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How to Market Effectively: Lessons From Donald Miller at BMS

Marketing sells products, so effective marketing translates directly into success. Many businesses have difficulty with marketing because they aren’t sure where to start or how to turn leads into customers. This overview will walk you through the best way of marketing your products and services according to Donald Miller, CEO of Business Made Simple.

The Sales Funnel

Creating a sales funnel or a customer journey is a great way of building relationships with customers and getting them to engage more with your products and services.   A well made sales funnel helps you build trust with your customers and allows them to become familiar with your business, which makes them feel more comfortable. Repeated interaction is what builds trust — after all, nobody trusts someone they just met. As Donald notes, “there’s incredible power in a customer seeing your company’s name over and over.” The sales funnel also helps your business implement new messaging quickly without a lot of disturbance. This is because of the way the sales funnel is set up. According to Donald, there are four main components:   A one-liner: A single sentence that catches interest and makes people curious about your product or service. Direct and impactful landing page: A straightforward and attention grabbing website. Lead generator: Something of decent value to offer people in exchange for their email address. Email campaign: Consistent emails over the course of several weeks, months, or even years to build familiarity and trust.  

Start With a Powerful One-Liner

Donald defines a one-liner as “a sentence designed to pique a customer’s curiosity about whether they need your product or service.” Instead of just saying what your business does or what you sell, you want to set up your one-liner as an attention-grabbing and engaging story. This can be done by treating the customer’s problem as the hook at the start of the sentence, followed by the solution (your product), and the happy result.   This should be short and succinct, and it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. For example, a freelancer that creates wedding invitations might have the following one-liner: Planning weddings is incredibly stressful, and it’s impossible to accomplish it alone. With my completely custom calligraphy service, your guests will receive beautiful invitations and you can spend more time focusing on what really matters: the love of your life.    The above one-liner introduces a relatable problem, positions the product as the solution, and paints a happy picture as a result. Putting your one-liner wherever you can, including business cards, emails, and on your website will help people memorize it and take it to heart. As Donald says, a one-liner is “a short story that you’re trying to get people to memorize.”

What’s on Your Website?

Your landing page should be a summary of what you are offering your customers and why they need it. While branding is used to help people feel a certain way or influence perception, marketing is used to make sales. This is why the main focus of your landing page should be enlightening your customers to the ways in which your products will improve their lives.    Donald makes it very clear that “your landing page is a sales pitch,” it’s not a place for paragraph upon paragraph of information about the history of your business. He shares the three questions that customers need to be able to answer very easily: What are you selling? How does it make my life better? How do I buy it? People process information rapidly, and you need to be able to ask and answer these important questions as clearly and quickly as possible.

Make Lead Generators Enticing

The word “newsletter” is everywhere nowadays -- businesses in every industry try to encourage people to sign up for newsletters in order to acquire leads. As Donald says, “nobody signs up for ‘vague’.” To generate more leads, you have to offer something more enticing, and you have to be specific.    If you’re a meal service, will you send a list of delicious recipes every week? If you’re a language learning app, will you hold a live event or post a free, short education series for those that sign up? In order to earn the email addresses that turn into leads, you must pique curiosity and offer something of value.   Donald outlines the three stages of a customer relationship as curiosity, enlightenment, and commitment. Foster curiosity by making your lead generator attractive, enlighten the customers by showing them the value that you can provide, and get commitment when they decide to  purchase from you.

Email, Email, Email

Once you have leads, use them. Making your business’s name recognizable to people is a large part of the battle. This can be done through consistent emails, as repetition gains people’s trust. It may seem futile to send email after email with no commitment from leads, but as Donald states, “you want to be known to your customer when the window opens in which they might be willing to buy your product.”   This is an incredibly important statement. A lot of the time, you aren’t marketing to get immediate sales, but you are priming people for purchasing from you when they are in the market for your product or service. To stay consistent and stick in people’s minds, Donald suggests sending emails at least once a week, and highlights how important it is to add a call to action at the end of every single one.   The entire point of marketing is to make you money. When you market effectively, you create valuable relationships with customers over time. Be direct, straightforward, and always position your product as the solution to the customer’s problem. Once you have leads, don’t be afraid to email them — the worst they can do is ignore you! If you loved this lesson from Donald Miller, click here to read another one of his lessons. Read the full article

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Meet Katie Stockdale Owner of Juno, A Wellness Space and Café in Leytonstone

Katie Stockdale, owner of Juno has created a women-centred wellness space and café in Leytonstone, East London and we are excited to share this interview!

Katie Stockdale, owner of Juno has created an open space for open minds. Juno is a woman-centred wellness space & cafe in Leytonstone, East London; hosting workshops and classes that challenge and change the female narrative; from periods to pregnancy, money to mindfulness, nutrition to new medicine. Here is our interview with Katie about Juno! "Katie, tell us how did the Juno story start? What motivated you to open a woman-centred open space and café in Leytonstone?" Education and empowerment are at the beating heart of what we do here at Juno. There are many aspects of women's health that are ignored or misunderstood, We want to normalise and celebrate things that have been labeled a problem in the past. There were alot of online communities having these conversations but nothing in person here in the UK and we are very passionate about connection and community at Juno. Magic happens when people get together in real life. "How did you come up with the name, Juno, for your business? What is the meaning behind it?" So many people ask me this and I actually do have a legit response!  I was researching names of egyptian goddesses and deities (i'm a bit of a history geek) but none of the names rolled off the tongue. I expanded the search to greek and roman goddesses and I chanced upon Juno, who was the goddess of the lives of women and said to watch over the women of Rome. It was a no brainer and it still sounds modern so there you go! "What are you most proud of since starting Juno?" Surviving covid-19 as a business and launching during a pandemic! it's a very strange time to launch. Unpredictable at best. " You are meeting women frequently via your job. What are the biggest difficulties that they face nowadays due to society’s prejudices and expectations? How do you help them?" Time constraints, and trying to do all the things, all the time. A lot of Womxn we meet have been putting themself at the bottom of a very to do list and consequently are burning out! Lockdown and all of the additional stress really added fuel to that fire. We aim to offer an antidote to that and a place where you can take the time for yourself, even if it’s only for a couple of hours We get a lot of new parents visiting and it's a shitty time to be expecting. Being the primary carer for a new baby can be incredibly isolating at the best of times, Never mind the worst! It’s been heartwarming to see the new parents coming in and having socially distanced meet ups with their friends. We want to support womxn at all key milestones in their life and having a baby is arguably one of the biggest! We have an awesome selection of classes, workshops and 121s available for pregnant and new parents including hypnobirthing, pregnancy yoga and 121 support with a Doula. "Juno encourages body positivity and mindfulness. What empowering advice would you give to women that are too hard with themselves?" This is unpicking years of negative narrative from the media about our bodies not being ‘good enough’ as we are so it probably won't happen overnight. Self love and acceptance is a journey, not a destination. There's gonna be ups and downs and twists and turns so surround yourself with people that support you and want to hold your hand along the way. "How does Juno help women through its wellness space and café in Leytonstone?" By creating a safe space to explore all aspects of women's health and wellbeing. We host classes and workshops that challenge and change the female narrative. From Periods to Pleasure, From Money to Mindfulness, From Nutrition to New medicine. Our cafe serves to bring our community together IRL whether it’s curling up with a cuppa and a book from our lending library or joining one of our peer support groups. "During Covid-19, you were forced to close-down the doors to your wellness space. What is the biggest challenge that Juno faced during this lockdown?" We only really had the doors open for a week before lockdown and that was the softest of soft launch for private events and I was in the process of gearing up to launch the cafe which we then couldn't do so it was a real false start for us. Just having to wait it out and stay positive while revenue generation off the table. "What were you doing different during this time of uncertainty to ensure that the business keeps moving?" I cant really answer this as I didnt have a business over lockdown! I had to look after my son and try and pivot my other business. "How did the demand for wellness services change post-lockdown?" We only launched after lockdown so it's hard to say. "What is the mantra that keeps you motivated every day?" “Good things are fucking coming” is one and “everything that happens is for my greater good in life” is another. "What is the best advice that you have ever received for Juno?" Don't try and do everything yourself! You will crash and burn really quickly "If you were given a chance to start Juno from scratch, what would you do differently this time?" Maybe get a business partner...i’m wearing a lot of different hats at the moment! Hindsight is always 2020 vision though right? "What do you have planned for Juno in the next years?" We are shortly about to launch our digital program, I was in two minds initially as in-person and face to face support is so important and integral to what we are creating with Juno and I wanted to make sure it was authentic (apologies for use of such a cliched word!)  but there is a thirst for it, people are asking and of course we are not out of the woods with lockdown looming so from a business standpoint, it makes sense and we can do it with integrity. The next step is for us to launch a lifestyle edit of product to buy both online and from our space in Leyton. Everything from herbal tonics to fem-tech. I used to be a buyer so I’m particularly excited about this. There has definitely been a lot of passion and hard work been put into Juno, if you loved the interview and want to head own to this amazing women-centred wellness space and café in Leytonstone at 102 Rookery Court, 80 Ruckholt Road, Leyton, E10 5FA. If you want a creative space to open your business like Katie, why not find a space in East London or Southwest London by clicking here Mainyard Studios Locations Follow Juno @We.are.juno on instagram / Head over to their website here https://msha.ke/we.are.juno/ Read the full article

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Meet Lucinda Gallant From the Mainyard Music Studios East London

Lucinda Gallant was one of the first residents to rent one of our music studios in East London and we are excited to share this interview!

London based songwriter, singer and piano-player, Dare Summer, has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. Hours spent as a child listening to her jazz-musician father improvise at the piano inspired her to write music that reflects her mood and situation. Summer finds melodies in the harmony and words in her experiences. As one of the first Mainyard residents, Lucinda had her music studio in East London custom built. "Lucinda, your stage name is ‘Dare Summer’, what was the inspiration behind this cool name?" The name Dare is after the Human League album and Summer is for Donna Summer who is one of my musical heroes. "What first got you into music?" I come from a musical family, my father was a jazz pianist and so music was all around me when I was growing up. "Who are your musical influences?" As a songwriter, I draw inspiration from the 70s disco and glam eras, early 80s synth bands, classical music, jazz standards as well as the classic, piano-playing pop songwriters like Elton John, Carole King and Billy Joel. "How would you describe your music?" I find it hard to describe my music, you used to just be able to say pop music and people would know what you meant but nowadays there are so many genres and I get so confused! I guess you’d call it electro/alt-pop/singer-songwriter "What messages are you trying to convey through your music?" I never really try to convey any specific messages, I just write whatever I’m feeling at the time.  Occasionally I release a song that I wrote years ago and I can’t remember exactly what it’s about because the moment has long since passed. As long as a song means something to someone, that’s all that really matters. "If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?" Hmmm, I don’t really know how I’d change this but one my main beefs right now is that the market is completely saturated and that music is free to consume but still costs money to make. "What has been your biggest milestone in your artistic career?" Starting to release music finally after so many years writing it. "What are you working on at the moment?" I’m releasing a single next week so there’s a bit of preparation for that. Creatively, I’m writing a new album. "Has COVID-19 impacted your music or the creative process?" It certainly had an effect on my state of mind, as I think it did on everyone’s. But actually it’s been nice to have long, uninterrupted stretches of time ahead of me to write. "What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?" Don’t be scared to ask questions, it’s okay not to know things whatever stage you’re at in life. "Did you find it difficult to break into the industry?" It’s relatively easy these days to be an independent artist. Not that it’s not a lot of work, but it’s possible to release music without the need for a record company. "What made you decide to create a music studio at Mainyard in East London?" I needed somewhere to put my piano so that I could play it and not disturb anyone.  I was extremely lucky to have come across Main Yard Studios at the very beginning so I could choose my lovely room. "How has Mainyard Studios impacted your music career? Do you collaborate with other residents?" It’s had a big impact on my music, I’ve collaborated a lot with my neighbours here on the first floor, working with producer Dean Marriott on all my music and Park District on some of my videos. Many of the Mainyard artists have come and recorded on my piano as well! It’s been a very productive and inspiring 8 years! If you want to take your music production to the next level like Lucinda Gallant, why not find a music studios in East London or South West London by clicking here Mainyard Studios Locations Follow Lucinda @daresummermusic on instagram / Streaming on Youtube, Youtube Music, Spotify and Deezer Dare Summer Music on Spotify Read the full article

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Meagan SE Wellman Owner of M-SEW with a private office in East London

Megan SE Wellman, owner and creator of her brand "M-Sew" is one of our Mainyard residents who has her own private office in East London.  

  Meagan Wellman has created her own fashion brand ‘M-SEW’ in her private office in East London, describing it as “island vibes with an urban twist” and explores the contrast of islands and city life celebrating the island in the city vibe. M-SEW strives for more environmentally friendly fashion practices and takes special attention to how their pieces impact the world. This ethos is also reflected in their efforts to give back to local communities. Here is our interview with Meagan! "M-SEW is the brand that represents your identity, from the brand name to the design inspired by the places you have grown up in Barbados and Bermuda. What motivated you to start your own clothing line?" I spent a lot of time with my grandma growing up. She was a seamstress – so seeing her take textiles and creating garments which were worn by her clients inspired me to explore fashion design further. Both my parents are artists too – creating with paint and pottery – but those mediums weren’t for me, but I look to those art techniques when developing prints and fabrics for my designs. "Before starting M-SEW you worked as a sales assistant in different fashion companies. How did this help you with designing and managing your own clothing line?" Being able to see the everyday and what people would buy was great experience for me. I had the opportunity to work with a small team in Mayfair, so was able to see the management of the boutique and online store too. The boutique had a showroom that allowed me to see each new seasonal collection, and also encouraged my involvement with the buying process for shop floor, which was fantastic. It taught me that when it comes to a clothing line, there has to be a balance of realism and fantasy. Pieces that would draw people in the store from the window display, then the pieces that people would actually purchase for their daily lives. "The fashion industry is highly competitive. What is your USP and makes you stand out from your competitors?" I know right! I feel that M-SEW is my unique take on my island upbringing and mixing it with urban references of London which results in a unique take on the brands designs. "Your collections combine an island vibe with an urban twist. Where do you look to for inspiration for the brand’s collections?" I look wherever I am to be honest. As I am based in London there's so much to absorb. I love taking in the way that people style their clothing when travelling on the tube – there’s no typical British style, everyone embraces their own way of doing it. I am also inspired heavily by nature - the textures and patterns that are just there, especially when you look up close. "Because of Covid-19, you started producing facemasks. What other changes did you have to make to keep the business going?" I have been striving to find ways to give back and be more eco-conscious with my collections and also how I go about the business. So far with each sale I have been donating 20% of each sale to either the NHS or KWANDA - to support black communities in the UK and the Black Lives Matter movement. I have also released a collection of printed t-shirts that are organic, fair trade cotton and have been printed using eco-friendly inks in Nottingham. I like to work with local manufacturers and craftspeople when I can. "How do you think that the coronavirus will influence the fashion industry and M-SEW?" I think it's an exciting time for the industry. A lot of the ways that fashion has been being produced hasn’t been sustainable and with countries on lockdown, it's forcing companies to re-think how to go about collections. Also when it comes to collections, the major fashion weeks (London, NYC, Paris, Milan etc...) have been virtual. Designers have been showcasing their works online for a while but now it's becoming more of a norm. For M-SEW this is great as I have been looking into showing some works from Bermuda - having the islands stunning natural scenery as a backdrop for my work. "What are the biggest challenges that you faced during these times of uncertainty, and how did you overcome them?" My main challenge is to not get ahead of myself. As I am building the brand up solo with some help from friends, I have to keep myself in check. For instance, not to create such large collections so soon and to keep my goals in sight. I had an instance where I was giving myself too many tasks to do and too many projects were running at the same time then I had a burnout. Not nice but you live and learn! How would you describe your latest collection? To whom is it oriented? My latest collection is a t-shirt series and will be introducing a lounge set soon - ideal for WFH and travelling. They're oriented towards an up and coming individual that has a strong sense of who they are and are striving for their dreams. Have you ever experienced a creative block? If so, what did you do to re-gain your inspiration? Yea I have. Luckily I was able to take a break from creating and just lived my life. Doing things I enjoy with friends and family or even by myself help to get through a creative block and find new inspirations to draw from. "How would you describe your personal style?" At the moment it's been leggings and oversized tee's with slippers. I wore proper fitted clothes a few weeks ago and I was like, how do I dress again? This whole lockdown/Rona has really been a ride! But usually I am quite simple in my personal styling. I like a good blazer with a wide leg, full length trouser and an almond toe shoe to tie it all together. Accessories wise, I always have my watch and ring - gifts from my parents. "If you would have the chance to collaborate with one well-known designer, who would it be? What about a celebrity?" Hmmm... I would have to say Prabal Gurung - he comes across as such a positive and bubbly person that I would think working together would be a joy. Not to mention his designs are just as amazing! Celebrity wise, I'd love to work with Issa Rae. I started following her since her YouTube days with her series "Awkward Black Girl" and was like "...this is so me..." haha. She's been popping up in a lot of production lately and I like her vibe. "What qualities do you think a designer should have?" Flexibility & resilience - There have been so many plans that I have had for M-SEW that didn't work out like I thought. Thinking of other ways to get around the issue at hand instead of giving in is a must. Curiosity - I love learning about cultures and the different ways that people go about the same thing. This is how I keep myself inspired as well - through experiencing things that aren't my norm. "There are thousands of girls that would like to be a fashion designer or work in the fashion industry. What is one piece of advice that you would like to share with them?" It takes time. Make sure that you aim to learn about the industry and how it works. A lot of the business side of M-SEW I've been learning by trial and error. I would also say that having a mentor is great. I had one and he really helped me to not make some bad choices when it came to being with a store - I'd never worked with a store before so it was much appreciated advice! "If Meagan was not a fashion designer, who would she be?" Probably a musician. I play piano and have an obsession with music. I'm pretty sure I would've gotten into production or something like that. If you want to grow a successful business like Meagan, why not find a private office in East London or South West London by clicking here Mainyard Studios locations  Have a look at Meagan's website www.msew.com / Follow her on instagram @msewofficial  Read the full article

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Inspiring Women in East London around the Mainyard Studios Locations

Mainyard Studios has 6 locations across East London. There are 2 in Hackney Wick, 1 in Hackney Central, Mile End, Walthamstow, Wimbledon and Leyton. What used to be an industrial hub, the East End has now become the city’s most liveable boroughs. Check out our recent blog “Why you should live in Leyton” to see why! Now many young creatives live here making strong community ties and is now known for its great food and buzzing nightlife. Historical figures of inspiring women in East LondonBefore regeneration, 4 women in particular have shaped the East End in their own significant ways. These inspiring women in East London have enforced justice and change in their communities and here we introduce Mary Wollstonecraft, Clara Grant, Mala Sen, Josephine Butler. Hackney: Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)

Mary Wollstonecraft, was a pronounced figure in the birth of feminism and happened to live in Hackney. Her renowned work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) asserted that women were not inferior to men, and was assumed because they lacked access to education. This then made her one of the most inspiring women in East London  for her important treatise advocating for women’ equality. Mile End: Clara Grant (1867-1949)

Clara Grant is known for supporting education in the East End of London. She is also featured on our mural at the Bow Road location! Click on the link out our interview with Jake Attwell who painted this beautiful mural and find out more about his story!Grant challenged the education system as she found it dull and uninteresting for the children learning at the time. Simultaneously, Grant advocated for the welfare of the local people in the East End who live in poverty. Grant then set up the famous Fern Street Settlement where children would receive a bundle of toys and other items for a father, known as the Farthing Bundles. Waltham Forest: Mala Sen (1947-2011)

Mala Sen, born in India, came to London in the 1960s. Sen was stunned by the prejudice against migrants, especially from the local authorities. She then found that the local authorities would often refuse to house migrants shifting the blame onto them for making themselves intentionally homeless. Many immigrants often faced racist threats. As a result, Sen co-founded the Bengali Action Group, who sourced empty council flats for homeless Bangladeshis. Wimbledon: Josephine Butler (1828-1906)

During the 19th century, Butler was a British Social reformer who became a key player in improving conditions for women in education and public health. Butler fought for further education courses for women at Cambridge University which eventually lef to the foundation of the all-women college at Newham. She then became president to the North of England Council for the Higher Education of Women in 1867.Fast forward to present day, we have 4 Mainyarders who are making inspirational change in their community in their own way. Katie Stockdale: Juno

Katie Stockdale, owner of Juno has created an open space for open minds. Juno is a woman-centred wellness space & cafe in East London. They also host workshops and classes that challenge and change the female narrative; from periods to pregnancy, money to mindfulness, nutrition to new medicine. Click on the link to our interview we did with Katie Stockdale about her journey with Juno! @We.are.juno on instagram / https://msha.ke/we.are.juno/Meagan SE Wellman: M-SEW

Meagan Wellman has created her own fashion brand ‘M-SEW’ describing it as “island vibes with an urban twist” and explores the contrast of islands and city life celebrating the island in the city vibe. M-SEW strives for more environmentally friendly fashion practices and takes special attention to how their pieces impact the world. This also reflects their effort to give back to local communities. Click on the link to our interview we did with Meagan about her story with M-SEW! @msewofficial on instagram / https://www.m-sew.comLucinda Gallant: Dare Summer Music

London based songwriter, singer and piano-player, Dare Summer, has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. She spent hours as a child listening to her jazz-musician father improvise at the piano. This then inspired her to write music that reflects her mood and situation. Further, Summer finds melodies in the harmony and words in her experiences. Click on the link to our interview we did with Lucinda about her journey as Dare Summer! @daresummermusic on instagram / Streaming on Youtube, Youtube Music, Spotify and Deezer Iris Anson: Solely Original

‘Solely Original’ has brought custom made-to-measure shoes online. Based in Tower Hamlets they have developed an online platform so that you can experience the services without having to leave the comfort of your home. They use a 3D Fitting Sock and foot scanner, which creates custom-made shoes. Using the website’s design engine, an image of your design is only a click of fingers away.  Click on the link to our interview with Iris about her journey with 'Solely Original'!@solelyoriginal on instagram / https://www.solelyoriginal.com Read the full article

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Women's Startup Resources

Women’s startup resource pack for Women's History Month/International Women’s Day

To celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s day, we have created the ultimate resource pack for female entrepreneurs, sharing tips and tricks to keep on inspiring women in any industry.

Women are leaders in every aspect of their lives and we see the power of females rise everyday as we speak. Today, there are more women than ever before that are starting or owning businesses. The number of female entrepreneurs has doubled since 1989 and continues to rise. From 22,257 businesses surveyed, approximately 7205 were launched by female entrepreneurs. This results in 33% of UK businesses owned by women. This has been a phenomenal rise in female run businesses compared to five years ago when only 17% of businesses were founded by women. 

  What the pack includes: Books for aspiring female entrepreneurs  Inspiring podcasts by women Blogs by women supporting female entrepreneurs Social Media accounts of inspiring women  Start Up Checklist - Business Finances - SEO DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE We have also come up with 4 important points women should remember when running their business: 1. Women supporting women starting businesses Women supporting other women in business is a power we must encourage, as the support most definitely runs deep. A study conducted by American Express Open and Ellevate Network (an online network for professional women), states almost half of business owners globally are female. Further, more than 30% of the businesses that have been started since 2005 have had at least one woman co-founder. This shows how important it is for women who own businesses to be able to learn from each other. They can also share advice on how they’ve managed their success as well as any challenges they face along the way DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE

2. The importance of mentorship for female entrepreneurs Today, there are more women than ever before that are starting or owning businesses. However, the number of women that hold executive positions is still small in comparison to men, it’s important for them to seek out mentors and role models who can help guide them through their respective industries. By taking steps towards achieving their goals, they will be increasing their chances at becoming a trailblazer in her industry or even starting her own company from scratch.  DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE

3. How to find a mentor and how mentors can help you succeed It is easy to be self-reliant and think that you know everything necessary to run your business. However, it is often an advantage to have another set of eyes looking over your shoulder from time to time when making decisions. A mentor can help you focus on the longer term goals for your business rather than getting bogged down with day-to-day issues. Also, mentors provide invaluable advice and tips about how best to negotiate contracts as well as gaining valuable insights into building relationships with key players in your industry or niche market.  DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE 4. There is a higher failure rate among women-owned businesses compared to those by men Female entrepreneurs have been on the rise, but still face challenges in today’s business world. Women are 40% more likely to start a company than men. But, 1 in every 4 female-owned businesses fail within 18 months of starting. The reason for this is lack of funding, lack of confidence and lack of support.  Studies show that only 25% of women were likely to seek financing for their businesses compared to 34% of men. You should seek out female-centric investor groups who are particularly passionate about supporting women run businesses.  It is important to not let lack of confidence hold you back. Owning your losses will allow you to grow and learn from your mistakes. The best stories are never static, the fight and overcoming drawbacks make you the hero.  Furthermore, seeking support from business owning peers is a necessity and many women feel more comfortable connecting with other female entrepreneurs rather than their male counterparts. However, go with whatever you feel will help you gain the most value and insight.  Women may also "fail" business because they tend to prioritise their families and relationships. This is 100% okay to do and often necessary.  DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE

Want to be a successful entrepreneur and have complete confidence when you start your startup?  Download our business resource pack here! DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE  If you want to find a cool space to start your business and grow in a supportive entrepreneurial community, check out our availability in our Mainyard Studios Locations Inspired to start your startup? Read about our amazing Mainyarders and their stories about their businesses! Click here to read about inspirational women in our neighbourhood   Read the full article

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Get to know your customers

Getting to know your customers is fundamental for running any business. They are the sole reason your business is running in the first place, so here are some ways to get to know your customer.   Getting insight from your customers allows you to get a better sense of direction within your business, further guiding you to success.  Understanding your customers also builds stronger customer relationships and can curate new sales through positive recommendations. Here are 5 ways you can get to know your customers better:

- Ask your customers what they want  - Create in depth buyers personas - Encourage customers to leave an honest review - Find out what they are saying about you online and offline  - Use social media for customer service   Ask your customers what they want:  "No business plan survives contact without customers" is a famous quote by Steve Blank. Things change so quickly in the startup world; what you think your customer wants can be very different from what they actually want. Customer feedback is important as it allows you to make informed decisions about your product/ service/ brand/ company. It can also influence innovations and changes to your product or service, as all business runs on customer demand. It is also imperative to measure customer satisfaction among your current customers. Getting to know how they feel about your product/ service and support within the company is invaluable. We have created a survey worksheet that asks customers 6 important questions. Download your worksheet pdf and start using these simple, yet effective questions to get the most out of your customers.  DOWNLOAD NOW   Create in depth buyers personas: A buyers persona is a research based profile that personifies your ideal target customer. It is necessary to create buyer personas to get refined marketing perspective that is tailored towards your target audience. By analysing and understanding their lifestyle, this can help drive your business better and focuses your attention on customer needs.  We have also created a buyers persona worksheet that you can fill out if you need guidance. This includes all you need to know about your customer, all you have to do is fill it out with your ideal target audience! This will give you a better understanding of your customers needs and allows you to build better marketing campaigns. Download your free worksheets here to get to know your customers better.  DOWNLOAD NOW   Encourage customers to leave an honest review: As an entrepreneur, you will know the importance of reviews. You want people to talk about your business and leave honest feedback so that others can read it and make a decision on whether or not they would like to use your service. You may have the best product on the market that solves everyone's problems, but if no one leaves a review there is no real credibility. These testimonials can also be placed on your website and social media to help establish trust with potential customers so encourage this as much as you can.    Find out what they are saying about you online and offline: If you are a startup entrepreneur or small business owner, chances are that you have heard about the importance of having a social media presence and online reputation. These days it is not enough to only have a website with your contact information on it; people also want to know what their peers say about you before they do business with you. It's important for businesses today to be able to capture feedback from customers in order for them to improve their services and products. Social media also serves as another touch point for potential prospects as they can see what type of content you are posting and how you are engaging with your current customers.    Use Social Media as a customer service platform  Small businesses should take advantage of social media as a customer service platform. It allows you to engage personally with customers, and gives them an opportunity to voice their concerns or praise publicly. If this is a customers first touch point you can refer them to your website and guide them on how to use it. Examples could be facebook messenger and instagram dms to answer any enquiries or questions.  If you want to have a better relationship with your customers and refine your marketing techniques download our worksheets and start getting to know your customers!   DOWNLOAD WORKSHEETS   If you want to be a successful entrepreneur or business owner, get yourself in the right environment to grow by checking out our co-working spaces in our Mainyard Studios Locations here Read the full article

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How to run a sustainable business

In today’s world, everyone is looking for a way to live sustainably and be environmentally conscious. This article explores the ways you can manage sustainable business practices at work 

In any industry we can help by using eco-friendly and sustainable practices to run our business. At Mainyard Studios, we are constantly asking ourselves, ‘‘How can I be more sustainable’’. But another important question to ask is "How can I run a sustainable business?".

  Mainyard Studios uses sustainable and eco-friendly processes around their buildings to become more environmentally conscious. Examples include: Sustainable renewable energy supplier  Recycle in the building - rubbish collectors upcycle, recycle and organic digestion  Low energy resources, lights and taps are censored so turn themselves off  Reusing furniture - second hand, up cycle including the building materials as much as possible.  Encourages people to ride their bike to work by providing bike stands in the building  Desk lamps   When asking ourselves ‘‘how can we be more sustainable’’ we found a few affordable solutions! Sustainable energy supplier  Bulb provides 100% renewable electricity from solar, wind and hydro. And gas is 100% carbon neutral too. They offset the emissions from the gas we supply by supporting carbon reduction projects around the world. Plus, they’re the biggest buyer of green gas for homes in the UK so a chunk of their gas mix comes from renewable sources, like food or farm waste.  Use our referral link to get up to £50 credit when you join: www.bulb.me/arnoldd0324?utm_campaign=account-referral-share&utm_medium=copy-link&utm_source=copy-button   Recycling in the building  At Mainyard we have general waste bins and recycling bins to separate our waste. The rubbish collector further separates the waste into resources that can be upcycled and recycled for organic digestion.    Low energy resources  Around the Mainyard buildings we have lights and taps that are censored and turn themselves off when there isn’t any active movement. This is really helpful as it turns off all the lights when they don’t need to be on.    Reusing furniture  All of our furnishing is second hand or upcycled including the building materials as much as possible. Reusing furniture is a great way to use items that would otherwise be thrown out. Many people have unused things in their houses, so it's important to find them new homes instead of discarding them.   Bike Storage One of the best things you can do to cut down on emissions is cycling. Whether it's a short commute or an all-day adventure, bicycling is easy and fun! In our buildings we have bike storages where residents can safely keep their bike while they work. Having our bike storage has encouraged many of our residents to cycle to work which makes their commute to work emission free.    Desk lamps As we have dedicated desks and co-working spaces with people using the areas at different times we use desk lamps if there are only a few people in an area. We only use the overhead lights when there are lots of people in a space at the same time. This means we cover only the essential parts with light rather than a large space with a few people.   Simple ways your business can be sustainable: Ride a bike or walk to work Plant shrubs and trees around your local area - collaborate with charities Ecosia - search engine that plants trees Use alternative energy sources for power e.g. hydroelectricity or solar Opt for green web hosting e.g. GreenGeeks, HostPapa and iPage Switch to post consumer waste (PCW) paper. This is paper that is made entirely out of recycling.  Use compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED lights - last longer and use significantly less energy  Shop locally  Use biodegradable soaps and cleaners Use a smart meter  Encourage refillable water bottles or provide real kitchenware in your kitchen spaces e.g. glasses, mugs, utensils, plates, bowls    If you want to grow your business in a place with a great vibe, head over to our Mainyard Studios locations page and book a tour!    Read the full article

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Nujum Sports Interview

Meet the Mainyarder Ebs Rahman! He is the founder of Nujum Sports and here's his story on growing his organisation.

What is Nujum Sports? Nujum officially launched in Aug 2020 as a non-profit CIC to help and support Muslim athletes.  Our key objectives and goals is to ‘promote a culture of educational excellence for the Muslim athletes, from within a caring and secure Islamic environment enriched with the values of discipline, mutual care and respect which extends beyond and in to the wider community’.  Combined with our mission  ‘to see a world where Muslim athletes flourish and fulfil their potential’    Why did you decide to start Nujum Sports? I decided to officially launch Nujum Sports in May last year, although unofficially we have been supporting athletes since 2018.   How do you support Muslim athletes? Since the launch of Nujum Sports we have supported over 100 Muslim athletes directly from a range of disciplines and support structures including mental health, professional services, faith based services, legal services, and general advice and guidance all led, tailored,  and personalised by each respective athlete.   Our underlying ‘golden thread’ has been to educate and portray the positive message of Islam and to work towards building tolerance, peace, and mutual understanding for all.     What are you doing during Ramadan to help Muslims throughout this time? The holy month of Ramadan falls in April – May 2021 this year. Billions of Muslims around the world will fast from sunrise to sunset as an act of worship, reflection, and solidarity.  We have specially devised an educational gift box with items relating to Ramadan and a short booklet to explain the basics of Islam to help professional clubs, institutions, and support services to better cater for the growing Muslim athletes in the sporting world.    What message are you trying to convey with Nujum Sports? One of love, understanding and equality.   What are your core beliefs at Nujum Sports? Our work with athletes started by consulting and researching the various services and support structures required for a professional athlete in their respective sports. We based our research and plans on findings from mainstream organisations, professional athletes, and faith based organisations to create a road map and identify gaps where we can positively contribute the message of faith, sports, and health.  At Nujum Sports we want to empower all Muslim athletes to be positive and inspirational members of society with a proud connection to their faith.  Muslim sports personalities like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Mo Salah are positive examples of that work where they have been instrumental in advancing the conversation around equality and diversity and a shared value system that we can all contribute towards.   What projects are you working on at the moment? We have our Iftar coming up for our athletes as well as a big partnership with a social media platform.    Where do you see Nujum Sports in 5 years time? I see us being the go to organisation to support Muslim athletes in professional sports.   How has having an office and being part of the Mainyard Studios community impacted you and your business? The office has played a major part in our work as it gives us stability. If you want to grow your business and become part of a cool community with determined individuals like Ebs, take a look at our Mainyard Locations and book a tour! Read the full article

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Shoe Dog - Phil Knight

Shoe Dog – A Memoir Written by the Creator of Nike, follows the struggles of Phil Knight fighting for his shoe company, the powerhouse we know as ‘Nike’.

The influence of Nike was most definitely not built overnight, but endeavoured countless obstacles to reaching success. This gripping memoir vocalizes the trials and tribulations of the pursuit of success, the journey people may undermine. 

Download our book list to read more books like Shoe Dog that inspire business owners DOWNLOAD HERE Here are our favourite quotes from the book: “Hey dad… remember my crazy idea”.  A now multi-billion-dollar footwear manufacturing company just started with a 'crazy idea' and a heart full of passion. Having faith in yourself forces you to figure out a solution. With Phil’s crazy idea, he found himself in Japan pitching this idea to a shoe manufacturing company.  "Wisdom seemed an intangible asset, but an asset all the same, one that justified the risk".  Although wisdom is not something we physically have, it is within us all the same and thus an invaluable and irreplaceable power. It drives us to take calculated risks and do things we might not thought of doing before.  Don't settle for a job or a profession or even a career. Seek a calling.  Fining a calling will take time and deep thought, however it will reap the biggest rewards. This will generate a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action.  People may not be supportive of your ideas or your business until it is deemed 'successful'. But keep going. Don't stop.  If you want to start a business, people will doubt your abilities. But if you work hard and prove that it's going to be successful, they'll change their minds. It may be lonely at the early stages but don’t let that stop you from doing what you were meant to do.  Overcoming trials and tribulations of a risky business is always the most exciting and memorable moments of a journey.  The greatest stories ever told did not have a static journey. Overcoming obstacles and hardships emphasise the thrill and chase of life, seek these moments and they will be the best parts of your journey. Phil Knight was always battling one problem after another; without these controversies Nike would possibly never had been created.  Although growing up in an environment of 'conformity' and 'respectability' the pursuit of passion will always defeat these arbitrary and stable notions.  Conformity and respect has crippled society into following a traditional way of life, the ultimate anti-climax of life. This mindset will never fully allow us to live freely and will always be in some sort of rat race asking questions of ‘what-if?’   Entrepreneurship is a tough job, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. To help you stay on top of your game, we've compiled some of the best books for entrepreneurs to read. Whether you're looking for inspiration or specific advice on how to start your own business, these are must-reads that will make an impact in any entrepreneur's life. DOWNLOAD NOW If you want to grow your business in the right space and network with other cool like minded individuals check out our availability on our Mainyard Studios Locations and book a tour! Read the full article

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The Social Animal

The Social Animal: The Story of How Success Happens by David Brooks

The book discusses what drives individual behaviour and decision making. Brooks goes through various academic topics such as sociology, psychology and biology and attempts to summarize various discoveries— such as brain development in early life.

Entrepreneurship is a tough job, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To help you stay on top of your game, we’ve compiled some of the best books for entrepreneurs to read. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or specific advice on how to start your own business, these are must-reads that will make an impact in any entrepreneur’s life. DOWNLOAD HERE  Here are our favourite quotes from 'The Social Animal' explained: If the body impersonates an attitude long enough the mind begins to adopt it. The mind can't distinguish between the body and what happens to it. So, if your body impersonates an attitude long enough, then the mind will begin to adopt that same attitude. By having this mindset you’ll be able to eliminate procrastination and anxiety to fulfil what you need to do.  Behaviour change often proceeds changes in attitudes and feelings. By changing your behaviour towards an attitude object, it often leads to a change in attitudes or feelings. Amongst all the variables we face on a day to day basis, changing behaviour is a force we are able to control, used positively can change your whole sense of attitudes and feelings.    Those who have habits and strategies to control their attention can control their lives. The habits we develop with our attention control where our lives go. If you want to achieve something, focus on the right things and make sure to improve your strategies. Our environment influences our behaviour, and we should use this to our advantage.    The key factor separating geniuses from the merely accomplished is not a divine spark. Instead, what really matters is the ability to get better gradually over time. No matter what you're doing, getting really good at it is about one thing: practice. The key factor separating geniuses from the merely accomplished is not ‘luck’ but hard work and patience. Learning is not a single event. It's an ongoing process that you have to work at on a regular basis. If you want to get better, you should always be learning   You can only discover your vocation by doing it and seeing if it feels right. Most people don’t know what they want to do in life but by doing things that interest you is one step closer to feeling what’s right.    Failure is just a step in the process of learning. When we learn something new, we'll often fail before succeeding. Without failure, there is almost never a chance to grow. Without growth there is no success.    The truth is, life is about producing failure. We only progress through a series of regulated errors. Every move is a partial failure to be corrected by the next one. Every time we try to do something, we make a mistake and learn from it. Mistakes are just another step in the process of getting good at things. It's a good thing that life is full of mistakes, because it forces us to keep moving forward.    If you loved the quotes from 'The Social Animal' download our booklist for more book titles that will inspire your business journey DOWNLOAD HERE Want to grow your business in the right space and network with cool like minded business owners? Then check out our availability at our Mainyard Studios Locations and book a tour! Read the full article

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How To Understand Your Climate Impact And Discover Actionable Creative Business Solutions

Creative Business Solutions For Understanding Your Climate Impact, with Matteo Menapace Mainyard Tower Hamlets resident Matteo Menapace uses creative business solutions by making cooperative games and also runs educational workshops, teaching people how to use games to tackle real-world challenges. Matteo's workshops can also help businesses and teams to get out of creative ruts and find new solutions to pressing challenges, through creating bespoke transformative learning experiences for businesses.

In celebration of Earth Day, we took great pleasure in chatting to Matteo about his latest project Daybreak  - a cooperative game about climate action which he co-designed with Matt Leacock. Hello, Matteo. Thank you so much for joining us on the Mainyard Studios podcast today. I'm really excited to hear about what you're working on at the moment and for you to share more about your projects. Why don't you start with that? Why don't you tell us what you're working on? I'm working at the moment on a game called Daybreak , a board game about tackling the climate crisis on a global level. This is a game that I'm working on with a designer called Matt Leacock, who is famous for having designed a game called Pandemic. It's a game that came out about 12 years ago. So well before the COVID pandemic, but it's a game that has created a new trend for board games because it's a cooperative game. Co-operative games are those where everyone plays together as a team to either win or lose the game all together, which is quite unconventional. Most games are competitive in the sense that people play against each other. Whereas in a cooperative game, everyone plays together against the game itself. So in Pandemic for instance, the threats and the common enemy are four deadly viruses that are spreading around the world. And people have to work together to try and contain different kinds of outbreaks as well as finding the cure - a vaccine for the viruses. In the game that I'm working on at the moment, we are tackling a different kind of problem, which is the climate crisis. The premise of the game is that every player is in charge of a power block in the world. We have the US, China, Europe and the global South. They work to carbonize the economy at a global scale, as well as building resilience, which allows players to resist a growing number of crisis. Like storms, heat waves, tornadoes, and all sorts of shocks that are weather related; as well as social political, economic crises that are either caused, linked or exacerbated by climate change. This is a game where people work together to try and bring about the kind of system change that we feel is really important to talk about and also to plan out, to explore and to imagine. It also helps players understand that we really need the world's leaders to start working together and cooperating - not just pretending when they meet up for the various negotiations and then not actually doing anything serious about it. So yeah, that's what I'm working on at the moment: Daybreak.   What kind of impact do you think that has on people? As in playing a game instead of taking action in another way, like protesting. What difference do you think it makes to be doing it via a game? By the way, if you want to play test it, we are play testing via a virtual tool called Tabletopia . We have moved the game to the virtual arena because of COVID, but also because it's allowing us to reach out to people all across the world. The challenge was finding an online tool that allows players to move cards around in a 3d space. Hopefully we’ll be playing soon also in person. We're always looking for people that are interested in playing this kind of game. It's an experience where, like I said before, because it's a cooperative game, it's kind of different from the usual competitive type of game in the sense that everyone sits at a table, whether that's virtual or a real table, and try to work together. So it ends up being like a big brainstorming session in a sense, because you're moving around cards, you're playing cards, you're taking the damage from the crisis, but you're also doing a lot of talking. People constantly talk because there is no competition between players, meaning that it makes sense for everyone to exchange ideas to decide together what to do to strategize together. And so it's, you know, two hours of deep conversations about climate solutions. Going back to your previous question: “what kind of impact does playing this sort of game have on people, and what kind of action are we hoping to inspire?” It's about awareness. Making people aware of the scale and urgency of the problem. A lot of climate action has been framed around individual choices. So for instance, eating less meat, driving less or flying less, recycling more – these are all really good things, but at the same time, only acting as an individual is not very empowering and it's also kind of disingenuous because the type of change that we needed to actually make a difference in is decarbonizing, reducing emissions, preventing the kind of catastrophe that is otherwise going to come. It's not going to be enough to just act individually or be good ethical consumers. The first thing that we want people to realize through playing this game is that there is a level of political social action that is required and only that level of collective action can lead to real solutions - solutions that actually make a difference at scale.   So if a business was playing this game, what are some of the solutions that they might come up with of how they could make an impact or maybe become a bit more environmentally sustainable within their business? We give people a way to see what currently happening on a policy or technology level. The game will present them with 150 cards, for example, that each contain a different kind of solution. And then, as a business or as a group or as a team, people can then consider the solutions and think about how those could be applied to their business and in real life scenarios. For example, if you're a business, you may see different kinds of energy generation options, which you would then potentially investigate as a way to power your office. For instance, you could invest in solar panels toclean up your energy supply. Another thing that people could investigate is Policy perspective. However I want to emphasize that this game is not like a workshop. It’s not a place where people come up with solutions as such, but rather a game that already has a bunch of solutions that people can try out and then see what happens when those solutions work or don't work together. And then at the second step, people could think about the solutions that are more relevant to them and then investigate how those solutions can exist in the real world. In the workshops I design, people do more of these kinds of brainstorming activities. So that's where people can be a bit more creative in the sense that they come up with solutions that are kind of tailored for their businesses.   Can you explain a bit more about what you do in the workshops? In the workshops, I get people to play games and also make their own games. These workshops can be anywhere between one hour and the whole day. In an hour, people can come together as a team and make a game by hacking or deconstructing an existing game, and then rebuilding it according to their own values and their own rules. And that can give them first of all, a fun hour together to practice collaboration and to practice ways in which they can create this kind of world of rules. They can also express their own ideas. Then, and for the more in-depth workshop, people are building games that are specifically related to a problem that they're facing as an organization or modeling an environment or market, that they are operating in. So it's a way to help people build some kind of layer or version of what they can use as a tool to communicate to their colleagues or to their clients, and also to have conversations within their organization. This is completely off the cuff, but imagine making a game about running a business like Mainyard Studios. What are the challenges? What are the rewards? Where and who are the players and what are their motivations? It's these kinds of questions that get people thinking, then building a system of rules, and then seeing how people operate within those rules. It’s a way for people to both have fun as a team, as well as creating something purposeful that can then be used as a tool to have further conversation.

  What happens after they play the game and they've discovered new solutions or managed to think about their business in a different light? Do they then go away and create their own framework of how they're going to implement changes? Or do you give them resources? Both - it's really up to them. Generally, people feel really excited about making more games. So, after taking part in a workshop, they often contact me because they had an idea for another game that they want to create, which may have nothing to do with their business. You know, it could be completely fantasy based, but still kind of rekindling all the passion that they had before. I really like this because people are genuinely excited about making the games and also they see after even a short time that they can do it. That is not something completely inaccessible for them, especially when it comes to board games. What I do and probably haven't specified yet is I teach people how to make board games, not video games, because board games are made out of paper and little objects, and they're mainly played through interaction with other people in real life. So, it's very easy to make a board game because you already know how to manipulate all the material. You already know how to write. And you already know how to roll the die and all that stuff. And the rules of the game are embedded and played out by people's brains. And it's really easy to change that. Whereas it's not that easy to change the code that runs a video game, so that can be very empowering for people. And then for the other kind of response that people tend to have after a workshop is that they, find that choosing games can be a really interesting way to convince people, to have a different perspective, and try things that they may have not been able to do through a presentation or through another tool. Asking people to play a game can be something that they agree to more easily. And then through playing a game, you're not giving them specific answers, but you're allowing them to explore. It provides space to have these conversations around what they should do as opposed to tell them what they should do. So, it's a really, really nice tool to have this conversation without being preachy, if you like. I'm curious as to how the collaboration started in the beginning for the game that you're working on now - Daybreak. Also why did you decide to focus on the global issue of climate change rather than another global issue? I've been interested in the climate crisis for quite some time, and for the most part of the last decade I've been looking in and then looking away. I've been reading a lot of books about it, but then whenever I thought about doing something practical I am often overwhelmed by how big and complex it all is. Throughout 2019, there was a lot of waves of protest. The school strikes, extinction rebellion, and other organizations that started to bring this topic back into the center of the public discourse. And so that kind of reawakened in me that interest, and also the desire to do something a bit more practical about it. And then at the beginning of lockdown last year, I wrote a blog post about pandemic that I mentioned earlier about what we could learn from the game Pandemic in relation to the new reality, which was the COVID-19 pandemic and the lessons that were mainly around cooperation and coordination and working together to tackle this big global challenge. After I posted this blog post on Medium, I reached out to Matt Leacock, who's the designer of Pandemic. And at the time, I didn't know him, he was just like someone that I follow on Twitter. I just reached out saying, “Hey, I wrote this article, I was wondering what you make of it?” And to my surprise, he came back a few hours later saying, “Oh, that was really interesting!  I'm actually thinking about making a game about climate change. So should we talk?” This was roughly a year ago, and after that we started having a weekly chart where we initially discussed some ideas and shared some common frustrations and thoughts on:   How do we even frame climate change in a game? How do you make climate change playable and how do you make it enjoyable for players? And then little by little, we started throwing around ideas and understanding that this has to be something that exposed the problem on a global level. And then we thought about who are the players? How do they play? What kind of challenges do they face? What is the main driver of threats. And we started coalescing around this idea of the main board having to mock the world where people put their carbon emissions. One of the goals of the game is to reduce carbon emissions. Each player controls, as I said before, one large block or a country and throughout the game they have the option to roll out different kinds of policies and technologies to reduce those emissions. And then those emissions are constantly accumulating in the atmosphere which is in the center of the game board - representing global warming. The players monitor a growing number of crises that are either natural disasters or different kinds of political, economic shock that can lead to people falling into a state of crisis. If there are more than a certain number of people in crisis, then everyone loses together. The game kind of forces people to collaborate, to decarbonize their economies, as well as building systems of social resilience. The game brings people together to try and imagine what it would be like tackle the climate crisis, on a global level. What if the world's leaders actually took climate change seriously? That's the kind of question that we were started from. And then the game allows you to explore that for a couple of hours. I love that you're inspiring people, or you're making it more accessible for people to think differently. It makes them change within their own personal lives or on a on a bigger scale, as you were saying. That's amazing.   How did you get started with making board games and doing these educational workshops? I've been playing games for forever (since I can remember). My favorite game when I was a kid was a video game called SimCity where you, you would start from a sort of empty landscape and you have to build a city or rather you build the infrastructure for the city. That was my first experience of playing games, but I didn't really even consider that I would become a game designer. I actually started off as a graphic designer. I studied communication design at Uni, I then had this idea to make a game about philosophy. The story that I was interested in is by Greek philosopher, Plato, and that kind of reawakened my interest in games. I went down the rabbit hole of becoming a video game developer and long story short, I then got bored of making video games and transitioned into education. I became a university lecturer, teaching people how to make websites and how to design interfaces. As I was experimenting with different teaching methods, I went back to games as a way to teach people in a safe space, that can make them feel free to problem solve a specific challenge. I was experimenting with educational games to teach people how to learn to code for instance, and then I realized that technology can sometimes get in the way. So I started experimenting with board games as tools that allow you to work together on problems, but without having goals, or the baggage of learning for example, how to code or learning software. And so, yeah, in a kind of roundabout way I rediscovered that I really liked games, and I I've been enjoying making games since.   Do you think that there's a difference in the way people learn when they learn through playing games as opposed to a different medium? Yeah. it's not just about playing games, but I realized that the most transformative learning experiences happen when people actually make games. Playing a game can be a really deep experience because you're stepping into the shoes of someone else and you're really focusing on one challenge, defined by your rules. And that's cool. But when you're actually making the game; where you're actually making the rules; that's where you start to develop all sorts of skills around systems thinking. So, understanding the various parts of the system and how they work together or don't work together, plus how these rules then dictate the way that people interpret them or the way other people respond to them. In my experience as an educator, I found that yes, learning games are great to get people excited and to have a fun learning experience, but even more importantly, to help people or to allow people to make their own games, or to take existing games and turn them around, that is what will develop the critical thinking that will then allow them to interrogate all aspects of their life. If a business wanted to do a workshop with you, would you then help them to create their own game in the workshop? Is that kind of the basis of what happens? Yeah. And it normally starts with a conversation on life. So on my website and they matteo.me, I offer at the moment, a couple of different workshops, one which is more about brainstorming. I love bees and love, how they also collaborate. Sometimes people think of bees as an organism. It's like a big brain that has thousands of little flying parts or flying neurons. Brainstorming is essentially how bees work together to solve problems. Then it's about tackling these organizational problems in a way that is structured by the rules of an overall plan. Read the full article

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Why You Should Live In Hackney Wick

 There are plenty of reasons to live in Hackney Wick but we thought we'd narrow it down to some key points to help you decide.

 Music and Arts Hackney Wick is the place to be for music and art fans that want to be part of a community where they are encouraged and admired. Unlike many parts of London, it's actually still affordable for artists. Hackney Wick has plenty of amazing studios for all artists but the best (of course) are right here at Mainyard Studios. So come check us out! There are also PLENTY of live music bars such as Grow, Black and White and WORLDROCKUK. There are also music venues to enjoy in Hackney Wick so for a budding musician, I can’t think of a better place to be.

           Leisure and Food Leisure time in Hackney Wick is seriously some of the best in London. Hackney Wick hosts a silly amount of awesome quirky bars and some incredible restaurants. I mean, this alone, has me contemplating the idea of moving, as I love that kind of scene in a neighborhood. One thing guaranteed to make any down days better would be to take a relaxing walk along the canals. They stretch for a VERY long way so you won't get bored and have to turn back after five minutes. Try not to cycle along with them however as I’m not sure if it's a rule or not, but some people walking along will get VERY annoyed. Hackney Wick also has some fantastic transport as Stratford is a short train ride away and is well known for its plentiful train lines and bus station. 

         Property  Property development in Hackney Wick has cast its eye to Fish Island, previously an industrial work zone. Developers have come up with a plan to create over 5000 new homes and some new workplaces (offices e.g). This makes Hackney Wick an ideal place for first-time buyers and younger people itching to get on the property ladder. As more new builds are being constructed, you can of course expect a good quality home for you and your family/partner. I've also seen that among the new builds, there will be workplaces SPECIFICALLY designed for small, new, and old businesses. So if you have a business idea that's been stashed away for months out of fear or lack of resources, this may be your golden opportunity. However, if you're looking for a house/flat with more character, the townhouses in the area are fairly limited and there don’t seem to be many available for renters. If you really wanted to find one though I'm sure you could. 

      I hope this gave you a clearer idea of what you could be enjoying daily if you lived in Hackney Wick and that you enjoyed our Hackney Wick blog series! Read the full article

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Meagan SE Wellman Owner of M-SEW with a private office in East London

Megan SE Wellman, owner and creator of her brand "M-Sew" is one of our Mainyard residents who has her own private office in East London.  

  Meagan Wellman has created her own fashion brand ‘M-SEW’ in her private office in East London, describing it as “island vibes with an urban twist” and explores the contrast of islands and city life celebrating the island in the city vibe. M-SEW strives for more environmentally friendly fashion practices and takes special attention to how their pieces impact the world. This ethos is also reflected in their efforts to give back to local communities. Here is our interview with Meagan! "M-SEW is the brand that represents your identity, from the brand name to the design inspired by the places you have grown up in Barbados and Bermuda. What motivated you to start your own clothing line?" I spent a lot of time with my grandma growing up. She was a seamstress – so seeing her take textiles and creating garments which were worn by her clients inspired me to explore fashion design further. Both my parents are artists too – creating with paint and pottery – but those mediums weren’t for me, but I look to those art techniques when developing prints and fabrics for my designs. "Before starting M-SEW you worked as a sales assistant in different fashion companies. How did this help you with designing and managing your own clothing line?" Being able to see the everyday and what people would buy was great experience for me. I had the opportunity to work with a small team in Mayfair, so was able to see the management of the boutique and online store too. The boutique had a showroom that allowed me to see each new seasonal collection, and also encouraged my involvement with the buying process for shop floor, which was fantastic. It taught me that when it comes to a clothing line, there has to be a balance of realism and fantasy. Pieces that would draw people in the store from the window display, then the pieces that people would actually purchase for their daily lives. "The fashion industry is highly competitive. What is your USP and makes you stand out from your competitors?" I know right! I feel that M-SEW is my unique take on my island upbringing and mixing it with urban references of London which results in a unique take on the brands designs. "Your collections combine an island vibe with an urban twist. Where do you look to for inspiration for the brand’s collections?" I look wherever I am to be honest. As I am based in London there's so much to absorb. I love taking in the way that people style their clothing when travelling on the tube – there’s no typical British style, everyone embraces their own way of doing it. I am also inspired heavily by nature - the textures and patterns that are just there, especially when you look up close. "Because of Covid-19, you started producing facemasks. What other changes did you have to make to keep the business going?" I have been striving to find ways to give back and be more eco-conscious with my collections and also how I go about the business. So far with each sale I have been donating 20% of each sale to either the NHS or KWANDA - to support black communities in the UK and the Black Lives Matter movement. I have also released a collection of printed t-shirts that are organic, fair trade cotton and have been printed using eco-friendly inks in Nottingham. I like to work with local manufacturers and craftspeople when I can. "How do you think that the coronavirus will influence the fashion industry and M-SEW?" I think it's an exciting time for the industry. A lot of the ways that fashion has been being produced hasn’t been sustainable and with countries on lockdown, it's forcing companies to re-think how to go about collections. Also when it comes to collections, the major fashion weeks (London, NYC, Paris, Milan etc...) have been virtual. Designers have been showcasing their works online for a while but now it's becoming more of a norm. For M-SEW this is great as I have been looking into showing some works from Bermuda - having the islands stunning natural scenery as a backdrop for my work. "What are the biggest challenges that you faced during these times of uncertainty, and how did you overcome them?" My main challenge is to not get ahead of myself. As I am building the brand up solo with some help from friends, I have to keep myself in check. For instance, not to create such large collections so soon and to keep my goals in sight. I had an instance where I was giving myself too many tasks to do and too many projects were running at the same time then I had a burnout. Not nice but you live and learn! How would you describe your latest collection? To whom is it oriented? My latest collection is a t-shirt series and will be introducing a lounge set soon - ideal for WFH and travelling. They're oriented towards an up and coming individual that has a strong sense of who they are and are striving for their dreams. Have you ever experienced a creative block? If so, what did you do to re-gain your inspiration? Yea I have. Luckily I was able to take a break from creating and just lived my life. Doing things I enjoy with friends and family or even by myself help to get through a creative block and find new inspirations to draw from. "How would you describe your personal style?" At the moment it's been leggings and oversized tee's with slippers. I wore proper fitted clothes a few weeks ago and I was like, how do I dress again? This whole lockdown/Rona has really been a ride! But usually I am quite simple in my personal styling. I like a good blazer with a wide leg, full length trouser and an almond toe shoe to tie it all together. Accessories wise, I always have my watch and ring - gifts from my parents. "If you would have the chance to collaborate with one well-known designer, who would it be? What about a celebrity?" Hmmm... I would have to say Prabal Gurung - he comes across as such a positive and bubbly person that I would think working together would be a joy. Not to mention his designs are just as amazing! Celebrity wise, I'd love to work with Issa Rae. I started following her since her YouTube days with her series "Awkward Black Girl" and was like "...this is so me..." haha. She's been popping up in a lot of production lately and I like her vibe. "What qualities do you think a designer should have?" Flexibility & resilience - There have been so many plans that I have had for M-SEW that didn't work out like I thought. Thinking of other ways to get around the issue at hand instead of giving in is a must. Curiosity - I love learning about cultures and the different ways that people go about the same thing. This is how I keep myself inspired as well - through experiencing things that aren't my norm. "There are thousands of girls that would like to be a fashion designer or work in the fashion industry. What is one piece of advice that you would like to share with them?" It takes time. Make sure that you aim to learn about the industry and how it works. A lot of the business side of M-SEW I've been learning by trial and error. I would also say that having a mentor is great. I had one and he really helped me to not make some bad choices when it came to being with a store - I'd never worked with a store before so it was much appreciated advice! "If Meagan was not a fashion designer, who would she be?" Probably a musician. I play piano and have an obsession with music. I'm pretty sure I would've gotten into production or something like that. If you want to grow a successful business like Meagan, why not find a private office in East London or South West London by clicking here Mainyard Studios locations  Have a look at Meagan's website www.msew.com / Follow her on instagram @msewofficial  Read the full article

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Women's Startup Resources

Women’s startup resource pack for Women's History Month/International Women’s Day

To celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s day, we have created the ultimate resource pack for female entrepreneurs, sharing tips and tricks to keep on inspiring women in any industry.

Women are leaders in every aspect of their lives and we see the power of females rise everyday as we speak. Today, there are more women than ever before that are starting or owning businesses. The number of female entrepreneurs has doubled since 1989 and continues to rise. From 22,257 businesses surveyed, approximately 7205 were launched by female entrepreneurs. This results in 33% of UK businesses owned by women. This has been a phenomenal rise in female run businesses compared to five years ago when only 17% of businesses were founded by women. 

  What the pack includes: Books for aspiring female entrepreneurs  Inspiring podcasts by women Blogs by women supporting female entrepreneurs Social Media accounts of inspiring women  Start Up Checklist - Business Finances - SEO DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE We have also come up with 4 important points women should remember when running their business: 1. Women supporting women starting businesses Women supporting other women in business is a power we must encourage, as the support most definitely runs deep. A study conducted by American Express Open and Ellevate Network (an online network for professional women), states almost half of business owners globally are female. Further, more than 30% of the businesses that have been started since 2005 have had at least one woman co-founder. This shows how important it is for women who own businesses to be able to learn from each other. They can also share advice on how they’ve managed their success as well as any challenges they face along the way DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE

2. The importance of mentorship for female entrepreneurs Today, there are more women than ever before that are starting or owning businesses. However, the number of women that hold executive positions is still small in comparison to men, it’s important for them to seek out mentors and role models who can help guide them through their respective industries. By taking steps towards achieving their goals, they will be increasing their chances at becoming a trailblazer in her industry or even starting her own company from scratch.  DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE

3. How to find a mentor and how mentors can help you succeed It is easy to be self-reliant and think that you know everything necessary to run your business. However, it is often an advantage to have another set of eyes looking over your shoulder from time to time when making decisions. A mentor can help you focus on the longer term goals for your business rather than getting bogged down with day-to-day issues. Also, mentors provide invaluable advice and tips about how best to negotiate contracts as well as gaining valuable insights into building relationships with key players in your industry or niche market.  DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE 4. There is a higher failure rate among women-owned businesses compared to those by men Female entrepreneurs have been on the rise, but still face challenges in today’s business world. Women are 40% more likely to start a company than men. But, 1 in every 4 female-owned businesses fail within 18 months of starting. The reason for this is lack of funding, lack of confidence and lack of support.  Studies show that only 25% of women were likely to seek financing for their businesses compared to 34% of men. You should seek out female-centric investor groups who are particularly passionate about supporting women run businesses.  It is important to not let lack of confidence hold you back. Owning your losses will allow you to grow and learn from your mistakes. The best stories are never static, the fight and overcoming drawbacks make you the hero.  Furthermore, seeking support from business owning peers is a necessity and many women feel more comfortable connecting with other female entrepreneurs rather than their male counterparts. However, go with whatever you feel will help you gain the most value and insight.  Women may also "fail" business because they tend to prioritise their families and relationships. This is 100% okay to do and often necessary.  DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE

Want to be a successful entrepreneur and have complete confidence when you start your startup?  Download our business resource pack here! DOWNLOAD STARTUP PACK HERE  If you want to find a cool space to start your business and grow in a supportive entrepreneurial community, check out our availability in our Mainyard Studios Locations Inspired to start your startup? Read about our amazing Mainyarders and their stories about their businesses! Click here to read about inspirational women in our neighbourhood   Read the full article

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Meagan SE Wellman Owner of M-SEW with a private office in East London

Megan SE Wellman, owner and creator of her brand "M-Sew" is one of our Mainyard residents who has her own private office in East London.  

  Meagan Wellman has created her own fashion brand ‘M-SEW’ in her private office in East London, describing it as “island vibes with an urban twist” and explores the contrast of islands and city life celebrating the island in the city vibe. M-SEW strives for more environmentally friendly fashion practices and takes special attention to how their pieces impact the world. This ethos is also reflected in their efforts to give back to local communities. Here is our interview with Meagan! "M-SEW is the brand that represents your identity, from the brand name to the design inspired by the places you have grown up in Barbados and Bermuda. What motivated you to start your own clothing line?" I spent a lot of time with my grandma growing up. She was a seamstress – so seeing her take textiles and creating garments which were worn by her clients inspired me to explore fashion design further. Both my parents are artists too – creating with paint and pottery – but those mediums weren’t for me, but I look to those art techniques when developing prints and fabrics for my designs. "Before starting M-SEW you worked as a sales assistant in different fashion companies. How did this help you with designing and managing your own clothing line?" Being able to see the everyday and what people would buy was great experience for me. I had the opportunity to work with a small team in Mayfair, so was able to see the management of the boutique and online store too. The boutique had a showroom that allowed me to see each new seasonal collection, and also encouraged my involvement with the buying process for shop floor, which was fantastic. It taught me that when it comes to a clothing line, there has to be a balance of realism and fantasy. Pieces that would draw people in the store from the window display, then the pieces that people would actually purchase for their daily lives. "The fashion industry is highly competitive. What is your USP and makes you stand out from your competitors?" I know right! I feel that M-SEW is my unique take on my island upbringing and mixing it with urban references of London which results in a unique take on the brands designs. "Your collections combine an island vibe with an urban twist. Where do you look to for inspiration for the brand’s collections?" I look wherever I am to be honest. As I am based in London there's so much to absorb. I love taking in the way that people style their clothing when travelling on the tube – there’s no typical British style, everyone embraces their own way of doing it. I am also inspired heavily by nature - the textures and patterns that are just there, especially when you look up close. "Because of Covid-19, you started producing facemasks. What other changes did you have to make to keep the business going?" I have been striving to find ways to give back and be more eco-conscious with my collections and also how I go about the business. So far with each sale I have been donating 20% of each sale to either the NHS or KWANDA - to support black communities in the UK and the Black Lives Matter movement. I have also released a collection of printed t-shirts that are organic, fair trade cotton and have been printed using eco-friendly inks in Nottingham. I like to work with local manufacturers and craftspeople when I can. "How do you think that the coronavirus will influence the fashion industry and M-SEW?" I think it's an exciting time for the industry. A lot of the ways that fashion has been being produced hasn’t been sustainable and with countries on lockdown, it's forcing companies to re-think how to go about collections. Also when it comes to collections, the major fashion weeks (London, NYC, Paris, Milan etc...) have been virtual. Designers have been showcasing their works online for a while but now it's becoming more of a norm. For M-SEW this is great as I have been looking into showing some works from Bermuda - having the islands stunning natural scenery as a backdrop for my work. "What are the biggest challenges that you faced during these times of uncertainty, and how did you overcome them?" My main challenge is to not get ahead of myself. As I am building the brand up solo with some help from friends, I have to keep myself in check. For instance, not to create such large collections so soon and to keep my goals in sight. I had an instance where I was giving myself too many tasks to do and too many projects were running at the same time then I had a burnout. Not nice but you live and learn! How would you describe your latest collection? To whom is it oriented? My latest collection is a t-shirt series and will be introducing a lounge set soon - ideal for WFH and travelling. They're oriented towards an up and coming individual that has a strong sense of who they are and are striving for their dreams. Have you ever experienced a creative block? If so, what did you do to re-gain your inspiration? Yea I have. Luckily I was able to take a break from creating and just lived my life. Doing things I enjoy with friends and family or even by myself help to get through a creative block and find new inspirations to draw from. "How would you describe your personal style?" At the moment it's been leggings and oversized tee's with slippers. I wore proper fitted clothes a few weeks ago and I was like, how do I dress again? This whole lockdown/Rona has really been a ride! But usually I am quite simple in my personal styling. I like a good blazer with a wide leg, full length trouser and an almond toe shoe to tie it all together. Accessories wise, I always have my watch and ring - gifts from my parents. "If you would have the chance to collaborate with one well-known designer, who would it be? What about a celebrity?" Hmmm... I would have to say Prabal Gurung - he comes across as such a positive and bubbly person that I would think working together would be a joy. Not to mention his designs are just as amazing! Celebrity wise, I'd love to work with Issa Rae. I started following her since her YouTube days with her series "Awkward Black Girl" and was like "...this is so me..." haha. She's been popping up in a lot of production lately and I like her vibe. "What qualities do you think a designer should have?" Flexibility & resilience - There have been so many plans that I have had for M-SEW that didn't work out like I thought. Thinking of other ways to get around the issue at hand instead of giving in is a must. Curiosity - I love learning about cultures and the different ways that people go about the same thing. This is how I keep myself inspired as well - through experiencing things that aren't my norm. "There are thousands of girls that would like to be a fashion designer or work in the fashion industry. What is one piece of advice that you would like to share with them?" It takes time. Make sure that you aim to learn about the industry and how it works. A lot of the business side of M-SEW I've been learning by trial and error. I would also say that having a mentor is great. I had one and he really helped me to not make some bad choices when it came to being with a store - I'd never worked with a store before so it was much appreciated advice! "If Meagan was not a fashion designer, who would she be?" Probably a musician. I play piano and have an obsession with music. I'm pretty sure I would've gotten into production or something like that. If you want to grow a successful business like Meagan, why not find a private office in East London or South West London by clicking here Mainyard Studios locations  Have a look at Meagan's website www.msew.com / Follow her on instagram @msewofficial  Read the full article

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4 Things You Need To Do To Find A Podcast Sponsor

by Natasha Nicholls. Creative Hub and Podcast Studio Manager at Mainyard Studios.   Unless your podcast is already established and you are getting at least 3000 downloads per episode, it’s unlikely that you will have Sponsors lined up fighting each other over the precious ad space real estate on your show.    In our previous blog, “12 Simple Ways to Know How and When to Monetise Your Podcast", we looked at Sponsorship and selling ad space as a means to generate revenue from your podcast.    However if you are just starting out, you might be wondering, “How can I get Sponsors for my Podcast?” or “Where do I find them?” Read on to learn how to find a podcast sponsor    1. Perfect Your Pitch!   Before you can approach potential sponsors, you need to have clarity on a number of things:   What is your podcast about? Who are you? What is your brand? What are your goals for your podcast? What are you aiming to achieve? Who is your audience?  What are your current metrics in terms of downloads and site visits?   Having a firm grasp on these basics will put you in a better position to then understand how you can attract your ideal sponsor.   When thinking about potential sponsors for your podcast, it’s important to consider:   What makes your show unique?  What value are you providing?  By advertising on your podcast, (how) will that improve the brand’s consumer perception?  Read the full article