I really must update my blog.

I have been very remiss about keeping my blog up to date. I love live stream and I do live stream most evenings with an update of the shenanigans in my life. However, it occurred to me that some people might prefer to read rather than view although personally, I am an audio-visual learner.

I have a 30-year teaching background and really loved my teaching career. That is until the end, the last year was not much fun. A job that I had joined as a vocation, became merely a way of paying the bills. To me, that was very sad and that is why I threw in the towel before retirement age. During my 30 years of teaching, I ran my own nursery school for 21 years. I have some very fond memories of those 21 years and the many children that passed through. We had such fun. They were like little sponges lapping up knowledge daily. We also used to produce two shows a year and when I live stream on a regular basis, many of those memories come flooding back and I recount them to my audience. Just the other day, and one of my 10 pm Broadcasts, I recounted how I dressed as a ragdoll when we put on a performance of “When the clock strikes midnight” (it was the story of the toys coming to life)

Although I say I had a 30-year teaching career, I have not actually stopped teaching. However, my pupils are no longer little people. I now help bigger people to raise awareness of their businesses, their events or the charities.

 

I have learned so much from my youngest son, Tristan and I am so glad that I didn’t squash that entrepreneurial spirit that he showed at age 12. I had chosen to send him to a private school and he saw a gap in the market. I think it was the sum of 5 pounds that set up his tuck shop. His headmaster was less than impressed and I got summoned to his office. Tristan reminds me that I’m leaving the premise he’s headmaster was less than impressed and I got summoned to his office. Tristan reminds me that I’m leaving The headmasters office, even before we got out of the school grounds, I turned to Tristan and said: “you are going to do it again aren’t you?” To which he had no hesitation in assuring me that he had no intention of closing his business. My answer was “just don’t get caught next time” How different our lives would have been if I had chastised him and put an end to that entrepreneurial spirit. As a 67-year-old, I am loving sitting in the digital space and learning and upskilling every day. I live stream daily, I manage social media accounts for local businesses and I help to raise the visibility of events and local charities as well as my beautiful Isle of Wight. I want to share it with the world. After all, how can I help the local businesses if the tourists don’t come?

And now I am going to attempt to blog regularly. Thanks to Tristan, this has become a much more manageable task as he has taught me to use voice to text. I am part of the social media Mentors Global group that he runs under his brand it’s Nomad9 . I pop in and out of that group on a regular basis as part of my upskilling but also lap up

podcasts and YouTube videos to make sure I don’t miss any vital information. I also run a network group, wightbuzz which I set up in 2010. I never set out to make money from it. It was more about connecting people together and networking that would help my home-based businesses. I did have a small membership fee back then but have now dispensed with that. For me, it is more about connecting the community with the businesses for the greater good. So my network meetings are open to local business owners, local event organizers, charity fundraisers and Charity organisers  and just for good measure anyone else who wants to join in and know what is going on in the community. There is one rule. You have to be nice. I added that rule because sadly in the past I had people within the group who tried to pull me down. Little did they know I was made of sterner stuff and although I might’ve been bashed along the way I’m like a Weeble, I wobble but I don’t fall down.

So, these days I like to inspire educate and entertain. I have my dad’s wicked sense of humour and I am sure he watches down on me with mild amusement. He would be proud of my live streams. He encouraged me and my siblings to learn public speaking at an early age. This is something I have passed on to Tristan who now speaks at many events, passing on his fount of knowledge.

At an age when I should have long since retired, I’m having way too much fun to sit in my rocking chair knitting. Although I do have a recliner and I do a lot of knitting as I now knit for charity. I love knitting the fun stuff like apples and pears and some flowers and pizzas and hotdogs etc. currently I am busy click clicking away with the needles as I am putting some entries into the new Arcticulture tent at the county show. The theme is fruit and veg, time for tea, and in bloom. It gives me plenty of scope for something I love. However, my ambitions are way beyond the time I have to finalize my entries. Once the show is over, all the entries will be sold for charity. They will support different charities on the island and in fact, some people have already ordered some of the items that will actually be seen in the county show. They are aware that they will have to wait until after 8 July. I have a very understanding audience. Which is just as well when things go wrong like they did last night. I was doing my usual 10 PM broadcast and I moved the camera to show my Computer screen and for some reason, it went a little bit Crazy. And when I put it down it had turned me on its side. Unable to correct it while I was broadcasting, I did the broadcast lying on my side on my desk much to the amusement of my audience. Mission accomplished as I always try to entertain. I had some wonderful compliments. One viewer nearly ran out of tissues. She assured me it was through laughter and not tears of sadness. Someone else came and said they had a wonderful evening and another viewer said I had really cheered him up. I am just so glad that I ignored the criticism of a naysayer years ago, who told me I was the laughing stock. What he didn’t realize these people are laughing with me and not at me. Together we are building a wonderful community of supportive people. They help me as much as I help them and so I’m not going to stop live-streaming or clowning about anytime soon. Now I must get back to the click-clacking of the knitting needles as time is of the essence.

Out with the old and in with the new

Out with the old and in with the new

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As I saw out 2015 with friends and welcomed in 2016, I reflected on what had been quite a difficult year. I left my church, I also left a voluntary group where I helped to feed the hungry and the homeless and I left my Rotary group. These were not things I had intended to do at the beginning of the year but sadly there are those who thought it wise to try and bully me. Having spent 30 years of my life as a teacher during which time I worked very hard to discourage all bullying, there was no way I was going to succumb to adults  who should have known better – long story short – I removed myself and took my skills with me. In my church I had been holding 6 posts (not something I wanted but posts were not being filled) including social media manager. One of those organisations had others who managed the social media, but the other two didn’t and as noone came forward – those facebook pages and twitter streams now lie dormant.

 

These situations occurred during the early part of the year and as they weren’t among my happiest memories, I will not continue further discussion as it will serve no purpose. The only reason I mention them were they happened during 2015. It is so good to see them go – out with the old and in with the new.

 

On a much happier note, my son Tristan and I have continued to build our business Allthingsnetworking.com For those who don’t know, for 5 years I ran Wightbuzz – a networking and business support group and in 2014 my son. Tristan suggested we put our skills together and create a global network group – Allthingsnetworking.com

 

 

As with all businesses it hasn’t been without it’s challenges however, we ran a very successful conference in the UK in September when Tristan flew over to join me.

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We had some glowing testimonials and have been asked to run another one. We continued to build the group both on and offline.

 

I am pleased to say we enter the new year, I am delighted to say we have a string of  new clients wanting to join us . I am having great fun learning all the new social media platforms – periscope, blab and now snapchat and my son amuses himself watching me – at the ripe old age of 65, teaching 20 and 30 years olds all the latest platforms. I love teaching others – it is in my blood! I used to teach little people now I am a business mentor and digital strategist teaching the bigger people. I look forward to 2016 with great excitement as my son and I plan for an awesome year helping our clients to grow their businesses. At a time when most people think of retiring – I can’t wait. – I am very much looking forward to out with the old and in with the new . Times they really are achanging – and very much for the better.

 

 

This is post 1 of the thirty day blogging challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time to celebrate our 5th birthday.

It’s time to celebrate our 5th birthday

5th birthday

5 years ago today I founded Wightbuzz - unable to find the right networking group when I started amy new business as I emerged from a long dark tunnel, I set up my own. Times were hard and life stressful but undaunted I grew my network- 5 years on I have helped well over 200 businesses to make good connections earning the title The Connection Queen along the way. They also called me Mummy Buzz as I nurtured new businesses as I buzzed around .

me with banner and atn small banner

 

Members have come and gone as their needs changed. Many have remained.The successes are many -Graham Reading Photography  has made many connections but one of the best was for the Mardi Gras. I was to be a VIP guest at the lunch before the Mardi Gras (I’m Chair of the Ryde Business association) and I was in front of my computer during the morning. I spotted a cry for help – The allotted photographer was unable to cover the event and there was an appeal opn social media. I knew Graham was covering the round the Island Yacht race from a boat in the solent but I contacted him to see if he could help. He thought he could but wasn’t sure he would be there right at the start. I put him in contact with the New Carnival Company and they engaged him. Things turned a little hairy as Graham was still in Cowes (having to negotiate very heavy traffic as the MArdi Gras started from the top of Ryde ) All was not lost as I kept him up to date with what was happening and he managed to come round a different way so he didn’t get stuck behind the procession. He managed to catch up with the parade and get pictures of the whole parade .Our service was much appreciated.

Another success story that has appreciated our networking is Neil Southwell of Oasis said  “And without you, I wouldn’t be working for Wightlink and Bestival.” What a lovely testimonial that was at our Let’s Leverage conference –

In 2014, my son Tristan (who lives in Australia), suggested we join forces with my networking skills and his social media skills and we have now become a global brand Allthingsnetworking.com – we are able to offer 24/7 support to our members – so today it is time to celebrate and its double celebrations as I have been shortlisted in the Venus awards. – influential woman category. I have just been to face the camera –

face the camera

making a one minute recording to support my entry (and I thank the 4 people who nominated me) Now it’s on to a public vote in January.

 

So here is to the next 5 years as we build our brand globally – helping businesses to grow and prosper – leading them through the social media minefield and helping them master all the latest platforms – Currently we are embracing livestreaming such as periscope and blab and now we are working on snapchat.

why not check us out on facebook and twitter ?

 

 

How Time Flies

Wow what a lot of time has passed since my last blog. Hmmmm not good Mrs B so now to put that right. A lot of things have happened since I posted about Wightbuzz “doing” Cowes week! Such a lot of water under the bridge. I have welcomed a lot of new members into Wightbuzz.I have helped these Isle of Wight business owners to network their businesses and to find more business.  I have carried on promoting my other businesses. I have a new trader and more customers in my Phoenix cards business, growing it at my own pace and I have continued to spread the eco-friendly word about Wikaniko.

All of a sudden we are into a new year and as I have not been very good at keeping up this blog, I have decided to take the Ultimate Blog Challenge once again. There is a lot of support and plenty of ideas so the ideas should never dry up.

 

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Since my last blog. I have also set up The Giggly Grannies website as well as a facebook page and a twitter account – you can find us @gigglygrannies. My Giggly Granny friend, Julie Jordan, and I have been out and about in the community raising awareness for some of the Wightbuzz businesses, as well as for The Open Arms project which helps to feed and clothe the homeless.This is supported by many volunteers from the churches together in Ryde and was inspired by The Wacky Rev who initiated the project after a conversation with Father Anthony (but was criticised and treated very badly for her work by some who should have known much better!)

It has been very humbling and we have been thrilled with how much awareness has been raised. We have been delighted with how people have donated food, Morrisons vouchers to exchange for food, supported our fundraisers and awareness days that Barclays allowed us to hold in their Ryde Branch.

So although the blog has been fairly static, I have been very busy and in the coming days, Ill update you with much of what I have been doing over the last six months as well as new things going forward. I hope you enjoy visiting my blog and hope that your support will keep me on track to finish 31 blogs in 31 days.

 

Doing Something Funny For Money

 

 

DOING something funny for money

When I opened a new bank account with Barclays Bank recently, I had no idea of the fun that lay ahead. I love to have fun while working my business and as a self employed work from home mum and grandmum, this is so easy. For most of my working life, I have been self employed and so I set the rules. I enjoy what I do and having fun whilst doing it makes it even nicer. No boss to relate to. No boss to set my hours. I work as and when I want to. I work hard but I also play hard.

Well, on the day I  opened the new account, my new Barclays manager, Wayne Child,  told me about the back to business scheme that Barclays run. The managers are encouraged to go out with a client and spend a day with them in their business. Wayne asked me if I would like to participate in the scheme and I was very keen to take part. When I set the date, I had a client who wanted a video made so thought this might be quite interesting for Wayne to watch. After all, he had told me he didn’t want a boring day in the home office. Unfortunately, my client had to postpone my appointment with her but I decided to keep the date with Wayne.

When I set the date, I hadn’t realised it was Comic relief day. However, it soon occured to me that this was a day that could be a lot of fun and during the day we could do something funny for money. Why ever not?

I checked with Wayne to see if he was prepared for a fun day and he had absolutely no problem with it – in fact he sounded as though it was right “up his street”.

I am, very much a community person and I love to fundraise and encourage my Wightbuzz members to do the same. I spotted an opportunity and ran with it.

I sent out a letter to my Wightbuzz members and was offered raffle prizes. Jade Thornton of Petticoats and Frills offered us a box of red nose cup cakes. She even dressed in red to deliver them to the Wightbuzz office. She was truly embracing the “doing something funny for money” theme.

Cupcakes from Petticoats and Frills

Doing something funny for money - fun cup cakes

Michael of the Dorset House, offered us a Sunday lunch for 2

Dorset House raffle prize

Michael, of the Dorset House, donates Sunday lunch for 2

Susan Revell, also a Wightbuzz member, donated a free first aid course and Jayne Read of Island Memories, donated a family ticket for the VE celebrations being held in May. Claire and Ann of Attraction, a lovely gift shop in Cross Street Ryde, donated a jewellery set. I am very grateful to all these ovely people.

With all these lovely prizes, I knew my super Wightbuzz members would be happy to part with their money.

Before my bank manager came to pick me up, I uploaded a video clip to you tube,

 

My bank manager turned up to pick me up at 9. We needed to decorate the collecting tin and Wayne even obliged with this!

Then, after a quick coffee we were off on the start of our very exciting day. First stop – Jo of Wightcakes

who supplied us with coffee and

scrummy cake! It was going to be one of THOSE days :)

We then popped along to Missy J cafe  where Janine insisted on tweaking my nose before parting with her money – well the theme was doing something funny for money!

Next stop - Wightsight for a quick laugh and joke with Mandy and Adrian who also bought raffle tickets

then a few doors along to Attraction to see Claire, one of the raffle prize donators.

We just HAD to stop at Barclays in Ryde. Well it would be sily not to as I was with my Barclays manager!!

a few more stops in Ryde then we zoomed over to Sandown and to the lovely gift shop Che-Sands

then we popped across to Rapaunui where we also met the lovely Emma from Island Voucher where there was time for a very quick photo call!

then over to recruit Wendy of Deeva into Wightbuzz before selling her raffle tickets too

by the time we got to the wightbuzz office we were really beginning to flag but Liz supplied us with coffee to keep us going

and it was here we stopped to make a couple of video clips about our day.

 

 

and

 

Our final stop was with Julie Jones Evans of Dragonfly i Nodehill – (my fellow shock cash mobber )

We rounded off the day with a lovely sit down and chat with Julie and more coffee and cake!

 

We had a brilliant day – it was manic, it was fun and we did something funny for money. We raised about £75 for comic relief and my Barclays bank manager and I now know each other much better! It truly was a fun day. (I spent the weekend chilling as I was quite exhausted!!)

I did pop in to see Wayne’s boss on Monday to report on what an excellent experience it was! Praise where praise is due. I have had friends, who bank at other banks,  who don’t even know if they have a bank manager, let alone know his name!

I made a you tube clip of the day

Do you have stories to relate about your bank manager? Have you had a fun day out with yours? Pop your comments below :)

 

 

 

 

Coffee and Shop at Ryde Methodist Church March 2nd

On Saturday 2nd March, I will be running another Coffee and Shop event at Ryde Methdist Church. We have many talented local crafts people and some of these  have booked a stall at this event. We also have people running local businesses so this is a great chance to pop in and support the shop local campaign.

 

See you there.

Ryde Methodist Church, Garfield Road, 10 am – 12 noon

4 home based businesses – who said it couldn’t be done?

Once upon a time – a business was for life – not so anymore!. Having worked hard in my 30 year teaching career – during which I ran my own nursery for 21 years – I turned to becoming a book lady – selling children’s books via stalls at local events and book parties. When the book company moved the goal posts after I had built my business for 7 years, I decided to leave and then at the age of 58 I had to look for new ways of earning an income. I found other home based businesses and set up several. I decided to spread my eggs into several baskets. There was criticism but at the end of the day – it’s my life and I have to do what’s right for me. What is right for me is not necessarily right for others.

Read more

Coffee and cake

Coffee and cake

I love coffee and cake. Anyone following me on facebook will see that most of my business is done over coffee and cake. Why should that be a problem? Well to me it isn’t. However, there is someone who has a problem with it. That someone , I think, believes I should go suited and booted, clipboard in hand to meet my prospective clients. The truth is, my clients love doing business over coffee and cake. If I were to follow this gentleman’s advice, I wouldn’t be finding my target audience. Read more