'Contactus Chiswick' - Dec 2014 by Contactus magazines

CONTACTUS – ISSUE 10 December 2014: Chiswick W4 FREE – please take a copy

THINK TWICE! Can you share this magazine one more time before recycling?

Featuring: Shops and services on Chiswick High Road Turnham Green Terrace Devonshire Road And the best of Chiswick Homebiz

• • • •

W4 SPECIAL | DEC 2014

Cover illustration: Christ Church, Turnham Green, Chiswick Acrylic painting by Carlene Bender

Next issue: ‘Contactus Ealing’ • Jan-Feb 2015 Online: 23 Jan

Read online at:

www.contactusmagazines.co.uk

Introducing Chiswick 3 (A local view – Jose Rihan) Chiswick High Road (Find what you want – Laura Drewell)

Turnham Green Terrace (Plenty of attractions – Isia Tlusty-Sheen)

Devonshire Road 5 (Favourite shops – Erika Sate)

Try somewhere new

GUEST COLUMN 5 – Eva Keogan, ShopChiswick

Welcome to Contactus magazines’ special edition about Chiswick’s shops and services. The trend for shoppers increasingly keen to seek out local independents and smaller businesses is especially strong in Chiswick. We like our independents because of the special service and variety they offer. Contactus is here to help shoppers get in touch with the kind of businesses they would like to support – not just shops, cafes or restaurants, but the home-based/online, serviceoriented businesses too. Perhaps in these pages readers may discover a business or two that they never heard of before in the neighbourhood. If that includes you, happy shopping!

Chiswick businesses

Here’s an acrylic painting of Christ Church in Turnham Green (between Chiswick Town Hall and the Chiswick High Road). Cover illustration by Carlene Bender. Check out this and our other cover art progress videos on the Contactus YouTube channel.

Connect online Reading this magazine online? Remember you can click-through on the ‘live’ links to websites and Twitter and Facebook profiles (look for the at the end of each story) to connect right away with your favourite featured businesses. www.contactusmagazines.co.uk @ContactusEaling @ContactusMagsW4 ContactusEalingHomebiz

Picture spread

8-9

Where to network in Chiswick

Expert corner: website tips from Anna Langa

Esther Needle is back, and she’s still trying to annoy people

ADVERTISER FINDER page(s) �� advertiser 6 ��Hounslow Massage Therapy 6 �� Care Concern Homecare 7 �� The Athena Network 8 ��The Utility Warehouse 9 ��Chiswick Gems 10 �� Younique Therapy 10 ��It Works! Zahra Shah body wraps 11 ��Kate Edmondson Bridal Couture 12 ��W5 Physio physiotherapists

EASY ADVERTISING

Contactus publishes bimonthly magazines highlighting local businesses in West London. To find out about advertising options, please send email to: carlene@ contactusmagazines.co.uk

Hello

13-15 ��Fabulous Women networking (Jane Hardy, Fabulous Women; Glenda Shawley, The Training Pack; Maureen Bailey, VA Curtains; Cathie O’Dea, Travel Counsellors; Egidija Bailie, EE’s Cosmetics; Jose Rihan, the Utility Warehouse; Emily Jacob, Curious Decisions; Carlene Bender, Contactus magazines) 16 �� Contactus magazines

Carlene Bender Editor-publisher, Contactus magazines www.contactusmagazines.co.uk carlene@contactusmagazines.co.uk Twitter: @ContactusMagsW4 @ContactusEaling Tel: 079 6039 2677 Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn If you would like to advertise in the next Contactus local business magazine, ‘Contactus Ealing’ is due out online on 23 January 2015. Advertising booking deadline: 9 January. Ads start from £30.

‘Contactus Chiswick’

West London business magazine Content (articles, photos, drawings), advertising and marketing – C. Bender, unless otherwise credited. Magazine concept, design and layout – C. Bender Printed at: Colormax, West Ealing

Contactus Chiswick / December 2014 / Page 3

VOX POP A local view

“ S

outh of Ealing and east of Hammersmith is a leafy town called Chiswick (pop. 33,000), in the west London borough of Hounslow. It fits neatly in a bend of the River Thames and boasts one main commercial area: the Chiswick High Road. Two offshoots of the high road, Turnham Green Terrace and Devonshire Road, provide a complimentary shopping experience packed full of independent shops and non-retail businesses. The home-based business sector is a thriving one too, with plenty of opportunities

Main shopping areas in Chiswick

for networking and co-working, tweet-ups and online discussions. Where to park With four tube stations (District Line, west to east: Gunnersbury, Chiswick Park, Turnham Green and Stamford Brook) and plentiful bus routes, it’s probably easier to come by public transport than by car. Popular pay-and-display parking spots are north of the high road, for example along Chiswick Common Road. Look out for stop-and-shop bays, including free 30-minute spots on Devonshire Road.

Chiswick Park

Gunnersbury

n Gree ham Turnrace Ter

d Roa hire ons Dev

Chiswick High Road

Turnham Green Stamford Brook

“

Busy, leafy Chiswick

Jose Rihan (business owner, living in Chiswick for 25 years): I’ve watched many independent shops come and go. Look at Devonshire Road: lots of independents, and everyone is sad to see Pickwick’s go; that was a real institution. There are several reasons why the W4 property market has done so well – the proximity of Heathrow airport; all the companies on the M4 corridor; also, the BBC used to be in White City and that brought a lot of well-off media types to the area. Not to mention the advantage of the District Line going through the area, with so many stops, straight into Central London. Pickwick’s now Then there’s the French community settled here because of the lycée [French primary school Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle] nearby at South Kensington. So there’s a mix of people, who gladly support local shops. As for home-based businesses like mine, there’s a good support network. The Barley Mow Centre is a welcome addition to the area. If I were travelling around a lot, and I had a couple of spare hours, I’d want to use the Creative Workspace hub too. You don’t always want to go to cafes for meetings – the hub is more professional. – Read about Jose’s business on page 8

Page 4 / Contactus Chiswick / December 2014

Chiswick High Road

ide streets, tree-shaded pavements, cafes with tables and chairs outside – that’s what Chiswick High Road looks like. A closer look at the shops shows some major brands, a step up from usual West London high streets: Gap, United Colors of Benetton, Whistles, in addition to the old favourites like Marks and Spencer, Waterstone’s, Robert Dyas. There’s a Waitrose supermarket and, lately, W4’s first budget shop, Poundland. Non-shop businesses are catered to on the high road as well, from the Chiswick Business Park (pictured, right) to the Barley Mow Centre offices and studio spaces.

Find what you want

“

Laura Drewell (business development manager at Care Concern): I love the diversity of shops on Chiswick High Road. From rummaging through the charity shops to perusing the shelves of Waterstones, you can find what you want without having to tackle the crowds of the West End. Joy is great for birthday presents, The Bread Shop is delicious (try the spelt loaf with pumpkin seeds), there’s an excellent fruit and veg stall, and Kitchen and Pantry (pictured, left) is a lovely spot for lunch.

“

VOX POP

– Care Concern offices are located at Chiswick Business Park. See page 6

Turnham Green Terrace

Plenty of attractions

“

Isia Tlusty-Sheen (business owner, living in Chiswick for 26 years): We’ve always shopped in Turnham Green Terrace – the deli Mortimer and Bennett (pictured) has great cheeses and breads. Charlotte’s Bistro, also on Turnham Green Terrace, has won all sorts of awards, and is a real attraction for visitors. Devonshire Road is nice because of all the independent shops there. Everyone has his or her own favourite area. Parking can be a nightmare at Christmas, though. Better to come by tube or bus.

“

– Read about Isia’s business on page 9

here’s not one, but two chocolatiers on Turnham Green Terrace, the street that connects Turnham Green underground station southwards to Chiswick High Road. Jenny (pictured below, left) at Philip Neal’s on the western side of the street is busy making chocolate stilettos and other delicacies, while Edward (pictured below) offers Belgian chocolates at his L’Appetit Fou on the eastern side. Whichever one you go to first, make sure to try the chilli chocolate...

Contactus Chiswick / December 2014 / Page 5

Devonshire Road

airdressers to the stars, award-winning restaurants, ancient pubs – they’re all here in Devonshire Road, this exciting up-and-coming shopping area of Chiswick. With only 30 or so shops

(compared to Chiswick High Road’s nearly 300 and Turnham Green Terrace’s over-60), the road is doing well to attract so many new businesses, like Tamp Coffee and Laser Aesthetica. The road even has its own Twitter handle, @devonshirerdw4 and website, www. devonshireroadw4. com, which promotes an annual street party to attract residents to discover the road’s hidden gems. Now updated to www. independentchiswick. co.uk and @indChis, the website offers online promotion opportunities for local businesses (vouchers, reviews and features).

VOX POP Favourite shops

“

Erika Sate (cafe manager, living in Chiswick for two years): My favourite shop in Chiswick is Marks and Spencer – I just do all my shopping there. There’s a big Sainsbury’s too, which is useful. Some more interiors shops would be nice. There are one or two, but I would love to see more. Probably the most interesting business I’ve seen in Chiswick is Floatopia, the floatation centre on Devonshire Road. You can just float in the water and relax. I would like to go there myself one day.

“

– Erika works at the Classic Image Cafe Gallery

GUEST COLUMN

Let’s all tweet

info and a place to house lengthier content. It’s better to have less and do it well, rather than struggle to update lots of channels. There is a ShopChiswick Pinterest account as well which is taking shape slowly.

Q: Since the ShopChiswick launch, you had your first Twitter workshop for businesses – how did it go? The first ShopChiswick Pop Up Twitter training on 23 October was at Zecca Living on Turnham Green Terrace – thanks to Di and Pat who own the shop. Massage Centre W4, Snap Dragon and Lizard also came along and I projected my training presentation onto the shop wall. It worked really well, everyone enjoyed it and as it was after hours, it was convenient, and time well spent.

Q: What else are you planning for Chiswick businesses – for Christmas and in 2015? To keep ShopChiswick fresh and exciting there are plans for guerrilla marketing events. For example on 4 December we are partnering with Brompton Bike Hire to do a ‘Tweet the Streets’ event to support Small Business Saturday and traders in the run-up to Christmas. www.shopchiswick.com @shopchiswick HomeOfSocial

In September, local social media pioneer Eva Keogan launched ShopChiswick, a social media initiative for businesses to connect with the community. Here she talks about the programme

Q: Are you planning another workshop again soon? The Pop Up training will be run once a month and I will be announcing a December one shortly on Twitter. Q: Why did you start with Twitter and not Facebook? ShopChiswick is using Twitter and a blog as two key channels to engage with people and keep them up to date about what’s going on. These provide a dynamic stream of conversation and

Page 6 / Contactus Chiswick / December 2014

Massage on Mondays

with Moira Johnson

(Hounslow Massage Therapy)

New Chiswick Pool Edensor Rd, W4 2RG Mid afternoon - 6.00pm

I shall be in the foyer at the NCP, offering shorter, informal treatments to suit your time and budget.

Benefits include:

• relieve your neck and shoulder tension • allow yourself to relax and unwind • target particular aches and pains • soothe your legs and feet • begin your week with a treat

Book ahead, or simply turn up. 15 minutes £10 20 minutes £15 (no cards please) Moira Johnson (working at 30 minutes £20 0208 230 5655

07870 780 072

NCP for over 10 years)

Treat or relief

oira Johnson of Hounslow Massage Therapy is good at explaining how the body works, and how massage can help to calm and rebalance a person. “The solar plexus is the seat of emotions,” she says. “So when someone comes to me, I’ll focus on the breath and on the solar plexus area.” Moira is offering a new way to try out what it’s like to have a massage. On Mondays between 3-6pm at the New Chiswick Pool, she will be available for 15-minute slots, costing £10 each. Her massages don’t only make the recipient feel better, they can help relieve more chronic conditions, such as arthritis, constipation and headaches. Moira: over 20 Moira is also experienced in years experience more specific treatments, like Swedish massage, Myofascial release, Indian Head massage, Pregnancy Massage and Natural Face Lift Massage. These treatments will need to be pre-booked. www.naturaltherapyforall.com/moirajohnson www.naturaltherapypages.co.uk/moirajohnson

‘I love meeting my staff’ Contactus

Q: What is your role? Apart from running the company, my main responsibilities are setting Clare Drewell, up new care packages and Owner & director, managing the finances of Care Concern the business. I also do the annual appraisals which I particularly enjoy as I get to have one-to-one meetings with everybody. Q: What do you enjoy most? I enjoy so many things but the best buzz comes from not knowing who I am going to meet next. Our clients come from all walks of life and I have met the most interesting people during the last 22 years. Just as I begin to think I’ve seen and heard it all, a new unexpected challenge will pop up to keep us on our toes. I also enjoy seeing our carers progress and develop in their role and it is a pleasure when we hear such lovely feedback from our clients and their families about the carers. I love my job! www.careconcern.org.uk @CareConcern careconcernhomecare

Q&A

High quality dignified homecare ◄ Personalised client-led service ◄ Experts in caring for the elderly ◄ Specialists in dementia care and palliative care ◄ Range of care services available

Local company established 1993

020 8899 6123

Contributed

◄ Highly trained local carers

Contactus Chiswick / December 2014 / Page 7

“Be more purposeful to do justice to yourself, and your business”

The Athena Chiswick group meets at the City Barge

Planning for meeting Jo Sumner of the Athena Network explains how to make the most of your networking

ost people in my experience allow networking to be a hit and miss affair, thinking that turning up is the most important thing. My advice is to be more

purposeful if you want to do justice to yourself, your business and your networking investment. Here are three simple steps to help you: 1. Networking goals flow from your business goals. So, what are your top three business goals for the year? Just write down three things that really stand out when you think about your business this year. Now, prioritise which goal is most important to you.

Joanne Sumner, The Athena Network

2. Spend 10 minutes brainstorming how you could achieve this goal and in particular what exactly you could ask for in your one-minute pitch. 3. Plan out what you are going to ask for and when! If it’s a matter of connections, what exact connection would move you forward most effectively? Read the full version of this article on Jo’s Athena website: theathenanetwork.co.uk/ JoanneSumner @AthenaWLondon The-Athena-NetworkWest-London

What could the Athena Network mean for you

CONNECTIONS COLLABORATION LIKE MINDS MOTIVATING RESULTS SHARING CAMARADERIE INSPIRE COMMUNITY SAFE SAFE COLLABORATION BUSINESS NURTURING SHARING ENERGISING

POSSIBILITIES

IDEAS

POSSIBILITIES INSPIRE FUN NURTURING

NURTURING

OPPORTUNITIES SUCCESS

POSITIVE

COMMUNITY

INSPIRING MOTIVATING IDEAS

CLIENTS

RESULTS

WOMEN

COMMUNITY

OPPORTUNITIES

REFERRALS

SUCCESS ENERGISING

RESULTS

IDEAS

WOMEN

SAFE

SUPPORT

MOTIVATING CAMARADERIE

CLIENTS

IDEAS

SUCCESS

SHARING

SUPPORT

GROWTH RESULTS CONNECTIONS

FUN

CONNECTIONS

GROWTH CLIENTS BUSINESS POSITIVE WOMEN INFORMATIVE SUPPORT FUN REFERRALS BUSINESS POSITIVE INVIGORATING

FUN

GROWTH

COLLABORATION

INSPIRING

IDEAS

REFERRALS

INFORMATIVE

Face to face networking is one of the most powerful, effective and cost efficient ways to market your business. The Athena Network provides monthly networking for women in business and the thriving Chiswick group includes the following industries: business, lifestyle, luxury products, health and wellbeing, legal, financial, and leisure. And we’d love you to join us! CHISWICK monthly meeting 4th Tuesday, 12-2pm The City Barge Strand On The Green W4 3PH Other West London networking groups at Ealing, Barnes, Shepherd’s Bush and Ravenscourt Park. Contact Regional Director, Joanne Sumner:

Page 8 / Contactus Chiswick / December 2014 Chiswick High Road

Turnham Green Terrace

Christ Church (inspiration for our cover illustration)

Chiswick High Road

Chiswick Tweet-up upstairs the Crown and Anchor

Guaranteed savings for your home! The Utility Warehouse guarantee that you will save money when you switch all your services to them, or they will give you back ‘Double the Difference’

Ask for details! Jose Rihan 07899 792778 joserihan@uwclub.net www.savingseveryday.co.uk

Home Phone

Broadband

Mobile

Gas

Electricity

Terms and conditions apply. The Utility Warehouse ‘Double the Difference’ Price Promise requires you to become a Double Gold customer ie. taking Home Phone, Broadband, Mobile and at least one energy service. Gold benefits are only available to customers who are homeowners or aged 25 and above. For full details of the Price Promise see the Utility Warehouse website. B5

Devonshire Road

Keep track of spending How can The Utility Warehouse help you and your business? Chiswick-based authorised distributor Jose Rihan explains:

“J

ust imagine one place where you can get all your mobile, energy and broadband services together. “One supplier committed to giving you an altogether better deal.” Jose: passing Jose continues: “By bundling savings onto the customer services together, Utility Warehouse keeps costs down, makes life simpler, and with one bill it’s easier to keep on top of your household budget. “They don’t spend money on expensive TV or newspaper advertising, and that means they can pass the savings onto the customer. “And the Which? magazine consistently rates them as one of the best suppliers around – rating them higher than all the major energy suppliers, and better than the leading telecoms companies.” www.savingseveryday.co.uk @JoseRihanUW

Contactus Chiswick / December 2014 / Page 9

Chiswick Town Hall

Loving Chiswick shops and services

The Classic Image Cafe Gallery

Strand-on-the-Green Eva Rose Cakes at the Vintage Wedding Fair

Shoppers’ paradise

A passion for buttons Q: Tell us about your business. I am a local jeweller who seeks out everyday objects Isia Tlusty-Sheen, from our recent past Chiswick Gems and re-creates them as contemporary jewellery. Contactus

Q&A

Isia: reinventing jewellery

Q: What kind of everyday objects? I design and make stunning ring settings or cuff-links from vintage buttons. I transform buckles, antique beadwork or lace into necklaces, pendants or brooches. My work also combines using unusual or vintage beads with silver or gold, but my passion is for refashioning and reinventing jewellery for my clients, creating a unique look while considering your lifestyle and your wardrobe. www.chiswickgems.co.uk chiswick.gems

Vintage buttons made into rings

If you have jewellery you never wear – for whatever reason, then give me a call and I will arrange to come to your home by appointment.

Chiswick Gems “Made by me for you and only you” Contact Isia on 0787 313 7544 Mon – Fri , 9.30am - 5pm or email: isiatlusty@googlemail.com

www.chiswickgems.co.uk

Page 10 / Contactus Chiswick / December 2014

For therapy

Expert corner

Younique Therapy is a cognitive hypnotherapy and therapy practice focusing on anxieties, phobias, confidence and public speaking issues – with offices in Ealing and at 1 Harley Street. “You are worth the change,” says owner Dita Peskova. www.youniquetherapy.com @coghyp youniquetherapy

Anna Langa of Digital Glam shares her top three website tips

WHERE TO NETWORK IN CHISWICK

AIMING FOR PERMANENT CHANGE

Dita Peskova

Cognitive Hypnotherapist DipCHyp, NLP Prac

Personalised therapy to cater to your needs by NCH registered hypnotherapist

Book your free 30 minute consultation dita@youniquetherapy.com 07910 262255 www.youniquetherapy.com

• The Athena Network (contact Jo Sumner, see p7) • Fabulous Women (contact Glenda Shawley, see p13-15) • Chiswick Tweet-up (contact @AhraniLogan) • Hogarth BNI (Chiswick) • Barley Mow Centre’s Creative Workspace (pictured above) • The Mumpreneurs Networking Club (contact Jenny Thomas de Cruz)

Q: What should local businesses bear in mind about their websites? 1. If people are coming to your site because they have a problem, make it dead simple for them to find what they are looking for – use a clear call to action, and make it easy to understand your offer. 2. Your website is to tell how you can help your client, not to brag about how good you are. 3. Even young people hate websites with tiny fonts – make sure your site is easy to read. www.digital-glam.com @AnnaLanga digitalglamcom

The wrap star

T ASK ZAHRA HOW

“It worked for me and it can work for you too” – Zahra Shah It Works!

West London distributor At right: Zahra’s arm after three wraps

getfitwrapstar.com

he tagline on the It Works! body tightening wraps leaflet asks “Have you tried that crazy wrap thing?”. Zahra Shah, a local ‘wrap star’ from Acton, explains why she is ‘crazy’ about the product: “I was originally a size 30 – 26 stone – then went down to Zahra: keeping 18 stone,” she says. “And I was clients fit and left with hanging, damaged skin.” toned She pulls out her phone to show a photo of her arms before and after several wrap treatments (see photo in advert at left). “I’m not into surgery, tummy tucks and all that,” she adds. “I believe that if you work out, if you train hard, and get a little wrap help, you can tighten back up the skin without resorting to surgery.” After seeing for herself how the wraps helped smooth and tone her ‘problem areas’, Zahra became a distributor for It Works! She often hosts wrap parties for clients to try using a wrap and see how... it works. getfitwrapstar.com @getfitwithzahra ItworkswithGetFitwithZahra

Contactus Chiswick / December 2014 / Page 11

Get married in a ‘Kate’

ate Edmondson’s bridal design studio in Acton is bright and shiny, with luxurious wall-sized mirrors and a full rack of her hand-made wedding dresses that are just asking to be tried on. That’s a good first step, she advises, for ensuring you have the perfect wedding dress for your big day: “start with trying on different shapes in the shops”. “Keep a scrapbook of cuttings, of photos of dresses you’ve tried and liked,” she adds. “So that when we come to designing the dress, we already have an idea of what will work.” Kate makes the dresses from scratch, and the advantage of the bride being involved from sketch to finish means that there aren’t any hefty alteration costs to budget for – changes are made as the dress is created.

After the consultation and measurement stages, Kate starts with the design sketch and creates a pattern. From this she makes a ‘calico’, which is a replica of the dress in a cheaper fabric. Any alterations are made to the pattern before cutting the silk and lace, and then finally stitching it together. In all, the process can take six to eight months. Kate (above], with some of her “I always knew I wanted to designs); below – the bridal studio make wedding dresses,” says Kate. Her training at London College of Fashion, and later at Kensington and Chelsea College included millinery, so she enjoys making matching headpieces. She is working on supplying her designs to wedding boutiques in Central London. www.kateedmondsonbridal.co.uk @katedoesbridal kate-edmondson-bridal-couture

Bespoke wedding dresses

From design sketch to glorious finish

www.kateedmondsonbridal.co.uk

Page 12 / Contactus Chiswick / December 2014

Same-day printing

Esther Needle sees what Chiswick and Ealing have in common – or not

espite making it easy for customers to order their printed and promotional materials online via a new and very colourful website, Sahil Sasan of Colormax is happy to cater to customers coming in off the high street requiring a same-day turnaround. ‘We are all about same-day and while-you-wait,” says Sahil, emphasising that good service is what wins over customers – and keeps them. At Colormax (in West Ealing, opposite Dean Gardens), most of the printing and promotional work is done in-house and on the spot, from t-shirt printing to mobile phone covers and mugs. Colormax also offers bespoke raffle tickets or numbered vouchers. These can be printed with a company or club’s logo and details, and (of course) be ready for same-day collection. www.colormaxuk.com @colormaxealing

View from next door

visit Chiswick often: maybe once or twice a week. I like it. It’s full of interesting places and people. However, I’ve never seen so many men pushing buggies (with or without the mum close by). Which is nice. And the second language appears to be French, not Polish like in Ealing. Also I can’t tell yet if Chiswick is bothered that the first pound-store has opened (it’s next to M&S). There are a few of those in Ealing – people blame them for ruining the high street. Lastly, could it be that Chiswick tends to support Chelsea and Fulham, while Ealing backs QPR and Brentford? There, I’ve done it now. Email me if you must. esther.needle@contactusealing.co.uk

How-to physio videos

E WWW.W5PHYSIO.CO.UK

27 HAVEN LANE, EALING LONDON W5 2HZ | 020 8997 1555 INFO@W5PHYSIO.CO.UK | @W5PHYSIO

‘Contactus’ and get 10% Mention 10% OFF initial consultation O F F

ver wondered what is the correct way to do the step-up exercise? Or wished there was a video of the Eply’s Manoeuvre – one you knew you could trust was showing the right thing? The newly-launched W5 Physio channel on YouTube is already stacked with videos W5 Physio’s like these, more than 20 so Stewart Ramsay far, demonstrating a range doing the pelvic of exercises and moves. stability exercise. Some of the exercises are performed by W5 Physio’s senior physiotherapist Greg Bagley, showing off what he learned from his summer in Glasgow as lead physio for the triathlon event at the Commonwealth Games. “If you are unsure of how to do any activity, please grab a personal trainer if in the gym, or contact us about a home exercise,” says Greg. (Online readers, click on the YouTube logo to go straight to the W5 Physio videos page.) www.w5physio.co.uk @W5Physio W5Physio

Contactus Chiswick / December 2014 / Page 13

Jane Hardy

Real #collaboration

hese are the ‘pink pages’, featuring members of the Chiswick branch of the Fabulous Women networking group. Fabulous Women is a nationwide business network community whose mission is “to make women’s businesses more rewarding” by making women’s businesses more fun, more fulfilling – and more successful. The ethos of the group is based around five key concepts: connect, share, learn, grow – and succeed. Men – Marvellous Men –

jane@fabulous-women.co.uk 07768 197507

Director, Fabulous Women & Marvellous Men

Fabulous Women, Chiswick

who share these values are welcome in the group. The Chiswick branch meets in the downstairs dining room at Cote Brasserie, Turnham Green Terrace, 10am-12noon every fourth Friday of the month.

A warm welcome

Fabulous in W4 Contactus

Q: What’s special about the Chiswick group? Fabulous Women Chiswick has a lovely blend of Glenda Shawley, regulars and visitors all Fabulous Women keen to help each other to grow our businesses.

Q&A

Q: What is your role? My role as group leader is to grow the group by encouraging visitors and making introductions so they get the most from the meeting. I also need to make sure that members are getting value from their membership by giving them an opportunity to promote Glenda (far left) gets some dates in the diary their businesses. Q: Can someone just turn up to a meeting? Although it is helpful if visitors pre-book on the website they are also welcome just to turn up and pay their visitor fee of £15. www.fabulous-women.co.uk @Fab_Women WeAreFabulousWomen

Glenda is group leader for Fabulous Women Chiswick

That’s'only'the'first'thing'you’ll'get' at'a'Fabulous'Women'meeting.'' You’ll'also'get:' a'chance'to'show'off'your'business'to'win'new' customers'and'advocates' inspiration'and'help'to'succeed' fresh'ideas,'new'opportunities'and'more…' '

Everyone'is'welcome.'' You'don’t'have'to'be'a'woman'' and'we'don’t'exclude'our'competitors.' '

For$more$information$and$meeting$dates$$ visit$www.fabulous5women.org.uk$or$email$ glenda.shawley@thetrainingpack.co.uk$

Page 14 / Contactus Chiswick / December 2014

What happens at a Fab meeting

ew to networking, or just new to Fabulous Women? Ready for your first visit but wondering what to expect? Here’s an outline of what happens at FW Chiswick – although most of the groups (including Ealing next door) follow the same agenda.

10.20am: Group leader welcomes attendees.

10am: Doors open; registration. Members pay £10 per meeting (see www.fabulous-women.co.uk for details on how to become a member), while visitors pay £15. Visitors can come up to three times before deciding to join. Attendees put their marketing material (cards, flyers, samples, etc.) on the display table and make early introductions.

11.10am: Business coaching session run by group leader.

10.30am: Each attendee stands and introduces his or her business within one minute (the ‘One Minute Pitch’). 10.50am: Talk of the month – by an FW member.

11.40am: The good news – each attendee says what s/he enjoyed about the event. 11.50am: Diary dates (group leader announces key events) 12noon: Close. Attendees often stay on for private 1:1 meetings.

Where will your next new customer come from?

WE CAN HELP THEM TO FIND YOU !

Finding!time!for!marketing!when!you!are!busy! running!your!business!is!difficult.!We!can!help! whether!you!need!a!one!off!campaign,!a!year;long! marketing!plan!or!just!a!bit!of!training.!

Call$Glenda$Shawley$on$020$8991$2767$now$$ to$book$a$free$30$minute,$no$obligation$ consultation$and$see$how$we$can$help$$ you$to$win$new$business.$ $ ! !

! Visit!Glenda’s!blog!at!thetrainingpack.wordpress.com!

‘Marketing is vital’

lenda Shawley of the Training Pack is fascinated by businesses and their owners. What makes some more successful than others? Glenda believes a clear vision, a product or service people want to buy, value for money and good service are all important but that Glenda: 22 years marketing is vital, after all no-one of helping small can buy from a business they’ve businesses never heard of! Specialising in marketing, Glenda has spent the last 22 years helping owners of small businesses and start-ups to grow their businesses. She runs training courses, offers one to one consultancy and writes copy for websites and marketing materials. Her clients include restaurants, beauty professionals, retailers and even a crane safety company. Her next venture will be an online business growth club launching in early 2015. thetrainingpack.wordpress.com @Glenda_S TheTrainingPack

Contactus Chiswick / December 2014 / Page 15

Travel time

EE’s Cosmetics products are Natural, Free of Toxins, Ethical & Handmade

Cathie O’Dea is an independent Travel Counsellor based in Egidija Bailie West London. “I have visited hundreds of exciting places in over 70 countries,” she says, “so I without can offer personal business theyou usual risks… and help people save money! recommendations and advice.” travelcounsellors.com our own hours • full training and support @CathieodeaTC bonuses • earn a second income TravelCounsellorsNottingHill www.ees-cosmetics.co.uk

ibutors Wanted commission

• no stock to carry

Cathie O’Dea

more!

Whatever your holiday needs, I’m here to help you.

Earn a seco nRihan d incoJose m e i nyou I can show your sptoamake how great r savings oneall your tim e household bills.

Please get in touch – I’d be happy to explain the benefits available to you.

Internet

020 3432 4740 | 07912 889964 www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/ cathie.odea Gas

Emily is passionate about helping women in negotiating their careers; if you are interested in seeing how coaching can help you, get in touch for a free consultation.

info@curiousdecisions.com

Carlene Bender

Publishing local business magazines in Ealing and Chiswick www.contactusmagazines.co.uk

Electricity

cathie.odea@travelcounsellors.com

Emily Jacob

07899 792778 www.savingseveryday.co.uk

Specially-made curtains

arm feedback for VA Curtains pops up wherever owner Maureen Bailey is mentioned. “Maureen’s curtains are fabulous, beautifully made and very creative. Something special,” posted one supporter recently on Facebook. The Hounslow-based business has been providing “window treatment” for the past 10 years, and is a National Design Academy Qualified company. “Our curtains and soft furnishings are bespoke and made to measure for quality Maureen: expert conscious clients,” says Maureen. at soft furnishings The curtains and blinds can be interlined for insulation so that, especially in cold weather, heat loss can be greatly reduced. This can make a positive difference to heating bills. Another option is blackout lining – useful for controlling light levels, for example in children’s rooms. “If you have a draughty window or door, or you would just like to update your curtains and/or soft furnishings, just give me a call,” says Maureen. vacurtains.co.uk @VACurtains VA-Curtains

Curtains, blinds (roller, vertical or Roman), cushions and beanbags (indoor or outdoor), doorstops, lampshades, draught excluders, table linen, upholstered headboards, and more...

vacurtains.co.uk

020 8751 4332 / 07951 241359

Custom-made booklets calling all: Traders associations •

Networking groups • Business organisations • Sports clubs •

Would you like a booklet just about you and your members?

Commission Contactus to create your booklet • photos • interviews • in PDF/print Email carlene@contactusmagazines.co.uk for a quote