23/3/2018
Ten days since my last update? Really??? Ooops! So, what have I achieved – lots of things!
I have got myself a new logo and stationary pack that I am thrilled with for a very good price thanks to Isabella via www.fivesquid.com a great site offering services to help your business for very reasonable prices.

​I got to work on the idea of creating posters and documents with a WW1 theme and successfully completed my first example, namely that of David Maguire 1892-1916. I have sent the booklets off to be printed and will do the same with posters soon, (I have others I need to work on to include with this order). I have updated the website to include them and am currently working on other products and how to offer them via the website. 

​This week’s class was dealing with finance (envisage my eyes looking upwards and my hand waving over my head) clueless! I have had dealings with this side of things, I completed a management course many years ago and dealt with this subject in detail, sadly I remember very little. 

​The class was very interesting and mainly looked into sources of funding and will look more into book keeping next week. I haven’t managed my time very well this week (surprise surprise) and need to look at the book keeping side of things myself. Nice weekend of nights from tonight so guess what I’ll be doing during breaks 😉

​I managed to revamp the website to include new logo and have added a product page to display what is on offer although at this time I have only managed to include the WW1 items. Work in progress. I also played about with the About Me section and included an About Business and About you page. I started work on a product guide page, again work in progress. Attempting to get my head around cost etc.

I had my first 'contact entry' today via my website! Unfortunately, the client was Portuguese and that falls out of my comfort zone, namely Ireland and the UK. I was able to reply with suggestions and advice though which felt good. Who knows, they may find their search brings them over here?
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It's good to know that people from all over the world can see my website and take an interest 😊

​Onwards and upwards!!!

12/3/2018
Well after working a weekend of 12 hour shifts I had a well earned lie in this morning. The housework is ongoing in the form of trips from the washer to the dryer. After a trip to Tesco’s, dinner is in the oven. I have a few things on my list to complete today, namely, writing this blog, replying to emails (which involve aiding a lady concerning family history (part of personal family tree, not business related, so could take some time) and making sure I have all I need ready for the class tomorrow. I also 'need' to go to a my friend’s house and watch the latest two episodes of ‘The Walking Dead’ lol! 

​​This song inspires an idea of my dream job and not what I actually do as a job to pay my bills…

​So how did I do? It is now 9pm and I have not yet replied to email and reckon it may have to wait until tomorrow after class? I have organised my file from the random pile it was in, into order and into the folder. I have noted down some costs. I have imagined what I would do with a £500 investment and I have watched one episode of ‘The Walking Dead’ lol! Although my friend has inspired an idea that I will be working on now while my water is heating so I can have a nice relaxing bath 😊

So….before and after a bath I worked at designing a flyer, made some notes and generally did not do anything I was supposed to do?!? In fact, as I made some notes I had an idea so made a title ‘Ideas’ then this happened…
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Ideas
I forget what my idea was???? Time for bed….tbc….

13/3/2018
Got to bed after 12 and struggled to sleep, my brain is working overtime! Up with laptop open before 6am. Sure I can have a doze after class? 

​Another great class today, I blushed profusely lol!
We had two speakers today, guiding us on MEDIA TRAINING, PUBLIC SPEAKING COACHING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT and ONLINE MARKETING. Links below. 

http://www.bespokecomms.net/
http://sand-marketing.co.uk
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Today opened my eyes to the fact that I am not an amateur, I have a talent and I should embrace it and be more confident in myself! (Still slightly dubious but working on it lol) 

​This video clip was mentioned and the fact that if you tell yourself, “You can do this”, “You have a talent” etc whilst looking in the mirror, in my case whilst drying my wet head of hair or plucking my chin lol! I can convince myself and my attitude will change over time. I like this idea 😊 I can’t wait to strike this pose in my everyday job lol!

So many inspirational women in one room! Two of which can help me in my progress. No names yet but one who has a business idea that will at some point involve ancestry related projects and another who, in a past life, went into the ancestry business herself, you know who you are, and I thank you both and am grateful for the encouragement.

NETWORKING – VERY IMPORTANT!!!!! I have learned this 😊

I know what I need to do to make changes to my website, a clear definition of product and price is foremost.
Implementing it will take time and lots of effort, which is fine, I can do this!
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After class today, I did everything and nothing, I floated through all ideas and suggestions but got nothing done. I think I need to walk away for a moment, rest my brain. Tomorrow I will relax, have a lie in and during my nightshifts, 7pm-7am, two of, I will attempt to create a list of things to do so when off at the weekend I can attempt to complete……wish me luck! 😊

​P.S. Still haven’t replied to e-mail or sent an important message I need to send….progress….slow….working on it!

When I began creating this website of my business idea I was unwell and on long term sick leave from my regular full-time employment. I had a lot of time on my hands and I guess I was worried that my illness would not allow me to return to work at all? How would I pay my bills? I was lucky at the time to live in a lovely house out of town, giving me peace to work on my idea.

Even though I am no computer expert, after some research and trial and error, I found a self-build website program that allowed me to be creative and attempt to put my idea across.
I had been researching my family tree for 20 years and had taught myself a way to share my findings with family members that was more than just a print out formulated by a program. It was more detailed, more personal. Looking at everyone in the tree and expanding on the story of their lives. Where they lived, how they made money, the highs and the lows of everyday life. This then led me to create personalised family tree posters, again more detailed than an average print out formulated via a program. I am still refining my skills. 

Thankfully after a few months, medication was found that reduced my symptoms (A tablet a day, keeps the doctor away) and I was able to return to work. My job consists of 12-hour continental shifts.

With the website up, I found I had no time or spare money to promote or offer services, so it has sat there in the background gathering dust. 

After moving home and getting settled, the business side of things was never far from my mind, but I lacked motivation to continue given the time restraints. 

​I then saw an advert via Facebook promoting women in business ran by Causeway Enterprise. They were looking for women from the Causeway Coast and Glens area with a business idea to take part in a programme called the ‘Power of 4’. I immediately applied and am happy to say was accepted to take part.
It is all well and good having an idea for a business but knowing how to develop the idea, control sales and marketing and deal with all the financial details is beyond me! After week one of the programme I have been thrown into the world of business. Dealing with business models and valuation statements has me buzzing and I am more inspired than ever! 

I did not gain many qualifications from High School, I believe my brain was not ready to absorb the information at that time. I have since gained various qualifications via courses and am very proud to be a life learner!

I find myself so lucky to be able to network with an amazing group of likeminded individuals, to grow and learn with them will be an inspiration.

I invite you to join me in my journey towards my goal of sharing our local history! Watch the website change for the better. I will update the blog on a weekly basis with a candid report of progress.

Onwards and upwards!

Wish me luck!

Lucy :)