There is never a good time to start up your business, sometimes, you just have to go for it and to just simply get on with it.  These days you don’t have to sink a fortune into a retail or office space.  You can just start up an online business and be based anywhere at home or in a coffee shop.  It is amazing how technology, the internet and social media have transformed the business landscape and how we work.

My virtual office

For the past few months, I have been working on getting the structures together, the web site, the blog, the online shop, registering the company, sorting out a business bank account, researching suppliers and customers.

I must not forget, I am also still a house wife, so I still have to do the school run, escort the kids to their extra curricular activities, cook dinner, do the washing and the ironing, plus cleaning. It is a real juggling and balancing act!

Having the right attitude is crucial, life is about learning and I am enjoying the journey and the challenge.  I still have a lot to learn, but I have never been much of a techie, but putting together this blog, website and all the other social media tools has been very interesting, especially, as I am on a very limited budget and I am doing it by myself.

Being a knitter has really helped, as we know there are always a solution to a problem and we enjoy figuring things out, but also as a member of a few knitting groups, there is always someone who can help and fill in the missing pieces.

Social media and networking

Be Inspired Fibres

Without a physical presence, an online business has to rely on other means of reaching people. Online social media is great for spreading the word, but it is also important to physically meet and see prospective customers to understand their preferences. I am therefore really grateful for the opportunity to exhibit at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival in a few weeks time. Read my 60 sec interview with the organisers here: www.edinyarnfest.com/60-second-interview-be-inspired-fibres

Shop update

Just in time for the Edinburgh show, the online shop is now opened for browsing and shopping. I can only do minor tweaks on the web site, but the tictail online shop solution, I am using is perfect, because of its simplicity and especially for a start-up like me.