1. What’s your niche? Is your idea for a business unique and different to others in your area? You can do better if you pick something different.
2. 2.       Is there a market for the business? Do some research with people in your target audience about what their needs are, what they will pay etc.
3. 3.       Can you make it pay? Cost your idea up in as much detail as you can – and remember to cost in your time. 
4. Do you have passion for your business idea? Starting a business can be hard. If you pick an idea that you are passionate about you’ll be able to keep going through the hard times.
5. What is your business model? Will you focus on selling products, will you be recruiting others and managing a team, are you exchanging time for money? Pick a business model that is based on your strengths.
6. Seize Opportunities! After all this planning and research, remember to keep your eyes open for opportunities as some of the strongest businesses have started just because someone saw an opportunity and went for it.

Want to learn more about choosing a business idea? Visit ‘Help! I need a Business Idea’ in the Mumpreneur Shop.

The brainchild of Mums, Kerri Lister from Surrey and Amanda Waring from Nottingham, who both have products in the nursery industry, forged their business relationship initially via Twitter and have become firm friends in the process, after meeting up at the 2010 MumpreneurUK  conference.

‘We have both experienced the highs and lows of introducing new products to market and came up with the idea of selling new and innovation parent inspired products via parents themselves.’  says Kerri; who recently won the 2011 Mums and Working Award,  “Self Employed Parent of the Year” with her business and she also runs the Surrey Business Mums networking group.

‘We also wanted to offer a business opportunity for the thousands of parents in the UK who would like to work on a flexible and part-time basis and realised that parents selling products they believe in, to other parents could really work’ says Amanda, who also owns  MamaJewels.co.uk and runs Nottinghamshire Mumsclub networking group.

Mama to Me have now established relationships with many of the top parent inspired and innovated nursery industry products and are selling via carefully trained area managers, selling products they use and love. Not only does Mama to Me offer the opportunity for Mums and Dads to work around their children, it offers those parents who have designed a solution to a problem another route to market!

Mama to Me is now accepting new area managers and applications can be completed online

For more information on becoming a Manager or if you are a parent inventor please get in touch at www.MamatoMe.co.uk

Do you think “I’d love to run a business?”

Do you see other people running a business and think “I’d like to be in control of my earnings and working hours?”

Do you want the FAST TRACK to knowing which business idea will SUCCEED for you?

Buy Help! I need a Business Idea.

It will help you pick a killer business idea and make it work.You’ll learn valuable lessons to help you start a business.

What’s in the course?

Help! I need a Business Idea  is an 8 week eCourse, with a couple of lessons every week sent straight to your inbox. Read the lesson, watch the videos, complete the exercises and you will soon be clear about which business is right for you, and how you can succeed.

Buy Help! I need a Business Idea today, and you’ll get access to:

* 4 hrs video training
* An Introduction to different types of business
* Useful PDF worksheets

You’ll learn key business skills including:
* How to research your idea
* How to assess your ideas
* How to pick your strongest idea

Plus, you’ll get access to the
* ACE Toolbox, packed with useful resources.

Who should join the course?

This course is for you if you’re a business beginner who wants to be sure that they start out with the BEST business idea. If you have tried to start a business and failed, or if you’re hesitating to start because of lack of confidence, this course will help you be sure that you are on the RIGHT path.

Who shouldn’t join?

Don’t join this course if you already have a clear and successful business idea and are sure that it will succeed. And if you’re a paid up member of Become a Mumpreneur, you get access to the course materials as part of your membership.

Why join today?

This course is a great investment and could be the first step to running your own business. If you want to choose the hours you work, to follow your passion and be a successful business owner, don’t hesitate, Take this first step to your own successful business. Picking the right idea will get you on the fast track to business success and this course will show you how.

Follow Help! I need a Business Idea and you’ll be ready to finally achieve all you’re meant to.

AND, for the first 100 people to buy, Help! I need a Business Idea will only cost £47. This launch price saves you 33% on the full price. If you feel unsure about what business to start, if you want the clarity that will enable you to start and succeed in business, invest in this course today. Can you afford not to try it?

Click here to Join TODAY

Getting started

First, get feedback from people about your potential product. Find out how often they might buy it, and how much they would pay. Ask as many people as possible and write down what they say.

Work out how much your product will cost. Factor in materials, equipment, and an hourly rate for your time. It is easy to under price crafts and handmade items, and you don’t want to find that you are selling lots, but making a loss.

Check the regulations. Ask trading standards what laws you might have to comply with. You may need to have your kitchen inspected if you are making food. Laws are stricter on items such as nightwear and products for children. Get a quote for insurance: however small your business you will need public liability insurance in case someone suffers damage from one of your products.

Think about how you will reach out to enough people. Make a schedule of shows you might like to attend, find out the cost of a stall, and work out how many items you will need to make to have a good display. Look at setting up a website to allow you to sell your products 24-7 to people across the UK, or join an online craft marketplace like www.etsy.com.

Other ideas for crafty businesses:

Cooking

• Jams and pickles
• Birthday cakes
• Catering for parties
• Frozen home cooked meals Ethnic specialities

Knitting or sewing

• Soft toys or dolls clothes
• Clothes
• Alterations

Painting

Pottery

Photography

Jewellery making

Selling craft supplies

Soap making

Candlemaking

Woodwork or Leatherwork

Model making

Tiedying and batik

Want more business ideas for mums?

“Every mum who ever dreamt of setting up her own business needs this book! Enter your very own Fairy God Mother in the shape of Mumpreneur and PR guru, Antonia Chitty. Antonia expertly holds your hand and leads you through the adventure of creating your new business. From writing your business plan, managing your finances to making the most of the web and planning childcare, Antonia is there every step of the way. I especially liked the useful exercises and worksheets ~ instead of just reading about it, this is a motivational tool to help you take action. You CAN be your own boss, you CAN create a perfect balance between work and family, you CAN be in control, and you CAN go to the ball.”

If you ever wanted to be your own boss – here’s the book you need to get started!

‘The Mumpreneur Guide’ is packed with friendly advice and guidance on starting a successful business at a low cost. It will give YOU the essential information you need to take your from business beginner to successful entrepreneur. Get exclusive access to this book full of articles and guidance written by Antonia Chitty with contributions from business experts including Emma Wimhurst, Mel McGee, Roberta Jerram and Alison Rothwell. Read tips and ideas for helping YOU start your business and make the most of innovative strategies to help you create a family friendly and successful enterprise.

Find out more: www.themumpreneurguide.co.uk/

“In writing The Mumpreneur Guide, Antonia Chitty has brought together relevant and useful information from a variety of sources including legal information and actual mum case studies, to form a practical workbook.”

If the kids are back at school, here’s the perfect time to concentrate on finding a job which suits your lifestyle.  And there’s lots of help out there, including Antonia’s book, The Mumpreneur Guide.

What’s in ‘The Mumpreneur Guide’?

You can be sure that this book will help whether you are wondering about starting a business or have a definite business idea. Claim your copy NOW to find out:

• 4 types of business that work well when you are a parent
• 33 great business ideas and how to make them succeed when you have a family.
• 7 indispensible resources to get your business off to a great start.
• The 12 essentials of business planning. Plus a step by step guide to create your plan

Plus you’ll learn:

• 7 simple ways to find customers.
• The 19 ‘must haves’ for any website.
• 9 great ways to raise your business profile online.
• 7 essentials to help you get to grips with business finance basics.
• 5 key elements of getting a great work life bala nce.
• 10 ways to grow your business and take it to the next level.

And you’ll receive:

• 12 practical exercises to help you take action in YOUR business
• 42 inspiring case studies of mums and dads with great businesses

Find out more: www.themumpreneurguide.co.uk/

• No set hours,you work when you want to work,you can work as little or as much as you want to
• No particular skills required,however being able to work on your own initiative and a friendly smile will help
• Usborne was established in 1981
• Usborne offers 24% commission on everything you sell,no monthly targets,free books for your own family,travel incentives,a annual usborne gala awards dinner and business conference,a chance to make new friends and meet new people
• The initial start cost is 38.00 for the starter kit
• There are no on going monthly costs
• No yearly costs
• Additional training is offered in the form of training workshops
• Lots of support offered,work as a part of a close knit team,free mentoring service,other organisers in your team along with your team and group leaders always on hand to offer support and advice, access to a facebook forum

tanya potterton

tlypotterton@yahoo.co.uk

07779529304

For more information, please email me at jennifer_mager_bell@msn.com.  I can’t wait to have you join my team and help style the ladies of the UK.

“Every mum who ever dreamt of setting up her own business needs this book! Enter your very own Fairy God Mother in the shape of Mumpreneur and PR guru, Antonia Chitty. Antonia expertly holds your hand and leads you through the adventure of creating your new business. From writing your business plan, managing your finances to making the most of the web and planning childcare, Antonia is there every step of the way. I especially liked the useful exercises and worksheets ~ instead of just reading about it, this is a motivational tool to help you take action. You CAN be your own boss, you CAN create a perfect balance between work and family, you CAN be in control, and you CAN go to the ball.”

If you ever wanted to be your own boss – here’s the book you need to get started!

‘The Mumpreneur Guide’ is packed with friendly advice and guidance on starting a successful business at a low cost. It will give YOU the essential information you need to take your from business beginner to successful entrepreneur. Get exclusive access to this book full of articles and guidance written by Antonia Chitty with contributions from business experts including Emma Wimhurst, Mel McGee, Roberta Jerram and Alison Rothwell. Read tips and ideas for helping YOU start your business and make the most of innovative strategies to help you create a family friendly and successful enterprise.

Find out more: www.themumpreneurguide.co.uk/

The Band Project

Description of the business that someone could buy into:

The Band Project is an exciting and unique Band and Live Performance based music program designed to inspire children aged 8 – 16 about playing and performing music. Through The Band Project Juniors for 8 – 10 year olds students get a chance to experience different musical instruments, different styles of music, musical games and a basic introduction to playing in a group. For the older students, 11 – 16, The Band Project is a chance to play music they love, meet new friends, learn the skills needed to play in a band and to be inspired to play music.

The Band Project Referral campaign has been designed to offer Mum’s a great second strand of income sourcing students for up to 5 weeks of Summer Schools in July and August with weekly classes launching in September.

Hours you might need to work to make it succeed:

There is no fixed length of hours. Time put in will be decided by the catchment area for your location – the bigger the area the more time it will take, the network of other Mums you know, relationships with schools, local organisations etc you may have and so on. It will involve working some weekends eg if you are handing out flyers Saturdays, when children and parents are both out, are the best day. The great thing about The Referral Campaign is that it is easy to mould the time needed to promote around other commitments.

Skills that will help you make this business work:

You need to be fun, pro active, energetic, committed and ambitious. The initial focus of The Band Project Referral Campaign is the Summer but we want Mums who want to see their area grow and develop with multiple bands and who are looking at surrounding areas to launch new classes. You need to have good people skills both face to face and on the telephone, to be well organised, a basic understanding of Social Media and it’s use for promoting is a plus but most of all good use of initiative to see an opportunity to promote The Band Project and to be able to seize on it.

All Mums must be CRB checked, if you don’t have one we can help you apply for one through an outside body.

Tell me the facts

Date Established: May 2009

What You Offer: Referral Marketing – £35 referral fee for every student introduced

Initial Start up Costs: £97

Ongoing monthly costs: No fixed monthly costs but extra promotional material is available, and recommended e.g. 5000 A5 flyers full color both sides at a cost of £135

Annual costs: There are no annual costs such as renewal of Licenses etc

Training offered: How To Market The Band Project Handbook, in PDF format, covering the strategies that have been used in the past to get great results launching Band Project classes, a staff training meeting with The Band Project founder Chris Mountford to go over the Health and Safety and Child Protection Policies and to answer any questions, float ideas for promotion etc that Mums may have to help ensure the best possible results this Summer.

Support offered: E-mail and telephone support for Mum’s direct from Chris Mountford 9am – 9pm. Over the course of the next 12 months The Band Project will also be arranging marketing, social media and business orientated seminars and e-booklets with and from industry professionals to help our team of Mums to turn their areas into highly successful, exciting and lucrative strands of income.

How to find out more:

Telephone: 07771 456 955

Email: info@thebandproject.co.uk

Website: www.thebandprojectreferrals.co.uk and www.thebandproject.co.uk