Excellent post here at the Beaut.ie blog on how they make money over there. Aisling and Kirstie are always open and honest about revenue generating devices but it seems that in light of their Grand Prix win at this year's blog awards, they needed to stand over their business side of things a little more.
Way to go ladies, you are both an inspiration to other business start-ups and ecommerce sites out there. Congrats!
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Funding
It's long overdue, this post. Apols for that. Personal stuff getting in the way of blogging I'm afraid.
So! The funding situation in Ireland is getting beyond pants. For those trying to run and/or start up a new business, the avenues to take are closing up and becoming more congested.
What can we do to help?
The banks are very limited in what they can do. 2 contrasting voices from the same bank have told me recently that -
1) They are only taking applications from existing customers who have a kick-ass business plan
and/or
2) They are taking applications from just about anyone but they have to have a kick-ass business plan which is more financial projections than words.
So that's all very helpful isn't it?
Anyone talking to me lately has difficulty with just that - financial projections. They're all very pie-in-the-sky aren't they? They have their place but how accurate can they be in this day & age when each and every market is so volatile at the moment? It's just so hard for people to get funding from anywhere!
And then to take the County Enterprise Boards - who are advertising like Billio at the moment - and discover that yes, they have new grants which are all very exciting but lo - the budgets have been slashed for 2010 and they don't know if they're going to be around in 2011! What good is that to the small business community, who cannot get funding from banks or building societies, have been let go from their jobs and have no rich uncle to act as their angel?
More and more faces are recognisable on Dragon's Den. RTÉ was inundated with applications for this year's programme, why? Because nobody has a choice. The avenues have dried up; the obstacles in the way on the remaining avenues are next to impassable.
This post didn't start out with the futile tone that is has grown into. There have to be options out there for people. There has to be an answer for all of this, more than just hopping on a plane to Canada or Oz, if you are lucky enough to be an expert in a field that they need & want.
The funding pie in Ireland is getting smaller, and the number of slices required is getting higher by the day. Someone close to me said recently - the cream will float to the top and Ireland Inc will be left with some great companies in a few years time.
That's very true, and I look forward to that time, but between now and then - what happens to all the other people who are fire fighting to keep their businesses afloat and families warm and dry?
So! The funding situation in Ireland is getting beyond pants. For those trying to run and/or start up a new business, the avenues to take are closing up and becoming more congested.
What can we do to help?
The banks are very limited in what they can do. 2 contrasting voices from the same bank have told me recently that -
1) They are only taking applications from existing customers who have a kick-ass business plan
and/or
2) They are taking applications from just about anyone but they have to have a kick-ass business plan which is more financial projections than words.
So that's all very helpful isn't it?
Anyone talking to me lately has difficulty with just that - financial projections. They're all very pie-in-the-sky aren't they? They have their place but how accurate can they be in this day & age when each and every market is so volatile at the moment? It's just so hard for people to get funding from anywhere!
And then to take the County Enterprise Boards - who are advertising like Billio at the moment - and discover that yes, they have new grants which are all very exciting but lo - the budgets have been slashed for 2010 and they don't know if they're going to be around in 2011! What good is that to the small business community, who cannot get funding from banks or building societies, have been let go from their jobs and have no rich uncle to act as their angel?
More and more faces are recognisable on Dragon's Den. RTÉ was inundated with applications for this year's programme, why? Because nobody has a choice. The avenues have dried up; the obstacles in the way on the remaining avenues are next to impassable.
This post didn't start out with the futile tone that is has grown into. There have to be options out there for people. There has to be an answer for all of this, more than just hopping on a plane to Canada or Oz, if you are lucky enough to be an expert in a field that they need & want.
The funding pie in Ireland is getting smaller, and the number of slices required is getting higher by the day. Someone close to me said recently - the cream will float to the top and Ireland Inc will be left with some great companies in a few years time.
That's very true, and I look forward to that time, but between now and then - what happens to all the other people who are fire fighting to keep their businesses afloat and families warm and dry?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Advice
I should start taking my own.
Had the coolest idea for a blogpost at the weekend, and had no pen/notebook with me to jot down my ideas. Which is something I'm always suggesting that people should have with them - especially if they're working on being innovative in their business. You just never know when a good idea will hit!
Maybe I should have Tweeted the reminder to myself and favourited it from Tweetie or something. Sigh.
So here I am, idea-less on a Tuesday. Sorry about that...
Have a Happy Pancake Day anyway :)
Had the coolest idea for a blogpost at the weekend, and had no pen/notebook with me to jot down my ideas. Which is something I'm always suggesting that people should have with them - especially if they're working on being innovative in their business. You just never know when a good idea will hit!
Maybe I should have Tweeted the reminder to myself and favourited it from Tweetie or something. Sigh.
So here I am, idea-less on a Tuesday. Sorry about that...
Have a Happy Pancake Day anyway :)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Where've I been?
Well, working my socks off that's where. But enough of that.
Today, I'm looking over all the #outvesting candidates and trying to find my winners. Had been thinking about five bunches of ten votes then had considered four bunches - one x 20 and three x 10's, then had stopped thinking about that and just opened the spreadsheet with interest.
Lots of debate over on Google groups about what way we should all vote. Merits in all arguments I must say, I'm nervous about a public voting system but also think it's cool, like a little cheerleading squad for the start-up(s) we believe in most.
I am also worried. I know a few businesses there. In person and in Twitter and in Blogworld... So, tough decisions all 'round. Thank goodness I have until Saturday to decide!! Not only which businesses to go for but also which way to vote ;) Would just like to say a huge thank you and well done to John & James for organising it - you guys are pretty marvellous.
In other news... I'm flipping gutted that a certain Ms Kelly has been booted out of the Apprentice. I had been hoping my suspicions were incorrect yesterday but alas... Murmurings on Lucinda's twitter and facebook pages about new business launches and her job at eircom proved that Mr Penny Apples had indeed made the wrong decision (in my humble...) That said, she is making the most of the opportunity (saw her on Ireland am this morning!) and I have every faith that she will be "most likely to succeed" of all the candidates in there. Well gone girl, and best of luck with the new biz!! G'wan the entrepreneurs! Who's taking bets on Lucinda being on the enterprise seminar circuit in no time at all... She's a blogger, too ;)
Today, I'm looking over all the #outvesting candidates and trying to find my winners. Had been thinking about five bunches of ten votes then had considered four bunches - one x 20 and three x 10's, then had stopped thinking about that and just opened the spreadsheet with interest.
Lots of debate over on Google groups about what way we should all vote. Merits in all arguments I must say, I'm nervous about a public voting system but also think it's cool, like a little cheerleading squad for the start-up(s) we believe in most.
I am also worried. I know a few businesses there. In person and in Twitter and in Blogworld... So, tough decisions all 'round. Thank goodness I have until Saturday to decide!! Not only which businesses to go for but also which way to vote ;) Would just like to say a huge thank you and well done to John & James for organising it - you guys are pretty marvellous.
In other news... I'm flipping gutted that a certain Ms Kelly has been booted out of the Apprentice. I had been hoping my suspicions were incorrect yesterday but alas... Murmurings on Lucinda's twitter and facebook pages about new business launches and her job at eircom proved that Mr Penny Apples had indeed made the wrong decision (in my humble...) That said, she is making the most of the opportunity (saw her on Ireland am this morning!) and I have every faith that she will be "most likely to succeed" of all the candidates in there. Well gone girl, and best of luck with the new biz!! G'wan the entrepreneurs! Who's taking bets on Lucinda being on the enterprise seminar circuit in no time at all... She's a blogger, too ;)
Friday, October 9, 2009
Culch.ie's take on Barack Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize
Culch.ie is a groovy website. Some excellently entertaining posts over the months but also some that make you think.
Today had two great ones, both from the same author - Darragh Doyle!
First up to grab my attention was this post on the latest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, El Presidente. Some think it's too soon, I disagree.
Second up from Senor Doyle was an interesting post on blogging and disclosure. Ethics, eh? What a mare! The post was written yesterday but I only saw it today...
May I take this opportunity to stand up and say I'm not sponsored to do any posts on any item here or over at t'other more personal blogaroo. All opinions here are just that - opinion. My own.
So thank you Darragh for bringing a little thought to my day.
*Skips off to high-five the Nobel chaps for some innovative thinking...*
Have a nice weekend!
Today had two great ones, both from the same author - Darragh Doyle!
First up to grab my attention was this post on the latest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, El Presidente. Some think it's too soon, I disagree.
Second up from Senor Doyle was an interesting post on blogging and disclosure. Ethics, eh? What a mare! The post was written yesterday but I only saw it today...
May I take this opportunity to stand up and say I'm not sponsored to do any posts on any item here or over at t'other more personal blogaroo. All opinions here are just that - opinion. My own.
So thank you Darragh for bringing a little thought to my day.
*Skips off to high-five the Nobel chaps for some innovative thinking...*
Have a nice weekend!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A Word of Advice from...Seth Godin
I follow the Irish Internet Association on Twitter, who signposted this particular gem this afternoon...
A link to some words of wisdom from business author Seth Godin
A link to some words of wisdom from business author Seth Godin
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Which is your favourite Blog?
Mine's the Lemonaders, they be cool - in my humble hopp-in-onion.
What do I like about them?
They're fun. They're real. They be pals. They write about fun things that are usually normal enough ;o)
T-Cup and Kitty Cat are 27 and 25 respectively, and write about their lives mostly. Their likes, dislikes, travel plans, fashion passions and footwear fetishes.
I do like my rant-y blogs, don't get me wrong, but I can always count on the Red Lemonaders for that bit of upbeat sparkle in my week. Thank you ladies!
What do I like about them?
They're fun. They're real. They be pals. They write about fun things that are usually normal enough ;o)
T-Cup and Kitty Cat are 27 and 25 respectively, and write about their lives mostly. Their likes, dislikes, travel plans, fashion passions and footwear fetishes.
I do like my rant-y blogs, don't get me wrong, but I can always count on the Red Lemonaders for that bit of upbeat sparkle in my week. Thank you ladies!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Random
Can I just say...
That yes I am AWARE that this blog is completly random. Some of it is fun-related and some of it enterprise. Hope you don't mind - I don't.
It's just a bit of fun really.
That is all. I wish you all a happy weekend.
That yes I am AWARE that this blog is completly random. Some of it is fun-related and some of it enterprise. Hope you don't mind - I don't.
It's just a bit of fun really.
That is all. I wish you all a happy weekend.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Twit Much?
It's funny, but since so many people are talking about Twitter - on the radio, on the tellybox, in newspapers and in the pub - you would think that everyone knew what it was by now.
I've had to explain it lots of times recently. Me, who only started tweeting at the beginning of January. One of my new year's resolutions that has not failed!! (Ahem - please note - I was still only in the first 40k to follow Mr Stephen Fry, just to put things in perspective...)
When George Hook and Rick O'Shea both tweeted directly at me today, I thought I better start sharing so that other people could get all excited for no reason on a random Wednesday afternoon.
So. Twitter. What the hell is this twitter business?
Well, if you take something like a status update from Facebook, and merge it with the concept of blogging, then you have the mashup of fun that is twitter.
It's defined as "micro-blogging" - in other words, you pop your thoughts online for others to see, you just have an SMS amount of character spaces to do it in!
In sum...
+ 
+ 
= 
Anyhoo, there are lots of people on Twitter these days, average people, big people, small people and famous people. Some of the famous ones are fun to follow, and a little inspirational at times.
I really liked John Cleese's Happy New Year message - or "tweet" - it was: may your new year's flatulence be tuneful and fragrantly innoffensive
You can follow him, here: @JohnCleese
What is following?
Well, it's just the name given to...signing up to hear what other people are saying - like seeing your Friends' status updates on Facebook. You click "Follow" on someone's page, and all of a sudden your own homepage will include everything they say/tweet.
The Hookie Monster has two Twitter accounts, this one gets more action though: @ghook
Rick tweets quite a bit during his broadcasts: @rickoshea
For obvious reasons I love keeping up to date with this marvellous man. He doesn't tweet often, but when he does it's always something groovy. @richardbranson
There are tons of others to follow if you find them interesting. Don't worry that you have to follow everyone who follows you, a lot of strange beings start following you just to get you to follow them back - then they proceed to spam-tweet with so much crap....pay no attention. Have a look at their page, if it looks dull, don't bother following! A good clue to their spam-potential is that they are literally following thousands, but only have a few followers themselves.
From a business perspective, Twitter is a great way for your customers to get in touch with you, and for you to let them know what's going on with you. I started following @VodafoneIreland and asked them a few questions - which they replied to. It's just good business... I've changed to o2 but that's not the point ;)
Business is all about staying in touch. You can talk to experts like @damienmulley about how to really do all modes of social media well, but at least with Twitter you can dip your own toe in the murky waters and find out for yourself. DIY = not costing a fortune. And at least you'll know what they are talking about when you do start speaking to the experts about these things...
Happy Twittering!
I've had to explain it lots of times recently. Me, who only started tweeting at the beginning of January. One of my new year's resolutions that has not failed!! (Ahem - please note - I was still only in the first 40k to follow Mr Stephen Fry, just to put things in perspective...)
When George Hook and Rick O'Shea both tweeted directly at me today, I thought I better start sharing so that other people could get all excited for no reason on a random Wednesday afternoon.
So. Twitter. What the hell is this twitter business?
Well, if you take something like a status update from Facebook, and merge it with the concept of blogging, then you have the mashup of fun that is twitter.
It's defined as "micro-blogging" - in other words, you pop your thoughts online for others to see, you just have an SMS amount of character spaces to do it in!
In sum...
+ 
+ 
= 
Anyhoo, there are lots of people on Twitter these days, average people, big people, small people and famous people. Some of the famous ones are fun to follow, and a little inspirational at times.
I really liked John Cleese's Happy New Year message - or "tweet" - it was: may your new year's flatulence be tuneful and fragrantly innoffensive
You can follow him, here: @JohnCleese
What is following?
Well, it's just the name given to...signing up to hear what other people are saying - like seeing your Friends' status updates on Facebook. You click "Follow" on someone's page, and all of a sudden your own homepage will include everything they say/tweet.
The Hookie Monster has two Twitter accounts, this one gets more action though: @ghook
Rick tweets quite a bit during his broadcasts: @rickoshea
For obvious reasons I love keeping up to date with this marvellous man. He doesn't tweet often, but when he does it's always something groovy. @richardbranson
There are tons of others to follow if you find them interesting. Don't worry that you have to follow everyone who follows you, a lot of strange beings start following you just to get you to follow them back - then they proceed to spam-tweet with so much crap....pay no attention. Have a look at their page, if it looks dull, don't bother following! A good clue to their spam-potential is that they are literally following thousands, but only have a few followers themselves.
From a business perspective, Twitter is a great way for your customers to get in touch with you, and for you to let them know what's going on with you. I started following @VodafoneIreland and asked them a few questions - which they replied to. It's just good business... I've changed to o2 but that's not the point ;)
Business is all about staying in touch. You can talk to experts like @damienmulley about how to really do all modes of social media well, but at least with Twitter you can dip your own toe in the murky waters and find out for yourself. DIY = not costing a fortune. And at least you'll know what they are talking about when you do start speaking to the experts about these things...
Happy Twittering!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Could you be your own boss?
Enterprise Guru Brian O'Kane has done it again... (cue cheesey lines such as hot off the press and things like finger on the pulse etc. etc...)
Fresh for January he had a new book out, one entitled Could You Be Your Own Boss? which is published by his own house, Oak Tree Press, based in Cork. Brian has written it for people who have never thought of enterprise before. Those for whom self employment was never on the long finger, or niggling at the back of their minds. Now, the recently redundant just might have to turn to themselves for their income.
This little book retails at €7.50 - not bad says you - and he's running workshops around the place to talk about enterprise as an option. It's like a pre-Start Your Own Business course. Well let's face it, a 4-day or 8-night training course is a bit much to sign up for when you're not really sure if it's for you.
I've read the book and it is thankfully written in plain English. None of your jargon here, matey. No I don't have shares in the printing press, I just think it's a groovy little book and it only has about 50 pages so it won't take long to read. Then, if you feel the enterprise flame looking for some air inside you, you can look up more information.
On a much more exciting note, Brian has started blogging! Hoorah for more blogs about Enterprise. Especially the ones written in plain English ;)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Twenty's New Business Idea
It's not bad!
Go, have a read. He's a blogger, he's a writer, but he's also too lazy to go and start this new business, so he's putting his idea out there ;)
Go, have a read. He's a blogger, he's a writer, but he's also too lazy to go and start this new business, so he's putting his idea out there ;)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Who are you gunning for?
OK so I haven’t read every single one of them…yet…but at first glance here’s who I’ll be crossing my fingers for on Saturday 21st February 2009.
Best Popculture Blog
Raptureponies: http://raptureponies.wordpress.com
Best Blog from a Journalist
Unarocks: http://unarocks.blogspot.com
Best Food/Drink Blog
Italian Foodies: http://italianfoodies.wordpress.com
If only for the lovely photos!
Best Fashion Blog
Lili Forberg: http://missliliphoto.wordpress.com/
Best Arts and Culture Blog
Confessions Of A Film Critic: http://maguiresmovies.blogspot.com
Mostly commentless ;)
Best Political Blog
Tuppenceworth.ie Blog: http://tuppenceworth.ie/blog
Best Group Blog
The Lives Of Others: http://thelivesofothers.wordpress.com
Because some of the posts can be quite haunting.
Best Use of the Irish Language in a Blog
The Spanish Exposition: http://spanishexposition.blogspot.com
Coz Rosie’s great…
Best Technology Blog/Blogger
Digital Darragh: http://digitaldarragh.com
Honestly, I have no right to have an opinion on this; I really am quite clueless
Best Sport & Recreation Blog
Irish Rugby Blog By Peter Bills: http://blogs.independent.ie/peterbills
Ahem. I know nothing about GAA or ze foozeballingz…
Best News/Current Affairs Blog
Bock The Robber: http://bocktherobber.com
Best Specialist Blog
Paul Dervan: Random Thoughts On Marketing: http://pauldervan.com
Best Newcomer
Seriously. How on earth are the judges going to choose…here’s my top 5 in no particular order:
The National Lottie: http://thenationallottie.com
This Is What I Do: http://darraghdoyle.blogspot.com
Red Lemonade: http://redlemonade.blogspot.com
Chancing My Arm: http://chancingmyarm.blogspot.com
Darren Byrne: http://darrenbyrne.com/wordpress
Best Blog of a Business
Weddingdates.ie: http://weddingdates.ie/blog
Best Music Blog
Nialler9: http://nialler9.com
Best Personal Blog
Yeah, I’m not going to be able to pin any names to the flagpole for this one either.
The Spanish Exposition: http://spanishexposition.blogspot.com
This Is What I Do.: http://darraghdoyle.blogspot.com
Infantasia: http://infantasia.blogspot.com
Annie Rhiannon: http://annierhiannon.blogspot.com
Head Rambles: http://headrambles.com
Dante And The Lobster: http://dante-andthelobster.blogspot.com
Raptureponies: http://raptureponies.wordpress.com
The National Lottie: http://thenationallottie.com
Chancing My Arm: http://chancingmyarm.blogspot.com
Best Humour Blog
Twenty Major - Still Smoking In Dublin Bars: http://twentymajor.net
Coz I laugh out loud. Heartily. Regularly.
Best Photo Blog
Annie Rhiannon: http://annierhiannon.blogspot.com
Good luck everybody!
Link to Blog Awards..blog...
Best Popculture Blog
Raptureponies: http://raptureponies.wordpress.com
Best Blog from a Journalist
Unarocks: http://unarocks.blogspot.com
Best Food/Drink Blog
Italian Foodies: http://italianfoodies.wordpress.com
If only for the lovely photos!
Best Fashion Blog
Lili Forberg: http://missliliphoto.wordpress.com/
Best Arts and Culture Blog
Confessions Of A Film Critic: http://maguiresmovies.blogspot.com
Mostly commentless ;)
Best Political Blog
Tuppenceworth.ie Blog: http://tuppenceworth.ie/blog
Best Group Blog
The Lives Of Others: http://thelivesofothers.wordpress.com
Because some of the posts can be quite haunting.
Best Use of the Irish Language in a Blog
The Spanish Exposition: http://spanishexposition.blogspot.com
Coz Rosie’s great…
Best Technology Blog/Blogger
Digital Darragh: http://digitaldarragh.com
Honestly, I have no right to have an opinion on this; I really am quite clueless
Best Sport & Recreation Blog
Irish Rugby Blog By Peter Bills: http://blogs.independent.ie/peterbills
Ahem. I know nothing about GAA or ze foozeballingz…
Best News/Current Affairs Blog
Bock The Robber: http://bocktherobber.com
Best Specialist Blog
Paul Dervan: Random Thoughts On Marketing: http://pauldervan.com
Best Newcomer
Seriously. How on earth are the judges going to choose…here’s my top 5 in no particular order:
The National Lottie: http://thenationallottie.com
This Is What I Do: http://darraghdoyle.blogspot.com
Red Lemonade: http://redlemonade.blogspot.com
Chancing My Arm: http://chancingmyarm.blogspot.com
Darren Byrne: http://darrenbyrne.com/wordpress
Best Blog of a Business
Weddingdates.ie: http://weddingdates.ie/blog
Best Music Blog
Nialler9: http://nialler9.com
Best Personal Blog
Yeah, I’m not going to be able to pin any names to the flagpole for this one either.
The Spanish Exposition: http://spanishexposition.blogspot.com
This Is What I Do.: http://darraghdoyle.blogspot.com
Infantasia: http://infantasia.blogspot.com
Annie Rhiannon: http://annierhiannon.blogspot.com
Head Rambles: http://headrambles.com
Dante And The Lobster: http://dante-andthelobster.blogspot.com
Raptureponies: http://raptureponies.wordpress.com
The National Lottie: http://thenationallottie.com
Chancing My Arm: http://chancingmyarm.blogspot.com
Best Humour Blog
Twenty Major - Still Smoking In Dublin Bars: http://twentymajor.net
Coz I laugh out loud. Heartily. Regularly.
Best Photo Blog
Annie Rhiannon: http://annierhiannon.blogspot.com
Good luck everybody!
Link to Blog Awards..blog...
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year Everybody
Just a quick note to wish everyone all the best for 2009. I look forward to blogging a lot more this year! 2008 was great in so many ways...it's been lovely to read lots of blogposts this past week looking at the upside of the last year! Damien, Lottie, Rick, just to mention a few.
Also thank you to Darragh for mentioning this here little blog on his recent followers post. You're my first follower Darragh!
I was going to change the background for this blog - fresh start for new year etc. But instead I have started a whole new blog instead ;) Come visit, if you are so inclined...
Happy Noo Beer ya'll
Also thank you to Darragh for mentioning this here little blog on his recent followers post. You're my first follower Darragh!
I was going to change the background for this blog - fresh start for new year etc. But instead I have started a whole new blog instead ;) Come visit, if you are so inclined...
Happy Noo Beer ya'll
Friday, December 12, 2008
Hello to far away places and visitors!
Greetings all,
I'd forgotten I had a Google Analytics account and just checked in to see who's reading and who's not. How interesting to find that a whole 16% of visitors are popping in from across the big pond over yonder. Hello American readers! Thank you for calling, please come again... It's quite interesting to see that only about half of readers are from Ireland, I wouldn't have guessed that if I'd been quizzed... Almost 20% coming from non-UK/US/RoI - how cool is that. Hello Malaysia...
PS. I've just started one of those "followers" thingies if anyone would care to click :o) It's right there, to the right just below the links to Irish Blogs Dot Eye Eee
I'd forgotten I had a Google Analytics account and just checked in to see who's reading and who's not. How interesting to find that a whole 16% of visitors are popping in from across the big pond over yonder. Hello American readers! Thank you for calling, please come again... It's quite interesting to see that only about half of readers are from Ireland, I wouldn't have guessed that if I'd been quizzed... Almost 20% coming from non-UK/US/RoI - how cool is that. Hello Malaysia...
PS. I've just started one of those "followers" thingies if anyone would care to click :o) It's right there, to the right just below the links to Irish Blogs Dot Eye Eee
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
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