I've decided to start my own business to try to bring in some extra money while I'm working on the web design training. I started the process a little over a week ago. It was a split decision that I just ran with. I'm going to be doing make-up for weddings and special occasions (as well as selling virgin cosmetics to my clients). I'm using what's left of my savings to start the business. The cosmetics start-up kit is costing a pretty penny and the rest is going into advertising.
I took out an ad in the Thomson's Yellow Pages (not the main yellow pages, but not a bad place to advertise either), placing an ad in a booklet of local businesses that gets distributed around the area and I'll also be advertising in the weddings section of the local newspaper (and of course on the web). The local newspaper will also be doing a write-up on my business in the weddings section sometime in the next 6 weeks. They'll be sending out a photographer and writing up a little editorial. It's a free extra that they do if you commit to 12 weeks of advertising. I'm hoping it helps bring in some good business.
I'm going to try and use being American to my advantage (it's not like I can avoid it). I trained in NY back in the day when I started out with Clinique (a lifetime ago) so I've decided to work it into my business name. I'm calling it NY Image and I'll advertise the fact that I trained there. I'm hoping this will put me being American in a positive light (considering it's not always looked upon as a good thing).
For the last couple of weeks I've been setting up my business plan, start-up budget, working on the business name & logo and doing the artwork for my ads. I need to have the ad done as well as the website for the business done by the end of next week so I'll be scrambling a bit this week. I'm looking really forward to seeing how it goes.
I've also booked in my first web job too. I'll be doing my personal trainer's website for him and in exchange, I'll get free training from him (woo-hoo). We can do well for each other business wise. People lose weight for weddings so I can send business his way and he can do the same for me. I think it should work out well. Although, I won't be getting any free training for a couple of weeks because I have to wait until I finish my business website before I can start his. For now, I will have to continue paying for my torture!
Anyway, since I said I'd be updating my blog more regularly, I thought I'd explain why I haven't had the time to do so. I'll be updating from time to time when I have a free moment though. Thanks so much for all the great comments and input. It's always wonderful having contact with fellow expats!
My in-laws just left after a five day visit. I don't mind it being a five day visit, but then again, five days of your house not being your own is always a bit unsettling and although I don't look forward to their departure when they are here, I can't say I'm sad to have things go back to normal. As a treat for my son's birthday, we took him to the Museum of Natural History in London on Thursday. He chose to go because we took him last year (he's been crazy about dinosaurs since he was three years old). They give out adventure packs at the museum which consist of a back pack, safari hat, and binoculars with an adventure to follow during their visit. The back pack has clues in it to solve a mystery. Last year it had a dinosaur claw, a tooth and a sample of dinosaur skin he had to match up to one on display. He had a great time solving the mystery and even remembered which dinosaur it ended up being. Last year's trip was wonderful. We walked right in,
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