefore take on more work.

I deal with all my freelancers by email only, and the occasional coffee meeting if there's anything to run through. I pay them all weekly through my business bank account by BACs payment. I've made a standard contract that I send to all the freelancers. It makes the operation look more professional and sets expectations from the very beginning. I feel like one of the most exciting milestones in starting a new business for me was being able to take on other people and offer them work.

It's lonely in business

Yes it's still glum Saturday (just) can you tell?! Just a quick thing that has come up tonight at the pub and reminded me of the past few months - friends and acquaintances don't seem to ask about what they don't understand. I am so excited about the way my business is developing, and would love to talk about it, but when I mention things it's almost a conversation stopper. My friends don't really get my job, or where I'm going with it - as they are so far detached from the idea of setting up a business that I guess they just aren't really interested. Another reason I should get to a business networking event, and battle my nerves.

Glum Saturday

It's Saturday, I'm working, again, in between doing the laundry. This is not a fun combination. Although I genuinely enjoy my work, which is why I'm turning it in to a business, I do feel a bit glum sometimes when I realise I haven't allowed myself a day off. I'm thinking about tomorrow and the propspect of sitting at the same desk doing the same thing again on what is supposed to be my weekend. I can't wait to get some proper office space and plan my schedule so this doesn't happen so much any more. Thank goodness for coffee and chocolate.