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#copierpaper (at Bagshot)

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We're moving....

So then, in typical fashion, I never seem to hang around for long! 

I saw the office only two weeks ago, and today spent the first full day in there. It felt good too. The really odd thing was actually 'driving home' after work! A full five minuets of commuting and I was almost complaining!!

All in all it felt a move for the good though. I have adapted to working from a home home office well, although it certainly has it's positives. I would never eschew the idea of anyone working from home now. It works, and as the world becomes smaller and more accessible, then it certainly makes sense.

The first of our sponsored radio shows went out last week, and interestingly, the traffic through our website increased. I've never disguised the fact that the sponsorship was partly due to my love of the show (Ruth Fisher on Solar Radio and my love of jazz), but obviously, from a fiscal and business point of view I need for it to pay it's way. The sponsorship needs to bear fruit, but I am willing to give it time. All avenues ned to be explored and I am determined in this 'second chance' that no stone will remain un-turned. 

The move to the new office seems to have been beneficial. The environment is perfect, the parent company is so very obliging and wonderful. I thought long and hard prior to taking on this office, but thus far the omens are good. 

I am under no illusion that the upturn is due to either the sponsorship or the move but rather due to the relentless pursuit of making sure that every single avenue is explored.

This road and journey has thus far been so enjoyable. If anyone should wish to contact me and discuss the the process of starting/closing a business, please do. It is never easy, but don't waste another day in the corporate world that inwardly you loathe and despise. Make that jump. The worst that can happen is destitution. But, and it is a pretty major but, you may just find solace and proper, genuine happiness from chasing after that rainbow.

Do it. It really is worth it. Don't live one more day as lie....

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Initio & The Ruth Fisher Notes & Tones Show

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Times They Are A Changin'...

So, effectively, Initio has only been running in a full time capacity for three months. In actuality it was started a few elks before that, but due to work commitments at that time, it was strictly run as an evening and weekends kind of thing.

When I went full time, the situation was such that I elected for the first time ever to work from a home office. I never thought I'd find myself in that position. I'd always been factory and production based. The very idea of working from home left me cold.

To my surprise it has actually been ok. I think it fair to say it would only sort a certain type, but luckily I am a very focused and driven individual. The temptation has never been there to just drift and lounge in the living room!

But, a part of me also knows, that professional reasons, working from home has it's limitations. Meetings with clients is the major obvious drawback. The fact you can't offer them to 'pop round to the office' is a major problem. It also adds miles to you cars odometer!!! 

So, the decision has been taken to move to an office. Part of me is heavy hearted about that as it works well for me. But looking at the bigger picture, I think it will be a positive and beneficial for my clients. I have managed to find an office offering good terms, local and all inclusive. Within this week I will be moving in and updating the website. Obviously, having made the decision, I want to sell it hard and publicise it. Crucially for me there are no other print management companies near by. I am hoping that this will mean that I can secure some new custom from other companies within the office block.

Other changes have been secured a direct Facebook link (facebook.com/initioprint) and we have also been featured on the developers website of accounts package (http://easybooksapp.com/case-studies). 

I have been sending emails by the truck load looking for new leads. As much as I hate cold selling I know it has to be done. As yet no response, but I will keep attacking. I am determined to leave no stone unturned and making sure not make mistakes of the past. 

My energy is till high and the determination fulsome. All we need is a break of luck. 

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what a beautiful, gold foil finish we created, artworked and delivered for our client Alexander Reed

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5 posts!

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Heading the right way…..

This whole starting a new business is pretty darned exciting. As mentioned before, I thought I was long enough in the tooth, that I kind of new it all. That, of course, is a complete folly. Old dogs…new tricks etc.

There is a great energy in this whole process. I honestly find that of an evening or driving, these days my mind is always looking for another strategy or new angle. It's surprising, that when your mind is in that space, how creative you can be. 

I have finally become aware after being told by many people, that I can sell. I've never seen it in myself, but I am realising that people still by from people. Once I manage to get in front of someone, I can generally engage with them. There are no secrets to this; I know print pretty well so feel confidant in talking with them and also I do really care about achieving great things for them. I take a real pride in what I do and I think that comes through to the people I am with.

Whatever your new venture may be, be sure you care deeply about it. The energy that will come through from you to your public will become a calling card for success.

Within Initio for instance, I am recognising the need for diversification and as much as print and litho print in particular is my background, point of sale material and unusual items like carrier bags or even cushion covers. These items bring great value to your client, so they will be grateful and hopefully remain loyal. Small, but unusual items matter to your client and will also remain longer in their memory. Take time source these items and create an air of satisfaction. 

I have been really chuffed this week in designing a banner totally in house and carrying this through to actually reciting it for them. Also, a client who wanted a fairly small number of carrier bags at a low unit cost, seems to be happy with the progress being made. I hope that we will meet this week and get a firm order from them. I feel particularly happy with this as their existing printer showed no interest in trying to find these for them. I made a real point of making call after call and finally finding the right firm for the job. I will let you know how that goes.

It seems the next unusual item to source will be printed tissue paper…..check!! Think I have found someone for that too. It's amazing what with the web and all the amazing contacts I have within my trade, what can be done.

VAT return time looming soon. Glad to say that is all in hand though. May be the next blog will be about the finance side of setting up a new business.

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so, that was a weird one!

Let me start at the end! Obvious huh! So lunchtime today, the phones and broadband went down. Just what a new start looking for all the work they can find needs right? The first problem of course was in reporting it to dear old BT. No website available and no phone....oh, and to add to the joy, my mobile reception is somewhere between useless and nothing! Anyway, eventually I did manage to get a message through to them and all I have been informed of via text is that it could be up to three days. Perfect! We shall see then I guess and I will let you know the outcome.

The marketing actually went pretty well this week. Contacted just under 100 local businesses and actually had feedback from one!! I call that a good response. yes, could have done with something a little more run-of-the-mill (they want quality carrier bags for their beauty rooms), but I guess if I manage to keep them happy, it will get my foot in the door and prove my flexibility. I am real keen to try and get in with the local businesses. I think being known locally could be a massive bonus. 

I had been considering placing an advert in the local press too. Then I had one of those breaks of luck that is needed. I am currently carrying out some work for an Israel charity. The woman I am dealing with also presents a radio show. Well, one thing led to another, and before you know it, Initio will now proudly be sponsoring The Ruth Fisher Notes & Tones show on Solar radio every first or second Wednesday of the month. Not only will the name be mentioned throughout the show, but the logo also goes up on the Solar website. In one stroke that will have got my name and logo out to thousands of people. It will prove a fascinating task seeing what results it yields. I have signed up for four months initially. 

Got my head around the figures too. Took the laborious step of manually going through every single sales & purchase invoice collating net figures and VAT so as to make sure that (no pun intended), I am right on the money when it comes to VAT returns and knowing my profitability and margins. So far, the picture is looking ok. I tell you what I love about this new start, having come from running a much bigger company, where everything becomes so disjointed, having something some much smaller to nurture and watch grow is a thing of beauty I tell you. Its like learning to ride a bike all over again and trying hard to avoid too many wobbles. 

I felt the week had been a poor one, but I guess when I take a look at what I've managed, all in all, it's been ok.

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Why a new business? Why Initio?

You know what, it still sounds odd when I hear that phrase come out of my mouth. I never thought I'd find myself in the position of having think that let alone say it. After all, I was the MD of an established 45 year old company. What could go wrong?

In a word, the recession!! It finally did for me. I was then faced with options. Lament the passing or move on. Don't get me wrong, it was a massive emotional drain losing my other, family derived company, but life is for living and I have a family that needs supporting. 

I considered options of leaving print altogether, but realised not only is it what I know, it was others, more importantly, know me for. The new company was going to be all about people buying into me; my knowledge and my personality.

It had taken many years and quite a lot of convincing that I am someone people want to buy from. A salesman if you will. Yes, I know print, but people buy from me. It actually required a few few close colleagues, MD's and CEO's to point this out to me. With that fact now taken as a given, I have thrown myself headlong in to this new venture.

I have revised both how I look at print and how I look at business. I have tried to re-learn what I used to take as business facts and make sure I am not blinkered and am open to all options. 

There is a wealth of knowledge out there. Never underestimate the knowledge of friends either. They know you, will often be of a similar age and outlook and in many instances have the same entrepreneurial ideals. Just an hour spent chatting with friends can often set you on the right course.

Fear often holds you back when the idea of a new business is rattling round inside your head. It is fair and right that fear has it's place, but if you know in your heart that you have the desire and the passion to make something work, you owe it to yourself to follow that through. If not, you will be an unsatisfied soul. You owe it first and foremost to yourself to follow the passion that burns within.

And so to my new start. Basically I knew it was what I wanted. I need to work for myself. How well this new business, Initio, does obviously is yet to be seen. What I can tell you is that it has complete focus and energy driving it. This is where my heart it is.

As to why call it Initio, well, I always wanted a short, sharp name. Clean and catchy. I believe the name ticks all those boxes and I love it's meaning......to start over!

That is exactly what I am doing - learning new skills, meeting new people and taking control once again of my professional career.

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The Website Day for new start company

so, I thought today i would take the bull by the proverbial horns and finally get that website out there. 

Thank the Lord above that I chose a quieter day. Using a platform upon which to build my site, I had figured that the biggest problem I would have would be finding the time in which to finish the thing off. Day after day, it had been on my to-do list, and day after day I had failed in achieving this one simple task.

Now, I will be the first to admit that the finished product is not exactly re-writing the rules of website design, it serves it's job being clean, informative and most importantly giving me that on-line presence.

The fun was only just about to start it transpired. I am all about print. Why should I know about mx records and DNS servers for heavens sakes??

I am now in touch with my hosting company to try and get some help, with a website complete but not available on line. Why oh why??

As to whether having a website will help my new start company, who knows, but it would be a real luxury to at least be allowed to publish it!

I will let you know how things transpire.....

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Getting started

I promise, Initio Print will get the hang of this!! Just testing the water