'Contactus Ealing' May/Jun 2015 - Issue 13 by Contactus magazines

Contactus

ISSUE 13

May/Jun 2015

EALING Local business magazine

FREE – please

take a copy

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

• online & in print

MAY/JUN 2015 The big events issue

Inside • p13 MAY/JUN 2015 / Issue 13

Ealing Homebiz We’re here to promote over 16,000* home-based businesses in Ealing

Cover illustration: Festival in the rain Oil painting by Carlene Bender

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

Read online at: www.contactusealing.co.uk

page 17 Ealing Council Carol Sam

page 15

page 19

LetterboxLovers Natalie Gardiner

Womb Wisdom Keepers Orianne Corman

page 18

GL connects Bringing people together

16 / •Findpagenetworking events in Ealing

page 17 / •What happened at our

third Contactus Meetup

page 19 / •Zumba fit; the Dizzy dress;

Happy pets; a new nursery * Contactus estimate based on FSB figures

•

Next issue: Jul/Aug 2015 Out online: 24 July

On the cover

ADVERTISER FINDER page(s) ��advertiser

page(s) ��advertiser

2 ��Ealing Chamber of Commerce business networking

12 �� Dream Doors kitchen facelifts

6 ��Eat Me Drink Me street food market

14 �� Businesses in Ealing online networking group

7 ��Accession design and print

16-17 ��Ealing Council Regeneration Department

7 ��MW marketing websites

18 ��GL connects business coaching

8 �� Angle Glass stained glass art

19 �� Spinning Tops children’s clothing

9 �� Bodyawareness workshops

19 ��Les Jardins d’Emile nursery

9 ��Cricketforfun sports group Summer in Ealing means festivals in the park – typically that also means a bit of rain too. But that won’t stop us heading out with our picnic blankets and umbrellas. Enjoy everything that our borough has to offer and do tweet us your photos from the front row! Cover oil painting by Carlene Bender

10 �� W5 Physio physiotherapists

19 �� Kiki Zumba Power dance exercise classes 19 �� Happy Paws and Tails pet walking and sitting services

11 ��Care Concern homecare

19 ��Business Shorts (LetterboxLovers leaflet distribution; Womb Wisdom Keepers group)

11 ��Dr Giorgia Ratta cosmetic clinic

20 ��Ealing in Business B2B business exhibition

Isn’t it time you discovered the benefits of membership of the Ealing Chamber of Commerce?

Network, network, network Connect 4 Lunch To book your place contact Donna Subero, Events Executive

T: +44 (0)20 7556 2394 E: info@ealingchamber.org W: ealingchamber.org Tw: @ealingchamber Also connect with us on LinkedIn

Ealing Chamber of Commerce St Andrew’s Church Centre Mount Park Road Ealing London W5 2RS

CONTENTS & WELCOME A F H C O M E D Y S S

B A I Q V E I T O O H

R U J R W J F J U T Z

E T K L A V I N R A C

M U L Z X B D K Q U A

M M Z S Y B G L R V C

U N M T I C H M M W F

S G N T Z D I N E X G

C F E S T I V A L Y H

Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 3 D P O U A E P O V B E

E C H R I S T M A S D

Contactus Wordfinder (a bit of weekend fun)

Events in Ealing – can you find them? Find the words in the puzzle above: HOOTIE FESTIVAL SOUNDBITE AUTUMN CARNIVAL COMEDY JAZZ CHRISTMAS SUMMER MELA

Features THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE 4-11 • How to use big events • Ealing festivals calendar • Contactus cartoon • Vox Pop • The event sponsor • The event organiser • The events Facebook group • Photos of local happenings EALING HOMEBIZ

Where to network 14 Contactus May Meetup 15 ‘My Best One-Minute’ – Natalie Gardiner 15 Goodbye to Chat&Meet 19 Featured advertisers

EALING IN BUSINESS

Get set for ‘Ealing in Business’

e are delighted to bring you Ealing in Business, a brand new business-to-business exhibition taking place in the Victoria Hall at Ealing Town Hall on November 19, 2015. Come and find out more at our Launch Event on Monday June 22, 6.30pm-8.30pm in the Nelson Room, Ealing Town Hall. This will be a free business networking evening during which we’ll explain our exciting plans for the exhibition and will be

making an early, early bird offer only available to those people who attend the event. Places are limited so book yours now. Book online at: tinyurl.com/EiB-launch This event is brought to you in partnership with Ealing Council Regeneration Team (see page 17), working together with three local businesses – The Training Pack, Ealing Mums in Business, and Contactus Ealing. ealing.biz @EalingBiz ealinginbusiness

Hello Promoting ourselves We’ve had our ups and downs with Ealing Council over the years (see pEH3, Issue 6), and are so happy now to celebrate a working partnership with the Council, and with Ealing Mums in Business and the Training Pack, to put on a new business show: Ealing in Business on 19 November (see story, this page), for local businesses to promote themselves to one another. It’s one of the many local big events happening in our borough, but it’s of extra-special interest to us, so make it a date. There’s lots more going on in this magazine, so if you’re reading this online, remember to click-through on the live links (look for the symbols ) to connect with your favourite businesses. Thanks for ‘shopping by’. Carlene Bender Editor-publisher, Contactus magazines Web: 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 edition is due online on 24 July 2015, with the theme: “It’s summer, take it easy”. See our prices on page 16.

‘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, just for Ealing

Page 4 / Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015

THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE

“Knowing which events are on helps us to understand what our clients are thinking about”

Pitshanger Party in the Park

How to market your small business by piggybacking on a big event’s promotion

ig events like the Ealing Summer Festivals and the Hanwell Hootie tend to have the kind of access to local government funding and bigger business attention and backing that us small businesses can only dream of. Their promotions have the polish, reach and exposure that would wipe out all our savings. But there are ways of tapping into what they have, to make ourselves look good too, while gaining access to a larger number of potential customers. Ealing-based businesses tend to have a big slice of clients located in and around Ealing. So whenever there’s a big event coming up, we are all exposed to more or less exactly the

What’s going on same flyers, tweets, adverts, email newsletters, bus panels, billboards, etc. Why not use this shared experience in a way to spread the benefit further? By getting our businesses involved with the big community events, we not only raise our profile in a positive way, but contribute to an overall improvement of the town we live in. How event promotion piggybacking works is this: at the start of the year, we sit down and make our marketing plan for the next 12 months. Knowing which events are staged in which month helps us to understand what our clients are thinking about, and we can organise something special around that

time to tap into that interest. The advantage to timing our promotions around big events is that it shows we’re on the same wavelength as our clients and brings us closer to them. And being able to get close to our customers is the best bit about being a small business. Here are a few quick ideas: • offer a related promotion e.g. massage vouchers for runners • connect to and interact with the event’s Twitter account, and use the event’s hashtag to get yourself retweeted • be a part-sponsor; or volunteer • donate a raffle prize • attend the big event itself – wearing your own branded t-shirt • advertise in the event booklet – Carlene Bender

Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 5

The Ealing Big Events Calendar

FEBRUARY 7 Ealing Town Hall Wedding Fair 10-15 Ealing Music and Film Valentine Festival 14 Valentine’s Day 18 pancake day; Ash Wednesday 19 Chinese New Year MARCH 14 Hanwell Heritage Hop 15 Mother’s Day 21 spring starts; Northfields Night Market 28 Hanwell Hootie APRIL 5 Easter 25 Old Actonians Cricket Open Day MAY 3 Pitshanger 5k and Fun Run 4 Beating the Bounds – Hanwell 7 General Election 9 May Day parade – Brentham Estate, Pitshanger 10 Ealing Eagles 10k JUNE 20 Hanwell Carnival 21 summer starts; Father’s Day 27 Northfields Night Market 28 Pitshanger Party in the Park tbc Dean Gardens Big Picnic (West Ealing)

“ “

It’s such a great atmosphere when the Ealing Summer Festival is on. You really feel part of the community and there is such a buzz. The line up for the Ealing Comedy Festival looks amazing this year. Sally Smith Ealing based Journalist & writer

AUGUST tbc Shri Kanagathurkkai Amman Temple Ther aka Chariot Festival tbc Goniec Polish Festival SEPTEMBER 1 new school year begins 6 London Mela 6 Brentford Festival 21 autumn starts 27 Ealing Half Marathon tbc West Ealing SoundBite Festival tbc YUM W13 Food Festival

We love going to the Jazz Festival in Walpole Park, it’s very safe for kids to run around and let their hair down, and great for picnics. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful and family-oriented event held in Ealing – great buzzy atmosphere, lots of caterers

OCTOBER 31 Halloween tbc Ealing Autumn Festival NOVEMBER 5 Guy Fawkes Day (fireworks) 11 Remembrance Day 19 Ealing in Business Expo DECEMBER 21 winter starts 25 Christmas Day tbc all the Christmas fairs, including: Ealing Broadway Christmas Market; West Ealing Christmas Festival; Pitshanger Light up the Lane;  Ealing NCT Winter Wonderland; Hanwell Winter Fair; & Ealing 135

and different foods to choose from, including drinks: beer tents, Pimms and wine stalls. To top it off, fantastic jazz you can listen to while having fun. A day I would most definitely recommend! Christina Martin, Naturopath, Future Health Management

Illustration: Carlene Bender

“

The Dean Gardens Big Picnic was the most inclusive family event that appealed to all ages. It was good for West Ealing, and changed my view of Dean Gardens. Hanwell Hootie was big, but the Big Picnic matches our values. Gita Langston, Director, GL connects (see p18)

“

JANUARY 1 new year; detox plans 31 online tax returns due

What’s your favourite Ealing festival?

JULY 4 Greenford Carnival 8-11 Ealing Beer Festival 11 Acton Carnival 11 Northfields Summer Funday 16-18 Comedy Festival 17 Eid-ul-Fitr 20 School summer holidays start 23-24 Comedy Festival cont’d 25-26 Blues Festival 29-2 Jazz Festival (29 Jul to 2 Aug)

“

Here’s the Contactus roundup of annual local big events and dates; apologies for forgetting any. Dates shown are for 2015 where available.

VOX POP

“

THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE

Page 6 / Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015

THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE

Our very own street food market in Ealing

aling’s newest MP, market scene,” says Kate. Rupa Huq, describes the “I’m a huge fan of the markets W5 Food Market as across London and I wanted to “a little bit of Borough Market bring that great food west but in W5” – which organiser also to support the talent we Kate McKenzie is only have locally,” she adds. too happy to accept as So her ‘Keep it Local’ “the most wonderful initiative encourages compliment”. local food businesses There’s been so much and community groups positive feedback for to use Eat Me Drink Me’s her Eat Me Drink Me gazebos free of charge events that Kate is as well as to receive proud to have launched practical assistance Kate: “offering her business in Ealing to get started. something earlier this year. Martin Kirrane, different” “We created the W5 of South Ealing and Food Market very much with the Pitshanger butchers Hook & community in mind so that we’re Cleaver, explains that this meant offering something different, they could test the waters. “Eat which complements, rather than Me Drink Me helped us take our competes with, Ealing’s existing operation outside and it’s been a

Upcoming dates for the #W5FoodMarket: 7 & 21 June

fantastic opportunity. The market has a great community feel and we’ve definitely got the bug.” Eat Me Drink Me’s W5 Food Market takes place on the first and third Sundays of the month on the pavement outside the Ealing Town Hall, 11am-3.30pm. The market also features live music, a real ale bar, kids’ crafts and covered seating. www.eat-me-drink-me.co.uk @EatMeDrinkMeLDN EatMeDrinkMeUK

THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE

The event sponsor

‘Engaging with the community’ Donald Collins Go View London

“W

e value our local community and are particularly keen to support causes within the borough of Ealing.

Pitshanger Playcentre Halloween party, sponsored by Go View London

Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 7

“We don’t expect any advertising or sponsorship of community events, charities or teams to turn into business – if it does, great – but the main reason we do it is to positively engage with the community and gain exposure into things we don’t experience in day-to-day estate agency. “When team members have attended community events they also benefit from the experience into new and exciting challenges. “We find that generally people are supportive about what we are trying to achieve with local community events. “Obviously there is not an ever-ending budget and like all businesses we are constrained economically and time-wise in what we can accomplish. “Not all help needs to be financial though and sometimes our time is well spent on trying to assist local events.” goviewlondon.co.uk

It’s waterproof! New from Accession Design & Print in West Ealing: water and tear resistant paper, “Great for printing business materials to last the British summer,” says Accession’s Paul Cowling. Profits help people with mental and learning difficulties in Ealing. www.accessioncic.com @accessioncic accessioncic

Learn how to make the most of your website

ark Wardell builds websites that are “simple to use”. He makes them simple so that business-owners themselves can update content, add photos, post blogs, and so on, without too much trouble. “The online landscape changes so quickly,” says Mark, “that it can be hard to keep up with the latest website tools available.” Mark: “giving So once the new website is in businesses place, he trains the businessconfidence” owner, giving them the confidence to make the most of their website’s possibilities. Mark is then available for ongoing practical advice. His company, MW marketing, has just finished the new GL Connects website (see page 16). Business-owner Gita Langston is one happy customer: “Mark is very easy to do business with,” she says. “He asks the right questions to ensure your website achieves your desired outcomes. “He also shares his experience with abundance!” www.mwmarketing.co.uk @MWmarketing MWmarketing

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.

Page 8 / Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015

THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE

West Ealing cleanup InWestEaling, the business improvement district body for West Ealing, is calling for volunteers to help with the CleanINg WestEaling clean-up campaign on 28, 29 and 30 May. The campaign aims to bring together groups, businesses and individuals who want to improve West Ealing’s vibrant town centre. www.inwestealing.co.uk www.contactusmagazines.co.uk

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

The event organiser

‘We’d like to offer more’ Gillian Spragg Ealing Autumn Festival

“W

e love our local businesses! There is a real sense of community, that we are all in it together. “Sponsorship? It is easier to sell advertising. Our printed programmes for example have large circulations all over Ealing. “We are led by the businesses. We’d like to offer

more exposure, competitions, etc – anyone up for more discussion?” The Ealing Autumn Festival in October and November 2015 celebrates the Magna Carta, which is 800 years old this year. Photos above show members of the 4020 Art Group working on paintings depicting the coats of arms of King John and the 25 Magna Carta barons, who challenged the king’s unjust rule. Dates to note: 13 Jun: launch at Ealing Central Library 13 Jun to 5 Dec: Magna Carta Exhibition (with talks, films and craft workshops). ealingautumnfestival.co.uk

History in glass

A The Perfume Factory, 140 Wales Farm Road, London W3 6UG – 07905 075 116

angleglass@talktalk.net www.angleglass.co.uk

facebook.com/angleglass.co.uk Celebrate our move to new studios. There’s going to be printmaking and stained glass demonstrations...

OPEN STUDIOS 5-6 June 2015 140 Wales Farm Rd W3 6UG Twitter: @WestArtFactory

Photo: Clive Boursnell

Zoe Angle stained glass windows

Angle Glass covers all the services you might need: • consultation • design • manufacture • installation • We are also happy to carry out repairs.

s Contactus goes to press, Acton-based stained glass artist Zoe Angle is on her way to St Martins Church in Oxfordshire for the installation of a two-metre high window depicting the life of Sir Winston Churchill. Zoe’s specialty work of handpainted glass can be seen in the motifs set into the glass borders of the window, which took two months to complete. “This window is my most prestigious project since working at Goddard and Gibbs Studios restoring glass from the Baltic Exchange Dome after the IRA bombing,” Zoe says. That glass is now displayed at the National Maritime Museum. The next project for Angle Glass will be the restoration of glass in a hundred-windowed Norman Shaw house. In the meantime, however, she is welcoming visitors to her Open Studio on 5-6 June (see ad). www.angleglass.co.uk angleglass.co.uk

THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE

Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 9

Mind the body

The community Facebook group

‘This is the fun stuff’ “Get involved on social media Q&A

Valerie Schraauwers explains the idea behind her Bodyawareness workshops: “I realised for myself how powerful the body is and how little we use its capacities. The classes help my clients to explore this.” www.bodyawareness.co.uk @Bodyawarenessuk Bodywork.Training. ValerieSchraauwers

Contactus

Darren LeRoy Halford, Ealing Events group

Q: Why did you create the ‘Ealing Events – What’s On In Ealing’ group on Facebook? I started Ealing Events in July 2014 because I saw a gap in the market for highlighting the fun stuff taking place in our borough. Normally it’s doom and gloom in the news but there are plenty of events taking place that are really positive. Ealing Events is simply a way to raise their profile.

and be part of discussions”

Q: We all hate spammy posts. How would you advise local business-owners to reach your group members without annoying them? I’m happy to pin your advert to the top of the group page for a price for a limited time: reach nearly 5,000 members for only £120 per week. Message me.

Q: Besides sponsoring an event, what would you suggest local Q: Is it ok for businesses to businesses do if they want to post in your group? What show that they are involved in qualifies as an ‘event’? the Ealing community? An event would be something the I would say get involved on average Ealing resident might be Facebook and Twitter and be keen to attend or at least know part of discussions online. about in Ealing. That is how I I would also worry more determine what gets posted and about actually providing a good what doesn’t. service or product and doing it Businesses can post provided in an efficient, polite and friendly what they’re posting is an actual manner at a reasonable price. event or they’re appearing at There’s no magic to being an event and they are making successful beyond identifying a people aware of the event. gap in the market and providing Things I’m keen to promote are: a product or service to a high launches of shops – cafes, bars, level at a price that will afford you restaurants, or food markets; a living. new cultural events such as Do it with politeness, efficiency plays, cinema screenings, music and friendliness and you won’t nights, orchestras, jazz or rock fail. clubs, festivals, school fairs or @WhatsOnEaling get-togethers; as well as sporting EalingEvents events and open days. WhatsOnInEaling

New in Ealing Common - W5 3RN

BODY AWARENESS

OPEN DAYS at the Cedar House Friday May 29th & June 26th 2:00pm: 1 Hour to Slow Down (Class) 3:30pm: 1 to 1 Sessions 7:30pm: Connect With Your Femininity (2h class for women)

Info & Booking:

0752 764 58 67

valerie@bodyawareness.co.uk

Fun cricket The next Friday afternoon date in our Cricketforfun game series is 12 June, 1-2pm at Old Actonians CC, W5 4LL. The one after that will be 10 July. Sponsors: Ealing Bubble Springtime Fund; W5 Physio; and Contactus Ealing. tinyurl.com/ CricketforfunEaling CricketforfunEaling Sponsored by:

Bubble W5 Physio Contactus Ealing

Cricketforfun A quick weekday mid-afternoon game for busy Ealing people

Affiliated to Old Actonians Ladies Cricket, based in South Ealing W5 4LL

Join our Facebook group:

www.facebook.com/groups /CricketforfunEaling

Page 10 / Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015

THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE

Ealing Half Marathon

Goniec Polish Festival Dean Gardens Big Picnic

Hanwell Carnival Stewart demonstrates how far away the computer screen should really be

WWW.W5PHYSIO.CO.UK

Save your back

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

isitors to the Contactus Meetup on 18 May were lucky to have access to the expertise of W5 Physio physiotherapist Stewart Ramsay, who presented a talk entitled “Small Business Posture – and how to avoid it”. Stewart showed why it is important for small business owners to stretch and strengthen, to avoid injuries from sitting poorly while working. It can be worse for home-based microbiz who may not be able to afford the kind of office chair (budget £300) that could alleviate many problems. However, all is not lost. “Most of the problems you can cause with bad posture,” explained Stewart, “can be balanced just by moving around.” “Get up from your computer after no more than 45 minutes to avoid injury and keep concentration levels at their peak,” he added. See p15. www.w5physio.co.uk @W5Physio W5Physio

THE BIG EVENTS ISSUE

Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 11

Summer faces Pitshanger Light Up the Lane

Ealing events to enjoy

The Dr Giorgia Ratta Cosmetic Clinic in South Ealing has launched two special summer offers: Perfectha Derm 1ml filler; and Obagi Blue Radiance skin peel. These are in addition to Dr Giorgia’s year-round promotions. drgiorgiaratta.com @drGiorgiaRatta Dr-Giorgia-Ratta-DDSand-Aesthetics

Hanwell Hootie

151 South Ealing Road | W5 4QP

Northfields Night Market

Old Actonians Cricket Open Day

Clients lead the way

www.drgiorgiaratta.com 020 3490 6767 Instagram: dr_giorgia_ealing

Local company established 1993

t Care Concern Homecare, the care workers are actively encouraged to think outside of the box to deliver a client-led service. The happy relative of one client said, “Dad’s companion takes him out on all sorts of expeditions and finds trips to interest him and engages him in conversation“. Eileen lends books to her clients, John seeks out jellied eels, and Jean plants her surplus hollyhocks and Jean Edwards (left), marigolds in her clients’ with a client gardens. “It’s lovely to see the enjoyment on the faces of my clients when I bring my plants,” says Ealing-based Jean Edwards. Care Concern Homecare provides care services from as little as 30 minutes a week to 24 hours a day, managing to strike the gentle balance between providing quality care and supporting the independence, interests and hobbies of their clients. careconcern.org.uk @CareConcern careconcernhomecare

◄ High quality dignified homecare ◄ Experts in caring for the elderly ◄ Specialists in dementia care and palliative care ◄ Shopping, meal time support, bathing, medication, escorts, overnight care

Highly skilled local carers

020 8899 6123

Page 12 / Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015

Kitchens: before and after

The difference a facelift makes: how he new signage is ready the website or contact me new cupboard doors can transform to go up at the latest today,” he says. a kitchen Dream Doors showroom He is happy to provide free on Boston Road in estimates and nonHanwell, but owner Salil obligatory quotes, and Dhavale has already covers all areas of been out and about in West London, from West London, visiting Kensington to Southall. customers’ kitchens “Also, take a look at and offering advice to Checkatrade.com – home-owners looking to there you can find out save money and time on what our customers their kitchen makeovers. Salil: “covering all really say about us.” “Anyone interested in areas of West Contact Salil on 020 London” a new kitchen, but who 3411 4560. doesn’t want the stress www.dreamdoors.co.uk and mess that comes with a @DreamDoorsHQ traditional re-fit, should visit Dream-Doors-West-London

New life for old kitchens!

Refresh your tired old kitchen this Spring! Less hassle, less time, less cost…

Dream Doors 1/2

ay We’ll pVAT* the month This

kitchen

before..!

• Worktops, Appliances, Sinks and Taps to complete your kitchen. • Installed quickly and cleanly by our own local professional fitters. • We also do Full Kitchens, Bedroom Wardrobes, Utility Rooms and Studies. • 50% deposit & balance on completion • Huge choice of door styles and colours in any size.

Call for a FREE estimate:

0203 411 4560

Showroom opening in Hanwell soon

www.dreamdoors.co.uk

View our * Terms & Conditions apply, credentials please ask for full details

MAY/JUN 2015 / Issue 13

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

page 17 Ealing Council Carol Sam

page 15

page 19

LetterboxLovers Natalie Gardiner

Womb Wisdom Keepers Orianne Corman

page 18

GL connects Bringing people together

16 / •Findpagenetworking

events in Ealing page 17 / What happened at our third Contactus Meetup page 19 / Zumba fit; the Dizzy dress; Happy pets; a new nursery

• •

* Contactus estimate based on FSB figures

Page 14 / Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015

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

Video snap

n some ways, the new Contactus web video (made by Viva Videos) is like a snap in time: featuring glances through 9-42 The Broadway, which faces demolishing and redevelopment; the Chat&Meet coffee shop and @EalingBlueprint coworking hub in West Ealing, soon set to close; and ads in the Mar/Apr edition of this magazine. But what won’t change is our reason and our focus: promoting local small businesses in Ealing. Have a look at it on our Contactus YouTube channel. – Carlene Bender Editor-publisher, Contactus

MEMBERSHIP/PAY-AS-YOU-GO: • Contactus Meetup Carlene Bender @ContactusEaling • Ealing Chamber of Commerce Vesna Nall @EalingChamber • Fabulous Women (Ealing) Carole Ann Rice @CaroleAnnRice @Fab_Women

Carole Ann Rice (standing) welcomes guests to a recent Fabulous Women (Ealing) meeting FREE/SPONSORED • Ealing Business Forum Geoff Langston @GeoffLangston • Ealing Business Partnership @GeoffLangston

• The Athena Network (Ealing) Jo Sumner @AthenaWLondon

• Ealing Mums in Business Shelley Henderson/ Erin ThomasWong @ealingmumsinbiz

• BNI ISIS (Perivale) @BNI_ISIS_Ealing

• Link4Coffee Sukhi Bhogal @SukhiSolutions

• 4N Ealing Karen Sterling @kazzylady

• Ealing Tweetup Michael Greer @MGreer_PR

• The Best of Ealing Chris McIntosh @TheBestofEaling

• Ealing Homeworkers Lunch Elisa McCafferty @FlyingFishComms

Contactus advertising to suit all budgets

I 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

f you’re a start-up with a limited budget, just trying to spread the word that your business exists, Contactus has a price for you (£20). If your business is growing and you’d like to target a wider local audience than you already reach using your social media, we also have a price for you (between £40 and £160). And if you’re more established and would like to invest in a high-impact advert to make sure you’re unmissable and unforgettable, we have a price for you too (£320-£1k). Book with us online. contactusealing.co.uk @ContactusEaling ContactusEalingHomebiz

EALING HOMEBIZ

Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 15 Dan Beverly (left) does some stretches with Stewart Ramsay

‘MY BEST 1-MINUTE’ The one-minute pitch at a networking meeting is when everyone gets a chance to tell the gathering what they do. Here is Natalie Gardiner of LetterboxLovers leaflet distribution.

he third Contactus Meetup for local small businesses on May 18 was scuppered by a bit of rain pouring rather heavily onto South Ealing. This meant that the Cricketforfun game scheduled for the “active element” of the meeting had to be postponed to a later date. But thanks to physiotherapist Stewart Ramsay of W5 Physio (see p10), and a cosy knot of networkers, we were able to make some valuable

connections on the day. The next meetup date is Monday July 20, when we’ll have another go at the fun cricket game on the Old Actonians green. See you then. Blazing sunshine at Old Actonians shortly after we had to call off the game

Shraddha Pande (left) and Nicola McGaughan listen to Dan Beverly

“

If you run a business or organisation which serves the local area we can be of service to you. Do you want to get new customers and remind the old ones of what you can offer them? By posting your message through the door of somebody who is likely to take up your services you can improve your client base. We provide targeted drops so the right people get to know about you. We carry out solo drops only which means that your leaflet will be the only one on the doormat so your potential client will get a good look at it. And because of this we provide a tailor-made service suited to your business or organisation. We also provide business-tobusiness services as well as hand-to-hand to the public on the street which is particularly good if you are having a special offer or running an event.

“

At our May meetup

www.letterboxlovers.com

We support small businesses in Ealing.

Contact the Ealing Council Economic Regeneration team at: kumara@ealing.gov.uk

EALING HOMEBIZ

Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 17

What the Council is doing for smallbiz

he Economic Regeneration department with local shopdepartment of Ealing owners. The partnership has Council is responsible for recently extended its role to town centre regeneration, and bring in experts to discuss making sure businesses located topics and issues likely to impact in each of the seven areas of the businesses in Ealing, such as borough are supported. Crossrail, current and future According to the development sites. Council website, 4. West Ealing the Regeneration Business Improvement department “also want[s] District: InWestEaling to generate business Set up in 2014 with and employment funds from Ealing opportunities and realise Council, InWestEaling the borough’s potential is the voice for West as a leisure and cultural Ealing businesses. Its Carol: working destination”. objective is to create a with small Carol Sam manages more active high street, businesses the six-strong ‘Regen’ to save businesses team and outlines some money through cost-saving of the projects underway in the initiatives, as well as represent borough to boost local small and support business-owners. business. 5. Acton High Street 1. Ealing in Business Expo: Regeneration Thursday 19 November 2015 Another brand-new Regen Due to be launched on June project in 2015 will see nearly 22, this B2B exhibition is a half a million pounds spent on collaboration with three Ealing improving the W3 area working home-based businesses: with local businesses and Contactus Ealing, the Training residents to increase visitors Pack, and Ealing Mums in and create a better shopping Business. See page 3. experience. www.ealing.gov.uk 2. Chat&Meet @EalingBlueprint @EalingCouncil Coworking hub in West Ealing Run as a pilot for five months, serving good coffee and a space for budding entrepreneurs, startups and microbiz to use for hot desking, meetings and seminars, Chat&Meet @EalingBlueprint held a focus group on 22 May with 25 of its members to have their say on what a future coworking hub should be like and what services to provide. 3. Ealing Business Partnership Chaired by Geoff Langston of GL Connects (see page 18), the EBP aims to connect the Ealing Council Treasury

A DAY IN THE LIFE Mathieu Rogers is one of the more day-today visible members of the Regen team, often out on his bicycle stopping to visit shop-owners between Greenford, Acton, West Ealing and Hanwell. He gives a run-down of what his typical day might look like: Pre-work: head to Bloomsbury for breakfast briefing with New London Architecture 9am: start work • Draft a ‘Terms of Reference’ for a town team partnership • Follow-up emails from various businesses, council departments and partner organisations • Pop into Chat&Meet @EalingBlueprint and other shopkeepers • Write a grant application for additional funding to the council 5pm: home time Post-work: attend a partnership meeting Carol Sam (at right) leads a Regen meeting at the @EalingBlueprint coworking hub

Page 18 / Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015

EALING HOMEBIZ

Meet the connectors

Gita and Geoff

“We spend most of our time connecting people”

Geoff Langston, GL connects

aling’s business community probably knows this couple best as the people behind the Ealing Business Forum networking group, the Ealing Business Partnership, and the soon-to-end (see page 19) Chat&Meet @EalingBlueprint coffee shop and co-working hub in West Ealing. But Gita and Geoff Langston have another successful – even if less well known locally – business between them. For 11 years their business was called Arizion. In June 2015 they will relaunch this personal development coaching business as GL connects, fresh with new website, logo, and (only slightly) modified mission statements. “In the last five years the business has evolved,” explains Geoff. “We did a review, which showed us that we spend most

of our time connecting people – within themselves and to one another.” “Our job,” continues Gita, “is to enable people to be the best they can be, and to make their business the best it can be.” To facilitate this, GL connects has expanded into an eight-person team, whose core connection is a sharing of values like ethics, integrity, trust, honesty, “and openness to what’s possible,” adds Gita. Their clients – mostly SMEs but not excluding microbiz – are based in two main sectors: retail, and the leisure-marine industry. Even with clients all over the country and abroad, Gita and Geoff remain devoted to Ealing. As Geoff says: “We love Ealing and we want it to prosper.” 077 8060 5868 @GLconnects

Arizion is now GL connects. Same people, same great service.

If you would like to learn more about connecting with those around you both in your professional, personal and community life then please get in touch for an informal chat. Tel: 0800 0886 053 Twitter: @GLconnects Email: info@glconnects.com Website (coming soon): glconnects.com Mailing address: Suite 23, 4 Spring Bridge Rd, W5 2AA

EALING HOMEBIZ

Contactus Ealing / May/Jun 2015 / Page 19

BUSINESS SHORTS Leaflet distribution

Chat & bye The five-month pilot for the @EalingBlueprint coworking hub at Chat&Meet coffee shop in West Ealing comes to an end on June 27. According to cafe manager Gita Langston, “Chat&Meet will still continue, but in a different way – not necessarily as a physical entity.” Thanks for the hot chocs, Gita! www.ealingblueprint.co.uk @chatnmeetcoffee @EalingBlueprint ealingblueprint

www.letterboxlovers.com Door-drops, hand-to-hand, business-to-business. Individual leaflets (we don’t do bundles). Across West London. (See p15) Call Natalie 07927 711600

Womb Wisdom Keepers

Caring for pets The brand new Happy Paws and Tails website highlights the pet services they offer to pet owners in Ealing, Chiswick, Holland Park and Hammersmith. Nancy P promises to “give pet owners the confidence to leave their pet in our caring and experienced hands”. www.happypawsandtails.co.uk 079 0301 5163

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

Advertise your ‘Business Short’ here for £20

• Ideal for sales and notices • 140 characters (the length of a tweet!) plus your website address • info@contactusealing.co.uk

Get Dizzy

Nursery in W7 Zumba class

Vanessa Folley started her business Spinning Tops the day she saw a girl wearing a Dizzy Dress, with its trademark circular skirt, designed for “maximum twirlability”. Spinning Tops is now the sole UK outlet for the popular dress. www.spinningtops.eu @spinningtopsuk spinningtopsuk

Opening soon in Hanwell: French-English bilingual nursery • organic meals • reusable nappies • 3 months to 5 years old Contact Emmanuelle Guillaudeux, Les Jardins d’Emile jde.creche@gmail.com @Jardinsdemile lesjardinsdemile daycarenurseries

Bold, Fun And Colourful Pieces For Children

www.ljemile.com

“Zumba from the heart” is how “Warrior KiKi” describes her Kiki Zumba Power dance classes in Acton. “My Zumba is simple but hard work,” she adds. “It’s great if you’re serious about getting fitter, losing unwanted weight, and believe me looking younger.” kikizin22@gmail.com Warrior-KiKi

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IN BUSINESS

Local business-to-business exhibition Save the date: Thursday 19 Nov 2015

Launch event: Monday 22 June 2015 See page 3

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