Contactus
ISSUE 15
Jul/Aug 2015
EALING Local business magazine
FREE – please take a copy
West London’s #1 magazine for showing off local shops & services
• online & in print
How to use the slow summer period to boost your business • pages 4-9
JUL/AUG 2015 • from page 15 JUL/AUG 2015 / Issue 15
Cover illustration: Summer sunset over Old Actonians cricket pitch, South Ealing
Ealing Homebiz We’re here to promote over 16,000* home-based businesses in Ealing Read online at: www.contactusealing.co.uk
Painting by Carlene Bender
Contact us MAGAZINES Read online at:
contactusealing.co.uk Contactus is 100% independent. Made with love in Ealing.
page 18
page 20
St Andrew’s West London Carpentry Church Centre and Decoration Maureen Vincent Tim Bywater-Owens page 19
Contactus Why it makes sense to spread out your advertising
page 16 Ealing Chamber of Commerce Vesna Nall 16 / •Findpagenetworking
events in Ealing page 17 / What happened at our fourth Contactus Meetup page 23 / Learn to make pasta by hand
• •
* Contactus estimate based on FSB figures
On the cover
Contact us EALING
hat do need rom a
Admittedly Contactus has a lot of links with Old Actonians Sports Club in South Ealing – it is the venue for our bi-monthly smallbiz meetups and Cricketforfun games (we like to #networkdifferently). It’s in every way a good place to relax and take a break from business. Cover painting by Carlene Bender
ADVERTISER FINDER page(s) ��������������������������������������������advertiser
page(s) ������������������������������������������� advertiser
6 ������������������������������������Slow Leadership business coaching
16 ���Ealing Chamber of Commerce business networking
6 ������������������������������������������Care Concern home care
18 �������� St Andrews Church Centre business hub
8 ��������������������������������������������������Accession design and print
20 ���������������West London Carpentry decorators
8 ���������������������������������������Maria Brosnan photographer
21 ���������������������������������������Cricketforfun business away days
9 ������������������������������������������ Dream Doors kitchen facelifts 10 ���������������������������������������Ealing Council Regeneration Department
23 ��������������������������������Business Shorts LetterboxLovers leaflet distribution; OakyDoky fencing and carpentry Womb Wisdom Keepers group
12 ��������������������������������������������� W5 Physio physiotherapists
23 �������������������������������������� Tutti a Tavola pasta making classes
13 ������������������������ Businesses in Ealing online networking group
24 �����������������������������Ealing in Business B2B business exhibition
Advertise your sports club, event or competition in the ‘Sporting Ealing’ themed issue of Contactus Ealing (Sep/Oct) • out online 25 Sep
THIS IS A CONTACTUS SUPPLEMENT
Ealing Homebiz / September 2013 / Page 11
Ealing Running Are we having a running boom?
Q 1. Advice 2. Savings 3. Fair price
uick spot-check at the entrance to Pitshanger Park, 6pm, a weekday evening: five runners go past in 15 minutes. Hardly empirical data to prove yes or no that Ealing’s been caught by the running bug since last year’s Olympics, followed by the inaugural Ealing Half Marathon. Andy McFarlane, of the Ealing Eagles Running Club, has some useful figures: “We had massive growth in membership last year,� he says. “Going into
UPCOMING RACES SUN 15 SEPTEMBER 2013 ˜ Bishops Park 10k www.mccpromotions.com SUN 22 SEPTEMBER 2013 ˜ +%*/10& 700+0) '56+8#. ˜ '9 #4&'05 EN˜ +&5 +.' 999T4+%*/10&4700+0)('56+8#.T com
Above: Sandra Courtney on Pitshanger Lane, a new section of the Ealing Half route. Below: ‘Ealing Homebiz’ talks running (and cricket) with Mark Caswell
SUN 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 ˜ #.+0) #.( #4#6*10 ˜ #.+0) +0+ +.' 999T'#.+0)*#.(/#4#6*10T%1/ SUN 6 OCTOBER 2013 ˜ 1;#. #4-5 #.( #4#6*10 999T41;#.2#4-5*#.(T%1/ SAT 12 OCTOBER 2013
Contact us EALING
CONTENTS & WELCOME
Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015 / Page 3
Plan for 2016
Features
W
e ook our own advice and stepped back a bit from our business this summer, and have decided to do something different in 2016. So, you’ll read it here first: from next year, ‘Contactus Ealing’ magazine will only be published and printed once a year, at Christmas time. In January 2016, we plan to launch a much simpler onlineonly product, which will cater to a wider local audience. Contactus is now in its third year (we launched October 2012), so thank you to all the advertisers who have come along with us this far. Please hold tight and stay on during these exciting times. Let’s keep it in Ealing! contactusealing.co.uk @ContactusEaling ContactusEalingHomebiz
BUSINESS DOWNTIME 4-9 • How to change your mindset • Stepping back • Holiday planning • Contactus cartoon • Vox Pop • Photos of local happenings
EALING HOMEBIZ
15
Where to network 16 Contactus July Meetup 17 Advertise again 19 ‘My Best One-Minute’ – Sukhi Bhogal 19 #EalingHour #EalingTweetup 22 Homebiz swotting 23
Contactus Wordfinder (a bit of weekend fun)
Pubs in Ealing Find the names in the puzzle below (and ok sorry if we didn’t get your local pub in – next time) GROSVENOR VILLAGEINN PLOUGH FORESTER DRAPERS WHEATSHEAF NORTHSTAR DUKEOFKENT DRAYTON GROVE FULLERS CASTLEINN REDLION FOX GRANGE EPT ROSEANDCROWN
R D F A E H S T A E H W A O R E D L
I
O N R W Y
B E S R E L L U F E P R D U K E O F K E N T L O R F D R A P E R S S O N A G K E G N A R G E U E Y H L N E P D S U R G V T
I M V E P T C V O H S
O F O X O Q R T R F X O N R R A T S H T R O N R G C A S T L E C J V
I
I N N W G
L L A G E
I N N
Hello Make use of summer If you’re reading this on your smart-thing at the beach, hello! That’s a good sign, that you’re still in touch with your business and haven’t completely forgot about us back in Ealing. Hopefully some of the ideas in the feature section “How to use the slow summer period to boost your business” will come in handy by September. We’re using our summer to plan changes for 2016 (see story at left): from going down to just one printed issue a year, to launching an online product in January, things will be different. Keep an eye out for more info. In the meantime, happy reading, and remember to clickthrough on the live links (where you see ) to connect with your favourite biz. Thanks for ‘shopping by’. Carlene Bender Editor-publisher, Contactus magazines Web: contactusealing.co.uk Email: info@contactusealing.co.uk Twitter: @ContactusEaling @ContactusMagsW4 Tel: 079 6039 2677 Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn If you would like to advertise in Contactus Ealing local business magazine, the next edition is due online on 25 September 2015, with the theme: “Sporting Ealing”. See our prices on page 13.
‘Contactus Ealing’
Local business magazine, West London Content (articles, photos, drawings), advertising and marketing – Carlene Bender, unless otherwise credited. Magazine concept, design and layout – Carlene Bender Created and produced in Ealing, just for Ealing
Page 4 / Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015
BUSINESS DOWNTIME
Ealing-based businesses take a screen break to enjoy a game of cricket in South Ealing – see page 21 for more about Cricketforfun
“It’s just as easy to work on resetting your thinking if you stay at home and simply do less on the everyday workfront” Take time to work on your mindset and see the benefits in your business
T
he surprisingly quiet streets of Ealing during the summer months of July and August show that it’s part of our town’s culture to slow down and/or take a break when the days are warmer and the schoolchildren are on holiday. Having some ideas about how to use the slower summer months to boost your business will not only save you from feeling like you’ve wasted eight valuable weeks out of the year, but may actually lead to some creative ideas being formed that can power the rest of the year. If you’re actually upping sticks and headed out of the borough, good for you. But it’s just as easy to work on resetting your thinking if you stay
Summer dreams at home and simply do less on the everyday workfront. With her business coach hat on, Hanwell-based Jo Sumner has written about “How to Create a More Expansive Money Mindset” (online edition link to article: tinyurl.com/JoMindset). She refers to self-help author Martin Seligman’s process for learning to think optimistically. “We can learn to become optimistic thinkers,” writes Jo, and she explains how to do so: 1 Think of a situation that is current but not drastic. Describe it in a few sentences. 2 Is your description factually accurate? Re-write until you have the most neutral possible description.
3 Write a list of all the thoughts you have about this situation and yourself in this situation. 4 Go through and highlight the most powerful negative thoughts. Make a list of evidence for and against these beliefs. And then, she continues, observe the negative effects of these thoughts, in terms of “how I feel, what I say and what I do. Ask the question “What would happen if I changed them to something more empowering?” Then “Repeat this process with any subject matter where you want to change your mindset”. It’s the first step towards making improvements in your business over the summer. – Carlene Bender
BUSINESS DOWNTIME
Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 5
Why stepping back from your business can be a good idea
HOLIDAY PLANNING
tepping back doesn’t mean stepping out. It means slowing down and taking time to see your business as part of a bigger picture – your health, family, progress, savings, job worth and satisfaction. Going on holiday often provides an opportunity to get away from the day-to-day “fire-fighting”, and the pressure of having to answer emails and return phone calls. This is a chance to gauge the successes of the first half of the year, and if necessary to tweak your marketing plan to start getting ready for the busyness of the Christmas season. And because so many other people are on holiday, you’ll be forgiven for being less available.
By Orianne Corman @SlowLeadership Let me be the first to admit I have a hard time stepping back, but I did and I saved my business. Here are the 5 gifts I received from slowing down, even though it was hard to trust that not everything is dependent on me.
Here are a few tips to bear in mind if you’re off on your summer vacation away from the business coalface:
1 Reconnecting with my “why” naturally boosted my motivation 2 My liabilities were hiding my strengths 3 My clients were my best supporters 4 Collaboration opened my business to new opportunities 5 My health was better and I avoided burnout.
2 Consider hiring a virtual assistant to deal with your phone calls
S
See Orianne’s advert on page 6
1 Keep an eye on emails – not necessarily to answer every one, but to reply to the most urgent ones saying they’ll be dealt with soon
3 Take the opportunity to catch up on your business reading 4 If you think it will hurt your business to let clients know you’re on holiday, there’s no need to tell them! 5 Make a plan for your return
Page 6 / Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug
It’s the mindset
T
r
Sl Slow
k
!
g
The Golden Map yourCircle. your milestones. Unlock your energy . craft a business which 1. 2. Practitioner, Systemic your WHY will inspire your clients. Discover business. Inner and8. Organisational Transform your Coach, and and activate it. Constellations. She is a certified NLP 2015 BUSINESS DOWNTIME outer system. Bring Unlock weaknesses Map your your energy into . The only specialist Practitioner, Systemicin 2. out the hidden strenghs. business. Inner and Transform your Activate your New Systemic Coach, and resources of your attractiveness. outer system. Bring weaknesses into Economy in the UK. The only specialist in 9. Create loops outbusiness. the hidden strenghs. Activate your in New Systemic resources your of attractiveness. 3. The 7oflevels your system to Economy in the UK. business. 9. Create loops in Value (1): Common generate more 3. Good The 7 levels of system to Time for - Knowledge - your success. Value (1):hrough Common her generate more “Boost your Business Communication. actions. Good - Knowledge success. Time for Transform intangible 10. Observeprogramme, your With A New Mindset” Communication. actions. liabilitiesintangible into tangible10. Observe results your and learn Transform Orianne Corman, also called “The assets. from them. Feedback liabilities into tangible results and learn Elegant Catalyst” will “enable 4. The 7 levels of from and conclusion. assets. them. Feedbackyou to connect Value (2): Connect 4.and The 7align levels of and conclusion. with the true source of your inner Value with(2): theConnect heart of your power of wisdom soyour you Discover canDiscover craft athebusiness which with the heartand of power of business activate our the program, business and activate program, will inspire yourour clients”. it to attract supportive join our Meetup group! it to attract supportive join our Meetup group! clients and is a certified £50.00NLP for thepractitioner, 1st Orianne clients and £50.00 for the 1st stakeholders. The module module stakeholders. The Systemic coach, and the only specialist power of storytelling. of storytelling. Book your seat seatnow! now! power Book your The fe New Systemic Economy in the UK. She 5. The 7 levels SPECIAL OFFER The feminine 5.in The 7 levels of of SPECIAL OFFER Call Call Orianne Orianne Value Processes - December until December 2015 su Value (3):(3): Processes - until 201510 breaks her programme into modules: sustaina 07 045233 233 07 538 538 045 Finances Finances your partners, InviteInvite your partners, 1. The Golden Circle. Discover your ‘why’. The impact of your and boost The impact of your your clients your clients and boost www.o business the their businesses, along along 2. Map youronbusiness. Inner outer system. business on the their and businesses, planet. with yours! planet. with yours! 3. The6. Make 7 levels of Value (1) your **** £350.00**** 6. Make your **** £350.00**** coherent. instead of £1500.00 4. Thebusiness 7 levels of Value (2) business coherent. instead of £1500.00 5. TheCoherence, 7 levels of Value (3) Coherence,
Slow Leadership
The feminine way to make your business sustainable in a changing world www.oriannecorman.co.uk
Local company established 1993
6. Make your business coherent. 7. Master your time. Set your milestones. 8. Organisational constellations. 9. Create loops in your system to generate more success. Time for action. 10. Observe your results and learn from them. www.oriannecorman.co.uk @SlowLeadership SlowLeadershipOrianneCorman
Take care and enjoy your summer break
A ◄ High quality dignified homecare ◄ Experts in caring for the elderly ◄ Specialists in dementia care and palliative care ◄ Shopping, meal time support, bathing, medication, escorts, overnight care
Highly skilled local carers
020 8899 6123
t Care Concern, they really understand the importance of “switching off” and taking time out from the day-to-day responsibilities of looking after elderly relatives. Director Clare Drewell explains: “It is easy to forget about your own health and well-being when you are looking after someone. We have a number of families who use our services for short periods of respite.” “It’s lovely when you are able Director Clare to go on holiday and leave all Drewell: “take time to switch off” your stresses and worries behind. People can have peace of mind that their relatives are in safe hands with us,” she adds. Care Concern visit all new clients before care commences, and with no minimum contract, it could be the solution to really enjoying that well-deserved summer break. careconcern.org.uk @CareConcern careconcernhomecare
BUSINESS DOWNTIME
Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015 / Page 7
VOX POP
E
very Tuesday we ask a business-related question in our Businesses in Ealing - Contactus group on Facebook (local business-owners are welcome to join the group – see advert on page 13). Here is the thread of a recent #TuesdayQuestion on the theme of “Business Downtime”:
will go to the next supplier. :) Carlene Bender Well said.
Rachel Black Yes I agree with Taimiur – it depends If a fellow business on the size owner said to you they but also what were taking a break the company from their business for the does. If project summer and asked for your based then I advice, what would you would suggest say to them? ensuring no live projects while Nicola Gaughan Who will be looking after the day to day stuff? away and ensuring that they have projects lined up for their Carlene Bender I’d probably say return. Everyone understands – don’t let everything come to a the need for a holiday but it’s complete stop or it will take ages about ensuring that the holiday to get it cranked up again. doesn’t impact another business or individual. Maria Brosnan I’d probably ask why first. Taimur Khan Holidays and time off are essential, not just for Nicola Gaughan Why are they yourself but for your business. taking a break, or why are you As Rachel pointed out, if you asking me? lol need to take time out, close the Shraddha Pande If you break the books on current work, schedule momentum it takes a long while in anything coming in, and inform to kick start things – it would be everyone. The difficulty is when best to keep things moving even you are one man/woman shop. It becomes a challenge. though at a slower pace :) I recommend looking at Nicola Gaughan I always check your business cycle, see my emails anyway while I’m when the down periods are away, to keep a track of anything and plan around that to have urgent. I normally respond saying less negative impact on your that I’m away and will get back to business. Make sure to setup them when I return auto responder on emails, if Taimur Khan Depends on the size of the business. Business never goes on holiday unless you yourself are the business/ self employed. And if that, you will need to keep on top of any queries coming in. Inform existing customers that you are away for a long period. You might lose some customers as they need things done, and
“
“
“Most self employed people fail to take time off and that is the worst thing they can do”
possible get phone messaging service for the period to cover any important calls. With the tech of today you just need an iphone or an ipad to be connected anywhere in the world with internet connection. I once moved our whole office to an event location, even our phones were VOIP, which meant we could just plug and play. Most self-employed people fail to take time off and that is the worst thing they can do, it has a compound effect on every thing, most of all health. If you are a business with employees then it’s less of an issue as you can delegate, or should be able to. If not than you need to think your HR/team strategy through and learn to delegate – or else you won’t grow as a business. Scott Jones Business waits for no one. You snooze you lose. Zahra Shah If I took summer off I wouldn’t have a business!!! Scott Jones Exactly Zahra Shah, exactly! Zahra Shah August is a quiet month but this is where you seed your business for the later Vox Pop continues on page 8
Page 8 / Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015
BUSINESS DOWNTIME
VOX POP Continued from page 7
half of the year, even more. So, because if you’re not busy, you should be seeding and developing leads... That’s my thoughts... My mentors are actively marketing for leads all year round... Moreso in the summer... Scott Jones Yep, nail and head. To be honest, and don’t shoot me down, anyone who can afford to “take X time off” doesn’t need to be in business circles like ours. They’re affluent/ successful enough already. Fair play to them I say. Rachel Black I can imagine that is the case for loads of businesses Scott Jones and Zahra Shah, hence why I mention type of business. I work in headhunting and research,
I find August so slow and as I get paid for projects. With the duplication cost of childcare (childminders have holidays but still charge so need to pay for another childcarer and no school) it actually costs more to work than not to. That said I would be surprised if there is anyone out there with their own business, whatever type, that doesn’t check emails and take calls. In fact forget own business I don’t think I have ever had a job where I haven’t kept on top of work even my maternity leave :) so it’s about judging your line of work and your
situation and the people you work for. Sorry to disappoint Scott but I am far from affluent, although I do like to think I am successful. I hope that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be in this business circle :) Carlene Bender All Ealing-based businesses are welcome in this business circle. Glenda Shawley I have a YouTube video on this very topic (re-purposed from an earlier webinar) tinyurl.com/ Glendaholidaytips: Tips to keep your small business going in the holidays Alexandra Merisoiu It depends where their business is. In some cases 6 weeks off will not slow down the business. businessesinealing
Get a copy
Reptile design Local photos
Your online copy of Contactus stays online forever, as you know. But if you’re looking for printed copies, pick up at a local library or leaflet hotspot. If you’d like any back issues, get in touch. You can order up to 10 back issues via our website: tinyurl.com/ContactusPrint @ContactusEaling ContactusEalingHomebiz
Accession Design & Print graphics have been chosen for a new reptile house at Brent Lodge Park. Manager Paul Cowling said: “Tim, one of our design trainees, did a fantastic job.” Accession is a community interest company (CIC) in Ealing. www.accessioncic.com @accessioncic accessioncic
www.contactusmagazines.co.uk
Contact us MAGAZINES
W13-based photographer Maria Brosnan specialises in weddings, children’s portraits and events. In the words of one recent bride, “Maria managed to capture so much of our wedding day without us even noticing!” www.mariabrosnan.co.uk @MEBrosnan mariabrosnanphotography Instagram: @maria_brosnan
Brent Lodge Park graphics created by Accession Design & Print
Advertising service for local businesses • promoting local shops and services online, in print and in person
Photographer | www.mariabrosnan.co.uk
BUSINESS DOWNTIME
Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015 / Page 9
Salil: covering all areas of West London
No-guilt kitchen refit
I
t’s hard to resist the appeal of a new kitchen (especially when you’re a home-based business and your kitchen doubles as your office). Imagine the scale of waste and unnecessary expense, however, when perfectly serviceable kitchen cupboards and units are torn out and dumped to make way for a “new kitchen”. What’s good about the
owner Salil Dhavale is looking forward to welcoming local visitors who want to know more Dream Doors promise is that it about the Dream Doors service. In the meantime, he adds, cuts down on wastage, expense, “Anyone interested in a new time and mess. kitchen, but who doesn’t want With a kitchen update, for the stress and mess that comes example, only the cupboard with a traditional re-fit, should doors are replaced, so you get a kitchen that looks brand new, visit the website or contact me today,” he says. but without the guilt. Call Salil on 020 3411 4560. The company’s showroom www.dreamdoors.co.uk on Boston Road in Hanwell is @DD_WestLondon set for a grand opening (think Dream-Doors-West-London champagne!) on 26 August, and
New life for old kitch
New old kitc efresh yourlife tiredfor old kitchen this
Refresh your tired old kitchen th Less hassle, less
From a simple door swap to a full replacement kitchen...
to complete your k New life for old kitchens! • Installed quickly an
Worktops, Applian • •Trusted reputation Less hassle,
for 15 years Worktops, App • Senior •citizens discount to complete y • Free design andourquick cleanly by own • Installed Less hassle, lessquotation time, lessservice cost… Dream Doors 1/2 cleanly professional • Worktops, Appliances,local Sinks and Taps by ourf • Less cost, less to complete your kitchen. local less hassle • time, We also doprofessio Full Kit • Installed quickly and • We also do Fu Made to Wardrob cleanly by our own •Bedroom measure local professional fitters. Bedroom War Rooms and Studie custom-built • We also do Full Kitchens, Rooms and St doors & units * Bedroom Wardrobes, Utility deposit & balan * • 50% 50% deposit & Rooms and Studies. • Huge• choice of ’ll pasyTc*ountht* e h t doors, worktops, W n • 50% deposit & balance on completion o • Huge choice of do y i A k toonda kitchen kit • Huge choice o appliances, This m theisdV befocrchoice h T*hobniostoh m • Huge styles and sinks ee..!n beoffodoor kitchen re&..!taps colours in anyinsize Th m before..! colours any colours in any size.
Refresh your tired old kitchen this Spring!
e’ll paAyTWe’ll pay the V the VAT
20%
Call forfor a FREE estimate: Call aestimate: FREE estimate: for a FREE 0203 411 4560
411 4560 2030203 411 4560 Showroom opening in Hanwell soon
* Terms & Conditions apply,
please ask for full details www.dreamdoors.co.uk Showroom opening in Hanwell soon
oom opening in Hanwell soon
www.dreamdoors.co.uk
View our credentials
* Terms & Conditions apply,
View our
View our * Terms & Conditions credentials please askapply, for full details
We support small businesses in Ealing.
Contact the Ealing Council Economic Regeneration team by email: naseema@ealing.gov.uk
Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015 / Page 11
Ealing Council is in partnership with local businesses to put on a new Ealing in Business expo in November. Economic regeneration manager Carol Sam explains how it all works
Our common goal is to promote local biz
T
hank you to everyone who attended the June 22 launch of the Ealing in Business expo at the Town Hall. Ealing Council is very pleased to be working with three dynamic and bright local businesses (including Contactus), delivering first the launch event, and on November 19, the Ealing in Business expo itself. It is in these challenging times that we all need to work collaboratively and creatively to achieve the common goal of encouraging and promoting businesses in Ealing. We strongly support small businesses, as they are the key drivers in our local economy in terms of growth and providing jobs. The Ealing in Business expo is an excellent opportunity for business-owners to promote their business and service, and to meet other like-minded business people and network.
I would also like to take this opportunity to tell you about a business support programme we will be launching in the next few months to support small businesses. We have secured funds to deliver a range of support and will be tendering for the delivery – if you would like to hear more about it either as a provider or would like to receive support please get in touch with the Regeneration team. www.ealing.gov.uk naseema@ealing.gov.uk @EalingCouncil
A TIME FOR START-UPS The Ealing Council Regeneration team, and by entension the Ealing in Business expo, falls within the portfolio of Council leader, Julian Bell. He explains why 2015 is a good year to launch an expo for boosting local small businesses:
“
The Council is pleased to be working with partners to create an environment in Ealing where enterprises are supported to set-up and continue to flourish. Since 2011 Ealing has seen an increase in the number of start-ups compared to the West London average and we are keen to see this trend continue by supporting initiatives like the Ealing Business Expo.
“
BUSINESS DOWNTIME Lemuel Dickie-Johnson of the Ealing Council Regeneration team welcomes visitors to the Ealing in Business launch event in June
Events like these are a vital step in attracting businesses to the area and increasing the number of good jobs available to our residents.
“We all need to work collaboratively and creatively”
Carol Sam, manager, Ealing Council Regeneration
More photos from the expo launch on pages 12-13
Page 12 / Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015
Why exhibit at Ealing in Business
S
paces are filling up fast for the first Ealing in Business business-to-business exhibition taking place in the Victoria Hall at Ealing Town Hall on November 19, 2015. As we go to press there are only a few days left of the early bird discount (£129/table) if booked and paid for by 31 July, going up to £199/table from 1 August. In case you still needed convincing, here are six reasons to take a stand at our expo: 1 Generate new leads and win new business 2 Increase local brand exposure and raise your business profile
3 Showcase your products or services 4 Reach a wide range of customers in just a few hours 5 Superb networking opportunities 6 Face to face engagement with new and existing clients The Ealing in Business expo is brought to you in partnership with Ealing Council Regeneration Team (see page 11), working together with three local businesses – The Training Pack, Ealing Mums in Business, and Contactus Ealing. ealing.biz @EalingBiz ealinginbusiness Team W5 Physio
WWW.W5PHYSIO.CO.UK
Online bookings
W 27 HAVEN LANE, EALING LONDON W5 2HZ | 020 8997 1555 INFO@W5PHYSIO.CO.UK | @W5PHYSIO
‘Contactus Ealing’ and 10% Mention get 10% OFF initial consultation O F F
5 Physio have made it easier for clients to book and manage appointments – from August, their new live online diary will be accessible via a link on the W5 Physio website. “The link to the live diary will be accessed through the ‘Book An Appointment’ button on the home page of our website, and after registering yourself, you can make, change or delete your bookings as needed,” explains the notice in their latest newsletter. It’s still easy to call and book an appointment at their Haven Lane clinic, of course: “Our lovely reception team will be on hand to help if you’d rather just give us a call from 8am to 8pm!” www.w5physio.co.uk @W5Physio W5Physio
Expo launch The Ealing in Business expo launch held on 22 June was a well networked event. Thanks to all the businesses who attended and signed up on the night. (More on page 11)
Contactus advertising to suit all budgets
I
f you’re a start-up with a limited budget, just trying to spread the word that your business exists, Contactus has a price for you (£20). If your business is growing and you’d like to target a wider local audience than you already reach using your social media, we also have a price for you (between £40 and £160). And if you’re more established and would like to invest in a high-impact advert to make sure you’re unmissable and unforgettable, we have a price for you too (£320-£1k). Book with us online. contactusealing.co.uk @ContactusEaling ContactusEalingHomebiz
Do you run your own business in Ealing? Come join our Facebook group:
Businesses in Ealing – Contactus • online networking and bi-monthly meetups • great for biz-to-biz sharing and support • tips for local shops and services • discussions, surveys, news and offers
www.facebook.com/groups/ businessesinealing scan the code with your mobile reader to go straight to the page
Contact us EALING Local business magazine
Page 14 / Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015
BUSINESS DOWNTIME
Summer festivals in Walpole Park
Pitshanger Party in the Park and (below) The Village Inn on Pitshanger Lane W5
Ealing glimpses Here are a few pics of local events and businesses celebrating and working through summer in and around Ealing. See anyone you recognise? Care Concern staff Catherine, Laura & Clare
Above: Paul from West Ealing BID at the newly revamped Ealing Blueprint coworking hub; Below: Saturday on Churchfield Road in Acton
Above: traders in the business tent at Hanwell Carnival. At right: meeting in Acton to find out about the power of community associations Councillors and businesses at an Acton meeting of the Ealing Business Partnership
JUL/AUG 2015 / Issue 15
Ealing Homebiz We’re here to promote over 16,000* home-based businesses in Ealing Read online at: www.contactusealing.co.uk
page 18
page 20
St Andrew’s West London Carpentry Church Centre and Decoration Maureen Vincent Tim Bywater-Owens page 19
Contactus Why it makes sense to spread out your advertising
page 16 Ealing Chamber of Commerce Vesna Nall 16 / •Findpagenetworking
events in Ealing page 17 / What happened at our fourth Contactus Meetup page 23 / Learn to make pasta by hand
• •
* Contactus estimate based on FSB figures
Page 16 / Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015
Not being shy
P
robably the easiest thing about being a home-based business is our access to different types of networking. Some people prefer to see networking as “socialising”, but the amount of relationship building that goes on at these events proves that it is definitely more work than play. We all know the money is in the follow-up, and often it is the business meeting that creates the chance to follow-up in the first place – and that’s when client relationships are formed. So don’t be shy about going out to meet other businesses, and don’t feel you have to make excuses about it. Remember that every Monday morning you can keep up with local networking events listings in our Ealing Business Diary via contactusealing.co.uk. – Carlene Bender Editor-publisher, Contactus
EALING HOMEBIZ
WHERE TO NETWORK Here are some of the business networking groups in Ealing. Check out our Ealing Business Diary updated every Monday at www.contactusealing.co.uk Tweet me: @ContactusEaling MEMBERSHIP/PAY-AS-YOU-GO: • Contactus Meetup Carlene Bender @ContactusEaling • Ealing Chamber of Commerce Vesna Nall @EalingChamber • Fabulous Women (Ealing) Carole Ann Rice @CaroleAnnRice @Fab_Women
Ealing Business Forum: Pitshanger Lane trader John Martin at a recent meeting at Innovation Dance Studios FREE/SPONSORED • Ealing Business Forum Geoff Langston @GeoffLangston • Ealing Business Partnership @GeoffLangston
• The Athena Network (Ealing) Jo Sumner @AthenaWLondon
• Ealing Mums in Business Shelley Henderson/ Erin ThomasWong @ealingmumsinbiz
• BNI ISIS (Perivale) @BNI_ISIS_Ealing
• Link4Coffee Sukhi Bhogal @SukhiSolutions
• 4N Ealing Karen Sterling @kazzylady
• Ealing Tweetup Michael Greer @MGreer_PR
• The Best of Ealing Chris McIntosh @TheBestofEaling
• Ealing Homeworkers Lunch Elisa McCafferty @FlyingFishComms
Ealing Chamber of Commerce attracts a diverse audience Q: How have things been Contactus changing lately at the Ealing Chamber of Commerce? ECC has been actively involved, in some shape or form, with the Vesna Nall local business community for Manager, over 100 years. Ealing Chamber To support and accommodate of Commerce the changing trends and needs of its membership, the Chamber organisations across London and a range of free business is continually evolving. support services 24/7. Today our main focus is on Our flagship networking series building valued and longstanding ‘Connect 4 Lunch’ continues to relationships not only with our grow in popularity, and carries members but also with other on attracting a wide and diverse networking organisations and audience of businesses to its business support agencies in relaxed, informal and productive the borough. networking events. Q: What are the top two benefits of joining the Ealing Q: What would you say to Chamber of Commerce? someone who says “there’s too Our membership offers access much networking nowadays”? to over 2,300 business Possibly, but be selective and
Q&A
Vesna Nall: working on relationships
concentrate on building and maintaining those valuable relationships. Q: What one fact would you us to keep in mind? Ealing Chamber of Commerce helps you grow and develop your business and raise your profile…to find out how please do contact us! www.ealingchamber.org @ealingchamber
EALING HOMEBIZ
Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015 / Page 17
When we met
A
nother interesting mix of businesses at the fourth Contactus Meetup for local smallbiz on 20 July at Old Actonians club in South Ealing. Tarotist and reiki healer Athanasia Panagakou (Chryseis) presented on the teachings of Louise Hay. Three prizes were won in
the business card draw – a £40 advert in Contactus, a 1:1 session with Chryseis, and a massage taster session from Hounslow Massage Therapist Moira Johnson. We then played Cricketforfun. The next small business meetup date is Monday September 21. See you then.
See page 21 for more information about Cricketforfun
Page 18 / Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015
EALING HOMEBIZ
Still loving Mondays
D
uring her 10 years as centre manager at the St Andrews Church Centre on Mount Park Road, Maureen Vincent has got to meet a lot of the people who come through the doors on a daily basis. “We’re just really blessed to have this centre that so many people find useful,” says Maureen. About five minutes’ walk north of Ealing Broadway station, the centre is a base for several charities, including the British Red Cross, Relate, and Dementia Concern, to name a few. It is also the headquarters of the Ealing Chamber of Commerce; while a parent and toddler group has been going since the centre opened in 2001.
centre is open 8.45am-10pm. In terms of capacity, she explains that the largest room, St Aidan’s Hall, can hold 60-80 “A lot of people walk past and people, which is ideal for a think it’s just a church. But if they networking or business event. come inside, they’re surprised Smaller spaces for microto find a busy business centre, businesses are also available. with lifts, offices, and meeting Maureen, who’s lived in Ealing rooms.” There is also the buzz of for over 20 years and now calls community activities, particularly Hanwell home, loves having a in the evenings. community-oriented job: “The day “For example we have the I don’t like a Monday here is the Anna Davydova School of Dance, time to say goodbye,” she says. yoga, martial arts classes and standrewsealing. recently, a new knitting group,” urc.org.uk/church-life says Maureen. On weekdays the standrewscc@btconnect.com
Maureen Vincent: celebrating 10 years at St Andrews Church Centre At right: sharing the centre’s office with assistant Natasha Tandoh
St. Andrew’s Church Centre, Ealing Meeting rooms
10% discount on first block booking of 10 or more sessions
Training rooms
Max capacity 80 Parking available
Counselling rooms
Fully accessible Catering facilities
Business rates start from just £12 per hour
Mount Park Road Ealing W5 2RS http://tinyurl.com/standcc
Call today to enquire 020 8566 9642
EALING HOMEBIZ
Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015 / Page 19
‘MY BEST 1-MINUTE’ The one-minute pitch at a networking meeting is when everyone gets a chance to tell the gathering what they do. Here is Sukhi Bhogal of Sukhi Solutions.
The advantages of repeat advertising
A
dvertise once and you get seen; advertise more than once and you get remembered. Helping people remember you and you business is what Contactus magazines are for. Here’s a list of how advertising again (and again) in Contactus can benefit your business. • Be easy to find Potential clients will have the confidence that they can find you when they need you, by picking up or clicking on any issue of Contactus Ealing • Beat the competition Stay at the front of clients’ minds so that when they need you they come to you first, not your competitor • Get more exposure Marketing experts say a client may need to be exposed to your business between 7 and 77 times before they even notice your business, far less decide to become a customer – so use Contactus to tick off some of that 7/77 • Impress your clients Show customers that you’re not
a one-off, that you are a serious business, that you are willing to spend your money on growing your business beyond the simple reach of free social media • Reach offline audiences Increase your chances of reaching the large number of potential clients who aren’t on social media • Share your story Get someone else (i.e. me) to say how good you are: note that with each repeat advert, the accompanying free story changes, so customers find out more about you • Pay less for ads Repeat advertisers get a 10% discount when booking and paying for four or more ads at once in advance. tinyurl.com/ Contactus-advertise @ContactusEaling
“Helping people remember you is what Contactus is for”
“
Are you struggling with a health concern or personal issue? Do you need help but have no idea where to start or what to do? Have you tried to find a solution but feel unsure about where to go next? For over 10 years I have been researching and exploring different aspects of the Mind, Body and Soul field: personal development, health, spirituality, alternative therapies etc. Along the way, I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge and personal experience that I’m now using to help others. There are so many questions. What do I do? What and who can help me? How do I find the right help? Who can I trust? Will it work? All you want is direction and support from someone you can trust, who understands your challenges and has tested the solutions they’re recommending.
“
‘Be everywhere’
Wherever you’re at, I can help you to cut through the confusion and uncertainty and find a solution that’s right for you. www.sukhisolutions.com/ services/holistic-consultations
Page 20 / Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015
EALING HOMEBIZ
3 good reasons to have your shelves built while you’re away
T “July-August is one of the best times of the year to get work done”
Tim Bywater-Owens, West London Carpentry and Decoration
BESPOKE FITTED FURNITURE & DECORATION
im Bywater-Owens doesn’t go away for long during the summer months. “July-August is one of the best times of the year to get work done,” he says. “The client is out of the house, meaning we don’t get in their way, which means we can work faster too.” Tim’s company, West London Carpentry and Decoration, specialises in contemporary fitted furniture. He makes shelves and cupboards look like they’ve always been there. Tim has three convincing reasons why letting the carpenters and decorators into your house while you’re away is a good idea: 1 Less mess, less dirt. And best of all you don’t see and worry when there’s lots of mess. 2 The work gets finished faster.
tim@westlondoncarpentry.com
07795 411 400
www.westlondoncarpentry.com
If all the clearing up is only done at the very end, there’s lots of time saved in between. 3 The safety aspect. Don’t discount the advantage of having someone trusted regularly going in and out of your house while you’re away. “Finally, there’s the surprise element when you come back and see it all finished,” says Tim. www.westlondoncarpentry.com westLondoncarpentry
EALING HOMEBIZ
Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015 / Page 21
CRICKET FEEDBACK Thanks @ContactusEaling for networking and #cricketforfun today. New contacts and then took some wickets. All in a day’s work @CareConcern! – @LauraDrewell Lovely to get those joints moving again :) such a fun atmosphere and setup - look forward to the next one – Shraddha @Lifewith4ever
A game for anyone The next and final date in the summertime Cricketforfun game series is on 11 August, 1-2pm at Old Actonians CC, South Ealing W5 4LL. No playing experience necessary! Sponsors for the series are Ealing Bubble Springtime Fund; W5 Physio; and Contactus Ealing.
Cricketforfun-style sessions can also be booked for company away days, allowing staff to relax and mix in a non-business environment. Contact Carlene at carlene@contactusealing.co.uk tinyurl.com/ CricketforfunEaling CricketforfunEaling
Me playing cricket! There’s a 1st time for everything lol It was great fun :-) – Nicola @iconiccreative (in photo at left) Can’t wait to give @BailaConMarce first taste of cricket at #cricketforfun – Olly @OliverioOeste
Come and play...
Cricketforfun
CR
A quick weekday mid-afternoon game for busy Ealing people
IC K ET CL U B
CR
Old Actonians Cricket Club South Ealing W5 4LL IC K ET CL U B
tinyurl.com/ CricketforfunEaling
At Cricketforfun we play with the softer ball
Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups /CricketforfunEaling
Come and play Cricketforfun here at 1-2pm on these dates: • Fri 8 May 2015 • Mon 18 May 2015 • Fri 12 June 2015 • Fri 10 July 2015 • Mon 20 July 2015 • Tue 11 August 2015 Contact: carlene@contactusealing.co.uk
Cricketforfun is sponsored by these Ealing organisations:
Contact us EALING Local business magazine
Page 22 / Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015
#EalingHour #EalingTweetup Members of various local communities – business, charities, politics, plus a few ordinary residents recently came off Twitter to meet one another face-to-face at the Ealing Park Tavern in South Ealing
EALING HOMEBIZ
EALING HOMEBIZ
BUSINESS SHORTS Leaflet distribution
www.letterboxlovers.com Door-drops, hand-to-hand, business-to-business. Individual leaflets (we don’t do bundles). Across West London. Call Natalie 07927 711600
Fencing and carpentry
tinyurl.com/OakyDoky (Link goes to Facebook page) Local carpentry services. Fencing. Flooring. Any woodwork. 3 St Mary’s Road, South Ealing. Call Roman 07901 566055
Womb Wisdom Keepers
www.wombwisdomkeepers.com Circles every month Coaching for Women. Reconnect with your feminine wisdom and heal your sexuality. Call Orianne 07538 045233
Contactus Ealing / Jul/Aug 2015 / Page 23
Advertise your ‘Business Short’ here for £20
• Ideal for sales and notices • 140 characters (the length of a tweet!) plus your website address • info@contactusealing.co.uk
How to tell you’re a homebiz
A
Acton-based Italian chef Silvana Lanzetta is offering classes in the dying art of pasta-making – i.e. without the use of a machine. Learn to make traditional and gluten-free pasta during half-term classes for children, or weekend classes for adults. tutti-a-tavola.co.uk @Tutti_a_Tavola_ tat.silvana
1 Is your biz located at home? That’s a dead giveaway, isn’t it? Although people like plumbers and mobile nail technicians sometimes argue the point. 2 Do you fill out self-assessment tax forms? Less to argue about here. What HMRC says goes. Yep, homebiz. 3 Do you work freelance, or as a consultant? You’re a homebiz, even if you have a full-time job.
In our next issue... s you would have read at the other end of this magazine (on page 3), from next year we’ll only have one full magazine published and printed, at Christmas time. During the rest of 2016, advertisers will be able to reach the local audience through a new online-only publication that we’ll be launching in January. So if you’ve always been planning to have your business featured and promoted in true Contactus style (free artwork, free story, including photo, plus all the social media boosting we can manage), be sure to take advantage of the remaining four full magazines this year. Coming up next is the Sep/ Oct issue (due out 25 Sep), which for the past two years has focused on the sports and health side of Ealing businesses.
Pasta classes
Alongside the main Sporting Ealing theme of the magazine, we’ll have a special section for the Ealing Autumn Festival. That issue is followed by the popular Christmas edition, out early on 6 Nov. There will be a special event publication for the Ealing in Business expo, online 13 Nov, and in print by the 19th. The last magazine for the year will be our Christmas special edition, ‘Contactus Acton’, focusing on shops and services in the W3 area. So if your business is related to any of these themes, or you would like to show community support for them, please book your advertising to make the most of the shared exposure. contactusealing.co.uk @ContactusEaling ContactusEalingHomebiz
Learn to make pasta Contact Silvana
silvana@tutti-a-tavola.co.uk
Book your advert in Contactus while you still can REMAINING 2015 EDITIONS • Sep/Oct online 25 Sep • Christmas edition online 6 Nov • Ealing in Business guide online 13 Nov • ‘Contactus Acton’ online 4 Dec All magazines come out in print a week after being published online
Contact us EALING Local business magazine
contactusealing.co.uk
Ealing H
JUL/A
UG 201
5 / Iss
‘Ealing Homebiz’ from page 15
omebiz
ue 15
We’re home-bhere to prom ot ased bu sinessee over 16,00 0* s in Eali Read o nline at: ng www .contac
Special section: Making use of downtime in your business pages 4-9
tusealin
g.co.uk Page 4
/ Cont
actus Ea
ling / M
ay/Jun
2015 BUSINE
SS D
Ealing-b screen ased businesse cricket break to enjoy – see pain South Ealin a g about Cr ge 21 for mor e icketforfu n
page 1 8 St And page 2 r e w ’s W 0 Church est Lon C e n tre don Ca Mauree rpe n Vince a nt Tim nd Decoratio ntry n Bywate r-Owen s page 1 9
Contac tus Why it m sense t akes spread o advertisout your ing
•
page 1 6 Ealing C hambe r of Comme Vesna rce Nall
page Find ne 16 / events tworking in Ealing page What h 17 / fourth Cappened at ou r ontactu s Meetu page p Learn to23 / pasta b make y hand
•
•
* Conta c based o tus estimate n FSB fi gures
Take tim your min e to work on benefits dset and see th in your businesse
T
“It’s jus on reset as easy to wo if you statting your thin rk simply d y at home anking everyda o less on the d y workfr ont”
Summe r dream s
he surp streets risingly quiet of Ealin su g du at and Au mmer months ring the th home and sim gu ply do les e everyd of our to st show that of July With he ay workfront s on 3 Write down an wn’s culture toit’s part on, Hanw r business co. you have a list of all the ach hat the days d/or take a br slow ell-base ha yourself about this sit thoughts schoolc are warmer eak when Cr s written abou d Jo Sumner uatio in this sit an hil t “How eate a M to uation. n and Having dren are on hod the or e Expans Mindse 4 Go th t” how to some ideas ab liday. article: (online editio ive Money the mosrough and highli us tinyurl.co n links to t powerfu months e the slower out ght th will not to boost your summer M She refers to sem/JoMindset). fo oughts. Make l negative on a artin Se r and ag lf-help you’ve wa ly save you febusiness ainst th list of evidence learning ligman’s proc author ese belie to think weeks ou sted eight va eling like ess for An fs. d th “We ca optim observe en, she continu actually t of the year, luable optimist n learn to be istically. co these th the negative ef es, ideas be lead to some but may and explaic thinkers,” wr me cr oughts, fects of I ite power thing formed th eative fe ins in el, s te Jo how to what rms , at e do so: 1 Think Ask th I say and wh of “how If you’r rest of the ye can is currenof a situation th happen e question “W at I do. and heade actually uppin ar. Describ t but not dras at somethinif I changed th hat would good fo ed out of the g sticks em to e it in a tic. r yo borough, g more fe Th But it’s u. em w en sentence po “R 2 Is your s. any subje epeat this pr wering?” resetting just as easy to oc accura description wo your think want to ct matter wh ess with ing if yo rk on have te? Re-write factually ere you change u stay until you the mos yo It’s ur the m t neutra descrip l possibl making first step towaindset”. tion. e busines improvements rds s over th in e summ your er. – Ca
EALING
rlene Be
nder
Ealing in Business is brought to you by the following organisations, working in partnership
IN BUSINESS
Local business-to-business exhibition
Thursday 19 Nov 2015
Display stalls still available
See pages 11-13
Become an exhibitor: apply via our website: ealing.biz Find us on Facebook: /ealinginbusiness Follow us on Twitter: @EalingBiz
Contact us EALING Local business magazine