A Gift, not a means.

New Business?

2008-10-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

After the success of my first business, timbertags, I have again decided to venture into the depths of starting completely afresh.

Timbertags, which I have run for about 18 months now has taught me alot about the general running of a business. I feel the greatest of which was learning how to interact with people, may they be suppliers or customers. For my endeavours I earn anywhere between £1000-400 a month (depending on how much effort I put in) and I have one three business awards. The main pull of the business is through making eco friendly wedding tags/placenames for weddings out of recycled timber.

However, I reached a point recently where I have found that I do not think that I will be able to grow my business any further, especially due to my 5 A levels that I'm taking. I therefore decided to start another business which was less labour intensive. Using my knowledge of the wedding market I set up www.ecoweddingshop.co.uk , the theory being that there was no-where else for people to buy all their eco wedding needs in one place. I am in the process of stocking the shop with products at the moment, but I am finding it very difficult to go about marketing. Unlike timbertags, there is no real USP and I have realised that I will have to promote my new business via the press and events that I do for timbertags.

I have a few events a press stunts planned, so make sure you look out for them in the near future. I am also looking into manufacturing a biodegradable wood, but as I have learnt from many of my ideas, it takes months to turn a theory into practice.

A new year

2008-01-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

Wow, lots has happened since my last post.

For a start I have started to branch my business out, now makings lots of different products, ranging from napkin rings to wedding labels.

The wedding labels thing has taken off especially, and I'm in the process of marketing it at the moment. I've got into the kent wedding network and I did a wedding fair back in November, which gave me a good idea of what the market was like.

I have also received my grant money, allowing me to buy my hotfoiling machine, and some various other tools.

By far the biggest event however, was when I won an award at the Kent eco business awards in December for ' inspirational new eco business'

Over Christmas I fulfilled lots of orders, but the business is somewhat lower down in my priorities due to my impeding mock gcses.

Thanks for reading!

Ironically I'm off to do some business studies revision.

Transition

2007-09-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

As of early September, with the annual decline of the gardening industry, I have begun to make Wedding labels until the season starts again.
I am, at the moment trying to get into a local wedding fayre, with a little fountain for a display.
I got three good things occurred this week, firstly i am into the second round of the kent enviromental business award, secondly it has been confirmed that i am getting the £1000 grant in october, and lastly i have a pyrography iron... Ie. i can now burn names into my labels.
Heres some pictures
http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/charlieart66/
Thats all for now, i have to put up a solar panel tomorrow!

Charlie

Enviromental award

2007-07-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

Hey
I had an interview this morning with a representative from the Kent business environmental award, which [I think] went quite well, She gave me quite a few new ideas and offered lots of information.
I also finally cashed my first official cheque, that was quickly spent on yet more wood... no matter however as a phone call more or less confirmed that i am more or less going to receive a grant that will help greatly by giving me better machinery ect.
Now i will be able to potentially employ more of my friends, because i currently have quite a few orders on the go.

Next week will see me go to the big green gathering, hopefully i can sell quite a few sets there and also get in some much needed marketing. Other plans include market research, primarily for my business but also for my design and technology coursework as i am planing to use my project in my business.

You have mail.

2007-07-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

You have mail.

Bandsaw was fixed on Friday and i was able to knock up a few sets before departing to my aunties house, where i sold 4 sets to various people.
Upon returning home, i immediately began writing my letters, 7 of which are to be sent tomorrow with contents varying from single sets to full catalouge samples.
I also added a trade price section to my site, for those who want to order in bulk, but i am not sure this is such a good idea.
Until i get a response from the letters i can finally concentrate on getting my act together with my big boost grant, which should hopefully mean i can start to market and buy better tools for my business.
Wish me luck.

Here goes.

2007-06-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

hello.
My names Charlie, and this is my blog.

My business, timbertags.... well lets says thats its currently expanding rather than making money - i have many people to send letters and samples too but due to my broken bandsaw :@ not much is happening atm, And its beginning to feel overwhelming and stressful, even though its all well. maybe its just because i am ill.
Hopefully i can get some letters sent tomorow, with some samples, ( i find that few ever reply to emails) and maybe i can get some funds!

TTFN.

charlie.