Biz Talk - International Women's Day.

Women getting ahead in business is not really about lack of confidence it's the considerable barriers we face like the gender pay gap and lack of flexibility that prevent us from getting ahead.

When we break those barriers and open up the pathways for women to succeed, as Michelle Obama so beautifully says...

"There is no limit to what we, as women can accomplish"

Michelle Obama

Abi's Top 5 Tips.

On returning from the states as an interior designer, Abi launched her retail business in 2003 and now has a global following through her retail and product designs, best-selling books and lifestyle blog as well as some TV work. Running a business full time, Abi is constantly learning from others in the trade, from business books, from being online, but most of all from her own experience (including mistakes). 

She's pulled together her top 5 tips that she wished she knew before starting her own biz. 

Abi's Top Five Tips.

On returning from the states as an interior designer, Abi launched her retail business in 2003 and now has a global following through her retail and product designs, best-selling books and lifestyle blog as well as some TV work. Running a business full time, Abi is constantly learning from others in the trade, from business books, from being online, but most of all from her own experience (including mistakes).

She's pulled together her top 5 tips that she wished she knew before starting her own biz.

1. Get Real.

You will spend about 30% of your time (if you’re lucky) doing what you set out do: designing, writing, the stuff you love that sparked the idea in the first place. The rest of the time you will be strategising, dealing with administrative work, marketing, and answering a ton of emails! 

Get real – the fun stuff always comes second. 

2. Take Time.

I thought that within two years things would take off big time. I was convinced that my path to world domination would be quick. Wake up call: it’s slower and longer than you could ever imagine! Maybe triple your time expectations (and then some).

3. Take Risks.

Embrace your challenges and problems, and face your fears. I had to realise quite quickly, that the minute you put yourself out there, people will criticise you. There’s no getting around that. Want to know what’™s good about it, though? It toughens you up. It actually makes you a better, stronger, more determined person and it focuses you. So face those darn fears, I say, and don’€™t worry about what others think!

4. Stay Current.

Keep your website fresh and constantly evolving, your bricks and mortar or online store continually changing, and work consistently and often on the content of your blog, Instagram, Facebook and other social media channels. It’s all about creating a community where like-minded people want to hang out with you.

5. Talk it Out.

Simplistic as it sounds, talking problems out helps clarify things. Just saying them out loud makes them less scary and overwhelming. Plus others can be more objective and might have solutions you didn’t even think of. I'm constantly talking with my family and the team. Talk, talk, talk!

5. Talk it Out.

Simplistic as it sounds, talking problems out helps clarify things. Just saying them out loud makes them less scary and overwhelming. Plus others can be more objective and might have solutions you didn’t even think of. I'm constantly talking with my family and the team. Talk, talk, talk!

How can I help You? Giveaway.

I'm passionate about my own biz and I've learnt a lot in the last (almost) 20 years of running an online and bricks and mortar store.

So in celebration of 'International Women's Day' and the launch of my new biz column on the blog, I am giving away 6 free video biz consultations to some of you amazing women business owners out there. From starting-out advice to how to build your brand, to marketing and evolving your business and taking it to the next level.

Head over to the relevant post on my Instagram (press the button below) and tag yourself in the comments. I will then choose 6 lucky winners at random.

Good Luck!

Win a Business Consultation

How can I help You? Giveaway.

I'm passionate about my own biz and I've learnt a lot in the last (almost) 20 years of running an online and bricks and mortar store. 

So in celebration of International Women's Day 2022 and the launch of my new biz column on the blog, I am giving away 6 free video biz consultations to some of you amazing women business owners out there. From starting-out advice to how to build your brand, to marketing and evolving your business and taking it to the next level. 

Head over to the relevant post on my Instagram (press the button below) and tag yourself in the comments. I will then choose 6 lucky winners at random. 

Good Luck!

Win a Consultation