Business Action | Autumn 2020
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Business Action | Autumn 2020

Autumn 2020 issue of the independent North Devon-based business magazine covering news about business and enterprise in the area. This issue features our Business Activists answering your business questions plus Purple Tuesday and how businesses can make themselves more accessible to consumers with disabilities.

Autumn 2020 issue of the independent North Devon-based business magazine covering news about business and enterprise in the area. This issue features our Business Activists answering your business questions plus Purple Tuesday and how businesses can make themselves more accessible to consumers with disabilities.

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usiness<br />

ACTION<br />

north enterprise<br />

devon<br />

growth<br />

innovation<br />

news & views<br />

Apples harvested by Alan Williams<br />

business-action.co.uk | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | @businessactionm

CONTENTS HEADER<br />

Web site | business-action.co.uk<br />

Online version | business-action.uk<br />

Vol 2 Issue 5 – <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> – distribution 2,000<br />

Ask. Support. Progress................................................................................... 1<br />

New managing director for facilities management group................ 2<br />

Accountancy group’s new appointments................................................ 2<br />

Manufacturer to invest £11.5m...................................................................... 3<br />

Toy museum rekindles childhood memories......................................... 4<br />

New estate agency launches......................................................................... 4<br />

<strong>Business</strong> directory – find products and services................................ 5<br />

Building a new business from scratch...................................................... 6<br />

Hotel open for winter and Christmas dining........................................... 7<br />

Digital gardening firm keeps busy.............................................................. 7<br />

Professional training for counsellors now available ......................... 8<br />

Splat! Don’t let technology crush your business................................. 9<br />

Access billion pound markets:<br />

Purple Tuesday: Tap into the £274b disability market........................ 10<br />

#ndevonXMAS: Promote your festive products locally..................... 11<br />

Small <strong>Business</strong> Saturday: Tap into £800m consumer spending... 11<br />

<strong>Business</strong> Activists answer your business questions........................ 12<br />

South Molton: Browsing for treasures in store..................................... 14<br />

South Molton: Bringing antique maps back to life.............................. 15<br />

Book review: The Happipreneur by Tony Robinson OBE................. 16<br />

In the Hot Seat: Sara-Jane Williams of BrandLanterns..................... 17<br />

© Need it Find it <strong>2020</strong>. All information in this magazine is published in good faith.<br />

Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, Need it Find it.<br />

Readers are strongly recommended to seek advice from an appropriate professional<br />

before taking any action on any topic discussed in the magazine and to check full<br />

terms and conditions of any products or services promoted in advertisements.<br />

Need it<br />

Find it<br />

Advertise your business<br />

for £30 a year<br />

<strong>Business</strong> card advert £25<br />

or £150 per year<br />

Our aim hasalwaysbeento<br />

providecommunications<br />

channelsthatareaccessibleto<br />

allNorthDevonbusinesses,<br />

regardlessofsizeandsector.<br />

Whileeditorialinclusionis<br />

free,weensurethatadvertising<br />

isalwaysaffordable.<br />

Withbusinessesneedingto<br />

promotethemselvesactively<br />

andcontrolcosts,wehave<br />

launchedour£30<strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong>Plantoprovidea12-<br />

monthlistingonour North<br />

Devon <strong>Business</strong> Directoryat<br />

needitfindit.uk<br />

The£30<strong>Business</strong>Planincludes:<br />

➤ 12-monthonlinelistingwith<br />

logoandclickablelinksto<br />

yourwebsiteandsocial<br />

mediaprofiles.<br />

➤ Listingintheclassified<br />

directoryofsixbi-monthly<br />

issuesof<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>–<br />

see50+listingsonpage5.<br />

➤ Sixcopiesof<strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong>maileddirectlyto<br />

youraddress.<br />

Yourlistingwillbeseenby<br />

thousandsofbusinesses.<br />

BUY YOUR £30 ANNUAL BUSINESS LISTING AT<br />

NEEDITFINDIT.UK<br />

ii<br />

business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

THIS HEADER ISSUE<br />

business<br />

ACTION<br />

Ask. Support. Progress.<br />

This is the fourth <strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong>sincethestartof<br />

lockdownandwehadnoidea<br />

thatrestrictionswouldlastso<br />

long.Ifwedonotfaceuptothe<br />

challenges–thebiggest<br />

challengesexperiencedfor<br />

generations–thedisruption<br />

willdamageoureconomy<br />

beyondrepair.<br />

Weneedtosupport<br />

businessesinNorthDevon–<br />

thismeansofferingand<br />

receivingsupportfromeach<br />

other.Therearemanysectors<br />

thatcontinuetooperateunder<br />

severerestrictionsandthese<br />

needoursupportevenmore.<br />

Onapositivenote,many<br />

businessesaredisplaying<br />

impressivelevelsofinnovation<br />

toadjusttothepresent<br />

circumstances.Wehopethese<br />

willsucceedandservethem<br />

wellwhenlifereturns–and<br />

returnitwill–tonormal.<br />

#ndevonXMAS<br />

Christmasisapproachingand<br />

thisyearitwillbevery<br />

different.Formany<br />

businesses,thisisacrucial<br />

timeforsales.<br />

Wemustnotonlyrecognise<br />

thisbutensurethatweadapt<br />

tothedisruptionbydisrupting<br />

ourownbuyinghabits.<br />

Thismeansabandoning<br />

automaticsearcheswithbig<br />

ADVERTISING<br />

Alan Williams<br />

Advertising, Distribution &<br />

Publisher<br />

t: 07970 671192<br />

e: alan@business-action.co.uk<br />

onlineretailersandinstead<br />

searchingforlocalproducers<br />

andsuppliers.<br />

Tosupportthis,wehave<br />

startedthe#ndevonXMAS<br />

hasthag(page 11).Usethisto<br />

promoteyourproductson<br />

socialmediaandtosearchfor<br />

giftsyouwanttobuy.<br />

It’sfreetouse,butcan<br />

boostourlocaleconomyand<br />

savebusinessesandjobs.<br />

PURPLE TUESDAY<br />

PurpleTuesdayon3November<br />

(page 10)istheannual<br />

campaigntoalertbusinessesto<br />

thevalueofthespending<br />

powerofpeoplewith<br />

disabilities–£274billionayear<br />

–whichtheymightbemissing<br />

iftheydon’tmaketheeffortto<br />

EDITORIAL<br />

Robert Zarywacz<br />

Editor, Designer & Publisher<br />

t: 07971 176044<br />

e: robertz@business-action.co.uk<br />

@robertz<br />

provideaccessibleservice.<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>is<br />

participatinginawebinaron<br />

thedayhostedbyBeReady.<br />

Youcanjointhewebinaror<br />

viewarecordingofitlater.<br />

Whywouldabusinessnot<br />

wanttomakeminor<br />

adjustmentstotapintothis<br />

massivemarket?<br />

BUSINESS ACTIVISTS<br />

Didyouknowtheanswerto<br />

everyquestionwhenyou<br />

startedyourbusiness?<br />

Doyouknoweverything<br />

youneedtoknowabout<br />

businessnow?<br />

It’sunlikelyanyonecansay<br />

yestoeitherquestionandwe<br />

allneedreliablebusiness<br />

advice.Butwhocanweask?<br />

That’sthereasonwhywe’ve<br />

launched<strong>Business</strong>Activists<br />

(page 12).<br />

Thisisanew,regular<br />

featurewhereexpertsin<br />

specificfieldsofbusiness<br />

answerreaders’questions.<br />

Theaimistoprovidethe<br />

businesssupportthatsomany<br />

businessesneed,whichis<br />

missing.Wehopethatno<br />

longerwillyoufeelthereisno<br />

onetoask.<br />

Sendinyourquestionsand<br />

wewilldoourutmostto<br />

provideanswersorguideyou<br />

tothesupportyouneed.<br />

SUPPORT US<br />

Westarted<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>to<br />

supporttheNorthDevon<br />

businesscommunityandare<br />

delightedwiththeresponse<br />

overalmosttwoyears.<br />

Weareverygratefultoall<br />

ouradvertisers,pastand<br />

present,whosesupportmeans<br />

thatwecanofferexposureto<br />

anybusinessinthearea,bigor<br />

small.Indeed,inclusivityis<br />

centraltoourpurpose.<br />

Wearenoworganisingmore<br />

activities,includingsupport<br />

eventsandtraining.Ifyoufind<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>useful,please<br />

supportourwork.Evenour<br />

starter£30annuallisting<br />

packagecanmakeadifference<br />

–see business-action.co.uk/<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 1

NEWS<br />

New managing director for<br />

facilities management group<br />

Facilities management<br />

specialistBodenGrouphas<br />

promotedAndrewBeagleyas<br />

managingdirector.<br />

Formerlycommercial<br />

director,Andrewtakesoverthe<br />

rolefromfounderSteveBoden,<br />

whoismovingtogroup<br />

chairman.BodenGroup<br />

includesMechanical&<br />

Electrical,Fire&Securityand<br />

Constructiondivisionsin<br />

additiontoitscoreFacilities<br />

Managementoperations.<br />

AndrewBeagleyjoined<br />

BodenGroupin2014asa<br />

quantitysurveyorinthe<br />

Constructiondivisionwhile<br />

alsobeingactivelyinvolved<br />

withthecommercial<br />

developmentofthegroup.<br />

Duringthisperiod,he<br />

developedopportunitiesfor<br />

substantialgrowthleadingto<br />

hispromotiontogroup<br />

commercialmanager.<br />

Followingthesuccessofits<br />

MoDcontract,ledbyAndrew,<br />

thegroupexpanded<br />

significantly.Subsequently<br />

promotedtocommercial<br />

director,Andrewledthe<br />

openingoftheAmesbury<br />

office,expandingthegroup’s<br />

customerbaseacrossWiltshire<br />

andDorset.<br />

AndrewBeagleysays:“Since<br />

joiningBodenGroupIhave<br />

adaptedmyapproachtoone<br />

thatismoreclientfocusedand<br />

servicedriven,consciously<br />

evolvingwiththechangesin<br />

theindustry.Iamconstantly<br />

workingonthisbalancewithnot<br />

onlyclientsbutalsoemployees.<br />

Mygenuinebeliefisthatit’sthe<br />

teamthatmakesabusiness<br />

function,nottheindividual.<br />

“Asmanagingdirector,Iwill<br />

continuetopushthebusiness<br />

forward,developingour<br />

‘constantimprovement’culture.<br />

BodenGrouphasthepotential<br />

toexpandevenfurther;Iwant<br />

toleadandbepartofan<br />

organisationthatisconstantly<br />

questioningwhywedowhatwe<br />

doandstrivingtoimprove.”<br />

■ Details08456460112or<br />

bodengroup.co.uk<br />

The Glover Stanbury team: (from left) sitting) partners Mark Shute,<br />

Martin Chance, Katy Toms and Nigel Bennett;<br />

standing – Toby Vanstone (manager) and Stephen Dean<br />

Accountancy group’s<br />

new appointments<br />

Stephen Dean and Katy Toms<br />

havebeenpromotedfrom<br />

seniormanagerstopartnersat<br />

GloverStanburyChartered<br />

Accountants,followingthe<br />

retirementofStevePearceand<br />

BrianRoss.<br />

BothStephenandKaty<br />

joinedGloverStanburyafter<br />

leavinguniversityand<br />

completedtheirchartered<br />

accountantstrainingwiththe<br />

firm.Stephenqualifiedin2004<br />

andcamethirdintheSouth<br />

Westinhisfinalexams.Katy<br />

qualifiedin2008andreceived<br />

firstplaceintheSouthWestin<br />

afinalstageexam.<br />

PartnerMartinChancesays:<br />

“Itisgreatnewsforthefuture<br />

andcontinuityofservicefrom<br />

GloverStanburythatwe<br />

welcomeStephenandKatyas<br />

partners.Botharehighly<br />

qualifiedcharteredaccountants<br />

andlookforwardtoserving<br />

clientsbotholdandnew.”<br />

■ Details01271375271/<br />

01237471881or<br />

gloverstanbury.co.uk<br />

2 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

HEADER NEWS<br />

Manufacturer to invest £11.5m<br />

TDK Corporationhas<br />

announcedan£11.5million<br />

investmentpackageto<br />

redevelopitsTDK-Lambda<br />

manufacturingfacilityin<br />

Ilfracombe.Theinvestmentwill<br />

bestagedoverthenextthreeand-a-halfyearstoincrease<br />

productioncapacityby50%.<br />

Theoriginalfactorywas<br />

builtmorethan50yearsago<br />

withfurtherexpansioninthe<br />

mid-1980s.Whilethe<br />

companyhasinvestedheavily<br />

innewequipmentand<br />

buildingupgradesoverthese<br />

years,includingtheadditionof<br />

a£1millionEMCCentrein<br />

2019,itsaysitisnowtimeto<br />

redevelopthesite.The<br />

redevelopmentwillincrease<br />

manufacturingspace,expand<br />

R&Dfacilitiesandradically<br />

overhaulandautomateend-toendmaterialflow.<br />

Healthcare applications<br />

TDK-Lambdahealthcare<br />

powersuppliesareusedin<br />

criticalmedicalandlaboratory<br />

applicationsglobally.<br />

“SincetheCOVID-19<br />

outbreak,deliveryquantitiesto<br />

certainhealthcareandbiodiagnosticcustomershave<br />

increasedbysixtotenfold,”<br />

saysGeoffWilby,managing<br />

directorofTDK-LambdaUK.<br />

AmongitsUK-designed<br />

productsareTDK-Lambda’s<br />

100WCUS100MEforportable<br />

ventilators,its175W-ratedNV<br />

seriesforventilators,300W<br />

EFE300Mforvirusdetection,<br />

550WVegamodularpower<br />

supplyforCOVID-19swab<br />

testingandQM5700W<br />

modularpowersupplyfor<br />

mobileX-rayequipment.<br />

Researchsuggeststhatthe<br />

globalpowersupplymarket<br />

willgrowto$26billionby<br />

2024,drivenbydigitalisation,<br />

increasinghealthcaredemands<br />

andtheadoptionofrenewable<br />

energy.Withtheneedfor<br />

trusted,dependablesuppliers<br />

followingeventssuchasUSA/<br />

Chinatradetariffsandthe<br />

Covid-19pandemic,the<br />

plannedexpansionwill<br />

increasesupplychain<br />

robustnessintheTDK-Lambda<br />

manufacturingnetwork,<br />

especiallyintheEuropean<br />

market.<br />

New facilities<br />

TheredevelopmentofTDK-<br />

Lambda’sIlfracombefacilitywill<br />

increaseproductivitythrough<br />

moreefficientuseofthesite.<br />

Splitintofourstages,the<br />

projectwillincrease<br />

manufacturingfloorspaceby<br />

46%andincreasetechnicalareas<br />

by10%,colocatingthelatterto<br />

improvecollaborationinnew<br />

productintroduction(NPI)<br />

fromconceptthroughtomass<br />

New company appointments<br />

GeoffWilby(picturedabove)recentlyassumedfull<br />

responsibilityasmanagingdirectorofTDK-LambdaUK.<br />

OtherappointmentsincludethepromotionofMartinCoates<br />

toengineeringdirectorofTDK-LambdaUK.Martinjoinedthe<br />

companyin2003asjuniordesignengineerandhasheldseveral<br />

positionsincluding,mostrecently,engineeringprojectmanager.<br />

ChrisPritchardhasjoinedthecompanyasfinancedirector.<br />

Chrishasextensivefinanceexperienceintechnologyandenergyrelatedinternationalbusinesses.<br />

“CongratulationstoMartinonhispromotionandwelcometo<br />

Chrisforhisappointmenttotheboardofdirectors,”saysGeoff<br />

Wilby.“Weareconfidentthattheirexperiencewillenableusto<br />

continuedrivingthecompanyforwardandgrowourpositionin<br />

themarket.”<br />

production.Verticallean<br />

storage(VLC),exploitingthe<br />

heightofbuildingstominimise<br />

footprint,andautomated<br />

guidedvehicles(AGV)for<br />

materialshandlingwillincrease<br />

productivityby15%.Theywill<br />

alsofreeupemployeestofocus<br />

onothertasks.<br />

Thenewfacilitywillalso<br />

incorporatemany<br />

environmentalimprovements,<br />

rangingfromthereductionof<br />

noisetoprogressinachieving<br />

carbonneutrality.Ground<br />

sourceheatpumps(eliminating<br />

useofnaturalgas),solar<br />

photovoltaics,procurementof<br />

electricalenergyfrom<br />

renewableresources,andheat<br />

recoveryandwaterharvesting<br />

willallplayapartinthis.<br />

Investment in employees<br />

Employeeswillbenefitfrom<br />

improvedfacilities,includinga<br />

newcanteen,newgymand<br />

showers/changingfacilities,<br />

andCovid-prooftoiletswith<br />

separateentrancesandexits.<br />

GeoffWilbyaddsthatthe<br />

workforceishighlyskilled,<br />

enablingemployeestoproduce<br />

class-leadingproducts,andthat<br />

thecompanycontinuesto<br />

investinitspeople:“Wealways<br />

trytopromotefromwithin.”<br />

Thisincludessponsoring<br />

candidatesthroughuniversity,<br />

trainingapprentices,working<br />

withlocalschoolsand<br />

participatinginSTEMevents.<br />

Inatimeofsucheconomic<br />

uncertainty,TDK-Lambda’s<br />

investmentplansareawelcome<br />

boosttotheNorthDevon<br />

manufacturingsector.<br />

■ Details01271856600or<br />

emea.lambda.tdk.com/uk/<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 3

NEWNEWS<br />

BUSINESS<br />

Toy museum rekindles childhood memories<br />

One of Lynton’snewest<br />

attractionstakesvisitorsback<br />

totheirchildhoodwithits<br />

extensivecollectionofvintage<br />

toysandgames.<br />

LyntonToyMuseumwas<br />

openedbyTonyandLorraine<br />

BennettinApril2019and<br />

includesawideselectionof<br />

toys,mainlyfromthe1960sto<br />

1980s,overtwofloors.Italso<br />

includesatoyshopwhichsells<br />

collectabletoysandgames.<br />

Theideaforthetoymuseum<br />

sprangfromTonybuyinghis<br />

firstStarWarsfigure.Hehad<br />

notownedoneasachildand<br />

hispurchasedevelopedintoan<br />

obsessiontocollecteveryone<br />

oftheoriginalfigures.<br />

“IneverhadthemwhenI<br />

wasyoungandrealisedthere<br />

wasawholesetsoIstarted<br />

collectingthem,”saysTony.“I<br />

sawothertoysIremembered<br />

andstartedbringingmore<br />

diversetoyshome.”<br />

MeanwhileLorraineloved<br />

herSindydollsandstarteda<br />

collectiontorecreatethehouse<br />

andfurnitureshehadenjoyed<br />

asachild.<br />

A well-known faceinthe<br />

NorthDevonpropertysector<br />

haslaunchedanewestate<br />

agencybusiness.Michael<br />

Adey,previouslyaresidential<br />

managerataregional<br />

propertyfirm,nowruns<br />

MichaelAdeyProperty.<br />

Michaelofferslocal<br />

knowledgeandcontactsfrom<br />

his14years’experiencealong<br />

withafriendlyserviceandan<br />

eyeforstylishpresentation.He<br />

wasbornandraisedinNorth<br />

DevonandlivesinUmberleigh<br />

withhiswifeRebeccaand<br />

three-year-oldsonJames.<br />

Withninenewinstructions<br />

sincethestartofSeptember,<br />

hehasalreadyseensixsales<br />

agreedonpropertiesinSouth<br />

Molton,Chittlehamptonand<br />

Umberleigh.<br />

“It’sbeenanamazingstart,”<br />

saysMichael,“andI’vebeen<br />

overwhelmedwiththesupport<br />

sofar.Ijustwantedtosay<br />

thankyoutothosethathave<br />

andarecomingmyway.It’s<br />

muchappreciatedandI<br />

wouldn'thaveabusiness<br />

withoutyoursupport.<br />

“It’sagreatfoundationto<br />

TonyworkedforRolls<br />

RoyceatFiltonfor30years<br />

andbothLorraineandhe<br />

wantedtomove,notleast<br />

becausehistoycollectionhad<br />

outgrowntheirthree-bedroom<br />

houseinBristol.<br />

Tony Bennett, co-founder of Lynton Toy Museum<br />

New estate agency launches<br />

startfromanditwillhelpme<br />

introducemanynewideasto<br />

thebusiness,sothe<br />

presentationofmyportfolio<br />

clients’propertiesisits<br />

absolutebest.”<br />

Michaelbelievesthe<br />

Coronaviruspandemicand<br />

resultingstampdutyholiday<br />

hassparkedasurgeinthelocal<br />

propertymarket,especially<br />

amongbuyerslookingto<br />

relocatetoNorthDevon.<br />

“There’snodoubtthatmore<br />

peoplearelookingtomoveto<br />

thisarea,ashomeworking<br />

“Wewantedacoastal<br />

locationandvisitedlotsof<br />

places.Wespottedthebuilding<br />

inanestateagentsandsawthe<br />

potential.”<br />

Thecouplenowenjoyliving<br />

inLynton,bothforitssenseof<br />

becomesthenormratherthan<br />

theexceptionandpeoplelook<br />

forabetterlifestyle.<br />

“However,thestampduty<br />

holiday–notaxonthefirst<br />

£500,000ofapurchaseuntil<br />

theendofMarchnextyear–<br />

hasalsokick-startedamassive<br />

surgeinpeopletakingthe<br />

opportunitytomovehouse.<br />

Anyonewhoislookingto<br />

upgradetheirfamilyhome,or<br />

downsize,isfindingthatnow<br />

isanexcellenttimetodoso.<br />

“Thevibrantmarketalso<br />

meansthathousesarebeing<br />

communityandthebeautiful<br />

scenery.<br />

Themuseumhasproveda<br />

bigsuccesswithvisitors,with<br />

mostgivingpositivefeedback.<br />

Manyvisitorsrecallowningor<br />

seeingspecifictoysandTony<br />

hasevenreceivedtoydonations.<br />

In2019,themuseum<br />

attractedmanyforeignvisitors,<br />

butduetotravelrestrictions<br />

visitorsin<strong>2020</strong>havebeen<br />

mainlyfromtheUK.After<br />

lockdown,JulyandAugust<br />

wereexceptionallybusy.<br />

Theagerangeofvisitorsis<br />

verywide,aspeopleremember<br />

owningthetoysthemselvesor<br />

havingboughtthemfortheir<br />

ownchildren.AswellasFuzzy<br />

FeltandSpaceHoppers,thereis<br />

alsoElsafromFrozentointerest<br />

today’schildren.Therearealso<br />

earlyZX81andCommodore64<br />

homecomputers.<br />

LyntonToyMuseumhas<br />

quicklyestablisheditselfasa<br />

valuablevisitorattractioninthe<br />

townandisopentovisitors<br />

mostoftheyear.<br />

■ Details01598752096or<br />

lyntontoymuseum.co.uk<br />

boughtquickly,oftencloseto<br />

orevenabovearealisticasking<br />

price.Soit’sanexcitingtime<br />

forvendors,purchasersand<br />

agents.Longmayitcontinue!”<br />

Michaelisenjoyingthe<br />

freedomtorunanagencyina<br />

modernandinnovativeway,<br />

andismakingthemostof<br />

digitalmarketingopportunities<br />

andtechniques.<br />

“Alongwithchangesinour<br />

societycomesachangingface<br />

ofestateagency.Whilesome<br />

agentshavebeenslowto<br />

adapt,myagencyisallabout<br />

themodernapproach.<br />

“Irecognisetheimportance<br />

ofonlinepresentation–as<br />

withmanybusinesses,the<br />

internetisrevolutionising<br />

estateagency.Partofmy<br />

missionistoportraymy<br />

clients’propertyinitsbest<br />

possiblelight,usingmyown<br />

professionalphotography.It’s<br />

goodforgeneratinginterest<br />

andsecuringsalesand,ifthis<br />

firstmonthisanythingtogo<br />

by,it’sanapproachwhich<br />

seemslikeit’sgoingtowork.”<br />

■ Details01769571152or<br />

michaeladey.co.uk<br />

4 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

ACCOUNTANTS<br />

Cranford <strong>Business</strong> Services<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 07896 204857<br />

w: accountsindevon.co.uk<br />

Gareth Pollard Accountancy Services<br />

Holsworthy<br />

t: 01409 254817<br />

w: garethpollardaccountancy<br />

services.com<br />

Glover Stanbury<br />

Barnstaple & Bideford<br />

t: 01271 375271 / 01237 471881<br />

w: gloverstanbury.co.uk<br />

ANTIQUE MAPS & CHARTS<br />

Old Folding Maps<br />

South Molton<br />

t: 01769 573935<br />

w: foldingmaps.co.uk<br />

ARCHITECTS<br />

Sam Nolan RIBA Architect<br />

North Devon & UK<br />

t: 01271 325 236<br />

w: northdevonarchitects.com<br />

AUCTIONEERS<br />

Torridge Auctions<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 471955<br />

w: torridgeauctions.co.uk<br />

BRANDING & DESIGN<br />

BrandLanterns<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 372620<br />

w: brandlanterns.co.uk<br />

BREWERY<br />

GT Ales<br />

Chivenor<br />

t: 01271 267420<br />

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BUILDING SUPPLIES<br />

Heritage Cob and Lime<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 477431<br />

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RGB Building Supplies<br />

Branches in Barnstaple, Bideford,<br />

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Ilfracombe, Okehampton, South<br />

Molton, Tiverton<br />

w: rgbltd.co.uk<br />

BUSINESS ADVISORS<br />

Susie Kevern<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 07801 199671<br />

w: poundlane.co.uk<br />

BUSINESS SUPPORT<br />

Be Ready Employer Hub<br />

Devon<br />

t: 01392 241124<br />

w: readydevon.org.uk<br />

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY<br />

James Doble Commercial<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 01237 424053<br />

w: jd-commercial.co.uk<br />

CONSTRUCTION<br />

Advanced Scaffolding<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 321100<br />

w: advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk<br />

COPIERS & PRINTERS<br />

Clarity Copiers North Devon<br />

Barnstaple & North Devon<br />

t: 01271 374061<br />

w: claritynorthdevon.co.uk<br />

DIRECTORY<br />

Listings £30 for 12 months<br />

COPYWRITING & MARKETING<br />

Zarywacz<br />

North Devon & UK<br />

t: 01271 879100<br />

w: z2z.com<br />

COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY<br />

North Devon Counselling<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 07872 501606<br />

w: northdevoncounselling.co.uk<br />

DINING<br />

Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar<br />

Ilfracombe<br />

t: 01271 863482<br />

w: terracetapasbar.co.uk<br />

The Royal George<br />

Appledore<br />

t: 01237 424 138<br />

w: trgpub.co.uk<br />

FINANCIAL ADVISERS<br />

D Scott Financial<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 426450<br />

w: dscottfinancial.co.uk<br />

Philip J Milton & Co Plc<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 344300<br />

w: miltonpj.net<br />

GARDENING & LANDSCAPING<br />

AB SEA Services<br />

Torrington<br />

t: 07799 478318<br />

w: abseaservices.com<br />

HEALTH & FITNESS<br />

Kula Fitness Studio<br />

Ilfracombe High Street<br />

t: 07923 142457<br />

w: kulafitness.co.uk<br />

HEALTH & SAFETY<br />

Safety Supplies Direct<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 377558<br />

w: safetysuppliesdirect.co.uk<br />

HOLIDAY COTTAGES<br />

Marsdens Devon Cottages<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 01271 813777<br />

w: marsdens.co.uk<br />

HOTELS<br />

The Carlton<br />

Ilfracombe<br />

t: 01271 862446<br />

w: ilfracombecarlton.co.uk<br />

HUMAN RESOURCES<br />

Fitzgerald HR<br />

Barnstaple, Exeter, London &<br />

Wellington<br />

t: 01271 859267<br />

w: fitzgeraldhr.co.uk<br />

HYPNOTHERAPY<br />

New Life Hypnotherapy<br />

South Molton<br />

t: 01769 57471<br />

w: newlifehypnotherapy.org<br />

INSURANCE<br />

Together Insurance Solutions<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 347147<br />

w: togetherinsurancesolutions.co.uk<br />

INTERNATIONAL TRADE SUPPORT<br />

International Trade Matters Ltd<br />

Bampton<br />

t: 01398 332881<br />

w: internationaltradematters.com<br />

LOCKSMITHS<br />

MJS Locksmith<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 07532 139388<br />

w: northdevonlocksmith.co.uk<br />

SW Locksmiths<br />

Holsworthy / Bude<br />

t: 01409 255533<br />

w: swlocksmiths.com<br />

MANUFACTURERS<br />

The Clovelly Soap Company<br />

Clovelly<br />

t: 01237 432280<br />

w: theclovellysoapcompany.com<br />

NETWORKING GROUPS<br />

<strong>Business</strong> Networking in Barnstaple<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 0843 289 1339<br />

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Devon Partnerships<br />

Devon<br />

t: 07393 149855<br />

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North Devon Networking Group<br />

Barnstaple<br />

w: northdevonnetworking.co.uk<br />

Rise<br />

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e: martin@duchyifa.co.uk<br />

Torridge <strong>Business</strong> Network<br />

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OFFICE SUPPLIES<br />

South West Office Supplies<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 01271 889337<br />

w: swofficesupplies.co.uk<br />

PACKAGING<br />

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t: 01271 344055<br />

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PRINTING<br />

Jamaica Press<br />

Buckland Brewer<br />

t: 01237 452333<br />

w: jamaicapress.co.uk<br />

RECRUITMENT<br />

Cooper Golding<br />

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t: 01271 349745<br />

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Simple Recruitment<br />

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RETAILERS<br />

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Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium<br />

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t: 01271 867193<br />

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South Molton<br />

t: 0808 139 1606<br />

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SPORTS EQUIPMENT<br />

Aramis Rugby<br />

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t: 01769 550284<br />

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TELECOMS<br />

Zero7<br />

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TRAVEL AGENTS<br />

Clare Flint – Travel Counsellors<br />

North Devon & UK<br />

t: 01271 828990<br />

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WEB SITES & DIGITAL<br />

Itseeze North Devon<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 07890 633458<br />

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Peak Online<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 721256<br />

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WELDING & SANDBLASTING<br />

Nott’s Welding<br />

Ilfracombe & North Devon<br />

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WILLS<br />

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t: 01271 860105<br />

w: wills-athome.co.uk<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 5

CONSTRUCTION<br />

NEW BUSINESS<br />

Building a new business from scratch<br />

While previous generations<br />

oftenhadthesamejobforlife,<br />

futuregenerationsarelikelyto<br />

changecareersfrequently.<br />

After14yearsofphysically<br />

demandingworkonNHS<br />

ambulancesinTaunton,Di<br />

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Theideaforherownbusiness<br />

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lookingforastylishscratcher<br />

forhercatssodecidedtomake<br />

herownoutoftheoaklimb.<br />

“Igotsomanycomments<br />

andpeoplesaidIshouldmake<br />

abusinessoutofit,”saysDi.<br />

“SoIdid.”<br />

Di Gallant working on her products<br />

DilaunchedSophisticated<br />

Scratchin2017andthe<br />

businessgrewrapidlyfromthe<br />

startuntilsoonherpremises<br />

weretoosmall.In2019,Diand<br />

herhusbandMarkmovedto<br />

LittleSilver,nearCadeleigh,<br />

wherebiggerpremisesnow<br />

enablehertostoretheseasoned<br />

oaksheworksintoproducts.<br />

Drawing on experience<br />

Diacquiredmanyoftheskills<br />

formanufacturinghercattrees<br />

andscratchersfromexperience<br />

ofrenovatinghouseswith<br />

Mark,whohasbuilthousesin<br />

hisnativeCanada.<br />

Shehasteamedupwith<br />

Di Gallant with Scamper modelling a Sophisticated Scratch cat tree<br />

localfarmersandneighboursto<br />

acquirehersupplyofseasoned<br />

oakandapplewood.Shealso<br />

workswithlocalsuppliers,<br />

includingLamblandof<br />

Ilfracombe,whosupplyhigh<br />

qualitysheepskinbedtoppers.<br />

“Iamverypassionateabout<br />

itandstartedoutseeingwhere<br />

itwouldgo,”saysDi.<br />

Exporting worldwide<br />

“IstartedwithaFacebookpage<br />

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everysinglepieceisindividual.”<br />

Dinowexports<br />

SophisticatedScratch’s<br />

premiumproductsrightacross<br />

theworldtocountries<br />

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Gibraltar,France,Belgium,<br />

IrelandandChina.<br />

“Exportshappened<br />

naturally,”explainsDi.“We<br />

targetedAmericabecausethe<br />

oakhereisdifferenttothe<br />

woodoverthere.”<br />

Injustthreeyears,Dihas<br />

builtasolidbusinessby<br />

identifyinganicheand<br />

developingbespokeproductsto<br />

satisfythismarketworldwide.<br />

■ Details01884855713or<br />

sophisticatedscratch.co.uk<br />

6 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

HEADER NEWS<br />

Hotel open for winter and Christmas dining<br />

Comingoutofthespring<br />

lockdowntookeffortand<br />

focusfortheteamatThe<br />

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Unsurprisingly,hotelowner<br />

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complicationofanational<br />

pandemic.”<br />

Thebusinesshadcontinued<br />

totradewithaweekenddeli<br />

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lockdown,principallyto<br />

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writingbespokerisk<br />

assessmentsandtrainingthe<br />

teaminthesebecameparamount.Newequipment,<br />

chemicalsandprocedures<br />

werealladdedtothereopeningmix.<br />

“Beingpartofseveraltrade<br />

associationsmadethesetasks<br />

easier,astheythemselves<br />

distilledthesalientandkey<br />

pointsforus,”continuesEliot.<br />

AB SEA Serviceswon<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>’sfirstDigital<br />

andOnlineAchievement<br />

Awardearlierthisyearandits<br />

investmentindevelopingits<br />

digitalserviceshaspaidoff.<br />

Co-ownerAlexandra<br />

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hasbeenvery,verybusyandwe<br />

arestillreallybusy.”<br />

Thebusinesswontheaward<br />

foritsinnovativeonlinegarden<br />

quotationanddesignservices,<br />

whichnowgeneratethe<br />

majorityofitswork.<br />

“Weget90%ofourquotes<br />

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doingwhatwewantittodo.<br />

“Webelievethatifwecan<br />

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communicatequicker,weare<br />

morelikelytogetthebusiness.<br />

Alotofclientswantthework<br />

donenowandifweprovefrom<br />

dayonethatweareontheball,<br />

peoplearemorelikelytogo<br />

withus.”<br />

Alexandraaddsthatpeople<br />

don’twanttowaitfor<br />

tradespeoplewhotakeweeksto<br />

returncalls.<br />

“Wearealwaysontheendof<br />

North Devon hospitality businesses continue to face tough<br />

challenges. Owners Eliot Seabourn-Wren and Michael Rebeiro, who<br />

have managed a £1.7 million investment programme in the Carlton<br />

Hotel in Ilfracombe, explain what their year has been like and how<br />

they have prepared for winter and Christmas trading<br />

“Thereisnodoubtthat<br />

tradehasbeenexceptionally<br />

briskfromJulythroughtoend<br />

ofSeptember.However,the<br />

impactofthefirstlockdown<br />

meansyearonyeartradeis<br />

down25%.Weakercustomer<br />

confidencethisautumnand<br />

winter,togetherwiththelack<br />

ofregulardinner,danceand<br />

Digital gardening<br />

firm keeps busy<br />

thephoneifclientsneedto<br />

changeanything.Weneedtobe<br />

versatileandflexible.”<br />

Christmaspartynight<br />

programmesmeansan<br />

uncertainfewmonthsahead.”<br />

Partner,MichaelRebeiro<br />

adds,“Weremainopen<br />

throughthewinter,andare<br />

preparingalternativeFestive<br />

DinnerPartymenus,which<br />

areidealforgroupofsix<br />

dininglimits.”<br />

AlexandraandBen<br />

launchedABSEAServicesin<br />

Torringtonin2019after<br />

AB SEA Services: (from left) Ben Clisby and Alexandra Stapleton<br />

Consistencyisachallenge<br />

inthecurrentclimate,but<br />

onceagainTheCarltonis<br />

offeringatraditional<br />

ChristmasDaymenuofferto<br />

non-residentsandisplanning<br />

aNewYear’sEvedinnerwith<br />

thefocusonthefoodrather<br />

thanpartying.<br />

Lookingatnewmarkets<br />

andimprovingonline<br />

presencemeanseventhough<br />

businessisweakrightnow,<br />

EliotandMichaelareinvesting<br />

inSEO,awebsiterebuildand<br />

othermarketinginitiatives.A<br />

recentawardofKickstart<br />

grantfundingthroughthe<br />

SouthWestGrowthHubis<br />

partlyunderwritingtheseand<br />

theyareworkingwithtwo<br />

localagenciestoimproveThe<br />

Carlton’sonlinefootprint.<br />

Eliotconcludes,“It’svital<br />

thatourproductismaximised<br />

tofurthertailorandpushour<br />

offeronline.Covidhasmerely<br />

broughtthissharplyintofocus<br />

andescalatedaprocessthat<br />

wasalreadyunderway.”<br />

■ Details01271862446or<br />

ilfracombecarlton.co.uk<br />

movingtoNorthDevonfrom<br />

London.Rightfromthe<br />

beginning,theyfocusedon<br />

howtheycouldtransform<br />

gardeningmaintenanceand<br />

designservicesusingonline<br />

tools,unawarethatthesewould<br />

beinvaluableduringlockdown.<br />

Thecouplecontinueto<br />

developtheirservicesand<br />

Alexandraishandlingmoreof<br />

themanagementanddesign,<br />

whileBenexecutesthephysical<br />

gardeningwork.Theyare<br />

alwayslookingatfurtherways<br />

toenhancethecustomer<br />

experienceandmakeiteven<br />

easierforpeople.<br />

■ Details07799478318or<br />

abseaservices.com<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 7

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8 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

PUBLICITY HEADER<br />

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decades of experience show that technology often not only fails to<br />

deliver its promise, but causes unforeseen problems which need<br />

fixing. Robert Zarywacz, a business IT correspondent for many years,<br />

considers how to ensure technology works for your business<br />

providershaveavestedinterest<br />

inrecommendingtheirown<br />

productsandservices.<br />

Problemscouldarisewhen<br />

yousubscribetoaservicehere<br />

for£30amonth,takeouta<br />

plantherefor£20amonthand<br />

endupspendingthousandsof<br />

poundsayearforproducts<br />

thatmightnotbedelivering<br />

theefficienciesorfeaturesyou<br />

thoughttheywould.<br />

Appropriate technology?<br />

Themaincriterioniswhether<br />

thetechnologyyouare<br />

consideringmatchesyour<br />

actualbusinessneeds.After<br />

all,youwouldn’tbuyan<br />

articulatedlorryfordeliveries<br />

requiringasmallvan.<br />

Anexampleofthisisweb<br />

sitetechnology.Ihaveseena<br />

numberofdigitalagencies<br />

publiclyderidefreeorlowcostwebsiteservicesinfavour<br />

ofwebsitesbuiltwiththeir<br />

preferredsophisticated<br />

platform,forwhichthey<br />

chargeconsiderablymore.The<br />

keyquestionis:doesthe<br />

serviceuseddelivereverything<br />

thebusinessneeds?Ifitdoes,<br />

whyditchittopaymore?<br />

Remembertoothatthe<br />

foundationofmanywebsites<br />

isthebusinessmessage.Thisis<br />

bestcommunicatedbyhigh<br />

qualitytextandimagery.If<br />

youdon’tstartwiththese,not<br />

evenanexpensivewebsite<br />

platformcanimprovethem.<br />

Tap into appropriate technology<br />

1. Focus on what you need IT to do for you, not what it CAN do<br />

2. Keep simplicity in mind and take your time when purchasing<br />

3. If your adviser recommends and can supply products /<br />

services to you, check these out independently<br />

4. Ask other businesses what they use and like<br />

5. Don’t be afraid to NOT use technology if you don’t need it<br />

6. Share your technology experience with others to help them<br />

Whereabusinessneedsa<br />

large,transactionalwebsite<br />

withadvancedfeatures,amore<br />

sophisticatedplatformis<br />

nearlyalwaysanecessity.<br />

Overtheyears,we’vefound<br />

thatmostweb-building<br />

productsandplatforms<br />

remainriddledwithfaultsor<br />

gaps,oftenrequiringalook<br />

underthebonnettofix<br />

problemswithhandcoding.<br />

Howdoyouknowthatthe<br />

platformyou’vebeen<br />

recommendedwillworkwell<br />

andnotcauseyouongoing<br />

problems?Asearchofonline<br />

forumscanoftenrevealmany<br />

commonproblems.<br />

Howbusinessesuseweb<br />

sitesvariesconsiderablyand<br />

payingmoreforunnecessary<br />

featuresisnotasound<br />

businessdecision.<br />

Is technology useful?<br />

Alwaysrememberthat,like<br />

anytool,theaimoftechnology<br />

istohelpus.Theright<br />

technologycanbeveryuseful.<br />

Ifyoufeeloverwhelmedby<br />

thechoiceoftechnology<br />

available,takeyourtimewhen<br />

selectinganewaccounting<br />

package,cloudback-upor<br />

customerdatabasesystem.<br />

Andgetasecond,orthird,<br />

opinionfromotherusers.<br />

Learnfromtheirexperienceof<br />

anyglitchesorfeaturesthat<br />

don’tworktoavoidpayingfor<br />

thewrongtechnologyforyour<br />

business.Andsatisfyyourself<br />

thatyouwillactuallyuseit–<br />

don’tpayforsomethingthatis<br />

toocumbersometouse.<br />

Technologycan’tsolveall<br />

problems,butitcanimprove<br />

everydaybusinesslifealot.<br />

Whenyouselecttheright<br />

technology,youcanenjoy<br />

usingitandyourbusinesswill<br />

benefitfromit.<br />

■ Details01271879100<br />

orz2z.com<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 9

PURPLE HEADER POUNDS<br />

Access billion<br />

Tap into £274b of consumer<br />

spending on Purple Tuesday<br />

Are you Ready for Purple<br />

Tuesday?<br />

Would you like to have<br />

customers with a spending<br />

power of £274 billion per year<br />

in the UK?<br />

Or access to 7.1 million online<br />

customers who spend £3,640<br />

on average each year?<br />

Then join us to find out what<br />

Purple Tuesday and the<br />

Purple Pound is all about!<br />

What is Purple Tuesday?<br />

It’sanannualnational<br />

campaignaimedatgettingusto<br />

thinkabouttheneedsof<br />

disabledpeopleascustomers<br />

andhowwecanchangetheir<br />

customerexperience.<br />

Primarilyfocusedonretail–<br />

butalsovitalforanybusiness<br />

thatsellsonline–Purple<br />

Tuesdaypromotesbusinesses<br />

whohaveamadepublic<br />

commitmenttochangetheir<br />

customerserviceapproachfor<br />

disabledcustomers.<br />

LedbyMikeAdams,chief<br />

executiveofPurple,Purple<br />

Tuesdayhighlightsthe<br />

commercialvalueofdoingthe<br />

rightthingforcustomerswith<br />

disabilities.<br />

Didyouknowthatinthe<br />

UKafifthofthepopulation<br />

haveadisability?Andtogether<br />

withtheirfamiliesandfriends,<br />

Every business has the potential to access markets worth billions of pounds a year, whether you run a<br />

small shop or manage a factory with hundreds of employees. Even in times of recession, people still<br />

spend immense sums of money and some businesses increase their success. There are millions of sales<br />

opportunities available to you right now and on these pages we focus on three initiatives to help you<br />

benefit from accessing those markets<br />

disabledpeoplehavespending<br />

powervaluedat£274billion?<br />

Butlessthan10%of<br />

businessesintheUKknow<br />

howtoaccessthisPurple<br />

Poundmarket.Notonlyisit<br />

hugelyfrustratingfordisabled<br />

people,itisalsoabig<br />

commercialopportunitythat<br />

manybusinessescontinueto<br />

ignore.<br />

It’s about service<br />

PurpleTuesdayoffersachance<br />

forbusinesstoseethatit’snot<br />

justaboutdoingtherightthing<br />

(legallyandethically),buta<br />

waytogenerateincomeinan<br />

increasinglydifficulteconomy.<br />

Especiallyasdisabledpeople<br />

haveaconstantfighttofind<br />

goodcustomerservice,sothat<br />

whentheydo,theywillbeyour<br />

mostloyalcustomers.<br />

AsCovidhasforcedmany<br />

businessestogeneratemore<br />

incomeviatheinternet,here’sa<br />

verygoodreasontounderstand<br />

howtobecomeasaccessibleas<br />

possibleonline.<br />

Researchin2018<br />

highlightedhow14.5%ofthe<br />

UK’s48millionadultsusing<br />

theinternetweredisabledusers<br />

whoneededhelptoaccessweb<br />

sites.Andwherewebsiteswere<br />

accessibleforthem,theyspent<br />

£24.8billion.<br />

What is Purple Tuesday?<br />

Purple Tuesdayisabout<br />

creatingastepchange<br />

improvementintheawareness<br />

ofthevalueandneedsof<br />

disabledcustomers.Itisabout<br />

makingthecustomer<br />

experienceaccessible.<br />

Participatingorganisations<br />

makepubliccommitments(a<br />

minimumofonenewactivity<br />

orinitiative)toensurethey<br />

makesustainablechanges.<br />

Themainaimisto<br />

encouragebusinessestoopen<br />

uptheirproductsandservices<br />

tothedisabilitymarketfor365<br />

daysayear.<br />

■ Detailspurpletuesday.org.uk<br />

FREE WEBINAR 2-3PM TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER<br />

HostedbytheBeReadyEmployerHub,ourwebinaronTuesday<br />

3Novemberfrom2to3pmwillfeatureapanelofbusiness<br />

peoplewhowillsharetheirexperienceofmakingcustomer<br />

serviceaccessible–seebelow.Pluspracticaltipsonhowtomake<br />

yourbusinessmoreaccessibletoo.It’seasierthanyouthink!<br />

Registerat eventbrite.co.uk/e/purple-tuesday-webinar-growyour-business-with-the-purple-pound-tickets-126402745013<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>editor Robert<br />

Zarywaczhaslivedwith<br />

Crohn’sdiseaseforalmost50<br />

years.Aninvisiblecondition,<br />

itimpactshowhetravelsand<br />

hischoiceoffood,which<br />

determineswherehecaneat.<br />

Aseditor,Robertiskeento<br />

supportdisabledpeopleboth<br />

asconsumersandin<br />

developingrewardingcareers.<br />

Sue WindleyfromtheBe<br />

ReadyEmployerHub,who<br />

willexplainhowtomakeyour<br />

shoppingexperiencesmore<br />

accessibleforeveryone–how<br />

toattractthoseloyal<br />

customerswhospend£3,640<br />

onlineeachyear.<br />

Denise Ansteysharesher<br />

experienceasanawardwinningdesigner,named<br />

BritishFemaleInventorand<br />

Innovator2009,whohas<br />

appearedonDragons’Den<br />

andWorkingLunch.Deniseis<br />

managingdirectorofHeartfelt<br />

Products,aNorthDevon<br />

businessthatmanufactures<br />

productsrangingfromface<br />

coveringstosensoryproducts<br />

forpeoplewithdementia.<br />

Don’tworryifyoumissPurpleTuesday,youcanwatcha<br />

recordingofthewebinarafterwards.<br />

Also,theaimofPurpleTuesdayistohelpyoutoprovide<br />

serviceto–andsellto–customerswithdisabilitieseverydayof<br />

theyear.Theeasieryoucanmakeitforpeoplewithdisabilitiesto<br />

buyfromyou,themoretheywillwanttobuyfromyou.<br />

Everyonewins!<br />

JOIN THE WEBINAR AT READYDEVON.ORG.UK<br />

10 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

#NDEVONXMAS HEADER<br />

pound markets<br />

Take part in three free initiatives: Purple Tuesday – how to access the £274 billion disability market;<br />

Small <strong>Business</strong> Saturday – the drive to promote small and local businesses every day of the year;<br />

#ndevonxmas – the campaign to persuade North Devon consumers to use local businesses when<br />

shopping for Christmas. Each campaign offers something for every North Devon business, including free<br />

resources to help you sell<br />

Buy and sell locally this Christmas with #ndevonXMAS hashtag<br />

Christmas iswhenmany<br />

businessesmakemostoftheir<br />

salesfortheyear.Whatever<br />

youropiniononthis,lotsof<br />

peoplebuygiftsforfamilyand<br />

friends,preparespecialfoodfor<br />

theholidayandspendtime<br />

witheachother.<br />

Christmas<strong>2020</strong>will<br />

inevitablybedifferentto<br />

previousyears:somepeople<br />

willhaveverylittletospend,<br />

whileotherswillhavealotof<br />

disposableincome.<br />

Thedisruptioncausedby<br />

Coronaviruscreatesabig<br />

opportunitytochangebuying<br />

habitsandforNorthDevon<br />

businessesthiscanmean<br />

encouragingmorepeopleto<br />

abandonbigretailersandbuy<br />

fromlocalbusinesses.<br />

Butisn’tinternetshoppingwith<br />

abigonlineretailermore<br />

convenientthanlocalshops?<br />

Notnowthat,asaresultof<br />

lockdown,manysmall<br />

businesseshaveopenedor<br />

improvedtheironlinestores.<br />

Somebusinessesevenletyou<br />

orderviamessagingon<br />

FacebookorInstagram.<br />

Manysmallbusinessesare<br />

moreflexiblethanbigretailers,<br />

whoofferlimiteddeliveryslots.<br />

Andtheyareoftenmore<br />

considerateforcustomerswith<br />

specialneeds.<br />

Whenwesupportlocal<br />

businesses,moremoneystays<br />

inthelocaleconomytosupport<br />

NorthDevonjobs,familiesand<br />

communities.<br />

Use the hashtag<br />

Tomakeeveryoneawareofthe<br />

needtobuylocal,we’ve<br />

introducedthe #ndevonXMAS<br />

hashtag.<br />

Whenyouarepromoting<br />

yourproductsandservicesin<br />

therun-uptoChristmas,add<br />

#ndevonXMAStoyoursocial<br />

mediaposts.<br />

Itonlytakesafewseconds,<br />

butcanhelpcustomersfind<br />

yourbusinessandbuyfrom<br />

you–anditcostsyounothing.<br />

Find North Devon gifts<br />

Asconsumersourselves,search<br />

for #ndevonXMASproducts<br />

andservicesonsocialmedia<br />

channelswhenyouare<br />

shoppingforpresents,foodor<br />

otherfestivepurchases.<br />

Andpersuadeyourfamily<br />

andfriendstodothesameto<br />

makeChristmasalocal<br />

celebrationbysupportingour<br />

businesscommunity.<br />

Search for local goods<br />

Ifyoucan’tfindwhatyouwant<br />

usingthehashtag,searchfora<br />

productusingndevon,North<br />

DevonorDevontoidentify<br />

suppliersintheareaorcounty.<br />

Youwillbesurprisedathow<br />

muchisreadilyavailablefrom<br />

localbusinesses.<br />

Resharing your posts<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>willbe<br />

resharingsocialmediaposts<br />

usingthe #ndevonXMAS<br />

hashtag.Followouraccounts<br />

belowformoreexposure.<br />

TWITTER @BUSINESSACTIONM•FACEBOOK @BUSINESSACTIONMAG•INSTAGRAM @BUSINESSACTIONUK<br />

Small <strong>Business</strong> SaturdayUK<br />

isreturningonSaturday5<br />

December<strong>2020</strong>.<br />

Thisisagrassroots,noncommercialcampaignto<br />

highlightsmallbusiness<br />

successandencourage<br />

consumerstoshoplocaland<br />

supportsmallbusinessesin<br />

theircommunities.<br />

Thedayitselftakesplaceon<br />

thefirstSaturdayinDecember<br />

eachyear,butthecampaign,<br />

sponsoredbyAmerican<br />

Express,aimstoachievea<br />

lastingimpactonsmall<br />

businessesallyearround.<br />

Tap into £800m of consumer<br />

spending on #SmallBizSatUK<br />

OnSmall<strong>Business</strong><br />

Saturday,customersacrossthe<br />

UKgooutandsupportall<br />

typesofsmallbusinesses,<br />

online,inofficesandinstores.<br />

Manysmallbusinessestake<br />

partinthedaybyhosting<br />

eventsandofferingdiscounts.<br />

Anysmallbusinesscantake<br />

partforfreeandthecampaign<br />

wantseverykindofsmall<br />

businesstogetinvolved,<br />

whetheryouareafamily<br />

business,localshop,online<br />

business,wholesaler,business<br />

serviceorsmallmanufacturer.<br />

In2019,consumersspent<br />

anestimated£800million<br />

withsmallbusinessesacross<br />

theUKonSmall<strong>Business</strong><br />

Saturdayandtherewasa<br />

recordnumberof17.6million<br />

peoplechoosingtoshopsmall<br />

ontheday.<br />

Anysmallbusinesscanjoin<br />

thecampaignforfreeonlineat<br />

smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com.<br />

Signingupenablesyouto<br />

addyourbusinesstotheSmall<br />

<strong>Business</strong>Finder,whichenables<br />

anyonetofindyouby<br />

searchingforyourproductor<br />

serviceandclickingstraight<br />

throughtoyourwebsite.<br />

Thecampaignalsoprovides<br />

logostouseinyourprinted<br />

materialandonyourwebsite<br />

andsocialmedia,aswellasa<br />

marketingpacktohelpyou<br />

promoteyourbusiness.<br />

Youcanmakeevenmoreof<br />

thedaybycreatingyourown<br />

eventorofferonSmall<br />

<strong>Business</strong>Saturdaytoattract<br />

morecustomerstoyourstore<br />

orwebsite.<br />

Thecampaigngenerates<br />

hundredsofthousandsof<br />

socialmediapostsbeforeand<br />

ontheday,usingthe<br />

#SmallBizSatUKhashtag.<br />

SmallBiz100<br />

Eachyear,thecampaign<br />

selects100businessesfrom<br />

aroundtheUKtopromotethe<br />

campaign.In2019<strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong>waschosenasoneof<br />

its#SmallBiz100andwe<br />

representedNorthDevon<br />

businessesattheannual<br />

receptionattheHouseof<br />

Lords.The#SmallBiz100have<br />

alreadybeenselectedfor<strong>2020</strong>,<br />

butweneedbusinessestoapply<br />

nextsummertorepresent<br />

NorthDevonin2021.<br />

Social media<br />

Followon:Twitter<br />

@SmallBizSatUK;Facebook<br />

@Small<strong>Business</strong>SaturdayUK;<br />

Instagram@smallbizsatuk<br />

SIGN UP AT SMALLBUSINESSSATURDAYUK.COM<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 11

north<br />

devon<br />

businessACTIVISTS<br />

Q<br />

Can<br />

A Itdependswhatyoumean<br />

byautomating.<br />

Usuallythismeansadding<br />

programstocloudaccounts<br />

software(Xero,QuickBooks,<br />

etc)tosavetimeprocessing<br />

billsandinvoices.What’snotto<br />

loveaboutthat?Butgetting<br />

valueformoneyandforthe<br />

timeyouspendiscrucial.<br />

Iliketokeepthingssimple;<br />

yourtimecostsmoneybutina<br />

startup/microbusinessyou<br />

willalwaysbedirectly<br />

responsibleformakingsureall<br />

thebillsgetpaid.Whatever<br />

youdo,itisvitalthatyou<br />

knowwhat’slikelytohappen<br />

inthebankaccount.Whatbills<br />

doyouneedtopayandwhen<br />

doyouexpectcustomersto<br />

payyou?<br />

Soaccuraterecordsare<br />

mostimportant.Youcando<br />

thisonaspreadsheet,<br />

especiallyifyouarenotVAT<br />

registered.Actually,asimple<br />

spreadsheetcanbethebest<br />

toolevenwhenyouhavean<br />

accountssystemaswell.<br />

Whatyoumaynotrealiseis<br />

thatnowmostaccounts<br />

softwarewillautomatea<br />

numberoftasksforyou.Itcan<br />

linkdirectlytoyourbank,<br />

offeringhugetimesavingson<br />

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS<br />

my micro business benefit from<br />

automating our accounts or will it<br />

waste too much time?<br />

Susie Kevern<br />

Chartered Management Accountant<br />

PoundLane<br />

t: 07801 199671<br />

w: poundlane.co.uk<br />

copyingdetailsfroma<br />

statementaswellashelpingyou<br />

keeptrackofwhichcustomers<br />

havepaid.Inadditiontothis,<br />

youcansetuprepeating<br />

invoices,sendcustomer<br />

statementsandseesummaries<br />

ofoutstandingbillsaswellas<br />

muchmoretosaveyoutime<br />

andhelpyoustayontopof<br />

yourfinances.<br />

Thisisusuallygoodenough<br />

formostmicrobusinesses;<br />

goodvalueforboththemoney<br />

andtimeinvolved.<br />

Ask us a question<br />

Send business questions you have by email to<br />

ask@business-action.co.uk<br />

Q<br />

Why<br />

did you<br />

start <strong>Business</strong><br />

Activists?<br />

A Duringthechallenging<br />

eventsof<strong>2020</strong>,wehave<br />

beenamazedbytheresilience<br />

shownbysomanyNorth<br />

Devonbusinesses.<br />

Attitudeisachoice.Wecan<br />

choosetobepessimisticand<br />

giveuporwecanchoosetobe<br />

optimisticandplantotake<br />

advantageofwhenlifereturns<br />

tothe‘newnormal’.<br />

Knowledgeisalsokeyto<br />

success.Itisnotaweaknessto<br />

askforhelp.Nobodycanbean<br />

expertineverythingand,I<br />

knowfrommyown<br />

experience,therearetimes<br />

QMy company<br />

has grown and<br />

I wonder what<br />

is the most taxefficient<br />

way of<br />

taking remuneration<br />

as a director?<br />

A Congratulationsonyour<br />

success.Therearemany<br />

waysofwithdrawing<br />

remunerationfromyour<br />

limitedcompany.<br />

Ifyoutakesalary,youandit<br />

sufferNIandyouPAYEtax<br />

(thesearedeductibleagainst<br />

thecompany’sCorporation<br />

Tax).Youcandeclare<br />

dividendsbutthesecansuffer<br />

penalratesofIncomeTax.<br />

Doesyourspouseworkfor<br />

thebusiness? Thinkabout<br />

payingher/himanda<br />

pension. Doyouhavea<br />

pensionplan? Youremployer<br />

–thecompany–can<br />

contributequiteusefulsums<br />

toapensionforyou–it<br />

receivesCorporationTax<br />

reliefandyoupaynonethen<br />

onthebenefit.<br />

Haveyouthoughtaboutan<br />

eco-friendlycaronthe<br />

<strong>Business</strong>?Indeed,isthe<br />

BUSINESS ACTIVISTS<br />

BUSINESS FINANCE<br />

Alan Williams<br />

Advertising, Distribution &<br />

Publisher<br />

<strong>Business</strong> <strong>Action</strong><br />

t: 07970 671192<br />

e: alan@business-action.co.uk<br />

whenthehelpofanother<br />

businessisvital.Thisiswhywe<br />

havelaunched<strong>Business</strong><br />

Activists.Alltheknowledge<br />

requiredtorunabusinessis<br />

hereinNorthDevon.<br />

Wejustneedtoask.<br />

Philip Milton<br />

Managing Director<br />

Philip J Milton & Company plc<br />

t: 01271 344300<br />

w: miltonpj.net<br />

companypayingforallthe<br />

sortsofeligiblethingswhich<br />

youmayhavebeenfunding<br />

privately? If‘it’canpaymore<br />

ofthese,thenyoudon’tneed<br />

theremuneration(andtaxon<br />

that)topaythemgoing<br />

forwards.<br />

However,justbecauseitis<br />

‘there’,don’tfeelyouhaveto<br />

takethesurpluscashoutifyou<br />

don’tneedit.Therearelongertermtaxconsequencesof<br />

leavingmoneyinside,but<br />

reallywhatyoushoulddois<br />

seekanoverallreviewofyour<br />

financeswithanindependent<br />

financialadviserforguidance.<br />

12 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

Q&A ~ your business questions answered<br />

north enterprise<br />

growth<br />

devon<br />

news<br />

innovation<br />

& views<br />

QWhat types of<br />

insurance<br />

should I look<br />

for when I start my<br />

business?<br />

A Everystart-upbusinessis<br />

differentanditis<br />

importanttoconsiderthe<br />

insurancecoversrequired.<br />

Employer’sLiability<br />

Insurance(coveringinjury,<br />

illnessordamagetopersons<br />

employed)isalegal<br />

requirementforthemajorityof<br />

businesseswithstaffandPublic<br />

LiabilityInsurance(again,<br />

coveringinjury,illnessor<br />

propertydamage)isvitalifyou<br />

areincontactwiththegeneral<br />

public.Shouldyourbusiness<br />

provideanadvice-ledservice,<br />

thenitwouldbeprudentto<br />

takeoutsomeformof<br />

professionalindemnitycover.<br />

Whetheryouworkfrom<br />

homeoratbusinesspremises,<br />

youmayalsowishtoconsider<br />

insuringagainstaccidental<br />

damage,lossortheftofphysical<br />

equipment/property.This<br />

couldbeitemssuchastools,<br />

electronicequipment,stockor<br />

generalcontents.(Ifthesewere<br />

notinsuredandsubsequently<br />

Q<br />

Why<br />

A Whiletherearewaysto<br />

‘game’socialmedia<br />

networkstoachieveinstant<br />

results,thesearen’t<br />

recommendedastheycould<br />

costyouyouraccount.Don’t<br />

spamuserswithlotsofsimilar<br />

postssellingyourproduct,but<br />

insteadcreatepoststhatwill<br />

interestthem.<br />

Manysuccessfulsocial<br />

mediausersinvestalotoftime<br />

andeffortinproducing<br />

interestingcontentand<br />

attractingfollowers.<br />

Howcanyoudothis?<br />

Identifywhatyouwantyour<br />

activitytodoforyourbusiness<br />

INSURANCE<br />

MARKETING<br />

Kevin Cobbledick<br />

Director<br />

Together Insurance Solutions<br />

t: 01271 347147<br />

w: togetherinsurancesolutions.co.uk<br />

stolenordamaged,howwould<br />

yourbusinesscontinuetotrade<br />

oroperate?)<br />

Thebestwaytooverview<br />

therequirementsofanew<br />

businessstart-up,istospeak<br />

withaprofessionalindependent<br />

insurancebrokerwhocannot<br />

onlyguideandmakesureyou<br />

navigateyourstatutory<br />

requirements,butalsoprovide<br />

solutionstokeepingyour<br />

businessrunningintheeventof<br />

apotentiallossorclaim.<br />

am I not getting much response<br />

after promoting my business on<br />

Instagram for a month?<br />

andlistthemesyoucanfocus<br />

ontoachievethis.Createa<br />

calendarofpostsforeach<br />

themethattieinwithseasons<br />

oreventssothatyoucanpost<br />

regularlytomaintaininterest.<br />

Instagramisavisual<br />

channel,socreateoriginal,<br />

stimulatingimagesandvideos<br />

ofyourproducts,people,<br />

premises,yourinterests,<br />

environmentoranything<br />

interesting.Showpeoplehow<br />

yourbusinessworks,especially<br />

ifyoupractiseacraftortrade,<br />

toattract followersfromyour<br />

targetmarket.<br />

Followpeopleyouthink<br />

QMy business is getting busy but I am<br />

worried about recruiting a permanent<br />

employee in the current climate. What<br />

are my options?<br />

A Giventhecurrentclimate<br />

andmanybusinesses<br />

feelingunsureofwhatthe<br />

futuremightholdandthefact<br />

thatthisyearanytrendsin<br />

businesshavebeen<br />

unrecognisablyskewed,there<br />

isafeelingofnotwishingto<br />

committopeopleona<br />

permanentbasis.<br />

Tocovertheseuncertain<br />

increasesinworkloadandso<br />

asnottoexhaustyourcurrent<br />

workforce,atemporary,<br />

flexiblelabouroptionisan<br />

excellentmethodtohelpout<br />

whenyouneeditmost.<br />

Withtemporarywork,you<br />

arenotmakingany<br />

guarantees;usually<br />

requirementsaredealtwith<br />

weekbyweek,orbookings<br />

madeforasetnumberof<br />

weeks;hoursyourequire<br />

coveringcanbedeterminedto<br />

suityourneedsandallpayroll<br />

andHRprotocolaredealtwith<br />

byyouragencyofchoice.A<br />

simpleweeklysupplierinvoice<br />

basedonthenumberofhours<br />

Robert Zarywacz<br />

Partner<br />

Zarywacz<br />

t: 01271 879100<br />

w: z2z.com<br />

willbeinterestedinyour<br />

businessandthosewho<br />

interestyou.Like,shareand<br />

commentontheirpoststo<br />

buildrelationships.<br />

Keepyourtoneofvoice<br />

personalandfriendly,focuson<br />

the‘social’aspectandmakeit<br />

easyforpeopletocontactyou<br />

orbuy.<br />

EMPLOYMENT<br />

Jayla Wilcox<br />

Managing Director<br />

Simple Recruitment<br />

t: 01237 439500<br />

w: simplerecruitmentltd.co.uk<br />

workedandanagreedhourly<br />

chargerateandyour<br />

additionallabourresourceis<br />

dealtwithswiftly,cost<br />

effectivelywithno<br />

commitmentfromyou.<br />

Who can<br />

you ask?<br />

<strong>Business</strong> owners are not ‘born’<br />

and must learn how to run a<br />

business as they go along. It’s not<br />

always clear who to ask when we<br />

have questions about what to do.<br />

Thank you to our <strong>Business</strong><br />

Activists for offering their time<br />

and expertise to answer your<br />

questions.<br />

We publish their contact details,<br />

as they are also happy to talk<br />

through general enquiries and<br />

offer guidance, although will<br />

charge when you require them to<br />

give specific professional advice.<br />

IMPORTANT: The answers on this<br />

page are intended as general<br />

information. You should seek<br />

specific professional advice<br />

before taking any action in<br />

relation to your own business.<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 13

SOUTH NEWS MOLTON<br />

Click for the affordable professional marketing you need<br />

Z A R Y W A C Z<br />

1 x article<br />

or blog<br />

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pressme<br />

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Browsing for treasures in store<br />

Think of French country,<br />

pairedwithsomeEnglish<br />

rustic,combinethiswitha<br />

warmwelcomeandyouwill<br />

haveatasteofwhattreasures<br />

therearetoenticeyou.<br />

Thisdescriptionontheweb<br />

siteofSourcefortheGoose<br />

offersaflavourofthestorein<br />

SouthMolton,whichstocksa<br />

selectionofvintageand<br />

paintedfurniture,aswellasa<br />

rangeofhomefurnishings.<br />

Established13yearsago,<br />

thestorewasacquiredbyJill<br />

Cobleyfouryearsagowhen<br />

thepreviousownerretired.<br />

RunningSourcefortheGoose<br />

hasgivenJillanewcreative<br />

challengeandsheenjoysbeing<br />

herownboss.<br />

Whilethenatureofthe<br />

storelendsitselftobrowsing,<br />

Jillhasadaptedtothisyear’s<br />

restrictionstomaintainthe<br />

businessandtocontinue<br />

providinganexperiencefor<br />

customers.Manycustomers<br />

liketopopinforachat,so<br />

makingsuretheyfeelsafehas<br />

beenapriority.Thishas<br />

includedofferingclickand<br />

collectorbookingatimeslot<br />

sotheycanbrowsethestore<br />

ontheirown.<br />

Jill Cobley, proprietor of Source for the Goose in South Molton<br />

IthasalsospurredJillto<br />

makemoreuseofdigitaltools.<br />

Thisincludesdevelopingher<br />

onlinestore,whichhas<br />

interiors,vintagehomewares,<br />

gardenandfurniture<br />

departments.Sourceforthe<br />

Gooseisalsoastockistforthe<br />

BraidedRugCompanyand<br />

AnnieSloaneChalkPaint.As<br />

wellaspaintingfurniture<br />

herself,Jillnowoffersvirtual<br />

chalkpaintworkshopsvia<br />

Zoomforanyonewantingto<br />

learnhowtopractisethisfor<br />

themselves.Workshopsonthe<br />

premisesareonholdforthe<br />

timebeing.<br />

Jillusessocialmediato<br />

promotethestoreandhas<br />

developedastrongfollowing<br />

onFacebookandInstagram.<br />

Shealsoconductsvirtualtours<br />

sothatfollowerscan<br />

experiencebrowsingwithout<br />

beingpresentinthestore.This<br />

enablescustomersliving<br />

furtherafieldtokeepupwith<br />

currentstock,asthestore<br />

attractsnotonlylocalsbut<br />

visitorsfromacrossthecounty<br />

andbeyond.Somecustomers<br />

popinontheirholidaysevery<br />

year,makingitapointtovisit.<br />

“Itrytomakeitmoreofan<br />

experiencesothatpeoplecan<br />

comeinandhaveachatand<br />

findtheinspirationforthings<br />

theycandointheirownhome.<br />

Ilikethemtoleavefeelingthey<br />

havehadalovelyexperience.”<br />

Likemanystoreowners,Jill<br />

isnottoosureaboutwhatit<br />

willbepossibletoofferthis<br />

Christmas,especiallyasso<br />

manycommunityeventsare<br />

notgoingaheadthisyear.<br />

Alongwithotherbusinesses<br />

inthetown,shedoesplanto<br />

offerlatenightshoppingso<br />

thatcustomershavemoretime<br />

toshopandcanfeelmore<br />

comfortable.Aswellasnew<br />

andvintagefurnishingsand<br />

homeware,chalkpaintand<br />

workshopvouchersarejust<br />

severalgiftselections.Orpop<br />

inandbrowsethisstoreof<br />

treasuresforyourself.<br />

■ Details01769579483or<br />

sourceforthegoose.com<br />

14 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

HOLSWORTHY NEGLIGENCE<br />

Superb maps and illustrations: Phillip Burrough with a large-scale triptych map of London produced by Old Folding Maps<br />

Bringing antique maps back to life<br />

In the age of online map apps,<br />

abusinessinSouthMolton<br />

focusesonrestoringand<br />

republishingrareandhistorical<br />

mapsandillustrations.<br />

OldFoldingMapsisafamily<br />

businessestablishedinits<br />

originalformmorethan40<br />

yearsagobyPhillipBurrough.<br />

TodayPhilliprescuesbattered<br />

maps,oftenhundredsofyears<br />

old,takingthemapartand<br />

reassemblingthemand<br />

reproducingmanyforfuture<br />

generationstocherish.<br />

From newsprint to maps<br />

Philliphasdevelopedthe<br />

businessfromverydifferent<br />

beginnings,startingoutby<br />

collectingwastenewspaperto<br />

sellforrecyclinginthe1970s.<br />

Oftenresidentswouldleave<br />

books,mapsandotheritems<br />

ontheirdoorstepsfor<br />

collection,whichPhillipkept.<br />

Thesehelpedhimwhenthe<br />

priceofusedpapercollapsed<br />

andheneededtoreplacehis<br />

sourceofincome.He<br />

discoveredthatbooksellers<br />

wouldstripillustrationsfrom<br />

oldbooksandsellthem<br />

individually,makingfarmore<br />

moneythantheywouldforthe<br />

bookalone.<br />

Phillipstartedselling<br />

illustrationsinLondon’s<br />

PetticoatLaneandopeneda<br />

galleryandworkshoptomake<br />

framedprints.Hehadalways<br />

lovedgeographyandmaps,and<br />

aftersellingamapalways<br />

wishedthathehadkeptit.This<br />

ledhimtoteachinghimselfto<br />

restorevintagemapsandto<br />

makehisre-issuesascloseto<br />

theoriginalsaspossible.<br />

Restoration skills<br />

Manyofusthinkofmaps<br />

purelyaspaper,butformerly<br />

papermapsweredissectedand<br />

fixedontoclothtoprotect<br />

themandprolongtheirlives,<br />

especiallywhentheywere<br />

handledalotortakenoutand<br />

aboutonjourneys.<br />

“Ihavealwayslovedfolding<br />

mapsbecausethesearethings<br />

thatweretakenontheroad,”<br />

saysPhillip.“Peoplealsowrote<br />

onthem.”<br />

Healsovaluesthe<br />

workmanshipemployedto<br />

createamap,especiallywhen<br />

sometimesonlyasinglecopy<br />

wasmade:“Iappreciatehow<br />

theyweremade:theartistry,<br />

theskill,theengraving,the<br />

printing.Theremightnotbe<br />

anotherone.”<br />

Phillipwilltakeoldmaps<br />

apartcarefully,restorethem<br />

andlaythemonnewlinen,<br />

usingmaterialsofthesameage<br />

whereverpossible.Inaddition<br />

torestoringtheoriginals,the<br />

businessalsocreates<br />

reproductionmapsusing<br />

pigmentinksandarchival<br />

paper,handlayingthemon<br />

clothandsupplyingthemin<br />

marbledslipcases.<br />

OldFoldingMapsalso<br />

hand-frameslargermaps,<br />

producingitsownmouldings<br />

andofferingachoiceoffinishes<br />

andveneers.<br />

Universal appeal<br />

Althoughitmightseemthat<br />

vintagemapsandillustrations<br />

wouldhavealimitedappeal,<br />

OldFoldingMapsattractsa<br />

widerangeofcustomers,from<br />

individualswantingamapof<br />

theirhometowntoinstitutions<br />

requiringlarge-scaleartworks.<br />

Onitswebsite,customers<br />

canbuyaffordablemapsthat<br />

coverLondon,Britainandthe<br />

world,aswellasmapscovering<br />

themesfrompovertyandwar<br />

togeology,industryand<br />

communications.<br />

Largermapsarealso<br />

available,withimpressive<br />

triptychsmeasuringmetresin<br />

widthandheight.<br />

Inadditiontomaps,thereis<br />

aneclecticselectionofantique<br />

illustrations,coveringtopics<br />

fromanimalsandinsectsto<br />

anatomy,botanicals,trees,<br />

shipsandlighthouses,fruit,<br />

vegetablesandmushrooms,as<br />

wellasillustrationsfromMrs<br />

Beeton’scookerywriting.<br />

Worldwide interest<br />

FromitsearlydaysintheSouth<br />

East,OldFoldingMapsmoved<br />

toSouthMoltonsixyearsago<br />

whenPhillipandhisfamily<br />

relocated.Phillipenjoysliving<br />

andworkinghereandseesbig<br />

opportunitiesforbusinessesto<br />

developinNorthDevon.<br />

Theworkshopisnow<br />

locatedonWoodlands<br />

EnterpriseCentreanddirect<br />

salesaremadethroughtheweb<br />

siteandsocialmedia,managed<br />

byPhillip’sdaughter,Rachael.<br />

Inpreviousyears,saleswere<br />

alsomadeataselectionofbig<br />

events,suchasRHSshows,the<br />

HamptonCourtFlowerShow<br />

andtheSpiritofChristmas,<br />

althoughthesewerenotheld<br />

thisyearduetoCoronavirus.<br />

Thebusinessalsosupplies<br />

mapstohighprofilecustomers<br />

includingStanfords,theV&A<br />

andothermuseums,and<br />

exportsacrosstheworld,<br />

includingtocustomersin<br />

AmericaandJapan.<br />

Abrowsethroughtheweb<br />

sitewilltakeyouonajourney<br />

backthroughhistoryand,<br />

whetheryouareinterestedin<br />

localhistoryorwant<br />

illustrationsforyourhomeor<br />

office,OldFoldingMapsoffers<br />

arangeofsuperbartwork.<br />

■ Details01769573935or<br />

foldingmaps.co.uk<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 15

I rarely read business books<br />

becausefewarenottediousor<br />

addanythingnew,butTony<br />

Robinson’sbooksarea<br />

differentmatter.<br />

Iwasmentallyexhausted<br />

fromworkingonabusiness<br />

projectwhenIstartedtoread<br />

TheHappipreneur,butits<br />

energyreinvigoratedme<br />

straightaway.Thisisnotsome<br />

over-hypedmantraofaguru<br />

orbusinesscoach;it’sthestory<br />

ofarealperson–likeyouand<br />

me–whohasexperiencedthe<br />

upsanddowns,notjustof<br />

business,butofalllife.This<br />

shouldnotsurpriseus,as<br />

businessisanintegralpart of<br />

everydaylife.<br />

TheHappipreneur–Why<br />

#MicroBizMatters?isa<br />

collaborationbetweenTony<br />

andTarynLeeJohnston.<br />

Tony’slifeisakintothelivesof<br />

TobiasSmollet’spicaresque<br />

heroesandTarynhasachieved<br />

wondersbycreatingabook<br />

thatembodiesthemeandering<br />

courseofTony’slifewhile<br />

progressingthenarrative.Part<br />

biography,partbusiness<br />

guide,eachchapterisfollowed<br />

byquestionsTarynasks,<br />

pickinguppointsinthetext,<br />

whichTonythenanswers.<br />

Invariably,theseanswermost<br />

ofthequestionsraisedinthe<br />

reader’smind.<br />

Learning about business<br />

Whiletherearecourses<br />

teachingbusiness,Tony’s<br />

experiencedemonstratesthat<br />

theroadtobusinesssuccessis<br />

rarelydirectandoftentakesus<br />

aroundthehouses.Having<br />

workedinbigcompaniesand<br />

evenrisentochiefexecutiveof<br />

AmwayintheUK,Tony’sfirst<br />

businesspartner,ClareFrancis,<br />

admitsthatwhentheyleftthe<br />

corporateworldtostarttheir<br />

ownbusinesstheywerenaïve:<br />

“Havingbothcomefromlarge<br />

corporatebackgrounds,they<br />

thoughttheyknewwhat<br />

businessesneeded.However,<br />

therealitywasthattheydidn’t<br />

haveaclue!”<br />

Perhapswhatisso<br />

refreshingaboutThe<br />

Happipreneurisitsin-depth<br />

discussionofworkandwhy<br />

peoplechoosetostarttheir<br />

ownbusinesses.<br />

Tonyconcedesthatitis<br />

possibletohaveasatisfying<br />

jobinalargeorganisation,<br />

BOOK REVIEW<br />

When <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Action</strong> editor Robert Zarywacz first heard Tony<br />

Robinson OBE speak at a networking event in Barnstaple some 14<br />

years ago, he felt that Tony was the first person who understood<br />

micro businesses and the support they need. When organising a<br />

business event in Ilfracombe in 2017, Robert jumped at the chance to<br />

invite Tony back to North Devon to present his one-man ‘Micro is<br />

Magic Show’ at the Landmark Theatre. Now the enterprise champion<br />

has published a new book and Robert could not wait to read it to<br />

learn more about Tony’s life and his views on micro businesses<br />

althoughtherealityisthat<br />

mostjobsarenotfulfilling:<br />

“Evenhighlypaidmanagers<br />

canhavecrap,stressfuljobs.<br />

40%ofbigbusinessemployees<br />

areunderpressureand<br />

unhappy.”<br />

Hefirmlybelievesthat“the<br />

reasonpeoplemostpeople<br />

wanttostarttheirown<br />

businessistocontroltheir<br />

owndestiny”.<br />

The right opportunity?<br />

Justbecauseyoudostartor<br />

runyourownbusinessdoes<br />

notguaranteeyouhappiness<br />

andTony’sexperiencewith<br />

Amway,amultilevel<br />

marketingcompany,makes<br />

interestingreading.<br />

Tonyconfirmsthatsome<br />

“formatbusinessopportunities<br />

areoversoldonincome<br />

expenditureandtime<br />

required”whichcanleavenew<br />

businessownerstired,indebt<br />

andfeelingjustaschainedto<br />

abusinessastheydidwhen<br />

theywereanemployee.Heis<br />

alsoforthrightonsomeofthe<br />

techniquesthatsomebusiness<br />

opportunitysellersuseto<br />

peddletheirplans:“The<br />

wholedreambuilding,goal<br />

setting,statustrappings,<br />

winnersandlosersnonsense<br />

foolsanawfullotofpeople.”<br />

Tonydoesnotdismiss<br />

directsellingormultilevel<br />

marketingoutrightandhis<br />

assessmentprovidesauseful<br />

guideforanyoneconsidering<br />

takingupsuchopportunities.<br />

Poor government support<br />

Tonyhaschampionedmicro<br />

businessesfordecades,but<br />

concedesthathisworkhas<br />

hadlimitedsuccess,saying<br />

that“he’sneverbeenableto<br />

persuadeGovernmentto<br />

learnfrommicrobusiness<br />

ownersonanything”.<br />

Hisassessmentof<br />

governmentbusinesssupport<br />

providedtoownersisboth<br />

bleakandhonest:“They<br />

alwaysgetitwrong.Imust<br />

haveseenatleast20<br />

government-fundedbusiness<br />

growthschemesthathaven’t<br />

delivered.MostGovernment<br />

schemesarepatronising,tosay<br />

theleast.”<br />

Havingreportedon,and<br />

hadinvolvementwith,such<br />

schemesinNorthDevon,I<br />

believeTonynailsthis.<br />

Be happy!<br />

Whilethebookdiscussesalot<br />

ofwhatiswronginthe<br />

businessworld,italso<br />

celebratestheenjoymenttobe<br />

foundinbusiness,especially<br />

fromworkingwithpeople.<br />

WhatcomesacrossisTony’s<br />

enthusiasmforownersof<br />

microbusinesses.Hisresearch<br />

provesthatthey“providethe<br />

mostnewjobs,innovation,<br />

creativity,growthandsupport<br />

forcommunities.”Justas<br />

importantly,“theyprovide<br />

happierandhealthier<br />

workplaces”.Oneexampleisa<br />

HighlandspubownerTony<br />

interviewedwhotripled<br />

turnoverby“investingintheir<br />

barstaff–buildingahappy<br />

team”.Thisisbecausewhenan<br />

ownerisnotattheworkplace,<br />

theyknowtheirhappy<br />

employeeswilltakedecisions,<br />

innovateandcontinuetogive<br />

outstandingcare.<br />

PerhapsthisiswhyTony’s<br />

phrase“insearchofhappiness”<br />

issoimportanttohim.<br />

Overflowing with help<br />

Nowatanagewhenmany<br />

peopleretire,Tonyis<br />

committedto“campaigning<br />

formicrobusinessesuntilI<br />

snuffit”.Hecontinuesto<br />

promote#MicroBizMatters<br />

dayandhis#payin30days<br />

campaignandtosupportthe<br />

#ExcludedUKinitiativetowin<br />

helpforbusinessownersand<br />

employeesignoredby<br />

governmentCovidsupport.<br />

Tony’sbookissopacked<br />

withusefulmaterialthatthis<br />

reviewbarelyscratchesthe<br />

surface.Youneedtobuyit!<br />

■ TheHappipreneurcanbe<br />

purchasedfrom<br />

tonyrobinsonobe.com<br />

16 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

IN THE HOT SEAT<br />

Sara-Jane Williams<br />

of BrandLanterns<br />

Each issue we put a North Devon business personality in the hot seat<br />

and ask them 10 questions. This issue we asked Sara-Jane Williams,<br />

founder of BrandLanterns and winner of <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Action</strong>’s Outstanding<br />

New <strong>Business</strong> and <strong>Business</strong>-to-<strong>Business</strong>-Excellence Awards <strong>2020</strong><br />

1. What was your first job?<br />

Atabout13yearsold,Ibegan<br />

sellingblacksacksfilledwith<br />

ready-madefancybowstobusy<br />

floristsinlocaltrainstations.<br />

2. What is the best<br />

business advice you’ve<br />

ever received?<br />

Enjoythejourney.<br />

3. What do you enjoy most<br />

about business?<br />

Mybusinessis,mostly,justme<br />

...sothere’snowheretohide.<br />

EverythingIearnisbecause<br />

someonevaluedthedifference<br />

Imadetothem.Ilovethe<br />

honestyandsimplicityofthat<br />

transaction.<br />

7. Is there anything about<br />

yourself that you want to<br />

change?<br />

Stopusingbiscuitsasacrutch.<br />

8. Social media: yes or no?<br />

Preferred network?<br />

Clients:Yes,definitely!Iget<br />

greatresults.<br />

Myown:Meh,there’srarely<br />

timeleft.<br />

Preferrednetwork:Whichever<br />

isshowingmethemostlovin’at<br />

thetime!Iguessthatmakesme<br />

abitofsocialmediatart,haha.<br />

9. How do you wind down<br />

when not working?<br />

Playwithmykids.Surfing.<br />

Escapeinmycampervan.<br />

4. What technology could<br />

your business never be<br />

without?<br />

I’dhappilyadapttohavingno<br />

technologyatall.Aslongas<br />

everyonewasinthesameboat,<br />

IthinkI’dthrive–and<br />

probablyenjoyitevenmore.<br />

(Withmywistfulrose-tinted<br />

glassesoff?AdobeInDesign).<br />

5. Describe your business /<br />

management style<br />

Gettothecruxoftheclient<br />

need.Quitepossibly,that’snot<br />

whattheyfirstsaidtheirneed<br />

was.Findthecoreproblemand<br />

focusonfixingthatfirst.Allthat<br />

followsthenbecomeseasier.<br />

6. How do you go about<br />

personal development?<br />

Hmm,Ikeepmaking<br />

impressiveplansforthisbut,in<br />

reality,Ijustsuckupnuggets<br />

onthefly.MaybeaTedEx<br />

duringajourneyoraYouTube<br />

‘How-To’whilstafileis<br />

loading.Mygreatestlearnings<br />

havecomefrommyclients<br />

though:theCEOwillingto<br />

confidehissuccessesand<br />

mistakes,thedirectorquickto<br />

shootmyideasdown,thecafé<br />

workertellingmeI’dturned<br />

theirconfidenceandcareer<br />

around,thesurpriseinvoice<br />

over-paymentbecauseI’d<br />

undervaluedmyself.It’sthe<br />

smallmomentsthathavemade<br />

thebiggestimpact.<br />

10. Do you have a motto or<br />

favourite quotation?<br />

Makeitsacred.<br />

BRANDLANTERNS<br />

BrandLanternshelpsbusinesses<br />

todeveloptheirbrand<br />

reputation,salesand<br />

profitabilitythroughstrategy,<br />

marketingandsalestraining.<br />

Thisiscomplementedbya<br />

rangeofsupportiveservices,<br />

includingprintandwebsite<br />

design,teamworkshopsand<br />

personalmentorship.Saraalso<br />

providesaspecialistserviceto<br />

thehospitalityandfoodservice<br />

industrytohelpboostfootfall,<br />

marketstand-outandmenu<br />

performance.<br />

■ Details01271372620or<br />

brandlanterns.co.uk<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 17

BUSINESS ACTION<br />

18 business action | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

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