'Contactus Ealing' - Jan/Feb 2015 by Contactus magazines

Contactus

ISSUE 11

EALING Local business magazine

Jan/Feb 2015

FREE – please

take a copy

West London’s #1 magazine for showing off local shops & services

• online & in print

Are you putting things in place for your new business?

• See our startup guide, p4-7

JAN/FEB 2015 Cover illustration: Cranes over Dickens Yard, Ealing Broadway Acrylic painting by Carlene Bender

Inside JAN/FEB 2015 / Issue 11

Ealing Homebiz We’re here to promote over 16,000* home-based businesses in Ealing Read online at: www.contactusealing.co.uk

THINK TWICE!

Can you share this magazine one more time before recycling?

page 10 MW marketing Mark Wardell

www.contactusealing.co.uk Contactus is 100% independent. Made in Ealing.

page 13

page 10

Utility Warehouse Jose Rihan

Happy Paws & Tails Nancy P.

page 14

The #AskMaxine pet column continues with Maxine Brightman

page 11 / •Photos from first

Contactus meetup page 15 / Business Shorts: local news, events and offers page 15 / Learn to dance at Anna Davydova’s

• •

* Contactus estimate based on FSB figures

•

Next issue: Mar/Apr 2015 Out online: 27 March

ADVERTISER FINDER page(s) �� advertiser

2 �� Businesses in Ealing group

On the cover

3 ��Care Concern Afternoon Tea 6 �� The Joanne Sumner Studio 8 ��W5 Physio physiotherapists 8 ��Care Concern homecare – raffle 10 �� Ealing Chamber of Commerce 12 ��Happy Paws and Tails 12 �� MW marketing websites 13 ��Utility Warehouse 14 �� Ealing Cat and Dog Visits

L A E B C D E A F G H

L I G J K L C L M N O

E P N Q R T S I T U V

W W A X O Y Z N A B C

N D H N E F G G H I J

A K S O U T H A L L L

H M T L O H T R O N N

O P I Q R S T U V W X

Y Z P E R I V A L E A

B D R O F N E E R G C

Contactus Wordfinder (a bit of weekend fun)

15 ��VA Curtains

Know your Ealing areas

15 �� Belfrey Secure locksmiths

Find the words in the puzzle above:

15 ��Anna Davydova Dance School

These Dickens Yard cranes have been a feature of the Ealing Broadway skyline since 2010, but what else is going on in that site? See story on page 7. Cover acrylic painting by Carlene Bender. Check out this and our other cover art progress videos on the ‘Contactus Ealing’ YouTube channel.

N O R T H F I E L D S

15 �� Business Shorts (St Andrews Church Centre, Womb Wisdom Keepers, Old Actonians Ladies Cricket) 16 ��Club Contactus

Perivale Pitshanger Hanwell Northfields Ealing Northolt Acton Greenford Southall

Do you run your own business in Ealing? Come join our Facebook group:

‘Businesses in Ealing – Contactus’ • online networking and bi-monthly meetups • great for biz-to-biz sharing and support • tips for local shops and services • discussions, surveys, news and offers

www.facebook.com/groups/businessesinealing

scan the code with your mobile reader to go straight to the page

CONTENTS & WELCOME

Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015 / Page 3

Features

Join the Club

EALING STARTUP GUIDE 4-7

Club Contactus is a new membership group for anyone who’s ever advertised in Contactus local business magazines (‘Contactus Ealing’ or ‘Contactus Chiswick’). We’ll be meeting up online as well as face-to-face. Benefits of membership include special offers, gifts and discounts galore. All Contactus advertisers are welcome to enjoy three months’ free Starter membership, which they can then upgrade to Basic (£96/year) or Advanced (£120/year). See photos of our launch on p11. Visit the website to find out more about the group, or email info@contactusealing.co.uk. tinyurl.com/ClubContactus

• have you got what it takes? • startup checklist • is there a need? • needing a plan • Contactus cartoon • Vox Pop • lessons from a pro • The Buttercups • Dickens Yard update • profile: Rated DJs EALING HOMEBIZ

Where to network

Contactus meetup photos 11 ‘My Best One-Minute’

Ealing businesses

Christmas Special

Starter for £40 Ads in Contactus Ealing come with free matching story space. This is where we share the interesting bits about your biz. Stories also feature ‘live’ Twitter and Facebook links plus website urls, for easy click-throughs. Contact Carlene Bender. www.contactusealing.co.uk @ContactusEaling ContactusEalingHomebiz Monday 16th February 2015 2pm-4pm

EASY TO AFFORD • Great raffle prizes (see p8) • Special appearance by Ealing five-piece vintage girl troupe,

The Buttercups Entrance £5 / raffle tickets £1 per strip Enquiries: 020 8996 9546 catherine@careconcern.org.uk

Every ad comes with free artwork too, so email your business logo and/ or copyright-free photo illustrating your business, plus up to 20 words and a contact detail to: info@contactusealing.co.uk

Hello Start up right Our special feature this issue focuses on what it takes to start up a business. Well, if you’re a new startup, I’ll tell you now that what it takes more than anything else is this: perseverance. So, big wishes for the best of luck if you’re following that dream – hold on, hold on tightly. The startup advice section is on p4-7, with ‘Ealing Homebiz’ following on page 9 – hopefully soon you’ll be using this section to promote your new business! Remember if you’re reading this magazine online, to clickthrough on the live links (look for the symbols ) and connect on Facebook and Twitter. We’re also celebrating the launch of Club Contactus, to give something back to the advertisers who keep this magazine going. Thanks for ‘shopping by’. Carlene Bender Editor-publisher, Contactus magazines Web: www.contactusealing.co.uk Email: info@contactusealing.co.uk Twitter: @ContactusEaling @ContactusMagsW4 Tel: 079 6039 2677 Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn If you would like to advertise in Contactus Ealing local business magazine, the next issue is due out online on 27 March 2015. Advertising booking deadline: 13 March.

‘Contactus Ealing’

West London business magazine Content (articles, photos, drawings), advertising and marketing – Carlene Bender, unless otherwise credited. Magazine concept, design and layout – Carlene Bender Created and produced in Ealing, only for Ealing

Page 4 / Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015

“At least have a clear view of the immediate future of the business, of how to break even and avoid building up costs”

t’s January. People all over the world are starting up their dream businesses this month, having stopped long enough over the Christmas holidays to come up with a plan. However, according to the Federation of Small Businesses, around two-thirds of all startups will fail in their first year. How can we make sure our startup is different, and survives through the most difficult phase: the first three years? What does it take to start up

EALING STARTUP GUIDE

Type the words “how to start a business” into Google and top of the results is likely to be a Gov.uk or similar site listing a seemingly endless number of steps to take before getting your business off the ground. We’re not sure it always has to be so complicated, so here’s our Contactus slightly less rigid guide to starting up a business in Ealing

What it takes to be a startup a business? How have other local businesses started up recently? We’ve included different sets of ideas over the next four pages, including advice from business coaches, tips for new shop-owners, special tips for home-based startups, and a few startup examples. What they all say in common is that some level of planning is necessary. For some people, too much planning results in burnout even

before the business gets going. At least have a clear view of the immediate future of the business, of how to break even and avoid building up costs – that is what will carry the business until you can assess its long-term viability. And even then, any business can work with the right marketing. So don’t give up too soon, and even if you think you’re holding on too long, keep holding on at least until the third year.

STARTUP Check first that there is a need CHECKLIST for your product or service c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c

Margaret Guillen, NLP master results coach:

need to set a system in place to deal with it. Even if you are a efore starting any home-based business, 1 do market research business I would it is still a business and 2 stage a focus group recommend you should have your 3 write a business plan undertaking some paperwork (receipts, 4 source funding planning – do your market invoices, permits etc) 5 register company name* research, check if there a organised so people 6 register with HMRC gap in the market, and if will take you seriously, Margaret: put 7 register for VAT* there is a need for your otherwise they may systems in place 8 design logo and stationery product or service: can think you only have 9 set up social media profiles you solve a problem? a hobby. 10 build website Then everyone should prepare As for registering with 11 set up insurance* a business plan – it doesn’t have Companies House, it will depend 12 go through legal red tape to be 100 pages long, but it does on the type of business. I would 13 set up office/shop* have to be specific, to clarify the encourage exploring options and 14 invest in software etc. business vision and goals. getting advice on choosing the 15 have a launch event* Paperwork will vary from right option. Have fun! * not always necessary business to business, but you www.mgcoach.co.uk

If your style is “do it properly or don’t do it at all”, here’s a checklist for you (get ticking):

EALING STARTUP GUIDE

Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015 / Page 5

VOX POP What’s your startup story? (via Businesses in Ealing Facebook group)

“

Sukhi Bhogal: I just started and picked up (and am still picking) up the bits along the way!

Liz Pilgrim, I Want To Open a Shop (one-day course):

launch a successful business – premises, stock, cashflow, staff and marketing are hinking of opening probably going to be on a shop? My advice top of your priority list is to really do so make sure you have your homework before all these covered. you open (come on my Don’t forget to course!), find out exactly research your brand research your what the implications are Liz: name and make sure brand name and do a full business you can register the plan, making sure you have all same name across all the social your paperwork sorted. media platforms, as this will Too many startups jump in really help your launch. oblivious to what is required to www.iwanttoopenashop.com

“It is entirely possible to start your business with the know-how you currently have and build your business knowledge as you progress” Carole Ann Rice, “Start your dream business” (2013)

Anita Wong Hi I started by sharing my ideas with friends and family and then when it worked for them I started growing my ideas. In fact now I do more for my clients than I first thought and I am now rethinking my name and business goals. Sometimes you have to be open minded and see where your ideas take you. Roberta Sabbatini: (pictured right) A lot of courage!!! Rheian Davies: Started working at home from a shed. Alexandra Merisoiu: I got a name, a website and began marketing. Then the rest. I also have a business and marketing coach. Danielle Francis: When I first started in business 10 years ago it was my accountant, who still is my accountant that really taught me a lot about business. Without him it really would have been much harder.

“

Cartoon: Carlene Bender

Do a complete business plan

Shreya Parekh: I started researching, built a prototype, more research, found developers, setup company & bank account, started developing, and the rest like marketing, social media, sales (the list is absolutley endless) I have to learn along the way and still am trying to get my head around it all, but I’m SOOOO thankful to all the groups & people in Ealing for the support, also, sometimes I just need a glass of wine & get out of my box

Page 6 / Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015

EALING STARTUP GUIDE

Lessons from a pro Entrepreneur Jo Sumner has started up three home-based businesses. Here she shares some how-to tips

hen I decided to set up my first business, I had no experience whatsoever. I decided to set up a business not because I had a brilliant plan, or had spotted a lucrative gap in the market. I started a business because I couldn’t see any other way to get the freedom I wanted to work on the projects I chose. I wanted to make a practical difference in people’s lives and to do it now! I think most people would think that was staggeringly naïve, and in some ways I agree.

Nevertheless, here I am nine years later, with three profitable businesses and a distinctly happier self. Here’s how. Business #1: yoga and coaching studio (JoanneSummer.com) • part-time consultancy role that provided experience and subsistence money. • networked extensively to keep advertising and marketing costs low and focused on building a local reputation. • main pitfall: without my partner to pay the bills I’d have been out of business in the first two years. Business #2: network for female entrepreneurs (The Athena Network) • franchise with a well-established network for women. • applied for and received a bank loan for the core sum and put the rest on a 0% credit card. • it helped to already know a local

Jo running one of her three core businesses: the Athena Network

bank manager, because she knew and trusted me. Business #3: network marketing company in the health and wellbeing industry (Arbonne) • prestigious network marketing company. • proven five-year plan to get to the top. • don’t let naysayers stop you. Read the full article here: tinyurl.com/LessonsFromAPro www.joannesumner.com @jo_sumner www.facebook.com/pages/ The-Joanne-Sumner-Studio

“It helped to know a local bank manager, because she knew and trusted me”

Joanne Sumner, The Athena Network

www.contactusmagazines.co.uk

How we started up:

The Buttercups Contact us MAGAZINES

Advertising service for local businesses • promoting local shops and services online, in print and in person

fter all graduating with a BA in Musical Theatre, Buttercup Sammi came up with the idea to develop a vintage girl troupe with a modern twist. Within six months, The Buttercups have gone from singing in a lounge to performing to thousands in Paris. We wonder what 2015 will deliver! The Buttercups are (left to right in photo): Samantha Urry, Claire Hutchinson, Charlotte Godfrey, Mairin Hayes and Katie Forge. @Buttercups_LDN thebuttercupsuk

EALING STARTUP GUIDE

Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015 / Page 7

STARTUP PROFILE

Dickens Yard update (photo: December 2014)

Name of business: Rated DJs Ltd Business owner: Sanjeev Bouri

Putting things in place – any space here for local startups?

n our cover this issue is a painting of the Dickens Yard development behind the Ealing Town Hall as seen from the roof of the Springbridge Road car park (also pictured above). Building began in 2010, and is expected to be completed in 2018, to comprise 698 apartments alongside 100,000 sq ft of commercial space, mainly along Market Street in the centre of the plan, with some more retail outlets along Longfield Avenue. Yet, as the cranes continue to tower over the building site, the website of developers St George shows that only two of 23 available commercial units have so far been reserved – one for Benham Reeves estate agents, and the other, already to much local interest, to award-winning restaurant Charlotte’s Place. Charlotte’s Place owner, Alex Wrethman, in August dropped hints about their “2 (soon 3) restaurants” on Twitter, and then in December posted photos about the “new build”. Charlotte’s, as the new

restaurant will be called, will be located in the locally-listed Old Fire Station on Longfield Avenue, and is the third branch of this popular restaurant. Ealing residents are keen to see which other businesses take up the units. St George (and Ealing Council) are hoping for “high-end”, but residents and community groups alliance Save Ealing Centre believes that retailing on the Dickens Yard site will only be “high risk”. The alliance sets out five key concerns for retail at Dickens Yard, including: “There is no history of retailing on the Dickens Yard site”, or else market forces would have seen to shops being built there years ago; also that “there is no ‘footfall’ of potential shoppers passing through” (www.saveealingscentre.com). There might still be a lot of startup potential on the Dickens Yard site; but who else is going to be brave enough to take the risk? – Carlene Bender (Calls and emails to St George were not returned)

Based in: West Ealing Start-up date: 18 July 2014 Reason for starting up: A DJs service is key to a successful party. Previously, finding a DJ for an event proved to be difficult and there wasn’t a quick & easy way to compare one service to another. Rated DJs solves the problem so you can find a DJ within three clicks. How does it work? First select event and location; then view DJ profiles, add DJs to your shortlist, and request quotes. Next book a DJ and lastly, submit your review. Tel: 020 8935 5602 www.rateddjs.co.uk RatedDJsUK rateddjs

“Rated DJs solves the problem so you can find a DJ within three clicks”

Sanjeev Bouri, Rated DJs

Page 8 / Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015

EALING IN BUSINESS

Wearing it pink

T WWW.W5PHYSIO.CO.UK

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

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

he month of January usually comes with surprises, and at W5 Physio it’s a bit of a surprise seeing the staff in bright pink uniforms – breast cancer pink. The Ealing Broadway practice decided to Physios Taryn, Stewart and “go pink” for the first month of 2015 to show Vicky in the pink for breast cancer research support for the Breast Cancer Campaign, and to raise money for the cause, which aims to fund further research into a cure for breast cancer (www.breastcancercampaign.org). The clinic has been covered in pink stars, and for 50p, anyone can guess the number of stars to win a free treatment. Physio Greg Bagley admits the pink shirts “can’t avoid being talked about”, and their neighbours Electric Coffee Co have joined in by wearing the shirt and placing a collection box on their counter. www.w5physio.co.uk @W5Physio W5Physio

Tea party and raffle for Dementia Concern

High quality dignified homecare ◄ Personalised client-led service ◄ Highly trained local carers ◄ 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

t Care Concern Homecare, we work with people living with dementia, and every day we see how this condition affects the person living with it, and also how it affects their families and friends. Our annual tea party (see page 3) and raffle is raising funds for Dementia Concern, a local charity offering support and advice to Ealing residents. Please donate via Care Catherine: Concern manager Catherine fundraising Gunnewicht’s JustGiving page to be entered in our raffle. The all-local prizes include: - three-course meal for two at Ealing Park Tavern - meal for two at the Grange Pub - one boiler service from Heywood heating - two personal training sessions from Bodyline Fitness Personal Training Studio - free kitchen design and £1000 off a build, supply and fit of the new kitchen - free consultation from 4Well People (worth £95). www.justgiving.com/Catherine-Gunnewicht @CareConcern careconcernhomecare

JAN/FEB 2015 / Issue 11

Ealing Homebiz We’re here to promote over 16,000* home-based businesses in Ealing Read online at: www.contactusealing.co.uk

page 12 MW marketing Mark Wardell

page 13

page 12

Utility Warehouse Jose Rihan

Happy Paws & Tails Nancy P.

page 14

The #AskMaxine pet column continues with Maxine Brightman

page 11 / •Photos from first

Contactus meetup page 15 / Business Shorts: local news, events and offers page 15 / Learn to dance at Anna Davydova’s

• •

* Contactus estimate based on FSB figures

Page 10 / Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015

One-to-one

’m very pleased to be able to add our own Contactus meetups to the ‘Where to network’ listings at right, even though for now our meetups are only every two months. Despite the clamoring of online social media, it seems we haven’t lost that desire to connect to people on a one-toone level, face to face, because we’ve seen that that’s where the real business happens – long before any selling, deal-closing or even referring takes place. So pick a favourite networking event, whether it’s paid membership, pay-as-you-go, or online-only, and stick with that regularly. But also join in some of the others when you can. Carlene Bender Editor-publisher, Contactus www.contactusealing.co.uk @ContactusEaling ContactusEalingHomebiz

EALING HOMEBIZ

WHERE TO NETWORK

Here are some of the business networking groups in Ealing. Check out our Ealing Business Diary updated every Monday at www.contactusealing.co.uk Tweet me: @ContactusEaling

MEMBERSHIP/PAY-AS-YOU-GO:

Peter Smith (far left), Kate Edmondson, and other networkers at the Ealing Business Forum

• 4N Ealing Karen Sterling @kazzylady

FREE/SPONSORED • Ealing Business Forum Geoff Langston @GeoffLangston • Crowne Plaza Breakfast Meeting Georgina Bansal @CPLondonEaling • Business Biscotti Agnieszka Peda @DTLondonEaling • Ealing Mums in Business Shelley Henderson/ Erin Thomas-Wong @ealingmumsinbiz • Link4Coffee Sukhi Bhogal @SukhiSolutions • Ealing Tweetup Michael Greer @MGreer_PR

• The Best of Ealing Chris McIntosh @TheBestofEaling

• Ealing Homeworkers Lunch Elisa McCafferty @FlyingFishComms

• Contactus meetup Carlene Bender @ContactusEaling • Ealing Chamber of Commerce Donna Subero @EalingChamber • Fabulous Women (Ealing) Carole Ann Rice @CaroleAnnRice @Fab_Women • The Athena Network (Ealing) Jo Sumner @AthenaWLondon • BNI ISIS (Perivale) @BNI_ISIS_Ealing

Here to support local businesses

unning a business often means you don’t get to specialise – you end up having to learn enough about a lot of different things in order to keep your business going and growing. The Ealing Chamber of Commerce networking group recognises this, and a big part of their offering to members is regular training workshops. “In addition to its diverse programme of networking events, the Ealing Chamber of Commerce also facilitates a number of practical workshops and training sessions,” explains Vesna Nall, Ealing Chamber of Commerce manager. “The professionals invited

Glenda Shawley of The Training Pack running a recent Ealing Chamber of Commerce workshop

to run these sessions have a valuable and in-depth knowledge of the local business environment and its current climate, which makes them ideally placed to identify potential difficulties and offer practical solutions,” she adds. The next Ealing Chamber of Commerce training event, “Win more business and increase sales in 2015” is on Thursday 27 January, 9.30am-11.30am. It will be presented by Pitshanger’s own Glenda

Shawley, of The Training Pack. Members, non-members and guests can book places via at the Chamber’s website (see link below), or call Donna Subero on 020 7556 2394. The Ealing Chamber of Commerce is closely affiliated to the London Chamber of Industry and Commerce (LCCI). www.ealingchamber.org @ealingchamber

EALING HOMEBIZ

Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015 / Page 11

‘MY BEST 1-MINUTE’

Contactus meetup We had our first Contactus meetup on 19 January. It was a combined event: first, to launch Club Contactus, a new aspect of the Contactus Advertising Service (see story on page 3), and second, to provide an opportunity for our Facebook group members (Businesses in Ealing – see ad on page 2) to meet up in person. Thanks to the 29 businessowners who joined us at the Old Actonians Sports Club in South Ealing. Next meetup: 23 March.

Shraddha, Emily, Shreya, Rebecca and Ingrid

Carole and Sharon

Carlene, Sanjeev, David and Yuri

Kate and Athanasia

Felicity, Natnael, Sukhi and Alexandra

Margaret, Sanjeev, David and Yuri

Lugina, Jess, Lucy, Kate, Chris, David, Sanjeev, Peter, Anna and Shraddha

“

Good afternoon, my name is Emily Fawell, and my business is 4Well People. I am a fully qualified nutritional therapist and I work from Bridge to Health clinic in Ealing where I help clients to overcome health issues through modifying their diet and lifestyle. Whilst I am happy to see any client, I specialise in women’s health, children’s health, fertility and weight loss. I work with many female clients, helping with balancing hormones, fertility, preconceptual care, pregnancy and adrenal fatigue. I am extremely proud of the fact that I have helped a number of women have successful pregnancies often after years of miscarriages and failed IVF attempts. I also run a nutrition and weight loss programme called zest4life which focuses on real food, balancing blood sugar levels and motivational coaching. If you would like to find out more about how I could help you, I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation. Feel free to call me on 07967 639347. I’m Emily Fawell of 4Well People – Optimising Health Through Nutrition. www.4wellpeople.co.uk

“

Members of the group connecting; at right – the business board

The one-minute pitch at a networking meeting is when everyone gets a chance to tell the gathering what they do. Emily Fawell (at left in photo) shares her recent presentation.

Page 12 / Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015

EALING HOMEBIZ

Marmelade and Charlie: ready to roll

Pet healing

very morning Nancy P. settles the dogs in her car and takes them to the park for their walk and exercise. If a dog is poorly, she will do reiki, or “healing with angels” to help it back to health. Through her business, Happy Paws and Tails, Nancy gets a chance to interact with animals. Because she travels a lot, she has no pets of her own. “I love dogs, I find them fascinating,” she says. “They Nancy: dog lover remind me of children, as I’ve worked as a nursery teacher for 15 years. “One of the dogs I look after, Lunitsa the cocker spaniel, is 13 years old and has arthritis. The reiki healing does help her.” athanasia8luna@hotmail.com

Business marketing starts with a website Contactus

Q: How did it happen that websites became the most important marketing tool? A: Changes in consumer Mark Wardell, behaviour based on the MW marketing availability and advancement of technology. We are now able to access the world wide web from a whole range of devices and the first thing the consumer does is check you out online.

Q&A

MW marketing build websites for small to medium size businesses. Our websites are built with Wordpress, the most flexible, powerful and smartest way to publish your content online.

Q: Why does a website go stale? A: Two main reasons. Firstly, as technology moves on so does the demand on your website. For example your website needs to display correctly on mobile devices as well as desktops and laptops because more and more people are surfing the world wide web on their mobile. Secondly, your content goes out of date. Search engines and users want a reason to come back to your website so new and fresh content are vital. www.mwmarketing.co.uk @MWmarketing MWmarketing

EALING HOMEBIZ

Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015 / Page 13

07899 792778

One place to keep www.savingseveryday.co.uk track of your utilities joserihan@uwclub.net

“J

B ro

How can Utility Warehouse help you and your business? Independent Distributor Jose Rihan explains that the real benefit comes from being able to see all the household spending at a glance: db r d Se

r v i ce s S e p t e m

ust imagine one place whereMobile you can mer ie. taking Home Phone, Broadband, Utility Warehouse website. get all your mobile, energy and broadband services together,” says Jose. “One supplier committed to giving you an altogether better deal. “By bundling 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

“Which? magazine consistently rates them as one of the best suppliers around”

expensive TV or newspaper advertising and that means they can pass the savings on to you.” Jose adds: “And the UK’s leading independent consumer magazine, Which?, 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

Jose Rihan, Utility Warehouse

Save money or get back ‘Double the Difference’

UK’s cheapest online shopping

Save on phones, broadband and energy! Which? Recommended Provider for Broadband Services Up to £200 to help you switch CashBack on shopping and petrol Award-winning customer service One simple bill for all your utilities

the Club To start saving, contact: Jose Rihan 07899 792778 joserihan@uwclub.net www.savingseveryday.co.uk

Mobile

Gas

Electricity

Broadband

B ro

Home Phone

d Se

r v i ce s S e p t e m

Terms and conditions apply. The Utility Warehouse ‘Double the Difference’ Price Promise and up to £200 to help you switch requires you tobecome 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.

A34

(over 500,000 people already have)

S D ER EN D M M EN O M RI ST CO A F CU RE TO F O LD B U U O L W EC TH

Want to save money? Join the Club!

Page 14 / Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015

EALING HOMEBIZ

#AskMaxine

axine Brightman of Ealing Cat and Dog Visits answers another of our readers’ pet-related questions.

“Make sure your new pet has its own space”

Maxine Brightman, Ealing Cat and Dog Visits

Q: We’re thinking of getting a new pet. Can you give us some advice about what we need to keep in mind? A: Firstly, if it’s a rescue dog or cat, I would say the main thing to think about is: are your home and its surroundings suitable? Rescue pets often need extra special love, patience and attention – peaceful home is usually best as noise, and sometimes lively children, can give the new pet added stress. Secondly, make sure your new pet has its own space with a comfortable bed, toys, blankets and so on. Get a grooming

brush (hopefully they’ll let you brush them!), and their own food and water bowls. If your new pet is a cat, remember the litter tray, and to stock up on a supply of litter (unless you’re lucky enough to have a catflap of course). Stock up on food as well; obviously the better the quality, the healthier your pet will be. Thirdly, get acquainted with a good veterinary practice and have your pet microchipped. Lastly, when on holiday or away at work don’t forget to book the pet-sitter/visitor or walker to look after your pet. That’s where I can help: £9 for a pet visit and £10 for a dog walk. Good luck! www.ealingcatanddogvisits.co.uk Tweet your questions to: @ealingcats ealingcatanddogvisits

a personal cat & dog visiting & sitting service in Ealing and surrounding areas. Are you away from home for long periods; with work commitments, or going on holiday perhaps? Do you have a cat or dog that needs visiting, a dog that needs walking or maybe you require a pet or house sitter? If so I can help. I can assure you I shall look after your pets as if they were my own. I am completely trustworthy, honest, kind and reliable. Oh, and I’m friendly too, so go on, give me a call, you’ll be glad you did! Quote ‘Contactus’ and receive 10% off your first booking.

Contact Maxine: T: 07718 901 081 E: maxine@ealingcatanddogvisits.co.uk www.ealingcatanddogvisits.co.uk

You can also follow me online: @ealingcats Ealing Cat and Dog Visits

Fully insured, DBS & CTC clearance, member of The National Association of Registered Pet sitters.

Contactus Ealing / Jan/Feb 2015 / Page 15

BUSINESS SHORTS • Check out these local news and offers...

Womb Wisdom Keepers www.wombwisdomkeepers.com Circles every month Coaching for Women. Reconnect with your feminine wisdom and heal your sexuality. Call Orianne 07538 045233

Learn to dance A Russian ballet dancer who teaches zumba, tap, Flamenco, and ballet dancing. Classes for adults and children. That’s what you get at the Anna Davydova Dance School. “I love to see the students learn the dance moves, and one day they have confidence to take part in the performance,” says Anna. www.annadavydova.co.uk

St Andrew’s Church Centre st-andrews-ealing.urc.org.uk/ centre Room/office space available to hire. 5min walk from Ealing Broadway station. 25m sq. £983/month, incl. bills. Email: standrewscc@btconnect.com

Old Actonians Ladies Cricket tinyurl.com/oldasladies Winter (indoor) nets Sundays 8 Feb-29 Mar 2-3.30pm, St Benedict’s W5. £4/session. Beginners welcome. Email: oldactoniansladies@gmail.com

Contactus Ealing magazine contactusealing.co.uk/index. php/why-advertise-with-us/ What do you get when you advertise in ‘Contactus Ealing’ local business magazine? Free story; free artwork; reach audiences online & offline • Advertise your event here in our next issue (Mar/Apr), out online on 27 March.

• Keep your business in front of your customer • Advertise in this section for £20 • Ideal for sales and notices • 140 characters (the length of a tweet!) plus your website address • Book at www.contactusealing. co.uk • Email your text to: info@contactusealing.co.uk

Fine curtains

Security tips

Dream reader

With her talent, training, and years of experience, Maureen Bailey, owner of VA Curtains, is confident of producing work to the highest standard. “Our curtains and soft furnishings are bespoke and made to measure for quality conscious clients,” she says. vacurtains.co.uk @VACurtains VA-Curtains

Needing a locksmith in an emergency is one thing, but your local locksmith Belfrey Secure is also here for when you need specialist advice on protecting your home or businessplace, says owner David McCaffrey. www.belfreysecure.co.uk @BelfreySecure Belfrey-Secure-LocksmithsSecurity-Services

“I am better known as a fine artist, but I am also a psychic,” explains Greece-born Katerina. “My dreams have been coming true since I was a child.” Now, with qualifications in tarot reading, used together with numerology and astrology, Katerina helps clients to make the big decisions in their lives. messageart@ymail.com

Anna Davydova Dance School 077 6968 0056

Main venue: St Andrews Church Centre, Mount Park Road, Ealing Broadway, W5 2RS

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psychic

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phone reading or 1:1 consultation

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call 077 1709 4461

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