Peaks and troughs

Business wise, here’s what’s been going on:

Peaks

• excitement at finally getting the first little bit of the Mummo website out for beta testing, and seeing a few people sign up!
• teamwork and laughter on meeting up with my new advertising and marketing ‘partner’ (a daddo to 3 little ones, and all round great guy)
• inspiration and focus on meeting up with Nina Grunfeld, founder of Life Clubs and author of ‘The big book of me’ and ‘The big book of us’
• creative flow - having more and more ideas, and seeing inspiration everywhere
• anticipation as I look forward to attending the Innovation Edge conference tomorrow, where all sorts of interesting people including the Prime Minister and Sir Bob Geldof are speaking!

Troughs

• the frustration of things taking far longer than ever expected
• nervousness as more and more people get involved in mum-related ventures - will the arena just become too crowded?
• the fear of failure - will this work out, or will it turn out to be one VERY expensive learning experience?!
• disappointment at having to miss the SHINE unconference for social entrepreneurs

There’s more to life than browsing!

I admit it, I have been spending far too much time surfing the web recently, and not enough time in the real world!  It’s just too tempting, when the wind is gusting against the windows, to escape off into the endless exciting possibilities offered by the internet.  Shall I book a holiday somewhere warm and exotic?  After a few hours browsing, I suddenly remember that I’ve got a partner with no holiday left, two small children with far busier social calendars than mine, no money, Christmas and two birthdays to plan and a business to launch.  That’ll be a ‘no’ then!  Okay, so shall I buy a few more bits and pieces to put in the little ones’ stockings?  After a few hours browsing, I suddenly remember that we can’t see the carpet for toys anyway, and more to the point I’d intended to go all zen minimalist this year and avoid the crazy consumerism that is dragging this planet and everyone on it down the pan.  That’ll be another ‘no’ then!  Okay, so perhaps some constructive personal development for the New Year?  Better, but still another few hours’ browsing rather than getting on with what I’m meant to be doing.  I am my own worst enemy.

Having said that, I did discover some interesting stuff whilst being distracted.  For example, I’ve finally been invited to join the beta test of the new social network for social entrepreneurs: UnLtdWorld.  Tried it out this morning and within ten minutes had downloaded a really useful toolkit for sustainable social businesses, invited myself to an event run by Ogunte Global Tribal Network and joined a couple of great-sounding groups.

In addition, I signed up for some free workshops being run by Business Link London, one on marketing with a small budget and one on PR.  As I’ve only got a very small budget for marketing, I suspect I’ll be pinning my hopes on PR, so with any luck they’ll have lots of tips to help.

And last but not least, on a highly superficial note, I also came across (purely by chance, you understand) a photo of David Beckham in the latest advert for Armani underpants.  Now that really was a moment of pure escapism!

Anyway, so much for all that.  My early New Year’s Resolution is to FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS.  I will concentrate on my real priorities and steer clear of distractions.  Not even a bare-chested Becks will lure me away from my ‘To do’ list … unless, of course, he’s on it!

PS.  Please excuse this one girlie weakness.  Just put it down to the festive spirit going straight to my head!

Think I’ve just microwaved my brain!

My mobile ‘phone is hot hot hot, and so is the side of my face! Over two hours talking to the web designer and I’m feeling seriously fried! Shame I haven’t yet managed to set up my new Parrot Minikit speaker thingummyjiggy so that I can chat hands-free. All this new technology is proving to be a project in itself.

Anyway, have now been through all the various design templates for the website with a fine toothcomb and so hopefully, by tomorrow, they’ll be on their way to the techie people to start the build. It’s gradually gradually taking shape … and I have to admit I’m starting to get excited. I even wake up at night and wish I could get up and work!

But the main reason for writing this right now is because I’ve just discovered two great new websites. The first is going to cost me a fortune because it’s chockablock with things my little ones would LOVE for Christmas! Have a look at Tish Tash Toys and you’ll see what I mean. And, if you’re a mum looking for flexible family-friendly work, you might want to consider becoming one of their agents? The second is really interesting because it’s the social networking site for social entrepreneurs - UnLtdWorld. You can only access the tour at the moment as it’s in closed beta testing, but you can sign up to go on the waiting list!

Must go now as I’ve got jammie dodgers waiting to sustain me through this afternoon’s activity - drafting all the automated responses for the website. Bought three packets for a pound this morning, and think I’m going to need them …

Bits and pieces

Guess what, slowly but surely it feels as if things are starting to take shape. There’s a holding page on the website now - www.mummo.co.uk - and a few people have even registered their details! Including one mum I just happened to get chatting to in the park. I’m so thrilled that she actually remembered the web address and was interested enough to have a look, seems like a really good sign. Word of mouth is definitely the way this is going to work, and I’m going to have to overcome any shyness and just put myself ‘out there’!

Should be getting to see the second wet proof for the logo colours this afternoon. There was a bit of a problem with the first one and what should have been a lovely vibrant pinky-red with a subtle shade of silver turned out a horrible bright red and dull dull grey! Looked like an 80s boy’s bedroom! The designers were mystified, the printers were mystified, Pantone in America were mystified … and I was just inclined to choose a different colour and get on with it. But apparently, for whatever reason, this new wet proof is much better so hopefully we’ll be able to finalise the stationery and send some stuff to print. And then I might finally be able to start giving out professional-looking business cards and spreading the word in earnest. Although, having said that, there’s only so much I can talk about something that doesn’t really exist yet, and a holding page isn’t going to hold anyone’s attention for long!

As for the rest of the website, well, I’ve been working with the designers to agree some of the templates that will determine the overall look and feel of the site. Once we’ve sorted these out, they’ll be passed across to the ‘techie’ people who’ll begin building the thing. It’s a long slow process but I’m really pleased with what’s been done so far.

So, as I mentioned a couple of blogs ago, the only downside recently has been finding out that I didn’t get an award from UnLtd (www.unltd.org.uk), the organisation that supports social entrepreneurs. I’ve asked for some feedback but haven’t heard back yet - all they’ve told me so far, in the rejection letter, is that competition was really tough. Guess they were just trying to soften the blow, but I think I deserve a little more detail after all the effort that went into the application process. Have to say, though, that there are probably other people who need the money and support from UnLtd more than I do. After all, they’re working with lots of refugees who really have nothing and no way of getting a bank loan or anything like that. So, whilst I’m disappointed, I guess I’m not downhearted. If anything, it’s just made me even more determined to make this a big success!

And finally for today’s ‘bits and pieces’ blog, have you by any chance been watching ‘Millionaire’s Mission‘ on Channel 4 ? I have, and it’s been fascinating. Entrepreneurs worth millions and millions are actually, in many ways, quite ordinary. And yet, some of them, also quite extraordinary! I was so impressed with the ‘Teach Inn Uganda‘ project that Seb, Deirdre and Tony set up - if I didn’t have two small children I’d be off out there like a shot! Then again, thinking about it, perhaps I should take them with me??? And do a Mummo.co.uganda?!! Now there’s an idea …

Late night blogging …

Got a feeling that this blog is only ever going to get written in the middle of the night, as the days just seem to fly by at an alarming rate and my ‘to do’ list seems to grow rather than shrink! Can’t remember what’s happened since I last wrote, so I guess I may as well just concentrate on today. Oooops, can’t even remember that! In fact, it was yesterday that I came across a really interesting website for social entrepreneurs - www.i-genius.org. They’re planning an i-genius World Summit in Phuket in 2008 and I definitely like the sound of that. Wonder if the Inland Revenue would mind if I claimed expenses for a family of four?! After all, I can’t work unless my children are properly cared for, and who better to do that than their daddy? And on that note, why is it that you can’t claim the costs of childcare as a valid business expense? Can anyone enlighten me … with a convincing argument?!

An attack of the virals …

Well, I’m back, after a sunny afternoon’s jaunt over to Oxford to meet up with two great ‘techie’ guys who, hopefully, will help to build my website. It’s amazing how, after three years with baby or toddler babble constantly in the background, a couple of hours’ motorway driving with shades on and a good CD seems like complete luxury. Not to mention the Costa coffee when I arrived … and the adult conversation that actually got my brain going. Feels fab to be venturing into fresh territory and learning about a whole new world, even if it does all sometimes seem like Googledygeek technospeak! And, despite that, people still appear to be taking me seriously!

Anyway, back to what I mentioned earlier about viral marketing. I’m hoping to apply for an award from an organisation called UnLtd - www.unltd.org.uk. They’ve got millions of pounds of Lottery money to give to social entrepreneurs - individuals who are going to do something that will have a positive impact on their communities. I’d like to win one of their awards because it’d mean a bit of cash, extra credibility and some invaluable support to help get this project off the ground. But to be in with a chance I’ve got to complete an application form and tell them what I want the money for. Well, I was hoping to use it at least part of it for a viral marketing campaign. (No, I didn’t have a clue what that meant three days ago but I’m learning fast!) But then I spoke to a really helpful guy at a specialist consultancy and he basically said I’d need at least £15k … which, of course, I can’t afford! So that’s why I spent most of last night - in between mopping my little one’s fevered brow - conjuring up all kinds of crazy ideas for a ‘budget’ viral that would blow everyone’s minds! Any suggestions anyone?