Meet the Customer: Sugamamas Cupcakes

by: Hannah

October 29th, 2010

A Sugamamas Cupcake!

What better way to cheer you up on a chilly winter morning than with cupcakes?!

Zoe Ventress runs Sugamamas Cupcakes Ltd, hand baking cupcakes to order for delivery. From delicious Mocha cupcakes (for grown-ups!) to the Cupcake of the Month – lemon sponge with lemon buttercream, Sugamamas certainly have a great range to choose from.

As a truly family business, chief baker Zoe runs Sugamamas with her business and life partner Ricardo, who has the jammy job of being Cake Taste Tester, occasionally helped by their little boy, Kieran!

Zoe’s plans for the future involve developing and expanding the business through Cupcake Parties, establishing a Sugamamas Coffee Shop – and of course a lot more cake!

See what cupcakes are on offer at www.sugamamascupcakes.co.uk or call 07580 205267.

What does your company do?
Sugamamas bake homemade cupcakes, giant cupcakes and celebration cakes for any occasion, all cakes are baked to order so they are completely fresh.

What makes your business different?
We will be donating a percentage of our profits to a local charity, final details are still to be confirmed, but we want to give something back to the local charities as they don’t always necessarily get the help that the bigger charities receive. Details will be confirmed soon and uploaded onto the website.

You will always deal with me or Ricardo directly and this is something I never want to change. In 2011 we’ll also be available for Cupcake Parties!

The Chief Baker and the Cake Taste Tester

What inspired you to start this business?
Since having my little boy, we are unable to go out and socialise as much as we used to so I found a hobby which was cake baking. I started taking my cakes to friends and work colleagues who kept telling me how yummy they were and telling me I should sell them, so in a spontaneous moment I set up Sugamamas and I love it!

How are you funding your business?
The business is being funded with my own funds from working full time, it’s difficult but it will be worth it.

Do you have any staff or partners in your business?
My business partner Ricardo is also my ‘life’ partner (as cheesy as it sounds), Ricardo does not get involved with the baking, however he is my rock & support, and of course my Cake Taste Tester, I trust him to give me honest opinions. He is someone I can run ideas past and he also helps progress the ideas forward.

Where do you see your business in 3 years?
… I see Sugamamas Cupcakes Coffee House – The dream!

What characteristics do you have that will help you make your business a success?
Passion and dedication, I’m finally doing something I enjoy doing! I get great satisfaction when people enjoy my cakes, I get to be creative. I am an easy going, friendly person and with Sugamamas being such a customer focussed business it’s perfect for me.

www.sugamamascupcakes.co.uk has lots more examples of their wonderful cupcakes

What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business?
I am under no illusion that there is much more to learn, I will be going on various workshops to learn advanced sugar craft skills, learn how to make detailed flowers and more.

Are there any brands, companies or personalities that you most admire or aspire to?
LOLA’S Kitchen is absolutely amazing, I love the way they present everything and of course they have a cupcake coffee bar which is my dream.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?
I think one of the biggest challenges for me if the fact I am a mum who works full time, therefore the challenge will be finding the fine balance between the different roles, my job and Sugamamas. Our little boy always comes first and at the moment I still need to work to do my bit in supporting our family and funding Sugamamas Cupcakes.

Is being a business owner how you expected it to be, or have you had any surprises along the way?
I have to say I am one of these people who looks into absolutely everything before going ahead. I have always been this way, my friends sometimes call me ‘Monica from Friends’ as I am such a perfectionist (I am unsure whether this is a compliment!) so at the moment everything is what I expected, there is still time for this to change and I am sure I will get a few surprises along the journey.

There is so much support out there for new businesses and the internet has so much information, I am sure I will find the support I need.

A special delivery from Sugamamas Cupcakes!

What is your main goal for your company?
My main goals are to keep the personal touch and for Sugamamas to become a recognised brand, I always want to ensure that every customer is over the moon so that they hopefully refer us and become repeat customers. Our goal will also be to support charity events where we can to help raise funds.

Do you have any advice for people thinking of starting their own business?
If it is something you want to do and you have researched well, then go for it. There is a great support network out there so use it. If you are going to go for it I really do wish you the best of luck.

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Meet the Customers: Cheeky Tinkers Childcare

by: Hannah

October 8th, 2010

Cheeky Tinkers Childcare offer immediate childcare consultation and advice as well as long-term nanny support for parents.

Cheeky Tinkers Childcare really are super nannies! Louise Callear set up her company to make the most of her experiences in childcare to help parents in the South West area of London.

Not only do Cheeky Tinkers provide a nannying service, they are also experts in dealing with problem behaviour including sleep problems and challenging behaviour. Cheeky Tinkers Childcare even assist with potty training and weaning, to take the pressure and stress off the shoulders of tired parents.

With a perfectly personalised service for each family, Louise Callear at Cheeky Tinkers knows exactly how to help. Call her today on 0800 612 9228 or visit www.cheekytinkers.com to find out more.

What does your company do?
Nanny Agency and troubleshooting service

What makes your business different?
We offer a more personalised approach to nanny placements.

Recommendations from very happy families!

What inspired you to start this business?
My career in childcare and my knowledge to offer this unique placement technique in order for a more successful nanny placement and offering my expertise in problem areas such as tantrums or sleep problems.

Where do you see your business in 3 years?
Fully active and hopefully thriving with families and nannies in South West London.

What characteristics do you have that will help you make your business a success?
Offering a team of qualified and experienced nannies and trouble shooters! And aiming to find out families specific needs through a face to face consultation.

What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business?
The need for nanny placements in the South West London.

Are there any brands, companies or personalities that you most admire or aspire to?
Night Nannies are successful. I like the way that they offer super nanny and troubleshooting service.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?
Other agencies offering a similar service, although after extensive research, I have discovered that no other agency offers the face to face consult and my prices are much lower than other South West London based agencies.

Is being a business owner how you expected it to be, or have you had any surprises along the way?
I have not yet experienced it fully – I’ll let you know!

Visit www.cheekytinkers.com to find out more!

What is your main goal for your company?
To help and assist as many families as possible and to also gain an impressive reputation.


Do you have any advice for people thinking of starting their own business?
Take the risk!

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Meet the Customers: QS Charles

by: Hannah

September 10th, 2010

QS Charles Ltd provides professional Chartered Quantity Surveyor services to both public and private clients.

A decision was made in 2010 to form a company that could deliver quality, value and results to both corporate and private individual clients, in what has been a challenging realignment of the economic and commercial global environment that existed and operated for a respective chapter in recent economic history.

The way both private and public sector clients assess, procure, manage and deliver their respective goals, has changed in recent times in both the internal and external supply chains.

Welcome to www.qscharles.co.uk

At QS Charles, there has been recognition that there still needs to be a professional, experienced, and regulated service that can be appointed by future and current clients to ensure that their common goals and objectives are accomplished in terms of quality, value and results.Every client of QS Charles is given the same professional service, under the professional standards and ethics, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, for more information, call us today on 01536 524030, or visit www.qscharles.co.uk.

What does your company do?
QS CHARLES provide the following professional services, under the professional standards and ethics, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

  • Chartered Quantity Surveying
  • Cost Consulting
  • Employers Agents
  • Contract Administration
  • Purchasers Agents
  • Bank Monitoring Surveyors

These services are offered to corporate, private, public and non profit making organisations.

What makes your business different?
The business provides professional services to an entire market, through the global reach of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. QS Charles exists to ensure that the goals and aspirations of clients are met, and that they receive dedicated delivery of quality, value and results, irrespective of their budget. Every client of QS Charles is given the same professional standard of service.

What inspired you to start this business?
For many years my journey to gain professional experience and qualifications has been my goal, and an extremely difficult path to have walked. There have been obstacles and hurdles on this journey, both in my professional and personal life.

The inspiration has come from my beloved family, through what they have achieved and in the way they have conducted their professional and family life. Without the foundations placed by them, I would not have made the most of the opportunities that have been presented to me. I also respect and regard the previous companies that have employed me, as they helped build my knowledge and skills, and I have acquired a wealth of experience from them.

Charles Ridley has a wealth of experience and skills in Chartered Surveying

Do you have any staff or partners in your business?
Currently we have no directly employed staff – but the business is already looking to grow and it will need dedicated good quality and valued full time individuals, who will be treated and respected in order that we all grow and deliver together the common shared goal.

Where do you see your business in 3 years?
I have set QS Charles two important 3 year milestones: to have delivered quality, value and results to our clients beyond their expectations; and also in parallel we have provided a company for people to positively enjoy, contribute to, enjoy working for, and be proud to be part of.


What characteristics do you have that will help you make your business a success?
I have developed the professional discipline of using my eyes, ears, voice, mind, and experience when making professional decisions. At QS Charles we respect others, value peoples’ opinions, views, beliefs, cultures, circumstances and situations.


What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business?
The business will grow through maintaining a recognition that that a company only exists by way of its people, and I wish to learn more about placing the future members of this company in an environment whereby they are happy, respected, regarded, and can individually grow for the benefit of themselves, the company and our clients.

Call QS Charles or visit their website to find out more about their professional services

Are there any brands, companies or personalities that you most admire or aspire to?
Virgin Group has set a modern business model of a company group, to diversify and maintain a market presence. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda have extended their respective, market presence and portfolio of goods in an ever changing market and global economy. World leaders of late have inspired also, the Presidents and Prime Ministers of the global super-economic countries now demonstrate a vision of presence, but with a compassion for global equality, peace and unity, in very challenging economic, and environmental times.


What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?
The challenge is to secure professional commissions in a global double recession and try to secure confidence in a UK market.

What is your main goal for your company?
To continue to provide quality, value and results to all our clients, even as the company grows and develops.

Do you have any advice for people thinking of starting their own business?
Believe in yourself, in your own ideas and aspirations. Go ahead and start your own business; rather than look back with regret in the future.

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Meet the Customers: The UK Foodhall Ltd

by: Hannah

June 18th, 2010

Karen's website shows off all those awards!

The HSBC Start-Up Star Awards are coming soon, with lots of small businesses and entrepreneurs vying for the top spot.

At the same time, we’ve introduced a new segment – Meet the Customers, where we profile companies and business owners, passing their valuable advice and experience on to you.

But a funny thing happened when we contacted Karen McQuade of the UK Foodhall Ltd.

It turns out that Karen is the HSBC Start-Up Star of 2009!

As well as the UK Foodhall Ltd collecting awards as a supplier, a start-up and a local business, Karen has also won an award for her achievements as a businesswoman.

We thought that she’d be the perfect customer to speak to about her experiences running a company – and now we can also find out what tips she could pass on to us about the HSBC Start-Up Star Awards (and how to win it!).

The UK Foodhall Ltd help connect Local Authorities with British farmers, so that kids get fresh, locally sourced food in their schools. You can contact them on 0845 301 1182 to get more information.

What does your company do?

Our strapline is ‘Great British Food for Great British Kids’ we support British farmers and British manufacturers by providing an assured product range for use in school dinners.

What inspired you to start this business?

I wanted to provide a route to market for the British farmers, and provide Local Authorities with what they wanted, locally procured food.

What made you nominate The UK Foodhall for the Start-Up Star Award?

I am so proud of what we have done and how we have changed our market that I wanted to tell the world! So I nominated us for the HSBC Start-up Star award so that we might gain publicly, we would gain experience in being involved in such a prestigious award, and I hoped we may get to the Semi Finals, so that it would motivate our stakeholders.

What has the experience done for your company?

Winning the HSBC Start-up Star award was wonderful. It was such a brilliant surprise on the night, and has done wonders for our motivation, our brand, our stakeholders and our turnover.

What characteristics do you have that have helped to make your business a success?

Myself and my Business Partner, Robert Clark, are both passionate about our market and making a difference in it. We want to provide clean, healthy, locally produced food to children.

How are you funding your business?

We are funding the company through sales. We do not owe any money to anyone.

What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business further?

I am keen to learn more about marketing and PR, we know food, and catering, but perhaps struggle for creative ideas.

Are there any brands, companies or personalities that you most admire or aspire to?

I love the marketing of the brand ‘Innocent’ I love that you can hear their very distinctive voice in every word.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?

The biggest challenge is to manage our growth effectively, not to grow too big and not to take on too much.

What is your main goal for your company?

To never let down our customers.

Do you have any advice for people thinking of starting their own business?

Get a good accountant and recruit mentors, everyday’s a schoolday, and people to hold your hand are priceless.

Could you tell us about the other awards that you’ve won?

2008 LACA Outstanding Supplier of the Year

2009 Powys Small Business of the Year

2009 NatWest Everywoman Award

And of course 2009 HSBC Start-up Star!

Where there any stand-out areas that you feel helped you win the awards (any of them!)?

Our turnover is very high for a new company with just 3 staff (6 million pounds) and our business model is very unique, one goes hand in hand with the other. I think this combined with our enthusiasm made us the winners.

Do you have any advice for companies thinking of nominating themselves for awards?

I would advise anyone who is thinking of nominating themselves to just put pen to paper and do it! We have been on an incredible journey as the HSBC Start-up Star, and I know that it’s been a big factor in our growth this year. The judging panel are such a scary prospect, but once you get over your nerves and face them, being interviewed by them makes for a fantastic experience. It’s a chance in a lifetime to have the opportunity to meet such influential businesspeople, and the whole experience is both challenging and fun, but if you win, hold on tight, its one heck of a ride!

Is being a business owner how you expected it to be, or have you had any surprises along the way?

I was not surprised at the hard work, as everyone warned me about that, but I was surprised at what an amazing and exciting journey it would be.

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Meet the Customers: Display Media Solutions Ltd

by: Hannah

June 11th, 2010

www.dmsol.co.uk

Today’s profiled client is Liam Butchers from Display Media Solutions Ltd.

Display Media Solutions are a print and display company which specialises in products for retail, trade and exhibitions.

We asked Liam some questions about his company and experiences of being a business owner, and here’s what he had to say.

You can find Display Media Solutions at www.dmsol.co.uk, or call them on 0845 116 2700.

What does your company do?

Large format print, exhibition materials, display equipment, conference set up, trade shows, supplier of pop-ups and banners.

What makes your business different?

Display Media Solutions was formed because the market has become saturated with foreign ‘knock-offs’. I realised that quality at a good price is what the market doesn’t currently have. In layman’s terms, we offer the very best quality products and prints at the most competitive price in market.

What inspired you to start this business?

It may sound a little cheesy but I genuinely love the industry. When I randomly come across my prints being used it’s a great feeling. I get an amazing buzz out of that.

"My most important bit of advice: know your market"

Have you previously run any other businesses?

I have worked in the industry a long while now, but this is my first ever business venture.

Do you have any staff or partners in your business?

I currently work with a couple of graphic designers and I also work closely with some of the world’s leading manufacturers in display and exhibition products. All my prints are produced using the very best materials available.

What characteristics do you have that will help you make your business a success?

I am a very focused and hardworking individual and have a lot of contacts and experience in my industry. I am under no illusions, I know that it will be tough, but I honestly believe that in life you get out what you put into it.

What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business?

I now need a couple of key accounts that I will look after very carefully and nurture and then really build upon that.

Are there any brands, companies or personalities that you most admire or aspire to?

If I am honest I really like Richard Branson and his Virgin brand. I also admire Apple – they have it all, really. Also Alan Sugar is an absolutely fantastic business role model, what he has achieved in his working life is simply incredible.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?

Securing that elusive big contract, that’s it really. I feel that I have everything else in place now, and am ready to win that important client.

Display Media Solutions

Is being a business owner how you expected it to be, or have you had any surprises along the way?

If I am honest it is a lot tougher than I could have ever imagined, the accounting side of things is just mind boggling. I am learning quickly though, it’s interesting how running your own business makes you discover skills you never knew you had.

What is your main goal for your company?

To achieve a million pound turnover within 5 years.

Do you have any advice for people thinking of starting their own business?

Lots of advice and I am more than willing to discuss it with anyone who wants to listen. My most important bit of advice: know your market. That really is the key.

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Important business lessons my dog has taught me

by: Rebecca

February 26th, 2010

Important business lessons my dog taught meI was walking my little Caviller King Charles, Flash, at lunch time thinking about the lessons he could teach us about business:

  1. Doing the same thing will get the same result. Sitting and barking at the bottom of the tree will not encourage the squirrel to come down. What are you doing to adapt your approach?
  2. Go with your instincts. the most successful business owners take a risk. You might just catch that squirrel.
  3. Loyalty.  I feed him, I walk him and in return he greets me with more enthusiasm than a wasp around a coke can. I get so much more back than I give.
  4. Be yourself. Luckily we don’t have to kiss a*s* to get to know one another!
  5. Don’t take no for an answer. I couldn’t take the constant whining and scratching at the door so he now sleeps in my room.
  6. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.  No example it’s never happened and we are happy together. Treat customers and staff with the same respect.
  7. Confidence. Flash is a very small, cute, fluffy dog but I have been dumbfounded to witness him ward off boxers, Dobermans and even an Irish wolfhound. I greatly admire his self belief and lack of self awareness.
  8. Demonstrate active listening. I can’t deny how endearing he is when his big brown eyes are fixed on me and his head is slightly tilted. Take notes, ask questions show you are listening.
  9. If you can get away with it do it. The sofa cushions are suspiciously warm when I get in from work.
  10. Make it clear when you know it’s time to go! Whimper, scratch at the door, you need to leave right now!
  11. Living for the moment. He spots a big steaming cow pat and rolls in it, knowing he will have to endure the hose later. What are you doing right now to catch every opportunity?
  12. Start each day with the same enthusiasm. He’s just been stuck in the car for five hours and an hour later he hops happily back in as this time you might be going to the park.
  13. Go out in the rain. You sometimes have to do uncomfortable things to get the results you want.
  14. Learn from your mistakes. He doesn’t chase bees in the garden anymore.
  15. Positive reinforcement. He won’t come back when you call if there’s nothing in it for him. Praise your colleagues for a job well done if you want a repeat performance.
  16. Bury some treasure for a rainy day. Contingency; need I say more.
  17. Timing. Flash has discovered if he barks at night I will play ball to stop him waking the baby. Time it right and you are more likely to be successful.
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