Business

Part of the Start a Business programme (see earlier posts) is free design of a logo for your new business.
I took up the offer and have now got a logo, designed by a local printing company. And, of course, I've got my business cards and letterheads from him as well.
If the majority of people going through the SABp get printing done as well as logos designed, it's well worth his while making the 'free' offer!

A website is also included for less than £50 - well, £48.93 to be exact. It's supplied by a different company and the price includes purchase of the domain name. The website is pretty basic, but still a bargain.
I don't expect to get any business through the site, but having www.------.co.uk on your stationery gives you added credibility....

The photo? A small fishing boat rounding Ramore Head at Portrush.

Destiny?

My recent redundancy wasn't my first.

Many years ago I was assistant manager of the local branch of a national company, which also had branches in Ballymena and Derry. Where I worked was the smallest of the three and when the company decided on cutbacks, the smallest branch was the one to close.
All the office based staff were made redundant.
I was actually offered the job of manager in Derry, but decided against it because I had found another job.

I became a local agent with an insurance company. I had never had any interest in insurance and didn't ever imagine I would do this type of job.

I have worked in financial services since then...my destiny?

My recent redundancy could have been an opportunity for change. But, what to do in the current financial climate?

So the new business inevitably involves insurance.
People and businesses need insurance, even during a recession.

Snowfall

At last we have had some snow!
The rest of the country seems to have disappeared under a layer of the stuff but, until to-day, there were only a few light showers around here.
Not that there has been very much now either. My flowers aren't very big but they managed to rise above it.

Seems my visit to Aylesbury will happen to-morrow. Both Belfast and Luton airports are working normally and there aren't any problems on the roads either.
I'm delighted everything's OK, because it means to-morrow is the first day of my new business venture.
My redundancy situation ended with me being given four weeks notice - which finished on Friday. I suppose it could really be considered "garden leave", as I got paid, but didn't have to work.

Anyway, I'm now free to pursue other opportunities.

Start a Business

Back in December, after I knew I was going to be made redundant, I began thinking about being self-employed - starting a business.

Invest NI are keen to see new businesses start up. So they run the Start a Business programme. This is delivered, free of charge, by a network of enterprise agencies across Northern Ireland.

I approached my local agency - Causeway - and found that the next course started on 20th January.
The course runs over a four week period on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30 until 9.00 approximately.
Each module looks at a different aspect of starting a business and the whole thing comes together at the end, with the creation of a Business Plan for your individual circumstances.

Of course, I've got everything back to front. My business plan was drawn up in December.
I needed it then and couldn't wait to follow the proper sequence of events.

The programme is ideal for someone who knows what they would like to do, but isn't sure how to go about it.
In my case, I know exactly what I am going to do and how it will be done. But I still benefit - some modules being more relevant than others.

And there are the networking opportunities...

Chaos

It's amazing the chaos that ensues when some snow falls in either Britain or Ireland.
Airports closed, buses and trains not running, roads closed. Millions of people take a day off work.
The 24 hour news channels elevate the whole thing into a national disaster. If they are to be believed, some firms will go out of business as a result of a snowfall.
Recession certainly causes businesses to fail, but any business would have to be in a very precarious position if it is to be tipped over the edge by snow.


I'm glad it all happened this week, not next. On Monday 9th, I'm flying into Luton Airport - which was closed yesterday.

Memories

A few weeks ago I noticed a planning application in the local paper. Someone was applying to have this building, in Portrush, replaced with apartments.

I lived here a long time ago. As a student, I spent two years in the flat shown below. The living room was behind the two right hand windows, while the one on the left was for a bedroom. The kitchen, bathroom and another bedroom were at the back.



At that time the shop was Graham's Record Shop. I wasn't exactly passionate about Country and Western music when I came here. By the time I left, I absolutely hated it.
The Irish version of C&W was the only music played. And at maximum volume.