Entrepreneur & Investor - Issue 4

Entrepreneur & Investor Creating and Living the Life you Want

RULES OF PRE REVENUE STARTUP EVALUATION

IS YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND SABOTAGING YOUR SUCCESS?

SANDI THOM – MAKING IT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR IN YOUR 50s

HOW TO GET 3 MILLION VISITORS TO YOUR WEBSITE FERRARI F12TDF, MERCEDES-BENZ RANGE ROVER EVOQUE DROP TOP

WINE INVESTMENT GUIDE BEST RESTAURANTS

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MORE…

WHY IT’S GREAT TO INVEST IN BRITISH STARTUPS

BRANSON, TRUMP, GATES – BILLIONAIRES BUT HOW? WHAT EVERY ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS TO KNOW

Issue 4 | £4.95 www.entrepreneurandinvestor.com 0 4

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EDITOR’S LETTER DEAR READER,

EDITOR IN CHIEF Lisa Curtiss editor@entrepreneurandinvestor.com

A warm welcome to our December issue. A big month for us as we move to 9 issues a year , and have a presence in more high street stores, first and business class airline lounges, corporates, hotels and spas than ever before.

Our content aims to continue to show and inspire you how to make, invest, and of course spend money in style. And for this issue, we explore how our subconscious mind could be sabotaging our chances of success, what key traits billionaires share, essentials every entrepreneur should know and much, much more.

Within the Fortune & Lifestyle section, as always, we’ve plenty of news, reviews and features on everything to inspire you to make positive changes and embrace your journey as an entrepreneur.

This time we’ve news on the latest stunning luxury cars, a trip to a true winter wonderland, new restaurants opening and a host of other delights.

We do hope you find the issue useful, inspiring and entertaining.

Do please contact us with any news, ideas and views you have.

We’d love to hear from you.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Gayle Penny editorial@entrepreneurandinvestor.com

ART DIRECTOR AND CHIEF DESIGNER Adam Woodgate DESIGNERS Rebecca Libby Ryan Payne Jamie Robson design@entrepreneurandinvestor.com

ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP advertising@entrepreneurandinvestor.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Ian Tomalin itomalin@swiftsubs.co.uk

DISTRIBUTION Adam Long adam.ican@btinternet.com

LISA EDITOR IN CHIEF Follow us on twitter @Entrep_investor

CONTRIBUTORS Jason Penny, Joseph Zipfel, Dr Jane Cox, Simon Glazebrook, Frances Davies, Luke Davis, Stephen Page, Helen King, Bethany Eaton, Stephen Archer, Martin Hamilton, Emma Matthews, Inge Woudstra, Shweta Jhajharia, Alastair Campbell, Laura Hampton, Tina Judic, George Olver, Henn Ruukel entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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CONTENTS 12

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32

8 NEWS

ENTREPRENEUR 12

14 18 20

RICHARD BRANSON: ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINARE WHAT FACTORS DO BILLIONAIRES SHARE?

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JAGUAR PUTS CLASSIC CAR MARKET IN POLE POSITION

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LUXURIOUS NEW MERCEDESBENZ GLS

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RARE 1936 SQUIRE RESTORED

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NEW MERCEDES-BENZ SL

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WORLD RECORD FOR THE LARGEST PINK DIAMOND OF ITS TYPE AT AUCTION

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FERRARI F12TDF

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BEAUTY & GROOMING

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FESTIVE FRAGRANCES

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WINTER GIFT IDEAS

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WINTER WINE

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WINTER WELLBEING

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HOME IDEAS NEW, DISCRETE ANTI-AGING TREATMENT SILHOUETTE SOFT

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THE ROLE OF THE TRUSTEE

THE BILLIONAIRES’ CLUB’S MOST FAMOUS MEMBERS

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THE CHRISTIES ANNUAL SKI SALE

NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL MARKETING LANDSCAPE

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

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THE IMPORTANCE OF PASSING ON THE BATON OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO A NEW GENERATION

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WINTER WONDERLAND

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INCREDIBLE BURMA COASTAL EXPEDITION TO MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO WITH PANDAW

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RESTAURANT ROUND UP

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NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS CAN KEEP YOUR BUSINESS ON TRACK

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A CRYSTAL PALACE

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NEW FAIRLINE TARGA 53GT

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THE YACHT CONCIERGE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

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HOW A CLEVER IDEA CAN REAP REWARDS

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NEW RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE

NEW LA PRAIRIE FACIALS, AND COUPLES INDULGENCE DAYS AT WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA

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HOW TO GET 3 MILLION VISITORS TO YOUR WEBSITE

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DIGITAL PR: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO USE IT

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SANDI THOM: MAKING IT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

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IS YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND SABOTAGING YOUR SUCCESS?

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LEADERS UNDER PRESSURE THE IMPLICATIONS

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HOW TO ESTABLISH A BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM

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THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCACTION IN BUSINESS

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KEY TIPS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD KNOW

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STARTING A NEW BUSINESS? MAKE SURE YOU SET IT UP PROPERLY

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SHOULD YOU ADAPT YOUR BUSINESS STYLE TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN A MAN’S WORLD?

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DIGITAL CONTENT IS NOT JUST THE FUTURE OF MARKETING - IT’S THE PRESENT

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86

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50 ACTIONCOACH 52

DOGS GONE TECH!

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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE: SETTING UP A BUSINESS IN YOUR 50S

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ADVICE TO ASPIRING TECH START-UPS

INVESTOR 60

COLLECTING WINE

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FINDING A FACE IN THE CROWD

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WHAT ARE FINTEACH COMPANIES?

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FACTION SKIS OFFERS INVESTMENT VIA CROWDCUBE TO EXPAND INTO ASIA AND AMERICA

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WHY INVEST IN BRITISH STARTUPS

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ENTRY BARRIERS STIFLING GROWTH OF ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS

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EATFIRST DRIVES RESTAURANT SECTORS TO NEW HEIGHTS

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NEWS

What we’re talking about right now

ANOTHER FIRST FOR LENDINGCROWD Scotland’s only specialist peer-to-business crowdlending platform, LendingCrowd, has recently celebrated its first birthday.

Co-founded by CEO Stuart Lunn and Chairman Bill Dobbie, LendingCrowd has facilitated 34 loans totally £1.75m to SMEs across the platform with 1,100 investors signed up since the company launched on 1st October 2014.

Over the past twelve months, the Edinburghheadquartered platform has grown from a team of nine to 16 members of staff. This includes a credit assessment team with more than 100 years’ banking experience between them and a team of in-house developers who have created bespoke software that positions LendingCrowd at the cutting edge of the alternative finance market.

Stuart Lunn, CEO of LendingCrowd, says that the first anniversary represents an important milestone for the company and its future plans for expansion.

“Over the last 12 months we’ve grown the platform into a thriving business. We’ve achieved a lot in a year, but this is just the start. We have ambitions to become one of the UK’s foremost peer-to-business platforms, and to do this we are constantly finetuning our operations to suit the needs of both investors and borrowers. There are lots of investors keen to back companies looking for alternative finance and we believe that flexible and wellregulated crowdlending can help support a successful

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base of SMEs that can go on to make a valuable contribution to the UK economy.”

There are a number of initiatives on the horizon, explains Lunn, which are good news for the peerto-business sector of the market, such as the Innovative Finance ISA due to be launched in April 2016. “The Chancellor has opened up crowdlending to the mass market and the introduction of this new retail investment product indicates just how rapidly the alternative market is evolving. At a stroke, the Innovative Finance ISA will allow people to invest their annual ISA allowance through peer-to-peer platforms without being taxed on any interest they may earn.

This is a game changer for the industry and we’re gearing up to lead the crowd.”

Lunn also welcomes the Scottish Government’s intention to establish a Scottish Business Development Bank to support small high-growth businesses. “LendingCrowd is well-placed to work in partnership with the government given our track-record of helping SMEs throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK to develop and expand their businesses. We’re also keen to work with other public sector organisations in Scotland which could distribute cash to Scottish businesses via our platform. As well as getting a better return on their money, they could also be helping organisations in their local area or that fall within their remit.”

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BARTLETT INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO REACHES £90M MILESTONE Bartlett Wealth Management has reached £90m of assets under management in its investment portfolio, Performance Matters.

The Leeds-based company, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, offers pension and savings management and advice to thousands of investors and pension holders. Performance Matters has consistently delivered returns above industry benchmarks such as the Advisor Funds Index (AFI), published by Financial Express. The funds selected for the portfolio are chosen by the Bartlett Investment Committee, founded in 2008, which meets monthly to discuss economic events and scrutinise market statistics.

Robert Simpson, managing director of Bartlett Wealth Management, said: “This is a significant milestone that reflects the consistent above-average performance of Performance Matters. We invest our clients’ money in a transparent way, based on their attitude to risk and our strict investment criteria. We choose high calibre and stable funds, selecting them using a formula based on statistics and proven track records, never ‘gut feeling’. We place great emphasis on the ‘risk-adjusted’ return of an investment, ensuring that no unnecessary risk is taken. By constantly monitoring funds and replacing underperformers, the Bartlett Investment Committee ensures that our clients’ investments generate the best returns.”

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SETSQUARED’S ON TOP OF THE WORLD SETsquared, the partnership between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey, is celebrating after it was named as the best-performing university business incubator in the world.

The prestigious recognition, by UBI Global, follows on from SETsquared’s recent ranking as number one in Europe for the past three years.

It’s a meteoric success story. More than 1,000 high-tech start-ups have been supported by SETsquared since it was established 13 years ago, resulting in more than £1billion of investment raised, and over £3.8billion in GVA (Gross Value Added) contributed to the UK economy, with a further £15bn of economic impact expected to be delivered in the decade ahead.

The partnership currently supports 265 companies across its centres and since inception, the companies it has supported have created more than 9,000 new

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jobs, with an estimated 14,200 to be created by 2025.

Simon Bond, innovation director at SETsquared, said: “It’s an incredible achievement to be recognised as the top university business incubator in the world.

“Everyone involved with SETsquared works extremely hard to fulfil our commitment to helping entrepreneurs and start-ups, and our new top ranking is a real testament to the skill and innovation of our staff, as well as evidencing how vital and effective our services are in each area we operate in.”

SETsquared’s work includes schemes like its award winning Entrepreneurship Training Programme, which helps entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into investor propositions; Researcher to Innovator, a three-day course for early stage researchers; and the ICURe Innovation to Commercialisation programme, funded by InnovateUK and HEFCE. So far, more than 630 innovators developing technology for various sectors have benefitted from

NEWS

the entrepreneurship programme. Sessions are led by business experts, with lectures and workshops to equip entrepreneurs with the skills, contacts and confidence necessary to optimise their chances of start-up success.

Earlier this year, SETsquared teamed up with four Academic Health Science Networks in the South of England to deliver entrepreneurship programmes that focus on innovations in healthcare and the NHS. Many healthcare innovations, which deliver benefits for diseases and medical conditions, have gone to market and have been implemented throughout the NHS and wider healthcare sector.

SETsquared business PrimerDesign, for example, took its Ebola detection kit to market after receiving mentoring from the business incubator.

Simon explained: “SETsquared’s entrepreneurship programme is original and innovative because it fills a very real gap for entrepreneurs.

“Many people will be working on an innovation but lack the commercial knowledge to take a product or service to market.

“The intensive programme delivers these practical lessons to entrepreneurs through sessions on building a business model and plan, undertaking market analysis for start-ups and understanding funding strategies among others.

“The programme is successful. A high rate of entrepreneurs go on to start their own businesses, or continue on the route to starting a business.”

The entrepreneurship course is adapted to fit the local market with a focus on a specific sector. For instance there is a strong digital economy focus in the M3 area and SETsquared is looking to tailor the course for entrepreneurs who are emerging with ideas that take advantage of 5G, cyber security and agri-tech.

SETsquared also leads the way with events which demonstrate to entrepreneurs how to use big data to grow their businesses. Big data has a £10billion global market, including next generation opportunities within the Internet of Things, retail and health research sectors.

The ‘Next Tech Wave’ events are held in partnership with the UK Space Agency and bring together some of the country’s leading space-related big data SMEs, to explore opportunities for start-ups developing new infrastructure, software and services.

Speakers include representatives from companies

such as the Met Office, Goonhilly Earth Station, Democrata and Argans Ltd. SETsquared and the UK Space Agency will be holding a ‘Next Tech Wave’ event on January 20 and the next entrepreneurship programme runs 7 – 9 March both in Southampton.

SETsquared held its first ‘Open Innovation Showcase’ with the aim of bringing 20 of its most cutting-edge technology start-ups face-to-face with some of the world’s biggest corporates, including Barclays, BAE Systems and Intel.

The start-ups, representing a range of sectors including healthcare, mobile technology and environment, had the opportunity to pitch the corporates on how their technologies and products could be adopted by the businesses to the advantage of both sides.

Feedback indicates that a number of strong leads were made with the corporates, with positive negotiations ongoing.

At SETsquared’s ‘Accelerating Growth’ annual investments showcase, start-up businesses - providing technological solutions for everything from ethical alternatives for animal testing to a GPS-based antibike theft device - pitched for a collective £27m of investment in front of a live audience of over 150 investors in London.

One of SETsquared’s many success stories is Ubiquisys, a developer of ‘small cells’ devices that help mobile operators to increase capacity and provide high quality coverage in their wireless networks.

Launched in 2004, the Swindon-based telecoms company raised $86m investment and was ranked 12th in The Sunday Times Tech Track 100 in 2012, before it was acquired by Cisco Systems for $310m in 2013.

Will Franks, Ubiquisys co-founder, said: “SETsquared was a positive place to get started and a good place to go for support. To be treated supportively made a difference, and helped us to persevere through what is inevitably a tough emotional process.”

SETsquared’s Simon Bond pledged: “We’re very proud to have played our part to put the UK on the map as one of the top performing countries in the world for innovation. We will stop at nothing in our commitment to helping entrepreneurs and start-up businesses to achieve their full potential.”

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RICHARD BRANSON: ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE

ENTREPRENEUR

THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 100 VIRGIN COMPANIES WORLDWIDE Sir Richard Branson is founder of the Virgin Group - one of the world’s most irresistible brands with a significant presence in many diverse sectors from travel to telecommunications, health to banking and music to leisure.

Having started Virgin as a mail order record retailer in 1970, Branson founded Virgin Records. After the first Virgin artist, Mike Oldfield, released ‘Tubular Bells’, Virgin Records went on to sign household names from the Sex Pistols to The Rolling Stones. There are now more than 100 Virgin companies worldwide, employing approximately 60,000 people in over 50 countries.

Branson has challenged himself with many record breaking adventures, including the fastest ever Atlantic Ocean crossing, a series of hot air balloon journeys and kitesurfing across the Channel. He has described Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline, as being “the greatest adventure of all”. Testing for commercial service is underway, with Branson planning to join

his family on the first space flight.

He is also a record breaker online, voted the UK’s number one Twitter user, the world’s most social CEO and the world’s most followed person on LinkedIn. He maintains a daily blog on virgin. com with more than 22 million followers across six social networks.

Since starting youth culture magazine Student aged 16, Branson has found entrepreneurial ways to provoke positive change in the world. In 2004 he established non-profit foundation Virgin Unite to tackle tough social and environmental problems and strives to make business a force for good.

Most of his time is now spent working with Virgin Unite and organisations it has incubated, such as The Elders, Carbon War Room, B Team and Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship.

Branson was awarded a knighthood for services to entrepreneurship. He lives on Necker Island with his wife Joan, and has two children, Holly and Sam and three grandchildren. l

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WHAT FACTORS DO BILLIONAIRES SHARE?

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Billionaires have detached emotion from money and see it as a tool for creation. A billionaire is a bit like a sculptor. They mould and manipulate money to create something truly splendid.

Their levels of confidence are unshakeable. When a billionaire walks into the room, he or she tends to ooze that x-factor that has set them apart in their ability to conquer their world.

They have removed their self-limiting beliefs when it comes to their ability to create money. They know that, if someone else has done it somewhere else in the world, there is no reason why they can’t do it too.

Most billionaires have not skimped on their education and are incredibly hard workers, often paying the price for their money along the way in broken relationships, neglected personal lives, less fun and recreation. The upside, of course, is that they usually don’t battle to make up for this when the billions are in place.

They are prepared to take risks. Billions seldom come to those who choose to play safe!

Billionaires have worked out how best to make their money work for them, rather than them working for their money. They have learnt the art of leverage – of their time, their money, their knowledge and their influence – as well as learning how to leverage the time, money, knowledge and influence of others.

They think outside of the box. Billions come from taking the ordinary and then finding a way to make it extraordinary. People who think in straight lines, and emulate rather than create, will find those billions elusive.

A key difference, common to both millionaires and billionaires, is that they have usually shared wealth on their way up the ladder. They are less likely to be tight-fisted with their income, knowing full well that to get the right people around them is going to cost them money. But they know it is worth it. They never stop investing in their business and in their people.

Billionaires have swung the power to their favour.

While most people feel beholden to banks, or bound to the rules of others, billionaires have become kings in their empire. The banks answer to them, rather than the other way round. They create the rules, because they are often the, or at least a, source of income for businesses and individuals, charities and other areas of influence

Billionaires tend to be comfortable employing real talent in key areas of their business. While many others tend to guard their position carefully by maintaining the illusion of optimum knowledge by partnering or employing others who know slightly less than them, billionaires will employ the best they can find in each area of their businesses.

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HOW YOU COULD BECOME A BILLIONAIRE Have you got knowledge, education, and the sheer tenacity to be able to fail over and over again and yet still persist in your quest?

Are you prepared to keep investing vast sums of money in your business, and in the people who can help you to take the ordinary and turn it into the extraordinary?

Do you hoard money, or worry about it constantly, allowing your emotions to keep you enslaved, rather than be their master, or do you let it flow freely, creating a raging torrent of cash where first you started with a little stream?

Do you ooze confidence in your ability to change the world, not just in your dreams, but in solid, constant, innovative practical ways?

Are you prepared to make your millions, and then risk those millions against the possibility of billions? And have you got the guts to potentially lose it all, and then start again, and never lose sight of your dream?

Have you got the ability to inspire others to believe in what you can do, produce or supply? Do you think outside of the box, and keep ahead of the pack in your chosen field? Are you a hard worker?

A doer, rather than a talker? Are you one of those who takes thinking and dreaming, and turns it into doing and creating?

For you, is the sky still the limit, or are you prepared to propel yourself into the stratosphere?

BY DR JANE COXDr Jane Cox is an internationally-renowned wealth psychology expert in constant demand as a speaker and presenter on this fascinating subject for both private and corporate clients around the globe.

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THE BILLIONAIRES’ CLUB’S MOST FAMOUS MEMBERS

DONALD TRUMP Is renowned for thinking outside of the box. For challenging the banks when his business cash flow has been tight, or even been in the negative. He is ballsy enough to back his beliefs with oodles of confidence and an innate knowledge that he can turn the situation around.

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Donald Trump image courtesy of Gage Skidmore. Bill Gates image courtesy of Mohammad Jangda. Both images used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 licence - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode

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RICHARD BRANSON Is notorious as a slightly eccentric, fun-loving billionaire but, despite his seemingly casual approach, under this exterior is a man who famously employs the best people he can find to head up his various businesses. He is always thinking ahead of the pack. Hundreds of people have already paid £250k for a chance to be one of the first passengers in his, yet to be completed, supersonic mission to fly us outside of the pull of the earth’s atmosphere! That takes some doing!

BILL GATES The slightly awkward billionaire geek, gives the vast majority of his earnings to charity, but in a relatively low-key manner. He has mastered the art of leverage so well that his knowledge, his money, and his business create so much money that he literally gives it away as fast as he makes it, safe in the knowledge that the flow is, incredibly, unlikely to dry up. Money is no longer an emotional crutch to him. It is a tool with which he knows he can change the lives of literally millions of people.

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NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL MARKETING LANDSCAPE The internet is now so intrinsically linked to almost every part of our daily lives, it’s no surprise that the digital marketing landscape is continuing to evolve at a ferocious pace. Fresh creative thinking, bold technological steps and skilfully clever implementation have resulted in a brilliant array of digital campaigns which not only reach, inspire and engage with target audiences but also deliver significant sales revenue.

As a result, UK marketers are shifting increasing amounts of their budgets towards digital with latest figures from the Internet Advertising Bureau revealing an average 40% commitment of total ad spend being channelled into online activity last year alone.

Having already experienced an 800% increase in growth since 2004, and now hovering in worth of in excess of £7.2bn, the growing reliance on digital delivery seems far from abating. Looking forward too, industry figures forecast further and very consistent £1bn year-onyear growth with digital advertising expected to smash through the £10bn mark in 2020. Exciting times all round then. However, unless you’re conversant with all of the different ways to weave digital into your marketing strategy, then this fast-paced and ever-changing landscape could actually look more daunting than dazzling!

For large and small businesses, understanding the growing plethora of channels and, more importantly, the contribution they can make to business growth as well as overall return on investment is vital if a company is going to embrace all of the opportunities that digital presents.

This ever-expanding mix of marketing techniques can, therefore, resemble a proverbial sweet shop for today’s sweettoothed marketers but businesses are also becoming much more wary over how and when to spend their budgets. The Global Chief Marketing Officer Report from IBM revealed that just under two thirds of CMOs felt that return on investment would be the single most important measure of their effectiveness by the end of this year. Their absolutely rigid focus on maximising delivery and reward from each pound they spend has paved the way for even greater analysis and measurement.

However, this focus has also brought about an increasing willingness to consistently evaluate whether activity is on target and, if not, a more ballsy approach to tweak strategy and even go back to the drawing board.

Arguably, our industry’s move towards greater marketing budget flexibility will certainly help marketers make the right channel decisions with budgets being spent more wisely and, ultimately, helping

to respond to the need for greater marketing ROI. Indeed, marketing body Econsultancy recently found 87% of advertisers now have budgets that are no longer rigidly set across channels but allow them to see what works, what doesn’t, and when to switch tactics.

However, it’s not just about having flexible budgets. Marketers who want to see the greatest business growth must look at how they can continually optimise each stage of their customers’ journey and put their existing customer knowledge into play so they can deliver an enviable mix of sophisticated brand awareness, direct response and sales opportunities.

Advertisers who successfully harness the power of this everchanging digital landscape are going to be the ones who take a more adaptive approach; who are brave enough to abandon legacy channels and gut feeling to instead embrace new technologies, build flexible budgets and utilise the valuable customer data they already have at their fingertips.

In the first of a news series for E&I magazine Tina Judic, Managing Director of Londonbased digital performance agency Found, aims to lift the lid on the mass of different digital marketing techniques now available. Acting as a compass to aid companies with their own digital marketing journeys, Tina will deep-dive into

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some of these latest technologies and approaches, evaluate their worth and then provide useful insider knowledge to support strategic business decisions.

This month, she’s lifting the lid on the latest kid on the marketing block.

HOW PERSONALISATION ADDS VALUE • Significantly higher conversion rates.

• Stronger customer retention and long-term loyalty.

• Greater brand perception and affinity.

• Higher average order values.

• Greater margins on real-time offers.

• Less bounce rate.

PERSONALISATION With creativity and design expertise now working hand-in-hand with technological flexibility, marketers have never had so many options to choose from in terms of planning their campaign strategies. However, alongside this often awe-inspiring blend of creativity and innovation, we’ve also begun to see a major shift in the way these campaigns are physically orchestrated.

Most notably, there’s been a very obvious step away from rigid and heavily-scheduled campaign formulation to, instead, more immediate and flexible activity integration which give marketers the chance to intuitively react to customer need quicker. And it’s this customer need that is the driving force behind this significant shift.

With consumers now routinely spending more time on their mobiles and other digital devices than sleeping, we’re now operating in an age of the ‘alwayson customer’. However, alongside this ever-growing reliance on instant and easy digital access, we’re equally seeing a throwback in terms of expectation for a more personal customer service.

Harking back to the days when your local shopkeeper knew your name, what you liked to buy, and maybe even which football team you supported, consumers are now looking to receive this same

style of customer service once more. With digital now playing such a pivotal role in their lives too, they’re also fully expecting to receive this more personal approach across each and every web, mobile and tablet interaction.

And, more worryingly, if they don’t get it, they’re swiftly moving on to other companies that do!

Backing up this trend, retailing trade bible Retail Week recently found that almost four fifths of all shoppers are now demanding an increasingly personalised approach. Its survey clearly showed how consumers now expect brands to know who they are, how they shop and what they’d be interested in buying next. Interestingly, the survey also found that they also wanted companies to use this information to then talk to them in a more interactive and personable way – just as we used to shop before retail centres, superstores and online shopping became the norm.

Personalising the valuable relationship a customer has with a brand is therefore no longer a choice for marketers who want to

acquire long-term brand loyalty. To achieve both brand stand-out and return on investment, they have to adopt customer-centric strategies which will give consumers an optimum customer experience throughout their entire relationship with their brand.

SO WHAT IS PERSONALISATION? Customers who feel as though they are being treated as individuals are, without doubt, going to be more satisfied with their experience with a brand and more inclined to remain loyal. Loyal customers buy more, purchase more often and will act as advocates for a business.

Personalisation answers the growing consumer expectation for brands to understand who they are, how they buy and what they want to buy next. And this is not purely a static state of understanding. People change.

They access content from multiple devices. They take advice through multiple channels and their interactions with a brand will evolve over time as their needs, interests and circumstances change. A personalised approach

KEYS TO SUCCESS Clear Strategy Set out your goals and put a robust strategy into action.

Make sure everything joins up Make sure your customers see one personality and one voice for your brand and receive the same treatment across all touchpoints.

Focus on the big wins Concentrate on the big wins and then use this knowledge as brand experiences become more granular over time.

Evaluate regularly Customers’ behaviour is an ever-moving feast so keep on top so you can incorporate change quickly.

Monitor and report your success Ensure you fully understand the impact you’re making to the customer journey and your bottom line.

Don’t be afraid Some things might not work, but then other things you didn’t think would, will. Test, test and then retest.

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identifies with the individual, not simply with a site landing.

However, the majority of companies often fail to distinguish the difference between personalisation and optimisation or product recommendation and, instead, see one as the same thing. As a result, whilst they are undoubtedly making significant inroads in improving user journeys, their efforts are not being channelled into the more lucrative adoption of personalisation.

So there’s no confusion, optimisation is about sourcing new

ways, new technologies and new processes to test and then deliver better user interactions; in effect, showcasing the most relevant content for someone landing on a page that will ultimately lead to a conversion. For example, around Father’s Day, it’s about adding and then testing the best position for a Father’s Day message. Similarly, product recommendations are a way to present products based on knowledge garnered from a user’s search history or by highlighting products other similar customers have viewed.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS Personalisation is hard and will create more work for us.

Personalisation is quick and easy to action, once you have a platform, solid strategy and KPI measurements in place.

It takes a lot of IT support.

It overlays all of your existing technology so integration is seamless. Set up should take less than a week and then you’re in control to make changes so you won’t need any specific IT help.

Personalisation is resource-heavy.

With the right data, a single marketer can instantly personalise a website, email or mobile interaction.

We’re too small.

Niche brands often have the greater customer insight so are better placed to achieve increased rewards from better customer experiences.

It’s an expensive investment.

Using a platform makes personalisation both accessible and affordable for any size business. Return is also quantifiable through data so results should speak for themselves.

We’re too light on data.

Every business has customer data from every time there’s a brand interaction.

Personalisation also allows you to pool it all in one place.

Continual optimisation is enough. I don’t need to personalise.

Optimisation generically sharpens brand interactions for all visitors. Personalisation sharpens brand interactions for each and every single visitor so conversion is more focused and accurate.

Personalisation is simply merchandising more effectively.

Machine-led merchandising is scatter gun in comparison to true personalisation.

Personalisation utilises more specific and individual customer data to drive more rewarding interactions.

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Personalisation, on the other hand, is knowing that whilst it might be close to Father’s Day, a user’s wife’s birthday is only a week away too, therefore the content served is dynamic, changing for that specific user and showing relevant birthday gifts and messaging to tempt them to purchase.

The limitations of optimisation versus personalisation are obvious. However, there are still companies who believe embedding a customer’s name into an email communication is all it takes to personalise a relationship and, more worryingly, that it’s enough to deliver unique consumer interactions with a brand going forwards.

Those who simply rely on the one-size-fits-all approach for both their site and email optimisation are equally not just missing out on providing the very best customer experience (something that we know today’s consumers want) but, more importantly, the chance to make every visit count.

Instead, personalisation is about bringing together the knowledge a company already has about its customers with the ability to act in real-time. It’s about moving away from a generic customer journey and, instead, tailoring a more personalised brand experience for each individual customer.

In summary, it’s about marketers deep-diving into their CRM data to create, deliver and measure even more rewarding customer-centric campaigns for traffic that’s already there. l For more information on how Personalisation could assist your business growth, go to (https://www.found.co.uk/foundresource-library/personalisationwhitepaper/#.VZ-tiPmI1IE).

ENTREPRENEUR

THE IMPORTANCE OF PASSING ON THE BATON OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO A NEW GENERATION entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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ENTREPRENEUR

The duty established business owners have in guiding tomorrow’s budding entrepreneurs towards success

T

he education and employment of young people is a topic that continues to cause debate in the business world. With a new unemployment rate of 14.4% for those aged between 16 to 24 recently reported[1] despite significant efforts being made to improve job prospects for school leavers and graduates, there is a growing need for the UK’s business community to work alongside the educational system to inspire and motivate younger people into action.

In contrast to previous generations, today’s millennials have more choice when it comes to starting a career; from company sponsored degrees to apprenticeships to registering their own businesses.

Entrepreneurialism in particular seems to have become an increasingly attractive option for young people looking to make their mark on the world, with a recent survey showing that one in five aged between 18 to 34 have a business idea.[2] To what extent these ideas are nurtured to fruition is less easy to determine, but it certainly demonstrates the need for successfully established businesses to impart guidance, share ideas and offer support for the dream of a start-up career to be fully realised.

Being an entrepreneur is an exciting prospect.

In 2014, the UK was awarded with the coveted title of Europe’s most entrepreneurial economy, and

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currently ranks fourth in the entire world[3]. Business performance and productivity is now at peak levels, thanks to the country’s innovative minds producing unique concepts and services that are increasingly using technology to make people’s lives easier, more connected and more convenient. Much of what is being created is likely to be consumed by our younger generation, so in order to keep the country innovating for years to come, encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit and mindset at an early age is likely to prove fruitful in the long-term.

Harnessing inspiration is easily achieved in today’s modern world. Growing up in an age of technology means that millennials are able to gain instant access to an online wealth of resource and information, which in turn stimulates creativity and knowledge-sharing, opening up a world of opportunity for those shrewd enough to take advantage of it. New figures for 2015 have revealed that as many as 52,000 students currently studying undergraduate degrees have set up their own business before finishing their studies across a wide range of sectors[4]. It is the responsibility of business owners to proudly support this assertion of independence and encourage these endeavours, and more crucially – weigh in on the subject of “going it alone” and offer tips on how they made it themselves.

ENTREPRENEUR

BY SUPPLEMENTING CURRICULUM LEARNING WITH ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION, WE CAN HELP PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN INFORMED CHOICE AS TO THEIR FUTURE CAREER PATH

With my company Mash Direct, the idea to transform my sixth generation farm into a viable business came later on in my life and career. But the success it has brought and the opportunities it has opened up for my sons and the future of the business has made me determined to ensure the knowledge I have acquired is shared - be that through my own work with local schools and enterprise programmes or by offering training courses across various departments in the company.

Our involvement in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP) in Ireland in particular has proved to be a great team building exercise for the business, which has been a nice bonus to an already worthwhile project. Devised in partnership with educational institutions and entrepreneurs, JEP provides a platform through which 10 and 11 year olds come up with business ideas which are then presented to local business ‘Dragons’. The staff enjoy working with and mentoring the pupils to develop their business ideas into practical projects, and we’ve had great feedback from the teachers. The programme has a significant personal development impact on participating pupils, building confidence, self-awareness and self-esteem, and an appreciation of individual skills and talents.

It’s important of course to note that entrepreneurial skills are not just the preserve of start-ups and micro businesses, they are also incredibly relevant to boosting employability thanks to an overall focus on ‘soft skills’ including teamwork, problem-solving, lateral thinking and cultural awareness. By supplementing curriculum learning with entrepreneurship education, we can help provide young people with an informed choice as to their future career path, pitching “being your own boss” side by side with becoming a doctor or getting a law degree. Offering your time and enthusiasm as a business owner is a small investment that can reap significant and mutually-beneficial rewards, providing you with a pivotal role in shaping and influence the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

[1] Guardian, February 2015 [2] Startups.co.uk, April 2015 [3] Imperial, November 2014 [4] This Is Money, June 2015

ABOUT MARTIN HAMILTON AND MASH DIRECT Martin Hamilton is Founder and Managing Director of Mash Direct, the award-winning vegetable accompaniment brand. A fifth-generation farmer and ‘son of the soil’, Martin has more than 40 years of experience in growing quality vegetable produce. In his present role, Martin oversees the day-to-day running of the business, including customer relations and the development of international trade opportunities.

Martin’s entrepreneurial story began in 1986 when, together with his wife Tracy, he purchased Ballyrainey Farm, set just outside Comber in County Down. Following 30 successful years of growing and supplying vegetables to the local market, Martin recognised the need to diversify in order to maintain profits. Spotting a gap in the food manufacturing market for vegetable accompaniments with ‘that homemade taste’, Martin set to work with a friend to innovate a solution, and drew up plans for a bespoke steam cooker to create the first line of products under the Mash Direct name.

Now selling 40 different products across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to customers overseas, Martin has achieved his aspiration to create a quality brand that is free from artificial colourings, preservatives, and flavourings, tasting as homemade as it is. His hard work and dedication to providing “Farm to Fork” products have earned him recognition within the sector, with accolades including EY’s 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year (Finalist) and Farmer’s Weekly Diversification Farmer of the Year 2013 (Finalist).

Inspired by his passion for farming and business, Martin strongly believes in encouraging the next generation to take charge and become visionary leaders. Sponsoring the Junior Entrepreneurship Programme in County Down is just one example of the many ways Martin continues to promote entrepreneurship and innovation amongst the youth community. l Martin Hamilton, Founder and Managing Director of Mash Direct

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NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS CAN KEEP YOUR BUSINESS ON TRACK

ENTREPRENEUR

One of the most exciting aspects of working in business is seeing the innovations being created by ambitious young entrepreneurs.

They are constantly bringing new ideas to the table, driving the development of new products and services. But that’s just the starting point there will be many hurdles to jump over to make the leap from a big idea to a profitable, sustainable company.

Many entrepreneurs quickly discover that it is rarely enough to go to market with just the good idea. Unless you are lucky enough to be at the forefront of new, cutting-edge industry where competition is limited, entrepreneurs are going to be competing for capital and for customers with many other businesses, most of which will have more experience. Making the wrong decision at a critical stage

can lead to miscalculations and costly mistakes which can tear apart a new company before it’s even off the ground.

As an entrepreneur, it’s vital to utilise all the expertise and resources you can corral. One way of plugging any knowledge and expertise gaps in the business is to appoint a non-executive director (NED). An NED will help avoid mistakes and keep the board focused on its goals, enabling the business to move forward with greater precision and speed.

NEDs should ideally have functional expertise and/or deep sector experience and can bring independent, objective perspectives to the business, help identify new opportunities, share ideas and may even draw attention to issues that may not be selfevident to people immersed in the daily operations.

Having appointed an NED you should agree a brief so that all board members are clear about the support being provided.

Working with an NED calls for an open-minded approach. The executives should provide the NED with accurate information, be transparent about what’s really happening in the business and communicate with the NED on a timely basis so that he/she has all the information needed to give appropriate input into the governance process and do the job well. This will ensure you gain maximum benefit from your investment.

As an experienced outsider, the NED will take a helicopter view of the business and can support strategic development; ensure that robust financial controls and risk management systems are in place, steer investment strategies and help the board prepare for new funding rounds. An NED can also take an active role in setting the remuneration of directors and appointing senior managers who are vital for the next stage of business growth.

Think of an NED as an independent sounding board who can constructively help steer the long-term strategy – the NED is not hired to do the work of an executive or to get involved in day-to-day operational tasks. The NED will ensure you have regular reviews of the business direction, stay on course or make appropriate changes based on learnings from,

for example, product testing and customer feedback.

NEDs often hold multiple posts with different companies, making them strong all-rounders who bring business and sector expertise as well as a network of quality contacts. They are usually amenable to opening their ‘little black book’ and introducing directors to strategic contacts and partners; people who can help with areas such as research, sales, funding and scaling the business.

These key contacts can help to drive the business forward.

Non-executive directors are often looking for exciting new challenges where they too can learn from executive board directors in complementary or new fields. This helps in turn with their own professional development, so it’s not a one-way street.

Finding the right NED is down to (a) having a clear idea of what strategic support is required (even if that needs honing by the NED when he/she is on board), (b) careful planning and (c) intelligent research. For the latter, you can use these as the starting point: 1. Ask other entrepreneurs in your network for recommendations 2. Contact Non-Executives Unlimited, a large network of high calibre people who are actively seeking NED-ships 3. Speak with search consultants who represent NEDs 4. Explore the Financial Times NED Club for general background 5. Explore NED LinkedIn Groups Entrepreneurs are by nature passionate about their innovations and inventions and it is easy to become over-immersed in the business or overwhelmed. At such times, the NED will be invaluable at re-focusing the board on the key objectives and the implementation plan. The right ideas, knowhow, and confidence can get you far as an entrepreneur, but for every success story, there are countless failures. By bringing an experienced NED on board, you will significantly increase the prospects of your enterprise. l

By David Falzani, President of Sainsbury Management Fellows, CEO of Polaris Associates which helps early stage businesses grow, and visiting professor at Nottingham Business School where he lectures on entrepreneurship entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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ENTREPRENEUR

HOW A CLEVER IDEA CAN REAP REWARDS

Bethany Eaton, 37 from Chislehurst in Kent, founded CO YO, the UK’s first coconut milk yoghurt range, in 2011 and over the past three years has single-handedly changed the face of the dairy-free yoghurt market. The brand has experienced rapid growth, with a turnover of £600,000 in the first year rising to £4 million in 2015.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR LAUNCHING CO YO BETHANY? Helping others! I’m passionate about nutrition and helping people lead a lifestyle in optimum health.

I graduated I started practicing at the Hale Clinic and went on to have my son, James. It was while working with clients with food intolerances that I spotted the need for a dairy and soya free yoghurt.

Before launching CO YO I had, for some time, had my own health problems caused by stress and a friend recommended that I see a nutritionist. It changed my life. I was blown away by how improved my life could be by eating the right food. It made me decide to study a science degree in nutritional medicine and become a fully trained nutritionist and help others.

I said to my husband ‘why don’t we do this?’ and started experimenting with coconut milk yoghurt recipes at home. We were close to a winning recipe when I discovered CO YO in Australia. I loved the brand from the outset, and there were similarities; it was a husband and wife team that had set it up. I

I started to work at the Hale Clinic, but even though I loved it, I still didn’t feel like I was doing what I was meant to do. While helping people with food intolerances I found that there was no yoghurt that was dairy and soya free and that also tasted good! I began to research suitable products and found that coconut milk yoghurt would be the best alternative, but it wasn’t available in the UK. There was a gap in the market and I decided there and then to create my own.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND YOUR DECISION TO START THE BRAND? Originally I was a police officer and worked for the Metropolitan Police for six years. Life on the beat was incredibly stressful and eventually it started to affect my health, due to the pressures of shift work and dealing with very stressful situations. It was suggested that I seek the help of a nutritionist, who helped me turn my health problems around and this inspired me to undertake a BSc in Nutritional Medicine.

I carried on working part-time in the police force while studying and I also had my first child, Megan. Once

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BE PASSIONATE. IT WILL TAKE YOU A LONG WAY. called out of the blue one afternoon, not thinking that it was 2.00 am where they were, but we got on really well and began to exchange emails where I talked to them about a few changes to the product, namely cutting out sugar. Eventually we met in Paris and in 2011 Paul and I secured the rights to bring CO YO to the UK and Europe.

WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT YOU’VE FACED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM? The biggest challenge was setting up the company from a non-business background. I had the right instinct, but not necessarily the tools to do the job. It placed a lot of pressure on my shoulders and certainly for a while there was no work life balance. I had to learn everything from scratch, from food production to finding the right factory space. I put my research skills to good use and over time have built a team of experts around me that I trust.

HOW DID YOU GAIN INVESTMENT FOR THE COMPANY? We re-mortgaged our home. Yes, there were plenty of people who thought we were crazy, but I believed passionately that we would succeed.

HOW HAVE YOU PROMOTED YOUR BRAND? When we first started it was Paul and I working from our kitchen and we roped in family and friends to help.

My dad is a designer and developed the packaging design and my sister still sends out samples for us. We knew someone who could do social media, who still works with us and took on a freelance PR to raise the brand’s profile in the print media. Now we work with a specialist food and drink PR consultancy, which makes sure we are communicating to consumers through the correct media channels and liaises with healthy eating ambassadors, such as deliciously Ella and the Hemsley Sisters, who all support the brand.

just steamed ahead. We revolutionised the dairy free yoghurt market and now CO YO is one of the biggestselling products on the shelf.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR STARTING A BUSINESS? Believe in yourself and your product.

Be passionate. It will take you a long way.

Don’t obsess about competition. Competition is good and means you are doing something right! But focus on doing your own thing. l www.coyo.co.uk

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOUR LEARNT ALONG THE WAY AND IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN FROM THE START? One thing I have learnt is not to change too many things at once because if something goes wrong it is hard to pinpoint what that is. I did a double whammy once and moved factory and changed all our packaging at the same time. It was not the best decision to make, but I learnt from it and I won’t be doing that again any time soon.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR OTHERS WANTING TO SET UP A NEW BUSINESS? Don’t always listen to those around you. When we started CO YO there were many people who said to me, it won’t work, no one will buy it. But I truly believed in my product and I knew it would sell, so I

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ENTREPRENEUR

HOW TO GET 3 MILLION VISITORS TO YOUR WEBSITE

Alastair Campbell, founder of business data website Company Check, explains how he’s grown the online-only business from scratch.

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS AND WHO USES IT? Company Check is a business data provider, which enables business owners, sales managers, finance directors and anyone within the business to access key financial information about clients or suppliers.

It’s most commonly used as part of the due diligence process. Today, we have over 450,000 registered users, with over 3 million visits per month and is on track for 200 million searches this year.

WHAT MADE YOU START YOUR BUSINESS? I’ve started businesses in the past and love the startup buzz. Building, from nothing, a website regularly used by millions of people is very satisfying.

I believe that having a clear understanding of a potential client or supplier’s financial standing is an essential part of building that trust.

I started Company Check in 2011 to provide businesses with an easy to understand, cost effective way of accessing Companies House and other data in one easy to use place and thus helping to make better informed business decisions.

WHAT ARE THE KEY CHALLENGES YOU’VE FACED IN GROWING AN ONLINE BUSINESS? As with the best online businesses, Company Check started with a website that was a test of a minimum viable product, we only gave away for free four keys bits of data in the early days.

I’ve got a background in SEO (search engine optimisation) and was very clear on what I wanted, but needed a good developer or development team to make my ideas a reality.

I’d say this was one of the key challenges I faced and one which all online businesses will face at some point - finding a developer or development team you can trust. I knew I needed someone who was able to translate my requirements into a working website and that could also handle all of the updates and amends I had no doubt I’d want in the future.

I’m very pleased to have a development team in-house that I can trust with my brand. One of the

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biggest selling points of Company Check is its ease of use, and my team thrives on looking for new ways to improve the user experience. We actually have a new and improved version of the site up and running which makes it clearer to see important information on mobile and tablet devices, amazingly we have managed without this for 4 years!

It was also important that Company Check was promoted properly from the start. Our revenue model lies in subscriptions and, though there is a free version available, we wanted to get our name out to business people who would most likely see the value of our service.

We found the best ways to do this were to focus on SEO to an extent, but more so on digital PR, content marketing and paid advertising services, all of which are currently with external agencies such as www. impression.co.uk and www.climb-online.co.uk who are best placed to deliver results for us.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO OTHER BUSINESSES LOOKING TO GROW ONLINE? There is a huge potential audience for any new business that comes along. To be successful online, businesses must be clear on what differentiates them from their competitors and provide an experience which delivers on those promises.

For us, we do have competitors but we understand that the value we give our customers is in the user experience we provide, more affordable pricing for small to medium companies and a focus on making the search process much easier and the information shown clear and as easy to understand quickly as possible.

No matter what the business goals are, I believe online businesses must continue to improve their websites in line with what their customers want.

Google is continually emphasising the importance of a positive user experience through its own search ranking algorithms and a better experience for the user will result, most likely, in an improved ranking in the search results too. l

ENTREPRENEUR

DIGITAL PR: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO USE IT Digital PR is the latest evolution in how we market our brands online. Today’s entrepreneurs and marketers seek improved Google rankings and increased website traffic as a measure of success and digital PR is the latest tool in achieving these goals.

A combination of the techniques of traditional PR and the online focus of SEO, digital PR is all about gaining coverage and features that benefit the authority of your website and boost your search rankings as well as developing your brand.

Here are 4 tips to help you achieve success in your digital marketing campaigns.

DON’T NEGLECT RELATIONSHIPS Digital PR, being online, comes with its own array of tools developed to automate processes. But digital PR, much like its traditional counterpart, is still very much rooted in the development of strong relationships. Bloggers, online publications, vloggers and even audio publishers are potential targets for your digital PR campaign, and it’s important to invest time in developing and maintaining those relationships online and over the phone/in person where possible.

PRESS RELEASES ARE STILL IMPORTANT Your digital PR strategy should include press releases, just as a traditional strategy would. You should be able to distil your key messages into a press release format so that the recipient can easily digest the story and use it in a way that they see as appropriate to their site and audience.

Ensure you have a strong press release when what you’re pitching in a news story online.

LINKS ARE THE CURRENCY OF DIGITAL PR SUCCESS While traditional PR used ‘advertising equivalent value’ to show the value of a feature based on how much money it would have cost to advertise in the same space, digital PR uses links as its measure of success.

Achieving coverage which includes a hyperlink to the source business’ website can have a highly advantageous effect for that website’s authority and rankings. Try to include hyperlinks in your press releases and focus on opportunities where your author bio or the content itself can include links.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO SELF-PUBLISH It’s important to spread your message around the web and this is achieved through the promotion of content and press releases. But it’s also important to ensure those messages are consistent in your own digital channels too.

Craft a strategy which includes the publishing of your content on your own website and, to an extent, across your digital channels such as social media to promote your messages there too.

Digital PR may be the latest in a long line of digital ‘bandwagons’ but it’s much deeper than that.

Today’s marketers and business owners are using it to gain a real competitive advantage. Are you? l Laura Hampton, digital marketing manager at Impression.

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SANDI THOM: MAKING IT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

ENTREPRENEUR

“I nailed it back in 2006 with what was considered to be a completely ludicrous idea,” starts Scottish-born singer-songwriter, Sandi Thom.

“I honestly feel that the key to success in any business is innovation, new ideas, pushing boundaries and being a pioneer.”

B

est known for her hit ‘I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In Her Hair)’, Sandi stampeded to the forefront of music over nine years ago. Since she’s released five studio offerings, with a sixth coming later this year, and made a name for herself as being one of the most innovative entrepreneurs in music. Not a bad day job.

The musician’s story began by using a series of webcasts. Before the days of widespread video platforms, Sandi created a virtual “tour” where fans could buy tickets and watch her play a show in the basement of her Tooting flat. “It came from a eureka moment in a venue in Edinburgh called The Left Bank,” she explains. “My friend and the promoter in Edinburgh hosted a gig, which I was apart off where he webcast the concert through the venues website.”

Seeing an opportunity to do this on a global scale, Thom teamed up with a company called Streaming Tank to record the videos. She also turned to various other online platforms like MySpace to promote ticket sales. The turn out was small at first. However figures shot into the thousands mark as soon as The Sunday Times covered her story. This subsequently caught the attention of Sony Records. Something, which she freely admits would be near enough impossible if it wasn’t for a forward-thinking mindset. It’s that, which she insists entrepreneurs need in order to survive the market. “You have be educated in what’s going on around you and keep one ear to the ground when it comes to changes in media facets,” she assures.

Of course, going alongside this is also the need for courage. Particularly when it comes to delving into new mediums. Less than six months after Sandi’s streams, YouTube began to rapidly grow. By June 2006 it was uploading approximately 65,000 videos a day, a factor that could have vastly saturated the market and affected the outcome of Sandi’s story.

Much like most new start-ups that hit big, the venture didn’t always go smoothly. It had its hurdles.

After signing to Sony Records, critics were quick to follow. Many began to nit-pick at the figures the streaming service publicised and claimed that they were fake. But that doesn’t mean, Sandi regrets the radical risk-taking: “In life you have to be willing to take a chance, to go out on a limb and not be afraid

to make mistakes. In order to reap the benefits of taking a chance on something new, I had to suffer the consequences. It hit me hard at the time. I was young and in my early twenties. I was completely unaccustomed to the limelight and very sensitive to criticism.”

After the release of her first-offering ‘Smile… It Confuses People’ she proceeded to tirelessly work at her craft. “I’m continuously trying to innovate and come up with something else that is different,” she says. “I think once I can one-up myself and do better than my 2006 webcasts, I’ll probably be content.” This year sees her bring out a brand new album, ‘Weapons Of Past Destruction’. Recorded at a time where she was going through a range of emotions that vary from intense heartache to utter elation, it’s one of her most honest full-lengths yet. It’s also allowed Sandi the chance to take on a fresh challenge.

Taking the hot seat, Sandi cut out the go-between and produced the record herself. This in itself was a whole new entrepreneurial mission. “Sometimes you don’t want to be the last line of defense, where everyone else looks at you to save the day but it was a great learning experience for me, gave me confidence and really let my ideas take shape.” In fact, when it comes to advice for those wanting to make a name for themselves in the music industry one of Sandi’s key tips evolves cutting the middleman out and having the courage to fly solo. After all, it all starts with what’s in front of you. “People fall in love with personality,” she informs. “Periscope and Facebook mentions are taking it to a whole new level, you could literally be your own Truman Show.”

Sure, the market might be highly desirable and overly competitive, but Thom’s adamant if you’re the right person and have an innovative ideal then you’ll shine through. Who said a ludicrous idea doesn’t pay off? l Sandi Thom’s new album “Weapons Of Past Destruction” will be released through MITA February 2016.

Emma Matthews

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IS YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND SABOTAGING YOUR SUCCESS?

Do you think it is possible to make more money than you’re currently making?

Do you know other people in your field, maybe with less talent and ability than you, regularly banking more money and living a far better lifestyle than you could possibly hope to afford? While it seems grossly unfair, actually, your own subconscious mind could be working against you, keeping you in the very financial rut you’re so desperate to escape! Top life coach, Dr Jane Cox, explains…

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ENTREPRENEUR

O

ne of our biggest challenges is our emotional relationship with money. To cut a long story short, for most people, it’s a lousy relationship! We tend to have three main emotions attached to money. By far the biggest one is fear, followed by greed, and backed up by guilt. As you can imagine, none of these are good emotions to have attached to your money, but for this article, we’ll concentrate on fear.

FEAR OF MONEY WILL NEVER MAKE YOU MONEY We all have fear attached to money, and the challenge is that our fear can take many different forms. Some people are scared of having money; others, scared of not having money. Most are scared of not having enough money, or of their source of money drying up.

Others may be scared of spending money, or perhaps they fear that money they feel should belong to them will end up belonging to someone else. No matter what form your fear takes, one thing is certain: Fear of money, does not make you money. Ever.

Look at how we react to things we fear: We’re likely to do one of three things – lock up the very thing we fear behind bars so that it can’t hurt us; ignore it, and hope the problem goes away; or run like hell in

YOUR FINANCIAL POSSIBILITIES ARE MUCH WIDER THAN YOU’VE ALLOWED YOURSELF TO IMAGINE the opposite direction! Bizarre as it may sound, we often do all three of these things with our money.

We’ll explore each of these “transgressions” in future articles, but let’s examine one of the ways our mind takes control of our relationship with our finances.

One of the things we do is we put ceilings on the amount of money that we think we’re capable of making. And, just for the record, you’re the only one that is putting that ceiling in place! There is plenty of money to go around, so why does this happen? And where did your sense of financial value come from?

Over years of working with people, and delving into their relationship with money, I know for a fact that, if I ask people how much money they’re worth every year, they will have a number. In fact, they have two numbers: Their ideal value per year, and their real value per year. And of course this personal value perception is different for everyone. Right now, you probably have your numbers in your head too! So where do your values come from?

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR FINANCIAL VALUE? Bear with me while I tell you a little story, and maybe it’ll ring some bells!

Once upon a time, many years ago, a company had a job vacancy. And of course, that job vacancy had a value attached to it, which was the salary they were willing to pay for that job to be done each month.

Quite coincidentally, you happened to be looking for a job at the same time, and one day you found yourself being interviewed for that position. They decided that

they liked what they saw, and offered you the job. You grabbed it with both hands, and the deal was sealed.

You then went on to do that job, perhaps for several years. You learned and grew in that job, met interesting people, improved in skills and confidence, until one day, you decided the time had come to move on to another challenge. So you decided to resign. You walked away from the job, but what you forgot to do was to walk away from the value of the job. In fact, you took it with you as a souvenir! It was like wearing a comfortable, well-worn pair of pyjamas.

What you probably did was go back into the jobseekers market, wearing those comfy pyjamas, and without realising it, you went about looking to work for another company where you could go to work, wearing those same pyjamas. Perhaps you were looking for an increase in salary, but usually we only expect a few thousand pounds a year increase at most, so effectively what you’re looking for is enough money to buy some matching bedsocks, but that was it. Without consciously realising it, you were dressing up that same pair of pyjamas, but you were still wearing them!

This of course is what the problem is for many people. Without consciously realising it, most people wear that same set of pyjamas for the rest of their lives, just attaching a few bells and whistles, but effectively hanging on to their supposed value all through their working life.

THAT VALUE WAS NEVER YOURS TO OWN. IT WAS ONLY EVER THE VALUE THAT COMPANY PUT ON THAT PIECE OF WORK. Ask yourself a question: Was that value ever your personal value? No – of course it wasn’t! It was only ever the value that company put on that piece of work that needed to be done all those years ago. Even when you were doing that job, that value never belonged to you. And if it didn’t belong to you then, it certainly doesn’t belong to you now! So do yourself a favour.

Put down that value. Give that company back your worn old pair of pyjamas. There is no reason why your entire financial path should be dictated by a salary you deemed fit to take some time in your past.

The thing is for many people, that salary forms part of a comfort zone. It is easy to keep taking on the type of job that you could do with ease. A job that doesn’t push you too far, or expect too much from you. We even feel comfortable operating within certain income bands. When that income band originally becomes your comfort zone, it’s often enough money to more-or-less muddle through a month. But of course as you mature, very often your expense base expands to include things like children, or a bigger home, or more credit cards. For most, their comfort zone is no longer such a comfortable place to be.

In fact for many people their “comfort zone” is now an actively uncomfortable place to be! This is where courage comes into play. Do you have the courage to expand your horizons and look for new, better or more flexible opportunities?

Your financial possibilities are much wider than you’ve allowed yourself to imagine, and over the coming months we will explore different ways in which you have held yourself captive, and how you can set about freeing yourself up, and attracting more money into your life. l www.newlevels.co.uk entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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LEADERS UNDER PRESSURE - THE IMPLICATIONS

A recent study by OnePoll for Axa PPP found that almost half of Britain’s senior managers are under near constant stress with an overwhelming majority (92%) of senior managers admitting that they had suffered from stress at some point.

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ccording to Tower Watson’s Global Benefits Attitudes Survey,2 stress leads to a less productive workforce and high levels of disengagement; something all CEOs obviously want to avoid. This study of 22,347 employees across 12 countries, including the UK and USA, found that over half (57%) of employees who claimed to be experiencing high stress levels reported they were disengaged.

One of the most significant consequences of a leader being under too much pressure is that they lose their ability to see what is really happening in their business and may compound this issue with self-denial that they are in any way at fault.

Everyone has a pressure limit and pressure affects people in different ways. It might be argued that the lucky ones are those that are affected by poor health as they are forced to slow down and pause for thought, while others push on even harder to try to work through the pressure.

The first casualty of pressure is the truth. In leaders

who find themselves under pressure their levels of cortisol increase, their behaviour changes, their professionalism and respect for self and others can falter, their relationships can become strained and the quality of their decision-making can decline. It is a disastrous situation and it can have very serious consequences for many people.

Pressure is endemic, so how can people cope? Pressure creates a state of mind and a warped view of reality which is rarely noticed by the victim. Worse still, some view stress as a badge of honour. Far from feeling like a victim, for them it means that they are delivering great value and are of great importance: “I cannot be important unless I am under pressure,” which is a rather insane view.

When people are operating under great pressure they can make basic errors and ignore the truisms of life, so the guidance for removing excessive, damaging stress is going to sound like common sense – as it should.

Leaders need to have a greater awareness of self and others. Without self- awareness a leader cannot see how to best serve his or her people and themselves. They need to empower others by having confidence in them and delegating to them.

This will free up the leader to focus on what they are best suited to do.

They must make clear and consistent decisions.

Under pressure, a leader can very easily become unclear and inconsistent. This causes the whole team to lose focus. Everyone needs to understand what the leader wants and the better that this can be understood the more the team will support the leader.

They should create space for thinking. This is about making time to think and sometimes it is space that is needed too - get away from the desk or even the office to reduce distractions. Take one, two but no more than three issues and take the time to consider without the risk of interruption.

Then discuss the resultant thinking with peers.

This will achieve focus and clear the mind of the weight of issues, which will always cloud the brain and compound pressure.

Leaders need to trust others who will then, in turn, trust their leader and feel empowered to do their jobs. Leaders should give employees the freedom to succeed and achieve. They should invest in the talent and make sure the right talent is hired.

Leaders need to have clear and simple direction.

Excess pressure is usually associated with unclear priorities and therefore unclear direction. Loss of focus on direction can be fatal and is of itself an added pressure. Leaders should review and refresh the essentials of the role and the mission.

Complexity is another added pressure but most complexity can be simplified. Simplification means efficiency and more predictable execution and results. Simplicity means more people can understand and be aligned to deliver, thus lessening pressure.

Consensus and alignment is crucial. Leaders must ensure that everyone understands and buys into the team’s mission and goals. If everyone understands the goals then they can agree and support the mission as a team. Gaining a shared purpose makes life easier for the leader and as a consequence this is an area of essential effort.

Stephen Archer, Director, Spring Partnerships www.spring-partnerships.com entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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HOW TO ESTABLISH A BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM At the last count there were almost 11,000 practicing law firms in England and Wales. Although factors such as the steep rise in the cost of professional indemnity insurance and changes in the provision of Legal Aid mean that this figure is actually lower than at any time since records were first published in 2009, it still represents a crowded and highly competitive market place. Whilst some of this reduction can be accounted for by the number of firms opting for mergers and acquisitions as a means of strengthening their place in the market, it is also indicative of a sector which throws up as many challenges as it does opportunities.

The vibrant nature of the market for legal services was underlined by the publication of the UK Legal Services Market Report in February of this year, which found, amongst other things, that revenue growth in the sector was expected to have hit 6% during 2014 and stay at this level for the next two or three years.

Other findings in the report included the fact that UK

Legal Services, as of 2013, employed 316,000 people, two thirds of this number being based outside London, and generated 1.6% of the total UK GDP. Given this backdrop, the challenge for a boutique firm lies in both breaking into the sector initially and then crafting and maintaining a profile which will enable them to grow and prosper.

Since the introduction of the Legal Services Act, it has often been stated that law firms need to ‘get big, get niche or get out’, and while this is a somewhat sweeping simplification, it does contain a strong element of truth. For boutiques to thrive in a market place which is often dominated by larger firms, the key lies in being better in highly specific areas, and these areas will be dictated by factors such as your own personal history and expertise or, in some cases, geographical location. Whichever specific field you operate in, you’ll be in a position to attract clients reassured by the fact that the area in which you work is one in which you are highly

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experienced and focussed, and the fact that you concentrate on this niche area means that you build a firmer foundation of knowledge and experience as time passes. Upon initially entering the market place, it may be tempting to try to offer the widest possible range of services, in the misguided belief that this will maximise the customer base available to you, and therefore turnover and profits. However, a smaller, boutique, firm doing this will be in direct competition with some of the largest firms in the UK, firms which are able to cut costs though economies of scale and outsourcing. Although it is true that these tools are available to boutique firms, the degree to which they can be utilised will be limited when compared to larger companies. Instead, a boutique firm is more likely to achieve success by focussing on the quality of the service provided, rather than the quantity of areas covered. Indeed, a firm which becomes truly established within a particular area may, in time, find itself being utilised by larger firms which lack a division dealing with this speciality.

MARKET RESEARCH The most important consideration when deciding which areas of law you wish to specialise in (and a niche can consist of several separate areas which overlap and are interlinked) is to approach the question from the point of view of prospective clients.

WHATEVER IT IS THAT MAKES YOUR FIRM UNIQUE, YOU NEED TO ENSURE THAT IT FORMS A KEY PLANK OF ANY MARKETING YOU UNDERTAKE Utilise market research in order to ascertain whether there is a genuine demand for legal services in the specialisms, sectors and/or locations within which you wish to excel and operate.

THE COMPETITION Identify the firms who will be seeking the same kind of clients as you, and analyse exactly how they set about generating income. The fact that there is competition out there needn’t be discouraging, as it demonstrates an existing demand, and the key to exploiting this demand will lie in focusing upon what makes you better than the competition. It could be something as simple as a highly personalised and user-friendly approach to your clients, or flexibility around the manner in which you charge, offering both fixed price fees and hourly rates depending upon the clients’ preference.

from the competition. Keep your message simple and focussed, presenting it in a manner which will be accessible to those working outside your speciality.

By utilising opportunities such as blog posts you’ll be able to showcase your expertise in a manner which will both attract clients and reassure them as to your know-how and experience. As well as marketing yourself to the public in general, make sure that other professional bodies, such as accountants, business advisers and insolvency practitioners, know about the services you offer. By creating networks of this kind, you’ll not only draw in more work initially, you’ll also craft a reputation as being a trusted and effective partner. Utilise every channel available to get your message out there, and, even more importantly, in front of the kind of people who will form your client base. Social media will be an invaluable tool for doing this, as will the creation and dissemination of useful and informative content. If you can establish yourself as a voice which offers help and commands respect even amongst people who’ve yet to utilise your services, you’ll have gone a long way towards persuading them to do so once the need arises. Your website will play a major role in achieving this, and should be designed, built and written as professionally as possible, utilising a voice and vocabulary which will be easily understood by your target market.

STANDARDISATION The fact that you specialise within a niche or several niches in one particular area, means that, in time, you’ll be able to streamline the processes and paperwork, developing systems which mean you can handle cases more quickly and at a more competitive rate. l

By Simon Glazebrook, Founder and Director of Progeny Private Law Simon Glazebrook has significant experience of advising clients in all aspects of private client law, including Wills, Powers of Attorney and tax planning, but with a particular focus on advising business owners and high net worth individuals in relation to planning around business and other interests.

Progeny Private Law is a newly established, boutique, private law firm, specialising in a range of private client fields, including wills, succession planning and powers of attorney.

Collectively, the Directors of Progeny Private Law have over 50 years of private client experience.

MARKETING Whatever it is that makes your firm unique, you need to ensure that it forms a key plank of any marketing you undertake, emphasising not merely what you do, but the way in which you work that marks you out entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCATION IN BUSINESS Your business needs to be positioned well if it is to succeed. Positioning encompasses various factors, from the price point you choose for your products to the tone you take on your website and the specialities you list in your marketing.

All of these things position your business in a certain way and can help it appeal to the right people, and put off the people who aren’t your target customer.

Have you ever considered the effect of your physical location on your business’s position within the market?

PERCEPTION OF LOCATION A business’s address is an important factor in the way that business is perceived. Consider yourself the impression a business address has given you before.

When a businesses is located in an area where the majority of businesses tend to be in a certain sector, this influences the sector that business is assumed to be part of too. For example, choosing a business address in the City of London will likely change the perception of your business as it would be seen to be part of the finance and high growth culture of the area.

Equally, choosing a location in a creative part of town will have an influence over how creative your business is assumed to be. Much in the same way as we make assumptions about people based on the circles in which they move, our business can also be viewed 40

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differently depending on the location we choose.

This is especially important for start up businesses. It’s not uncommon these days for a business to start in the home, but to use a residential address as your listed business address may not give the most professional impression.

While it is possible to register your business with Companies House using a residential address, you may choose not to and to instead use a virtual address service to specify a commercial address with which to list your company. By using a service which provides you a virtual address, you can select a prestigious city centre business address without having to pay the rental costs of such a highly sought after area.

SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS There are also security considerations to your choice of business address. Again, referring specifically to businesses started at home, choosing to list your home address for your business can lead to unsolicited mail to your house or even customers turning up unexpectedly.

ABILITY TO SERVE Your location, especially if yours is a business which sells products online or provides services in a specific geographic location.

Imagine your business is a website which

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sells products (an ecommerce store). As a website owner, you have to register your business with an address and the address you choose may impact the perception potential customers have of your ability to serve them.

If your address is residential or located far away from your target audience, you may find prospects are reluctant to buy from you because they are not sure you can deliver your product or service to them reliably. Conversely, if you had a city centre location or one which is well-regarded as a business centre, your prospects may be more inclined to convert.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS There are various options available to businesses just starting out who are considering their business location choice.

There will be cost implications and practical considerations to every location choice.

If you do choose to rent or buy a premises, factor in monthly mortgage or rent costs as well as any shared services in the building, council bills and so on to ensure you have a full picture of what the space will cost you.

Another option would be to use a shared space, where you take a desk or room in an existing office and share it with the business(es) already in residence.

“Hot desking” is a growing trend amongst businesses

looking to generate additional income so keep an eye out for those opportunities in the areas that suit your business.

If your budget is smaller and you don’t have a requirement for a physical office location, you can use a virtual office service, which, depending on the company you buy from, should be an official address with which you can register your business and also include mail forwarding, so you can have your mail sent there.

Your business address says so much about the business itself. Take the time to get it right and you could benefit for years to come.  Semyon Dovzhik is the founder of Company Address, a leading provider of mail forwarding and virtual address services. Find out more at www. companyaddress.co.uk or follow on LinkedIn.

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KEY TIPS EVERY NEW ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD KNOW

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First of all nail your concept. You need to be able to explain it in one or two sentences to anyone.

You always need to be ready to sell your idea and your business – not just to potential investors, but when you are starting out to anyone who you want to work with you or for you – i.e. suppliers and employees. Businesses are run by people and people will go a lot further for you if they believe in you and your ability to succeed - your initial pitch or first meeting is critical for this. I’ve got great people on the team at Sourced Market that were paid a lot more in their previous roles but wouldn’t go back because they value what we do and in return we value the essential part they play in our story.

It is critical to understand every aspect of your business to begin with, but then learn to delegate. If you know how something should work then it’s a lot easier to let someone else get on with that role rather than micromanage. To begin with, your success will often depend on your ability to do everything and to work 70hrs a week. If you still try to do everything as the business grows, the business will fail. You need to

THE BEST WAY TO RAISE INVESTMENT IS TO GET YOURSELF OUT THERE AND TALK TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE be able to judge when is the right time to bring other people on board and to delegate responsibility for areas of the business to them. This can be the hardest thing to get right as no two people are identical and people can have very different motivations, so you need to take the time to understand what those motivations are.

In particular, you must understand your financials.

You will be questioned on your financials by any investor and they will quickly lose confidence if you don’t have a complete grasp of your figures and “I’ll need to check that with my accountant” is not a good enough answer. Equally important for running the day to day business is understanding what your key variables are, including how and where you can most efficiently direct your attention to get results. Ensure you have an accurate reporting system so you always have visibility – for us this is daily KPI reporting and four weekly management accounts.

From the beginning, you need to grasp what differentiates you from your competitors. Smaller businesses are more agile and bring ideas to fruition much faster than bigger, more established businesses.

That’s how we can compete with competitors with much greater resources, from supermarkets to coffee chains. Try out new ideas and new products regularly and if they work, keep them. If not, move on quickly.

We launched in 2009 and at that time really good

coffee was almost non-existent in London. Some people thought we were crazy offering really good Monmouth coffee in St Pancras when on our doorstep we had Starbucks, Pret, Costa, AMT and others that had been selling coffee for years. “Surely those companies know customers in the station best and will be far more efficient at delivering it” was said more than once. We now have a loyal following of customers who wouldn’t go near most of our competitors because we offer a much higher quality product which customers have come to appreciate. And the flat white that we’ve always served which was considered by some to be an antipodean gimmick five years ago? All our competitors are offering that now as well! We’ve continued to innovate by getting out there and finding great new producers and bringing their products to market faster than the competition – from cold pressed juice to craft beer, we have been one of the first retailers to stock these products and this has led to our strong reputation today, with the IGD describing us as one of “London’s five unmissable food destinations” alongside Borough Market and Selfridges.

This will help you work out what your niche is.

Sourced Market sits across multiple categories – coffee, retail, casual dining, and as result has multiple competitors. What makes us unique is that we roll all of these categories into one relatively small format and in this respect have no direct competitor, which has helped us carve our an interesting niche in a very competitive field.

Never be afraid to try something that you’re not 100% sure will work. Building a business involves trial and error and you can often learn more from things that don’t work out than things that do. It’s better to try five things and find one that works really well and improves your business than try nothing because of fear of failure. An appetite for risk is a key attribute for any entrepreneur – the trick is making it a calculated risk rather than a wild leap into the unknown. You will probably need to invest some (often all) of your own savings and if you borrow money from an institution you may need to support this with a personal guarantee (a charge over your assets, e.g. property).

Not everyone is comfortable with this but the fact is a lender wants to know that you have some skin in the game. I’ve been in charge of a business that has run out of money with debts secured against my home.

It’s not a great feeling but it sure helps focus your attention. When you’ve recovered, the experience will leave you better prepared for future challenges!

Raising investment can be something of a long haul. Some entrepreneurs raise investment at the idea stage with just a business plan but most investors want to see proof of concept – i.e. your idea up and running, albeit on a small scale. My recommendation would be to do this under your own steam if you can - use your savings, take out a loan, borrow or take investment from friends and family.

This way you will be in a much stronger position when negotiating with potential investors because you've already demonstrated that you have a viable concept.

Once you have demonstrated that, potential investor could bring greater added value to help you grow your business and take it to the next level, rather

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than using their investment to prove the concept works in the first place. Your business will also have a higher value, which means that for every pound that you raise in investment, you will need to give away less equity. Sourced Market started with the founders putting in their own cash, then shortly afterwards a small bank loan and asset finance. It’s not the cheapest way to do it, but it meant we retained full control of the company.

The best way to raise investment is to get yourself out there and talk to anyone and everyone. Chances are it won't be the first people you talk to that invest, but pitching to those people will mean you are much better prepared for the next potential investors you meet and so on. The huge change in the last two years has of course been the growth of crowdfunding – first equity crowdfunding for startups and now most recently crowdfunded bonds which are better suited for more established businesses looking for growth capital. We launched our first crowdfunding campaign in October 2013 and raised £800k, which at the time was the fifth largest sum raised through equity crowdfunding in the UK. It was all very new and we genuinely had no idea of what the outcome would be at the time. I was talking to anyone and everyone about what we were doing hoping they might invest and out of these conversations, we had an offer for the full amount that we were looking for from a VC, Pembroke. Up until this point I had not approached any VCs as I was wary of their reputation but having met the founder of Pembroke, Peter Dubens, I was won over by his track record as an entrepreneur

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and has passion for food and for Sourced Market’s offering. So we were in the fortunate but unexpected position of having two great options. We decided at the stage we were at, Pembroke’s experience and connections were very valuable and we decided to go with their proposed investment, returning all the funds pledged to us via the crowdfunding campaign.

Crowdfunding itself was a great experience – it really raised our profile as a business and for a consumer facing brand this has real value. Many of our customers assume we are a multi site business, despite currently only having one site in St Pancras International (two sites are opening in 2016). Offering your customers the opportunity to be a part of your growth story can lead to them being real ambassadors for your business, shouting about you whenever they have the opportunity. This is one of the main reasons that this year we decided to look again at crowdfunding to raise the finance required for the next stage of our growth, this time a bond rather than equity. We are paying 8% interest on a four year bond.

This is definitely more attractive than the rates offered by banks, particularly when the fee and costs of the raise are factored in (e.g. marketing, shooting a video), but we believe these costs are outweighed by the marketing value of engaging with current and potential customers. l Ben O’Brien founder of Sourced Market

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STARTING A NEW BUSINESS? MAKE SURE YOU SET IT UP PROPERLY Small businesses are the essence of the UK economy but many owners are unaware of the importance of speaking to a solicitor to make sure their business is properly set up.

Research shows 55% of small business do not last beyond five years. Now, businesses are being provided with a simple to follow checklist to help them start out on the right foot, and to maximise their chance of survival.

Amar Bhatti is a business solicitor and managing director of Baker Reign Solicitors in Bradford. He says small businesses should be nurtured properly, and doing so is vital to the growth of the UK. "Being an entrepreneur is part of being British.

Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy. They drive growth, open new markets and create jobs. This makes their survival crucial to the country," he said "Lots of small businesses are not aware of the legal requirements within their chosen industry.

There can be a lot of regulation and red tape to jump through at the start.

"Many directors of small businesses are unaware that they can be financially liable if the business breaks down. A quick conversation with a solicitor at the start of a venture could be the difference between keeping and losing their family home."

The Law Society provides a wealth of information on setting up your own business. Here are five top legal tips for small business owners and entrepreneurs to follow when they set up a business:

Choose the right business structure (sole trader, partnership, limited liability company, LLP)

Formalise contractual arrangements with stakeholders and interested third parties such as investors, lenders, suppliers and distributors

Register for VAT and understanding tax obligations and implications

Consider whether professional indemnity insurance or other forms of business insurance is necessary in order to protect against possible claims such as negligence Registering intellectual property and trademarks.

The Law Society's Find a Solicitor service allows people to search a database of more than 140,000 solicitors, by geography and area of expertise. www.solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk

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SHOULD YOU ADAPT YOUR BUSINESS STYLE TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN A MAN’S WORLD? Inge Woudstra, Trainer, Consultant and Author of Be Gender Smart – The Key to Career Success argues women can be proud of who they are.

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ost women today still view the corporate world as a man’s world, and some men also feel that there are certain roles or careers, that will forever be seen as “A man’s job”. As a matter of fact, many women adapt their style to fit into this men’s world.

Just think of Margaret Thatcher or Madeleine Albright and you will get the picture.

But some women do it differently. They find ways to play the career game that do not require them to adapt. A good example is successful female entrepreneur Anita Roddick from The Bodyshop. She stood for her values, used her own distinct approach, and became very successful.

I believe there is more space for that now, as there are more women in senior roles than ever before.

BUSINESS IS A MEN’S WORLD It’s not easy though to stay yourself, and there are many pressures to adapt. In fact most advice to women in business seems to say you need to adapt and learn the rules of the – male – game.

That is no surprise. Historically the business world is one of men. The language used, is typically male with challenging language, linking to sports and war, ‘Beat the competition’, and ‘Go hit those targets’. A slogan in a recent advert aimed at entrepreneurs was, ‘Biting off more than you can chew shows you are still hungry’.

It’s not just language. Role models tend to be male

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too. Just think about successful entrepreneurs. Who do you think of? People like Richard Branson, Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg come to mind when I do.

So it’s hard to resist the temptation to adapt; the male way seems to be the way that business is done. It seems to be the way to success.

DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE However, as an entrepreneur you are uniquely positioned to develop your own style. There is no need to adapt to make sure your manager sees how brilliant you are and there is no need to fit in with the team.

You really can develop your own language, and create an organisation that you would love to work in.

One that is engaging and motivates you with language that helps you to achieve results.

It’s not easy, as it does require you to develop your own style. You have to figure out your own way of doing things. Instead of adapting and copying you need to build on your own strengths. That is the way to be successful in the long-term, though.

You can find examples too. When you think a bit more carefully, it’s not even that hard to find successful female entrepreneurs that can be your role model. Just think of Melinda Gates, Oprah Winfrey or Beyonce. Who is your role model?

YOUR STRENGTHS AND BRAIN DIFFERENCES Some of your strengths may well lie in the brain

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differences between men and women.

Women have more connections in their brain than men. This means they look at the big picture and tend to see a situation in its context. As a result they tend to ask many questions and like to know why a task needs doing. Starting up a project therefor may take longer, but during the process it’s easier to be innovative and flexible and still deliver an end-result that achieves it’s purpose.

Other areas where women are typically strong are: creating buy-in, building relationships of trust, doing what is feasible, keep up morale and drawing in a wide range of expertise and best practices.

What are your strengths? How are you applying those in your business?

WORKING WITH MEN So should you not adapt your style at all? If only it was that simple. Of course you work with men as well as women. Men can be your clients, suppliers or colleagues. So it is important you understand the rules of the game they play and make sure you can build relationships with men too.

Some knowledge of gender difference can help you.

Men compete on being the biggest, the best and the strongest. They are usually motivated by challenges and competitions.

- Setting targets and giving rewards and compliments for their output tends to work well.

- Be careful you do not check in on them too often, as they may feel you do not trust them - Make sure they do not lose face, but instead give them a way to save face in difficult or confrontational situations.

- When selling, focus on how your product or service can help them achieve.

Men build credibility by confidently stating their achievements.

- When out networking, make sure you do not just ask questions and listen, but list your own achievements confidently too. Men will expect you to do that and respect you for it.

Male brains have fewer connections than female brains and information is processed more locally. As a result men tend to prefer a focussed approach.

- Make sure you discuss a topic fully, and then move on to the next. Do not raise a long list of issues; rather raise 1 or 2 at a time.

So there really is no need to adapt when you are an entrepreneur. You can be yourself. In fact you have to be yourself, and work from your own strengths.

That way you can create a business that builds on your strengths and is sustainable in the long term.

Of course you need to adapt sometimes too. When working with men you need to understand what they do and what works for them. l

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DIGITAL CONTENT IS NOT JUST THE FUTURE OF MARKETING – IT’S THE PRESENT For brands, video content has become the primary vehicle for marketing a product. It provides vastly superior reach compared to any other marketing medium; YouTube alone has one billion users, which is almost a third of all people on the Internet, while the UK generates a weekly audience for online videos of more than 20 million.

Video content was worth 64% of all online consumer traffic in 2014. By 2019, Cisco predicts that this figure will be 80%. It will take an individual over five million years to watch the amount of film that will cross global IP networks every month in 2019. Clearly, using digital content to market yourself and your products is no longer the future; it’s the present.

Customer habits have changed drastically and content is now consumed across a vast range of digital channels. Moreover, the rapid popularisation of mobile browsing means that brands need to be creating far greater volumes of content to effectively market their products to today’s contenthungry audience.

But how is the industry responding to the changing ways 48

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we are consuming media? One of the most important factors we considered when establishing Movidiam was how to streamline the content creation and delivery process in order to match the demands of the digital age, without the need to compromise on quality.

MERITOCRACY Overwhelmingly, this brave new world of filmmaking is a freelance one – 91% of filmmakers are now independent. One of the traditional barriers to breaking through in the

film industry used to be making connections. The networks of film production were built over decades of bilateral collaboration, with brands and agencies working together beyond the reach of new skilled filmmakers looking to enter the industry.

With digital globalisation though, these traditional networks are no longer the best way for filmmakers to operate. On a digital platform with a global network of talent, brands can have direct access to the talented, creative

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ALONG WITH THE ADVANCES IN EDITING AND AUDIO SOFTWARE, THIS MEANS THAT BUDGETS CAN BE REDUCED WHILE THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTION INCREASES

filmmakers that they need to collaborate with in order to engage with customers across a variety of channels.

With modern technologies, filmmakers and producers alike can be connected directly with content-hungry brands without the need for agencies or middlemanagement, allowing professional and exceptionally talented creatives to thrive. For companies looking to market unique content fast, access like this is unparalleled.

It has never been easier to build a global network; to find and connect with a stop-motion artist in South Africa or a specialist wildlife photographer in the Amazon. This stimulates a truly meritocratic industry, where filmmakers and producers are judged purely on their skills and expertise. A shot in the heart of the Himalayas can be arranged using local talent, with the knowledge and expertise that a European crew simply can’t compete with.

TRANSPARENCY By hosting a global network on a digital platform, the entire content creation process is opened up to generate a transparency not before seen. Big name brands and production companies used to deal regularly in opaque million-dollar contracts; through Movidiam, for example, collaborators can clearly outline a brief, issue instant feedback, and produce clear deliverables against the initial scope – the entire production

process can also be housed and managed on the platform.

It is this ability to manage the project through every stage of production that allows the safeguarding of quality in modern digital content creation. It is not just a two-way transaction; brands, agencies, producers, filmmakers or other participants are all free to step in at any stage as client or customer. This emphasises the culture of collaboration that is so important in the creative industries.

EFFICIENCY Technological advances mean that equipment costs and expenses entailed in filmmaking and content creation are significantly lower than even five or ten years ago.

Along with the advances in editing and audio software, this means that budgets can be reduced while the quality of production increases. In the modern age of creativity, technology is the connector between brand and filmmaker; between producer and photographer.

Ubiquitous online channels have also allowed advertisers to enjoy a boom period. The new world of content marketing shows no sign of abating. In fact, the rate of video traffic will likely surge in coming years. The digital content industry must become far more agile in order to meet consumer needs, as the future of digital marketing has already arrived. l George Olver, co-founder, Movidiam entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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ENTREPRENEUR

SECRETS TO ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS SERIES:

ACTIONCOACH

A London-based business coach has been shortlisted for a national award after single-handedly growing her ActionCOACH franchise and smashing through the million-pound-a-year income target she had set herself just 12 months ago.

S

hweta Jhajharia, 36, from Battersea, is one of four finalists up for the Female Franchisee of the Year award at the 2015 bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards.

Shweta helps over 100 SMEs each year to grow their businesses across 16 London boroughs. In 2014, she was classed in the top 3 coaches in the world and is the first woman to be awarded the “Diamond Level of Excellence” award from ActionCOACH. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO SET-UP ACTIONCOACH? ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business development, coaching and consulting company, with over 1,000 coached globally. Coaching is structured to provide business owners with both short-term

GOALS ARE DREAMS WITH DEADLINES assistance and long-term training through an affordable mentoring approach.

At the age of 29, I was Global Marketing Knowledge Manager at Unilever. I wanted to do something more fulfilling so my husband, Amol, encouraged men to look at setting up my own business. With the UK economy in the middle of a recession in 2008, I was a little apprehensive.

I started to look into franchising, as the success rates of franchises compared to those of new businesses are much higher. ActionCOACH appealed to me because I knew it would utilise my marketing and management skills whilst still giving me the time 50

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to be a mother to my son who is now eight years old.

My personal motto is “Goals are dreams with deadlines” which is something I live by in both my personal and working life. I strongly believe that hard work and trust in your abilities can make a difference, not only to my own life, my family life and to the lives of the people whose businesses I help.

I help businesses to identify the issues that are holding them back, put systems in place to address the issues and deliver significant improvements. I believe that business coaching is not just about making a difference on the balance sheet but also helping people realise their dreams.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND? I originally come from a non-descript rural town in India. I earned my MBA at the Indian Institute of Magnagement (IIM), India’s top management institute, and then worked at Unilever for over 8 years in various management roles across Asia and Europe.

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to spend at least seven years in marketing and then move on to a consulting role.

WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AND OVERCOME? One of the biggest challenges I faced was the economic crisis. When the recession hit, it was a cautious time for everyone. Fortunately, it ended up working in my favour as I managed to maintain consistent growth for my clients – which was a good indication that our methods for helping businesses are robust.

A more personal challenge was the cultural adjustment to moving to the UK. There are obviously

many cultural differences between India and the UK, and my husband and I had to work hard when we first got here to adapt to the British turn of phrase. A most memorable incident was where a client mistook my pronunciation of “quote” for “goat”.

The way I have dealt with that is the way I deal with almost any challenge in my life: I identify the problem, I seek out a solution, and I create a step-bystep plan to take me from problem to solution within a defined time-frame.

HOW DID YOU ACHIEVE INVESTMENT? ActionCOACH is not a cheap franchise, you pay for quality. When I decided to go for ActionCOACH, we took the plunge and put in all of our life savings and took out a loan. At that point, if my partner lost his job, we would have had to return to India. I was well and truly committed.

HOW HAVE YOU PROMOTED YOUR BUSINESS? When I began, it was me sitting down, picking up the phone and calling prospective businesses to have a chat. Since then, I have developed a marketing machine that takes advantage of many marketing channels including email marketing, webinars, social media, hosting free workshops and events, direct marketing and pay-per-click.

I also run a tight and well-defined sales process that ensures leads are funnelled through and qualified as quickly and thoroughly as possible. My team have also been instrumental to the promotion of the business.

LESSONS LEARNT DURING YOUR FRANCHISE CAREER? • Set your own targets in business – you manage how far you are going to reach.

• Make sure that you let others help you as you cannot do everything yourself.

• You should not over attribute success or failure to yourself.

THINGS YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU STARTED? There are a lot of good, hardworking people out there who you can succeed together with. When you put in some effort to find a team, and thelp them succeed, you find your own opportunities grow manifold. l

FIVE TIPS AND ADVICE FOR OTHERS INCLUDING WHY FRANCHISES COULD BE GOOD/BAD FOR THEM. • Start with a system that already exists – do not try to reinvent the wheel. This is where franchises hold such power: you buy into a system that you know works.

• Focus on what you do best.

• When you put your own money into it, it makes a difference to your own commitment levels.

• Join a community – support from the people who surround you is a factor to success.

• Get a coach. I don’t say this just because I am a coach – I have my own coach and I personally experience the benefit. It is always worth having an objective view on your work. entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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DOGS GONE TECH!

ENTREPRENEUR

Dogs have always been man’s best friend.

Sometimes they need a little help from us too, especially when it comes to managing their social media accounts and navigating the net.

According to the Telegraph, almost one in four pooches have their own social feed or page and nine per cent of dogs have their own Twitter account and two per cent run their own blog. Foo the Pomeranian has 14,000 followers on Facebook. The top rated videos on YouTube are all of our furry friends.

Now there is a new dog in town to help pet owners keep ahead of the digital revolution. Pet-Fi enables brands to connect with the canine community.

We’re not talking about anthropomorphizing pets, just making sure they get the best information from the web! The new platform introduces innovative electronic products from feeders, to ball throwers and collars that monitor activity and health.

fence so that they get an alert if the pet goes over the boundary. Buddy is a modern dog collar with multicoloured LEDs designed to keep your pooch visible and safe from potential collisions. Go Pro has also gotten into the market of pet fans filming from a dogs eye view with Fetch, their dog harness can be used to capture the world from your pooch’s point of view.

The world of dog fashion has definitely hit the runway! Brands like Mulberry are collaborating with iconic British pet brand Mungo and Maud on limited edition collars and leashes, and Tumi has a collaboration with Berlin based pet design brand Cloud 7 to create the ultimate travel case for dogs. Ralph Lauren has a gorgeous collection of coordinating t-shirts and sweaters for owners and their pooches.

Dog houses are designed by architects and furniture for dogs is no longer a grubby looking mat.

The Dog Cottage Company specialises in building beautiful, bespoke cottages for dogs. British designed and manufactured cottages are constructed from the finest quality materials and come complete with stunning cedar shingle or natural slate roofs, cottages are fully insulated, heated and have exterior lighting and even fully opening glazed windows and doors, and a PetSafe dog door.

There are special products for all types of grooming needs and grooming styles have certainly become a trend. Grooming and organic pet supplements has become a serious industry in Britain. HOWND is a British Brand that has a range of shampoos that are great for all skin types. Especially popular is the You Stink range which is great for eliminating odours.

Coconut butter is being added to dogs food as a supplement to keep their skin healthy. Fed regularly to pets, coconut oil can have many health benefits — for their skin, digestive and immune systems; metabolic function; and even their bone and brain health! A new company in this sector is CocoMutts who has recently launched their own virgin coconut oil produced to the highest standard, with a flavour that pets LOVE! Food trends and fad diets range from Raw to vegan to slow-dehydrated powders.

PURE PET FOOD is a company that turned down Dragons Den investors and have not turned back since. Their approach makes it easy to provide dogs with the natural goodness and nutrients found in raw and homemade food, made in the UK, fresh and raw ingredients are prepared by slow dehydration.

Honeys Raw is a small, ethical, family-run, artisanal, working dog food company. Many dog owners are switching to raw food as this is same sort of diet they would enjoy in the wild. And today Vegan pet owners are also being catered to by Veggie Pets, a growing company founded in London by two Vegans. They are seeing a huge growth in customers, Mainly vegetarians and vegans but also a growing number of people who are recommended to try Vegan for dogs with severe intolerances to meat and dairy. l

WEARABLE TECH ISN’T JUST FOR PEOPLE, NOW YOU CAN GET YOUR PETS SYNCED UP WITH THE LATEST GADGETS AND GIZMOS Pet-Fi, a London based start-up founded by American entrepreneur Jennifer Stevens recently secured funding from The Start-Up Funding Club in addition to two private Angels. Pet-Fi is an online platform bringing together the best of pet-focused brands, businesses and communities. Pet-Fi combines digital and physical experiences to engage with pet owners around the world in a new way aiming to unify this fragmented market. Pet-Fi will be looking to monetise the increasing production of online content focused on animals and pets.

If your dog won’t stop barking, Pet-Fi will come up with a solution with a friendly collar that will keep them quiet with reviews from other owners and the ability to share their experiences. Spending has escalated in a 5 billion pound industry in the UK alone and Pet Fi will provide accessories for every budget.

Today’s dog can even watch TV with dedicated channel Dog TV offering programming designed to keep them entertained when there owners go out to work or for the evening. We can watch our pets on our phone while we’re out on webcams and dedicated apps.

Pet-Fi shares great stories about dog lovers and is dedicated to showcasing ethical products and limited editions from their partners to raise funds and awareness for their charity partners. The site puts dog owners in touch with pet-friendly hotels and restaurants and even private members clubs.

In todays high-tech world there is more and more humanisation of pets. And our pets are certainly not being left behind when it comes to technology.

Wearable tech isn’t just for people, now you can get your pets synced up with the latest gadgets and gizmos. A newcomer to the market is Pod. The gadget is designed to attach to any size collar and uses a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile data coverage allowing owners to display their furry friend’s current location on a map and even set up a virtual

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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE: SETTING UP A BUSINESS IN YOUR 50s Helen King, inspirational founder of exciting new venture togetherfriends.com

ENTREPRENEUR

THE WHOLE TOGETHERFRIENDS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN AND STILL IS AMAZING When I turned 50 I became very entrepreneurial. I had not really got to where I wanted with a career, mainly due to having time off with three children and returning to lower level jobs in the workplace which could be fitted into a busy home life.

At 50 things were changing. My kids were growing up and going to university. They were more independent allowing me more time for myself. At the same time I felt dissatisfied with my progression in the workplace. I still felt ‘young’. I wasn’t on the scrapheap yet or ready for early retirement. With lots of life experience, I was buzzing with ideas and skills which I felt were not being put to good use.

So I decided to set up a business. I was going to run a Bed and Breakfast, I was going to take on a Nanny franchise, I was going to offer advice to the Elderly on housing options, a field of work that I had been in before.

But what I decided on was togetherfriends.com, a friendship website for women in the UK where women could make new friends. The website works by linking women to each other based on age, location and interests. It is based on the dating site idea, but is all about friendship, not relationships. Although open to all women over 18, my target audience is women over 45, an age group I understand and which I believe is often ignored.

The idea came about because I wanted to go for a walk but had no one to go with. I had friends in my home town, but they were all busy. They were in work, they had other commitments, or they were not interested in striding out onto Ilkley Moor.

I began to realise that friends come and go throughout life. In your 20s when you have fewer responsibilities, you may have lots of available friends who can meet up at the drop of a hat. Later on, personal circumstances can change relationships.

A move to a new town, a busy work life, divorce, retirement, bereavement, children leaving home can all affect the friendships that you have.

Togetherfriends was set up in September 2013.

It was self funded, with the limited savings that my husband and I had available. Funding was mainly needed to set up the website, and pay for any marketing costs. We had carried out research, we had written a business plan with projected income and expenditure, so we launched togetherfriends with high hopes and excitement.

Looking back I was rather naïve. I didn’t realise how difficult it would be to promote the website and get into the newspapers. I didn’t realise how much it would cost to do this.

The plan was to charge a low fee to members who

want to link up with friends, and charge businesses for advertising on the site. Women are joining the website on a daily basis and subscribing, but the advertising part was initially less successful. This is changing as the website grows.

The whole togetherfriends experience has been and still is amazing. I have learned so much. I have dipped my toe into the world of social media, I have learned about marketing, blogging and running competitions. I have received fantastic testimonials from members who have made good friends through the site.

And I have learned how to market the site without spending a fortune.

My Twitter technique is improving, I have grabbed the attention of regional and national papers (the Daily Express, My Weekly Magazine and Saga magazine) by talking about female friendship, loneliness, and tips on making friends.

I now write press releases rather than paying for advertising. I have made changes to the website to push it up the Google Search Engine and I have found a mentor who I can bounce ideas off. I network with other businesses resulting in shared blogs, competitions and support for each other.

I have become more open minded about the site.

I am continually looking for ways to adapt – to give members what they want, but in the same way looking at how to bring in a decent income. And I have learned how to use my time more effectively. In the early months I spent hours in front of the computer. Now I work in shorter bursts. I plan my work better, being more effective in what I do. I give myself time off.

When my mind goes blank, I put on my walking boots and get out on the moor. Often providing me with far more thinking time than the office.

Everyone told me that it would be a slow burner, and this is so true. But when I get into another newspaper resulting in a flurry of new joiners, when a coffee morning, walking group or supper club takes off, or when a member writes about their new special friend it makes it all worthwhile. l www.togetherfriends.com

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ENTREPRENEUR

ADVICE TO ASPIRING TECH START-UPS

Henn Ruukel, CEO of Fleep, discusses putting together the building blocks for a start-up, finding and building a team of like-minded people and tips for growing your company.

F

leep is an Estonian start-up that I founded at the end of 2012, which includes some former employees of Skype as co-founders and investors. I had the idea at Skype to build a great messaging app that works with email to intelligently organise all your team chats and business emails in one place, and that is what we built.

We have just launched Fleep 2.0, with an updated look and feel to encourage greater user engagement and more active users and recommendations. Getting to this stage in two years has been a great journey, and below I outline the key things we have learned along the way and what I would recommend to anyone else looking to start a new business.

SELECTING THE RIGHT TEAM When you first get your idea for a start-up you will want to start thinking about building a team.

You should consider the skills you will need and find people to fill these roles. This group will be your co-founders who will help you to build your company. Try to find co-founders with whom you have worked with before as you will know how well they perform under

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pressure. I would encourage you to select them carefully and treat them equally.

I started by explaining my plans to people I knew, asking whether they were interested to join or could recommend someone else. It is important that the team you choose shares your vision on what you are trying to achieve, in our case to build a great messaging app that will replace email. To get to the Fleep team of six took me

seven months and speaking to around 30 people.

BUILDING THE RIGHT CULTURE The culture of the business is something that shapes everything you do, from how developers write code and fix bugs, to how you treat users and other team members. I learned from Skype that it is very easy to align culture while the team is small and close together, but it becomes a job in itself during the period of fast growth.

ENTREPRENEUR

The culture of the organisation makes a big difference and is a living thing that has to be nurtured.

Everyone’s company culture will be different and as long as you stay true to yourself, to your team and to your users, you won’t go wrong.

INVESTOR ADVICE With investors the most important thing is to be up front and completely transparent as they are there to help. It may be tempting to jump at any investor that crosses your path, especially earlier on. However, try and avoid bad investors that don’t invest their money as much as they invest their time, advice and network.

COMMUNICATIONS An efficient internal and external communication is vital for any start-up. Email is a 40-year-old technology built for sending and receiving letters in electronic form and we believe that businesses today should look beyond it to modern messengers like Fleep, Slack or Hipchat.

Messengers are optimised for conversations, teamwork and collaboration which will make your life easier. Fleep also integrates with email so you can include email users into a conversation without forcing people to sign up to a new service.

I recommend testing out the range of modern messengers available and find one that suits your needs and aids productivity.

Email need only then be used where it still excels, such as for one-way communication like sending invoices and bulk marketing emails.

DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY Design and functionality of your product or service should be given equal value. Companies can differentiate themselves through great design and user experience which will encourage users to remain active and share with others.

A few years ago people shared everything on Facebook and now people are more considerate about what they share on social media and in real life, which makes getting a recommendation even more powerful. When people see a great design and the product is easy to use then that creates the emotion, and like great food they want to tell their friends.

The points I have made have worked for me and got me where I am today, but there will be other things that you will have to learn through trial and error. The most important thing is to not give up and learn quickly from your mistakes and you won’t go far wrong. l Henn Ruukel is CEO of Fleep the messaging app that works with email to intelligently organise all your team chats and business emails in one place - https://fleep.io/home

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INVESTOR

COLLECTING WINE A BEGINNER’S GUIDE Wine, just like stamps, art and jewellery, have well documented histories, vintages, and values which in turn make them great collectables. A number of factors can influence exactly how collectible, and therefore valuable, a wine collection can be. These include; the wines provenance, storage history, vintage and brand name. To ensure maximum profit, Value My Stuff founder, Patrick van der Vorst, takes you through each of these factors and shows you how to start and develop a fine wine collection of your own.

INVESTOR

LOOK FOR THE NAME

UNDERSTANDING VINTAGE

If you’re buying wine as an investment with a view to reselling at some stage in the future, then concentrate on the big names as these will be most likely to offer you a safe return. There are many top brands on the wine market that are worth investing in at the moment, but some particular ones of note are; Romanée-Conti, Château Margaux, Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château Lafite, Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem.

A wine’s vintage refers to the year in which a particular wine’s grapes were harvested. However, it is important to note that some vintages are better than others. This is because wine can be dramatically different from year to year depending on a variety of factors such as weather conditions and harvesting time. It is wise to check out the vintage charts available from the sources below which can give you a good idea of the quality of a specific vintage before purchasing a wine.

HOW TO SPOT A FAKE There are a growing number of fakes coming on to the market, so this is something to be particularly aware of if you are a novice collector. It is best to be cautious, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or demand more details or information. You should be particularly wary of any wines that are of a famous vintage as these are more likely to be copied. You should always compare the label and capsule to those of a known genuine bottle, and look closely to ensure the label is straight and centred. You should always check the wine’s provenance and be very wary if there is any lack of, or unwillingness to provide, information on this.

If you have any reason to be suspicious, or if you are simply inexperienced and are not sure what to look for, then you should seek advice from a professional before purchasing.

STORING YOUR WINE You need to be extremely careful when storing your wine. Poor storage can affect the value of your wine, or in the worst case scenario ruin your wine (and therefore its value). Potential buyers will often ask you about your storage conditions and some auction houses will even be reluctant to sell any wines with an uncertain storage history.

The perfect conditions for storing wine are as follows: - A constant temperature of between 10-14 degrees.

- A slightly damp atmosphere.

- A healthy environment with no mould.

- A dark room which is protected from light.

PROVENANCE It is crucial to the value of your investment to ensure you know the quality and provenance of the wine you are buying. This includes the wine’s origin and the confirmation that it has been stored in an appropriate environment. When purchasing a new wine it is always advised to ask the seller for this information in addition to a copy of their purchase invoices, if they have them, so you can validate this information.

- Robert Parker through the publication The Wine Advocate, established in 1978.

- La Revue du Vin de France - A monthly French wine publication dating back to 1927.

- Gault & Millau – An Influential French guide to wines and hotels in France.

HOW TO ASSES A WINE’S CONDITION When both buying and selling wine there are a number of factors to look out for to ensure you are making the most out of your investment. For example, a wine that comes in its original wooden casing will be more desirable. Wines with capsules, corks and labels in perfect condition will also be more valuable. The condition of the label is particularly important. The level of the wine is also important – the wine should come up and into the bottle neck.

COLLECTING WINE AS AN INVESTMENT Only a very small portion of the wine produced worldwide can be considered for investment. The market has shown a significant increase over the past few years, with China fuelling its expansion.

Unexpectedly, Hong Kong has become one of the most significant places for wine auctions in the world, overtaking London and New York and setting record prices on a regular basis. The abolition of wine duties in early 2008 by the city of Hong Kong was a key fact in encouraging the main auction houses to start organizing sales.

Bordeaux is the most popular choice among Chinese and Asian buyers, but Burgundy wines encounter success too. In November 2010, Christie’s sold 12 bottles of La Tâche (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti), vintage 1990 for HK$936,000 (£76,000). l Value My Stuff is an online valuation service which enables customers to take photos of their items which they can then upload directly onto the site where, within just 48 hours, they will receive a valuation report from one of over 62 experts. Many of the experts are ex Sotheby’s, Christie’s or Bonhams and cover every area from aboriginal art and ceramics through to sport, music and film memorabilia, stamps, coins, toys and more. Prices start from £10.00 per item valued.

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FINDING A FACE IN THE CROWD – CROWDFUNDING NEEDS TO GO BACK TO BASICS

INVESTOR

2015 has been a year of firsts and record breakers for crowdfunding in the UK, with craft beer connoisseurs Brew Dog raising a record £10 million back in October, via their Equity for Punks campaign. Online canine community BorrowMyDoggy boasted an industry first last month after raising £1.5 million in pledges in under four hours during a live pitch. Gamechangers Seedrs also had a record-breaking summer this year, as August proved to be their most successful month to date, after 17 deals tallied up an impressive £6.9 million. Moving into November, Property Partner smashed a new world record, by securing £843,100 in just 10 minutes 43 seconds, the equivalent of £1,311 per second.

These figures are testament to a population that has fully embraced alternative finance in place of inaccessible corporate loans and frosty receptions from high street bank lenders.

However, with such staggering raises in record time - crowdfunding has grown 1000% in a five-year period, with projections that the sector could generate $3.2 trillion each year by 2020 - have we peaked too soon and in-turn, plateaued too early? “Where can equity crowdfunding go from here?” I hear you ask.

Well, financially speaking, it’s definitely going

WATCHING A BUSINESS OWNER COMMUNICATE THEIR IDEA AND THEIR BELIEF IN THEIR PRODUCT, WARTS AND ALL, IS AN INVALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THAT BUSINESS AND THE WAY IT IS OPERATED somewhere fast. Equity crowdfunding in the UK was valued at £146 million in 2015, double the valuation in 2014. This is set to double again next year, which is great news for our thriving population of SMEs. In London alone, small to medium sized enterprises account for 99.8% of the private business sector. So this is all great, Britain’s startup generation is quite evidently thriving. However, once you begin to dig a little deeper - as I often do when meeting thousands of budding entrepreneurs yearly - the gloss begins to wear off. Access to funding continues to be a major constraint for early-stage businesses, with 38% citing a lack of bank lending as the biggest growth barrier.

Whereas reams of red tape and reticence at the hands of high street banks have suffocated the amounts lent to new companies, crowdfunding has waded in like the fun uncle of finance who’s rich and

relaxed with his money - the complete opposite to your tight parents (the banks for those of you who don’t get the analogy). The results are phenomenal improved accessibility and speed of deal-flow like no other market catalyst. Understandably, crowdfunding is startup Britain’s new best friend, reflected conveniently in a recent study that cites speed and the lack of “strings attached” as the main factors driving companies to raise capital through this very method.

As an industry, such exceptional growth would of course not be possible without the enthusiasm of investors. Investor attitudes have been instrumental in the rise of equity crowdfunding and with forecasts such as the above mentioned in store, their desire to fund projects seems to be gaining momentum. Driven by a heightened connection to where their pounds are actually going - personal passion for a product saw Coutts Passion Index rocket 80% - and the convenience of online investing, crowdfunding has enabled the armchair investor to adopt a Dragon’s Den-mentality from the comfort of their own home. So now, next to the remote control lies three towers of cold, hard cash and a Deborah Meaden cut-out in every home across Britain. The democratised investor has arrived.

However, given the sector’s meteoric rise, concerns have emerged that we could witness a crowdfunding bubble as a result of the speed and ease in which investors can inject money into growing companies.

As it stands, regulation is loose and with this, mistakes ensue. Once we learn from these mistakes however, the rules will tighten around a mutually agreeable structure - something I welcome. This will be safer and more convenient for all in the long run, especially if the EU adapts the regulatory framework, as suggested by the FCA. To mitigate this risk and help remove the purely transactional entity that online crowdfunding has become, we need to go back a bit. Essentially, crowdfunding has hoverboarded its way to stardom so quickly, as a result of the technology it’s defined by, it’s lost a few vital factors along the way. What was a trailblazing concept is steadily sinking into a soulless repetition of transaction-led transfers and clicks. What has been lost is the people part - and as corny as it may sound - people still buy people. And I’m not on my own in this was of thinking. Loads of investors agree with me, take a 2014 report compiled by Nesta and the University of Cambridge, which found that 96% of investors in equity crowdfunding were swayed by the quality of a pitch.

The fundamentals of a live pitch are becoming obsolete as company heads rely on the detachment of an online crowdfunding platform. To revive the live pitch and add personality back into online crowdfunding, I am eager to champion the two working in tandem. Watching a business owner communicate their idea and their belief in their product, warts and all, is an invaluable insight into that business and the way it is operated.

To prevent crowdfunding from stagnating or worse bursting its shiny bubble, the industry needs to combine the immediacy of online funding with the undeniable value of a live pitch. We need to go back, to move forward. l Luke Davis CEO, Crowdfinders

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WHAT ARE FINTECH COMPANIES?

INVESTOR

The global financial services industry is currently experiencing a wave of innovation which is starting to shake up decades of status quo. A large number of newcomers are developing products and services that are disrupting traditional activities.

These “FinTech” companies bring digital solutions which are built around the evolving needs and behaviours of today’s customers. The FinTech sector is actually a very broad field, encompassing most technological innovations which impact the delivery of traditional financial services offered by banks, insurers or asset managers.

FinTech companies either introduce digital innovation to traditional sectors such as payments, foreign exchange or insurance or “disrupt” the financial services industry by creating alternative business models such as peer to peer lending, crowdfunding or cryptocurrencies.

That is why FinTech startups are often segmented into two categories. Enabling startups on the one hand who want to work with and sell to financial institutions (e.g. a software company developing products for asset managers) and disruptive startups on the other whose business models are to ultimately actively compete with incumbents in the market with a new innovative solution (e.g. a peer-to-peer mortgage lender).

The FinTech sector is rapidly growing and is fuelled by global trends: large financial institutions suffer from decade old legacy systems (as evidenced by several UK-wide ATM outages in recent years) and are under intense regulatory pressures which slow down their progress and capture a considerable amount of resources. Those financial institutions need innovative

solutions to defend their market position and adapt to new realities.

Amplified by worldwide mobile adoption and shifting demographic user behaviour and expectations, those innovative companies are prone to either grab significant market shares from the incumbents or develop completely new offerings, in either case with the intention of building sustainable businesses.

The success of companies like Transferwise or Lending Club has started to show how disruptors can be successful: appearing as customer friendly organisations providing better service at lower costs through new technologies or operating in segments that the established companies will rather enter through acquisitions once the market is “proven” to be big enough.

INVESTMENT ACTIVITY FinTech is arguably one of the fastest growing verticals in early stage investing right now: investments into the FinTech sector soared in the UK in 2014 to £417m up from £177m in 2013, accounting for over 50% of all European investments in FinTech. The investment in London in 2014 tripled to £342m and reached over £400m for the first quarter of 2015 alone.

The UK FinTech market alone is currently estimated to be worth £20bn in annual revenue of which new market contenders already account for 20%.

As a world leading centre for financial services and with a vibrant startup hub, London – and the UK in general – has the ingredients to become the world capital of FinTech. London’s position, combined with a supportive regulatory framework, enables the UK to provide a natural eco-system for the development entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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THESE COMPANIES BRING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS BUILT AROUND THE EVOLVING NEEDS AND BEHAVIOURS OF TODAY’S CUSTOMERS

of tomorrow’s emerging players in the financial technology sector.

No other place in the world has the chance to combine FinTech talent, infrastructure, customers and providers of capital in the same location. It is no surprise to see that the UK and Ireland have now become the fastest growing region for FinTech investment.

As portfolio advisor to several SEIS funds, we have witnessed first-hand through some of our portfolio companies the helpful approach of the FCA when it comes to bringing new financial products to market which compete with existing offering.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR INVESTORS? From an investor’s point of view, this translates into not only a big market opportunity but also a clear route to exit which means very high potential capital gains (tax free if invested through the Enterprise Investment Scheme) for those who invested at the earliest stages in the future leaders of their field.

“Exits” can occur through public listings of fast growth new players or – more commonly - trade sales of those small and medium sized innovative companies that have a market presence to established financial firms. These companies bring digital solutions built around the evolving needs and behaviours of today’s customers and constitute obvious acquisition targets for large established organisations who are looking to protect their market share.

HOW CAN YOU ACCESS THESE OPPORTUNITIES? Accessing these opportunities is complex and time consuming. Up until recently, it was the privilege of a few insiders with the right connections with angel networks and accelerators and able to regularly attend pitching and networking events in the City or on the 66

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Silicon Roundabout.

But as the market opportunity is growing, it is only right that the FinTech investment space opens up to a larger community of investors. A large number of private investors - often with a background in the financial industry themselves –have the means and interest to get exposure to that sector.

This is why Startup Funding Club has partnered up with FINTECH Circle – Europe’s largest network on FinTech and Innvotec – an FCA regulated fund manager to launch the FinTech 2016 SEIS Fund. The fund has been developed to allow private investors to benefit from this opportunity and directly invest in some of the most promising “startups” and early-stage businesses in the sector – all the while benefiting from the generous tax breaks available under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme.

The “team” reviews over 100 FinTech startup opportunities each year which has resulted in unrivalled expertise and market knowledge together with the ability to source some of the best opportunities in the UK’s vibrant FinTech space. We will launch the fund in September and would love to hear from anyone who is interested in the sector and would like to get involved! l An in-depth analysis of the FinTech sector can be found in the FinTech Book, the first book dedicated to the FinTech industry. The book’s content is globally crowdsourced from some of the most influential thinkers of that space. The book is published by Wiley and co-edited by Susanne Chishti (FINTECH Circle) and Janos Barberis (FinTechHK). For more information visit www.theFinTechbook.com Joseph Zipfel – Investment Manager at Startup Funding Club www.startupfundingclub.com

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FACTION SKIS OFFERS INVESTMENT VIA CROWDCUBE TO EXPAND INTO ASIA AND AMERICA Faction, one of the fastestgrowing ski companies in the world on the back of product innovation and viral videos, launched its Crowdcube campaign on a Saturday and by the Monday had raised £369,000. The offering allows fans to invest alongside angel and VC backers for as little as £50.

The £500,000 they aim to raise will fund expansion into growing markets including Asia which hosts the next two winter Olympics and the $4.5 billion North American market.

Backed until now by founders, angel investors and London VC Octopus Ventures, Faction is on track for £2.7 million in turnover this season selling to fans worldwide through 300 retailers in 25 countries. The company uses innovative materials from carbon to recycled PET and has won over 50 awards including Skiing Magazine’s ‘Ski of the Year’. Its outdoor clothing line which uses insulation developed by NASA and proprietary stretch fabrics have accelerated sales contributing to the company’s 146% growth in sales orders this year.

“We’re a high-growth multi-million pound turnover business now, so we’ve got strong backers and access to capital. But we wanted the fans and angels who got us here to be part of our journey,” said Alex Hoye, Faction co-founder and CEO from Faction’s executive offices in Shoreditch. “We loved the opportunity Crowdcube offers our advocates to invest.

It’s a revolution in small business financing to allow individuals to invest alongside respected investors and as a company who has always pushed boundaries we’re pleased to be on the front line.”

Team athlete Candide Thovex’s 17 million-view One of Those Days 2 is the most-viewed video in the history of skiing and Faction’s in-house produced webisode series has been propelled by fans to viral success garnering over a million views. The top incentive for the crowd funding includes your own web film with a Faction pro athlete in Switzerland.

In addition to using the money to fund expansion, Faction will also: • Create a new B2B platform to seamlessly connect

their production, distribution and sales network • Expand its clothing range including its lifestyle

offering • For a minimum investment of £50 – the price of

a day’s ski pass – fans can invest on the same

terms taken up by Octopus and angels like Sean

Park. Crowdfunding investors will acquire 3.51%

equity in the company.

Australian product designer Tony McWilliam and American entrepreneur Alex Hoye founded the company to bridge the chasm between conservative mainstream ski brands and the revolutionary spirit inspired by snowboarding. Frustrated by not finding the skis they needed, their mission was clear: create tools of escape for fans worldwide built with quality and adventure in mind.

McWilliam and Hoye’s long-term vision is to establish Faction, with executive offices in Verbier and Shoreditch, as an authentic leader in snowsports, bringing innovation with style to skiers on and off the mountain.

Crowd investors will receive incentives including: • Invest £1,000 • 10% discount and a limited edition merino beanie • Invest £5,000 • 20% discount and a limited edition merino

cashmere sweater • Invest £10,000 • 20% discount and a topsheet artwork signed by the

shaper or artist suitable for framing • Invest £25,000 • 30% discount and a special edition topsheet on a

pair of Candide 3.0s with autograph • Invest £75,000 • 40% discount and an invitation to our Investor

Preview Day in Verbier, Switzerland to ride the next

season’s gear • Invest £200,000 • Your own Faction Webisode: a weekend in Verbier

including heli-skiing with one of Faction’s world

class athletes for you and three friends and a

filmer plus a pro tour of all the best bars in Verbier For more information on Faction’s Crowdcube campaign, please visit www.crowdcube.com/faction

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WHY INVEST IN BRITISH STARTUPS

The UK is quickly becoming one of the most active startup ecosystems in the world thanks to a unique combination of strengths: the largest concentration of higher education institutions in Europe, the presence of most Fortune 500 companies, specialist tech capabilities, great infrastructure, a pre-eminent financial centre, and supportive policies for startups.

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ondon in particular combines these assets better than any other city in Europe and it is no surprise to see “Tech City” – the technology cluster located in East London – now being the third-largest startup hub in the world after San Francisco and New York City.

British startups also benefit from a strong support system made of a growing number of accelerators and incubators programmes which are helping entrepreneurs across all sectors – from Food and Drink to Technology – as well as a large market of early adopters (the UK is the biggest e-commerce market in Europe for example).

Young companies are also increasingly getting better access to capital which accelerates their growth: in the first six months of 2015, venture capital investment into UK companies hit a record high, with more than $2.2bn invested – more than the during the whole of 2014!

This eco-system is already producing its first wave of success stories: the UK has generated more “unicorns” than any other European country. Unicorns are startups which were created after the year 2000 and are now valued at more than one billion dollars by public and/or private markets.

FROM AN INVESTOR’S POINT OF VIEW, THIS SHOWS NOT ONLY A BIG MARKET OPPORTUNITY BUT ALSO A CLEAR ROUTE TO EXIT As of today, there are 17 British unicorns which boast a cumulative value of over $40bn. These startups operate across various sectors such as financial services (Funding Circle, Transferwise), e-commerce (ASOS), real estate (Zoopla) or even food delivery (Just Eat). A number of these companies are now publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ. We believe that these early successes are paving the way for many more. These companies have shown how disruptors can be successful: using technology to provide a better service at lower costs in segments where established companies either cannot or will not compete. Amplified by worldwide mobile adoption and shifting demographic user behaviour and expectations, those innovative companies are prone to either grab significant market shares from the incumbents or develop completely new offerings, in either case with the ability to build sustainable business models.

From an investor’s point of view, this shows not only a big market opportunity but also a clear route to “exit” (i.e. the realisation of gains for investors) either via trade sales to established firms or public listings of fast growth new players.

This is why we are excited to launch the 2016 edition of our Startup Funding Club SEIS Fund – in collaboration with the FCA regulated fund manager Innvotec – which allows investors to get direct access

to these exciting early stage investment opportunities.

The Fund is built around the same model as our previous SEIS funds which are showing strong signs of progress. We have a unique track record in early stage investing with so far more than 40 companies invested in through our SEIS funds.

The Fund is a “seed fund” which will build a portfolio of high potential companies with innovative and disruptive products and services across all sectors: from Technology to Food and Drink. The final portfolio will include both consumer and enterprisefocused companies.

This allows the Fund to build a diversified portfolio of high potential companies operating in different areas, bring relevant post investment support and increase the potential returns that the Fund can generate. We believe that it is by investing at the earliest stages of commercial exploitation that there is the potential to generate and then realise significant capital appreciation for investors.

In addition to the high returns thought achievable in early stage investments, investors in the Fund will receive (subject to personal circumstances) the full benefit of the generous tax reliefs offered under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (“SEIS”): • Income tax relief of 50% of the amount invested which can be “carried back” to the previous tax year • Capital gain tax reinvestment relief • Capital gain tax exemption when the companies are successfully sold • Loss relief on disposal against your capital gain and income tax We are very encouraged by the growing interest in SEIS investments and we hope that this Fund will be an interesting opportunity for anyone considering to become an “angel investor”! l www.startupfundingclub.com Joseph Zipfel, Investment Manager at Startup Funding Club

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ENTRY BARRIERS STIFLING GROWTH OF ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS FUNDS For the first time in five years regulatory requirement has been knocked off the top of the list of the biggest challenges facing the alternative investments sector and this could restrict growth for smaller alternative investment funds.

Recently, the Alternative Investment Managers Association cited the requirement for an ever increasing amount of entry capital and high back office costs as the greatest barriers to growth.

The sector had seen a decline in the number of new alternative investment products entering the market. This has been due to the high entry capital requirement, which has doubled in the past 5 years to around 150 million euros, the implementation of AIFMD and the rising costs associated with providers of Depository and Administration services.

According to Kaine Price, Director of Talbot Capital Ltd, AIFMD should be embraced and he believes there will always be room for smaller alternative investment funds. He states: "The AIFMD regime provides investors with increased security and confidence and whilst only funds at a certain level have to comply all can elect to do so - this is attractive to potential clients. With the continued stagnation of traditional investment instruments the alternative investment fund sector offers an exciting opportunity for those looking to maximise capital return.

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"The issue may actually be the lack of affordable service providers able to offer the full suite of support services. For many of the larger service providers there is a lack of interest in funds with AUM below a certain level and the charges they levy make access unaffordable to more discreet funds operating under the conventional two and 20 charging structure."

It is this lack of interest from the large service providers to support sub micro funds that Kaine is confident Talbot Capital can exploit, adding: "Our independence allows us the freedom to provide clients with an unbiased, objective and professional range of middle and back office services, to which many of our larger competitors may never aspire. As a result we are able to offer a full spectrum incubation service to aspiring Fund Managers operating with a much more discreet level of Cap intro than the large service providers would entertain.

"We have already had a request to provide this service for both a fund that specialises in small cap AIM stock and another for a Wine fund with just 19 investors and a fund of ÂŁ5 million which would be crippled by the costs associated with the larger providers." l www.talbotcapital.co.uk.

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EATFIRST DRIVES RESTAURANT SECTOR TO NEW HEIGHTS Capital injection of over $8million to take first online restaurant global

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atFirst, one of the world’s first quality online restaurants, is pipped to radically evolve the UK’s dining-in experience. Having already secured an investment of over $8million, EatFirst delivers delicious and fresh cuisines across London and Berlin. Noted for its huge growth potential, this capital injection will allow the app-based restaurant to significantly build on its rapid success and growth to become the largest online restaurant across the globe by 2018.

The UK restaurant sector is booming and since 2010 turnover has risen by 39%[1] – a result of increased consumer spending and a boost in disposable incomes[2]. While the industry is largely focused on eating out, EatFirst has created a new option by delivering the restaurant experience to consumers’ dinner tables. In just nine months the company is certainly making an impact, delivering over 100,000 meals and already achieving 30% month-onmonth sales growth (October 2015) – with only 30 employees. Supported by renowned Germany-based incubator Rocket Internet, one of the world’s largest internet platforms outside of the US and China, its strong food business experience and record in building IT platforms is enabling EatFirst to expand and

reach the next stage of its growth.

Founded by Rahul Parekh, Humberto Ayres Pereira and Torben Schulz, EatFirst is a dynamic dining experience that’s passionate about bringing new and fresh options to the consumer. Aimed at an increasingly health conscious population, EatFirst is filling a gap, meeting the needs of those who have busy lives yet still want good quality, healthy meals.

Providing sophisticated, nutritious meals prepared by top quality and highly-trained chefs as well as a convenient way to dine-in, EatFirst is broadening consumer mind-sets by carving out a new delicious quality option - blurring the lines within the sector.

“The future of the restaurant category is online, and we are at the forefront of this shift”, stated Rahul Parekh, Co-Founder/CEO of EatFirst. “We want to grow the UK restaurant sector and offer an additional option that is high in quality and healthy. Consumer lifestyles are continually evolving, and we noticed an opportunity to explore further. We’ve seen huge demand over the last 9 months and this investment will enable us to reach new heights, as well as develop and grow within the restaurant sector.” l www.eatfirst.co.uk entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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JAGUAR PUTS CLASSIC CAR MARKET IN POLE POSITION 72

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The classic car market is now worth over £6 billion in the UK, employing thousands across the country as demand increases. This growing market falls in line with the fact that more motorists are turning to classic cars as their vehicle of choice. For some, the decision is driven by nostalgia, while for others it may be the desire to stand out from the crowd.

Owning a modern car can be frustrating, as its value depreciates rapidly within the first 12 months of ownership. Comparatively, a classic car is more likely to retain its value – it may actually increase if restored and maintained to a high standard.

As the classic car market takes pole position, the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index recently noted that classic cars have beaten everything from art, watches, gold and coins over the past one year, five years and 10 years.

These strong returns have pricked the ears of many eager investors looking to benefit, but which classics are leading the way?

WHICH CLASSIC CAR SHOULD I INVEST IN? Choosing which classic car to invest in can prove costly – particularly as the market is becoming increasingly lucrative. Big name Ferraris and Lamborghinis are likely to set you back a hefty sum.

Last year, for example, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $34.65 million at auction – making it the most expensive car in history.

Owning such a pricey vehicle takes the fun out of classic car ownership, as there’s no way you can take this million dollar supercar for a quick spin without instantly depreciating its value.

Classic car investment needn’t be so costly, as current market trends point favourably in the direction of more affordable ‘modern classics’.

Cars from the 1970s-90s are beginning to make

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up ground on their predecessors, with classic Aston Martins, Ferraris and Porsches inevitably holding their own. If you’re looking for a solid, long-term investment, however, one marque stands out amongst the sea of its competitors – Jaguar.

When we think of a classic Jaguar we arguably think of the iconic E-Type, which continues to set investors back a large sum, without much of a return on investment. Its somewhat lesser known, younger siblings – the XJ-based models of the 70s-90s – are making a well-deserved resurgence, as their value begins to increase in line with growing demand.

The stand out investment of the moment would have to be the Jaguar XJS, which recently celebrated its

40th anniversary. Throughout its life, the XJS was a car that confounded critics, but won over enthusiasts and succeeded in returning its investment to the company.

Considered by many as an unworthy successor to the E-Type, it proved its worth by achieving a longer production run and outselling its predecessor by 43,000 cars.

In recent times, the XJS has arguably become more desirable than ever, and even at 40 its price continues to soar. Autocar & Motor hit the nail on the head when it said: “The XJS has suddenly become very desirable and more of a driver’s car than ever before”.

Taking into account data collected from Classic Car Buyer, many XJS models in A1 condition have entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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increased in value by up to five times since 2013, and the XJS continues to be named as one of the hottest modern classics to invest in right now.

With prices of XJ-based models increasing and stock declining as demand grows further - now’s the time to invest in a classic Jaguar. Not only are they a more tangible alternative to other classics, with sensible use they can actually be driven, unlike a multi million pound Ferrari, which remains under lock and key.

NOW’S THE TIME TO INVEST IN A CLASSIC JAGUAR

HOW TO SOURCE A TOP QUALITY CLASSIC It’s first important to consider that sellers – in particular garages and dealers – will have gone to some trouble to make the car look pristine on the outside. A perfect-looking car is often in much worse condition than one with visible rust, which has not yet been ‘tarted-up’.

As with all cars made of steel, the most important area to consider is rust, both the less visible painted areas and, more importantly, the hard-to-see underside and hidden cavities. The most expensive part of a restoration is usually the stripped re-spray.

If you are careful in selecting a low-rust car, you could save around £10,000.

In order to counter these restoration costs, it’s important to examine a car extensively – inside and out, top to bottom. You will need to look underneath the car for any signs of decay, ideally on a vehicle lift or on axle stands. It’s even possible to form a reasonable judgement by kneeling down and looking at the important areas.

City cars are often in worse condition, as they are usually only used for shorter journeys. A seemingly low mileage vehicle may have completed a lot of shorter journeys, which can lead to worn out brakes, door hinges, leather and carpets.

Don’t be tempted by the lure of a cheaper vehicle. Initially you may save on upfront costs, but in the long term, you are likely to spend more on restoring the car.

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR CLASSIC One of the most costly aspects of classic car ownership is maintenance, and in order to retain value it’s important to preserve your vehicle appropriately.

This is particularly important during the cold winter months, as the drop in temperature and icy conditions puts an extra strain on the vehicle.

One of the biggest potential dangers to your classic car’s wellbeing is rust. Rust can cause the structure of any car to become weakened and unstable, making it unsafe to drive and liable to fail MoT testing. This build up of corrosion usually progresses from invisible areas until it becomes visible through the paintwork or is spotted during an

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underside inspection – by which time remedial action can be very expensive.

Rust is often more likely to take hold of your vehicle if it’s dirty and mud is allowed to accumulate underneath. When washing your car pay special attention to the wheel arches and sill ends. When using your vehicle in the winter months, mud combined with road salt can become trapped within crevices around the wheel wells and under body. Mud tends to retain moisture, therefore contributing greatly to rusting.

The best cleaning method is to use a concentrated spray from a garden hose to dislodge mud from inside the wheel arch lips, and the sill ends. A high-pressure washer (e.g. Karcher) is too powerful and can lift off the protective underseal. Ideally, keep an eye out for exposed and rusty steel in these areas, get them thoroughly dry, prime with zinc-rich paint and apply brushing underseal such as Waxoyl underbody sealant.

Some people believe that you shouldn’t use your classic car in the winter because of the unfavourable weather conditions and salt on the roads. In reality, leaving your vehicle unused in the winter can do more harm than good. Ideally, you should aim to start your car at least once a month, taking it for a short drive in dry conditions to bring the engine up to full operating temperature have the aircon on and using the brakes frequently. This will ensure that the brake discs remain rust-free, and moving parts remain ‘freed-up’. It is important to get the engine thoroughly warm so as to evaporate the harmful acidic moisture that can build up in under-used engines. Keeping the aircon on all year round can reduce leakage from the pressure seals.

How you store your classic car is also very important, particularly in the winter. The best place to store your vehicle is within a dry and airy barn, garage or large carport on a concrete or other dry base. Wood or brick garages are preferable to pre-cast concrete units, which tend to ‘sweat’ in very cold conditions.

The objective is to keep air flowing around the car, but not let rain fall on it.

There should be no damp coming up from the ground, so parking the car on grass or earth is not advised. One way to avoid the damp problem associated with storage is to use an inflatable plastic tent, with fans to keep air moving inside, or a portable frame garage tent. Disconnect the battery and, if the car is under cover, open the windows a little to keep the inside aired.

CLASSIC CAR EXPERTS HAVE A PASSION FOR WHAT THEY’RE DOING

WHERE TO GET YOUR CLASSIC CAR RESTORED It’s important that you consult a classic car expert or engineering specialist before restoring your classic. By researching online and finding positive reviews, you’re more likely to make an informed decision.

Classic car experts have a passion for what they’re doing, and this will, more often than not, resonate with their work, which will be of a higher quality and finish - building upon their many years of experience in the sector.

Newbury-based KWE Cars, for example, specialises

in the restoration of 70s-90s classic Jaguar cars. Chris Knowles, managing director, states why it’s important to seek expert advice: “Shoddy workmanship will depreciate the value of your classic, and can lead to serious engineering problems.

“An engineering company that specialises in classic cars is more likely to take pride in its work, and therefore add value to the finished product.

Advice is important too, particularly in the classic car world, and an expert engineer will offer you on going guidance about what’s best for your car. It’s an exciting time for the classic car market, and it’s brilliant that cars like the Jaguar XJS are beginning to receive the attention they deserve.” l For more information about KWE Cars and for a full list of its services, please visit www.kwecars.com.

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RARE 1936 SQUIRE RESTORED NO DETAIL HAS BEEN TOO SMALL TO ENSURE ORIGINALITY

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Leading classic car restorers Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC) have restored a 1936 Squire, one of only seven built, which has now been shortlisted for Restoration of the Year at the prestigious International Historic Motoring Awards 2015.

This charismatic, costly and extremely rare British sports car was displayed at the 2011 Retromobile event in Paris in a very sorry state, its upholstery had been providing home to a family of rodents and it had been completely stripped of paint. Peter Neumark, chairman of Classic Motor Cars (CMC), saw its potential and a deal was made for the Squire to undergo a complete rejuvenation at the company’s workshops in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, in the UK. Managing Director of CMC Nick Goldthorp said: “No detail has been too small to ensure originality.

The work was completed on 26th May 2015, after more than 4100 man-hours. A finishing touch was the reissue of the Squire’s original registration number of CLO 5, forfeited on its export to the States in the 50s.”

When the Squire arrived at CMC’s premises early in 2013 for a full nut and bolt restoration, it was practically complete but there were no spare parts. It had also undergone a few modifications over the years, which have all been carefully reversed to the state in which it left Squire’s Remenham Hill Works in 1936.

The original radiator shell was badly twisted so CMC fabricated a new one from brass. Even the missing quick-release caps on the radiator and petrol

tank have been scrupulously reproduced using originals from another Squire for reference.

Although all of the instruments were present, a wooden dashboard had replaced the metal original.

These were reconditioned and accommodated in a new plywood one, faced in aluminium and finished in the body colour as per the original specification.

When it came to restoring the body, all the original aluminium panels were carefully detached from the ash frame and re-beaten at CMC, saving as much of the original metal as possible. Over 2100 hours were spent by CMC’s head panel beater Luke Martin, who attended to all of the body work.

The car retained its original maroon colour thanks to examples of paint found inside the boot lid and on the engine bay plates, which allowed CMC’s John Langston to reproduce the original colour. The internal woodwork has also been painted in maroon.

The re-trimming was entrusted to CMC’s Tom Hampton, who coincidentally was responsible for reviving the interior of X103 (the second Squire to be completed).

Nick Goldthorp said: “The future of this Squire is now assured and is a credit to the team of skilled specialists at CMC that undertook this superb restoration.” l www.classic-motor-cars.co.uk

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WORLD RECORD FOR THE LARGEST PINK DIAMOND OF ITS TYPE AT AUCTION Christie’s Geneva sale of Magnificent Jewels ended with the $28,523,925 sale of a Fancy Vivid Pink diamond of approximately 16.08 carats, the largest cushion-shaped diamond of its type to come to auction.

This set a new auction record for any vivid pink diamond and prompting a burst of applause in the sale room. The stone, which is set as a ring with a double row of pavé-set white diamonds which surround and highlight the main stone, with a third row of small pink diamonds underneath, was bought by a private Asian buyer, who named it ‘Sweet Josephine’ immediately after the sale.

‘We have had a very busy few days here in Geneva as clients have come from all over the world,’ said Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie's Jewellery Department after the auction.’

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‘Selling the largest vivid pink cushion-shaped diamond to come to auction is a privilege and to sell it for a new world auction record prize is a strong indication that there is still demand from clients from the end of the market for these truly precious stones,’ Kadakia continued. This is also true for pieces of historic or royal provenance which similarly attracted a lot of interest during the viewing and sold above estimate. In particular, rubies were in high demand and the important 27 ruby lots in this auction sold very well.’  www.christies.com

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THE ROLE OF THE TRUSTEE – THE BENEFITS OF HAVING THIRD PARTY PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

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Setting up a trust, choosing a trustee and defining the parameters of the role which the trustee is to play is something which more and more people are looking into, particularly as a device via which to smooth the process of estate planning. Creating a trust allows people to pass on their assets in the form of a gift, without actually handing over control of those assets. It means that the next generation can enjoy some of the advantages of access to property, land or money without having to shoulder the full burden of responsibility, enabling the person giving the gift to enjoy the security of knowing that their assets are safe whilst also helping to provide a better life for the beneficiaries in a tax efficient manner.

The creation of any trust consists of three main roles; the settlor, the trustee and the beneficiaries. The settlor is the person setting up the trust, having chosen their trustee and beneficiaries, whilst the property or assets held by the trust form the trust property, and the people charged with the responsibility of managing the trust are the trustees. When a trust has been set up as part of a person’s Will, as is frequently the case, the trustee and executor will often be the

AN EXPERT ADVISER WILL BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHICH TYPE OF TRUST IS THE BEST FIT FOR YOUR FINANCIAL AND FAMILY SITUATION same person, although this isn’t a hard and fast rule, and trusts can also be set up prior to making a will via a ‘trust deed’.

When setting up a trust of this kind it’s absolutely vital that third party professional advice is sought.

Although there are standard duties applicable to all trustees, the precise details of every trust will be different. Indeed, according to your situation you may be advised to create a discretionary trust, an express trust or, in specific circumstances, a secret trust. An expert adviser will be able to explain exactly which type of trust is the best fit for your financial and family situation, and will then draw up the trust deed in such a way as to detail exactly what powers the trustees will have, what their duties will be and how you wish to have the assets of the trust, whether that means income or capital, distributed to the beneficiaries or otherwise used to benefit them.

Although there are general trust laws laying the foundations of such arrangements, any trustee will run the risk of a legal challenge from the beneficiaries if, at some point in the future, it is felt that their actions do not match with the intention and terms of the trust deed. It’s for this reason that a careful drawing up of the original deed is so vital, setting out exactly how the trust is to be managed moving forward, and providing

a clear and comprehensive guide if conflict arises at a later date.

The duties of the trustees will include dealing with the trust property in the manner set out in the trust deed, which means making payments or passing on assets in line with the terms initially laid out by the settlor. On a day to day basis a trustee will be responsible for the running of the trust, undertaking duties such as paying applicable tax on any income the trust generates, safeguarding the trust property and choosing how best to invest and utilise the trust property for the well-being of the beneficiaries. At all times a trustee has to act in an impartial manner, using any professional skills which they can bring to the role (i.e. such as those of a lawyer, an accountant or financial adviser) and keeping records of the running of the trust.

Whether you wish to create a trust which you also manage whilst you’re still alive, or one which is managed on your behalf following your death, you have a duty to the next generation to ensure that the deeds of the trust are drawn up in such a way as to protect the assets and to allow the beneficiaries to gain maximum benefit from them. Similarly, nobody should accept the duties and responsibility of being a trustee lightly, and without having the full implications explained to them by an impartial, professional third party. l

By Frances Davies , Founder and Director of Progeny Private Law Frances Davies specialises in tax and succession planning for high net worth multi-generational families and for business owners seeking to protect their assets and to find ways to pass their wealth on to future generations. She has a particular interest and expertise in planning using trust structures.

About Progeny Private Law Progeny Private Law is a newly established, boutique, private law firm, specialising in a range of private client fields, including wills, succession planning and powers of attorney. Collectively, the Directors of Progeny Private Law have over 50 years of private client experience.

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INVESTOR

THE CHRISTIES ANNUAL SKI SALE 22 January 2016 Christie’s South Kensington Sale 11483 In January Christie’s will host its annual, highly anticipated Ski Sale – this sale remains the only specialist ski sale worldwide. Christie’s sees global interest in The Ski Sale every year. The sale is a visual delight as it perfectly captures the fact that the winter holiday is a unique combination of healthy mountain air, an exhilarating descent down the mountain and unrivalled après ski.

The most beautiful and dynamic ski tourism posters were produced during the early 20th century as the first resorts competed to be recognised as the

most glamorous, with some of the finest designers and artists commissioned to create stylish advertisements urging holiday-makers to visit. Skiing holidays became increasingly popular as new transport links gave greater access to this exhilarating holiday. The bold colours, the typography that was often integrated into the image, and the strong design resulted in an outdoor art gallery on the station platforms and travel agents where the posters were displayed. Today, the market for vintage posters goes from strength to strength with its ever-growing collector-base, attracted by the colourful, decorative, skilful and largely affordable designs, perfect for home or chalet decoration. 

Alex Walter Diggelmann GSTAAD (RED CAR) Estimate: £10,000-£15,000

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INVESTOR

Hans Schilter (1911-1988) STOOS lithograph in colours, 1957, printed by Ringier & Co., Zofingen, condition B+/A-; backed on japan 39 x 27in. (99 x 70cm.)

Estimate: £2,000-3,000

Images courtesy of CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD.

Charles Kuhn (1903-1999) ST.MORITZ lithograph in colours, 1928 40 x 25 in. (102 x 64 cm.)

Estimate: £4,000-6,000

Pierre Kramer ZERMATT lithograph in colours, 1931 39½ x 25 in. (100 x 63 cm.)

Estimate: £7,000-9,000

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WINTER WONDERLAND From the cool cultural hub of Helsinki in the south, head north to Lapland, now freshly frosted with the white of winter’s cold kiss. A wild and stunning Arctic wonderland, and the perfect destination for this festive time of year.

Images courtesy of Visit Finland

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M

ile upon mile of millions of snow draped pines fringe hard-frozen lakes here, and apart from a scattering of quaint traditional chalets, mountain huts and sauna lodges, not much else dots this pristine Lappish landscape, thankfully little changed by residents or visiting hoards. Only a handful of villages feature more touristy delights – including Kuusamo and the pretty ski village of Ruka.

Known as the gateway to the Arctic, Kuusamo is a mecca for those who crave wilderness, wildlife and adventure. Depending on the season, here you can hike , quadbike, white water raft and in Ruka itself ski, and, if brave enough, try out the death-defyingly high ski jump towering from the mountain top visible from the village below.

Visitors don’t just come to this region of Lapland for a rush of adrenalin though. It is actually also known for its fine cuisine, and there are numerous wonderful places to dine scandi-style, with a focus on all that’s fresh, locally sourced and seasonal.

Restaurant RukaTonttu, in Ruka, as its name suggests, is located on the shores of a picturesque lake and offers delights prepared by acclaimed ‘Northern Chef’ Matti Hurttia – an award-winning expert in Lappish cuisine.

This is clean, simple and delicious fare – and what Matti can create with the local white fish, potatoes and herbs has to be tasted to be believed. As for his wild, foraged berry-themed puddings – a sweet lover’s delight. Do try a Kitkan Viisas cocktail too – although it’s not for those with a more delicate constitution.

Comprised of vodka in a dainty salt rimmed glass, it’s finished off with a whitebait-sized fishy balanced on top - and not just for decoration!

As you would expect, there are plenty of places to enjoy a sauna in this region. And many chalets come with their own, enabling you to relax in privacy and unwind after a day’s activities out in the snow.

For those seeking luxury, a stay at Rukan Salonki chalets is a must. Winners of a number of World Ski Awards for accommodation, they are simply stunning.

Spacious, artfully decorated, fully appointed with kitchen and entertainment gadgetry, cosy, luxurious to a fault, each with its own sauna, and wonderful views through pine forests where reindeer roam, across to a large frozen lake.

The owners will even organise a Sauna Tour for you – where you actually board a coach in your robe and slippers, and enjoy the sauna at its rear, whilst nibbling on local delicacies as you are transported to any number of different saunas in one day.

Another ‘must do’ whilst in Kuusamo is to drive to Iisakki Village, where you can enjoy a sauna yoga session, followed by champagne in the hot tub, and a delicious local-style meal in a traditional and very pretty Lappish home called ‘Iisakki’s House.’

To finish off your stay, do travel to the National Park of Oulanka. Close to the Russian border, this is a pristine haven for a wide range of wildlife, including bears and moose, and offers wonderful snowshoe hiking trails, some along the Rivers Oulankajoki and Kitkajoki, with spectacular rapids which freeze into amazing snow sculptures this time of year. A photographer’s paradise – the landscape of this National Park is breathtakingly beautiful. l www.visitfinland.com

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WINTER WONDERLAND HIGHLIGHTS • Visit Oulanka National Park and take a guided snowshoe hike to see the frozen waterfalls and rapids www.nationalparks.fi/oulankanp • Learn about the Sami peoples’ customs and way of life at Pohjanseita Wilderness Lodge with Tailored Adventures www.rukapalvelu.fi • Dine at the lake-side Rukantonttu restaurant in Ruka with Northern Chef Matti Hurttia www.rukatonttu.fi • Enjoy a SaunaTour with Wellbeing in Wilderness is a must – a sauna in a bus? Crazy but oh so very Fin www.saunatour.fi • Fly to Helsinki and on to Kuusamo with Finnair from LHR www.finnair.com

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INCREDIBLE BURMA COASTAL EXPEDITION TO MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO WITH PANDAW

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

Luxury river cruise operator, Pandaw, has introduced four new reconnaissance voyages exploring Burma’s Deep South and the remote Mergui Archipelago.

The sailings will depart in February and March aboard the MY Drenec, a high-class expedition ship with only five well-appointed cabins (each with private bathroom) including a spacious upper deck owner’s suite.

The MY Drenec was completely refitted and beautifully upgraded in 2012 with a classic interior design and is ideal for sailing Burma’s undiscovered coastal waters with her own dinghy, snorkelling equipment and even some water skis! A knowledgeable ex-pat expedition director leads each cruise giving daily briefings and talks.

Pandaw’s new coastal voyages will explore the southern region of Burma between the town of Thanbyuzayat and the southernmost town of Victoria Point (Kawthaung).

The region was closed to tourism until mid-2013 and there is still little tourism infrastructure in the towns and cities, but now it is possible to explore the undiscovered old colonial ports and the incredibly beautiful and little known Mergui Archipelago with its thousand tropical islands, stunning white beaches and sea gypsy inhabitants.

Pandaw’s itinerary also visits the charming town of Moulmein and includes a stop at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, famous for its Golden Rock.

Hugh Clayson, Pandaw’s Commercial Director said: “Pandaw clients will be one of the first to discover one of the world’s most beautiful, remote and undiscovered regions aboard the very comfortable and well-equipped expedition ship, the MY Drenec”.

Prices for the 11 day journey start from £4,795

per person sharing a main deck cabin and include international flights, one-night in Rangoon at the five star Shangri-La Hotel, transfers, a seven-night cruise on a full board basis, all excursions, entrance fees, soft drinks, tea/coffee, on board facilities of the MY Drenec, services of an expedition director.

Not included: visa costs, port dues (£200 per person), alcoholic drinks, and all tips. l Departure dates: 5 February & 4th March 2016 – Victoria Point to Rangoon 12th February & 11th March 2016 – Rangoon to Victoria Point Itinerary Southbound – Rangoon to Victoria Point Day 1: Rangoon to Moulmein, including a visit to the Golden Rock.

Embark the MY Drenec.

Day 2: Explore Moulmein. Set sail.

Day 3: Sail to Thanbyuzyat, famous for its War Cemetery. During World

War II, Thanbyuzayat was the westerly terminus of the Thailand

Burma Railway.

Day 4: Cruise to Tavoy.

Day 5: Visit the port of Myeik, with its many old colonial buildings.

Day 6: Cruise the Mergui Archipelago, visiting Hastings and Lampi Islands.

Day 7: Further exploration of the Mergui Archipelago, including a village

of Moken sea nomads.

Day 8: Arrive in Kawthaung (Victoria Point). Transfer to Ranong

(Thailand) for onward flights.

Northbound itinerary operates in reverse.

For reservations and further information, Tel: 0208 326 5620 www.pandaw.com

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A CRYSTAL PALACE

Serenity (noun) the state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled.

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Whoever had the job of naming the jewel in the Crystal Cruise luxury crown certainly got it spot on.

From the moment you step on board Serenity to be greeted by the effortlessly competent welcome staff, all of life’s concerns disappear. As soon as you enter this floating paradise from a seemingly parallel universe, you’re hooked.

When it comes to luxury travel, Crystal just gets it.

2015 saw them voted as the World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line for a record breaking 20 consecutive years in the prestigious Travel and Leisure annual survey.

And there is good reason, too.

With 535 luxurious state rooms (85% of which come complete with balcony) and a capacity for 1,050 guests, the size and whole feel of the ship seems perfect. Grand enough to host every conceivable relaxation activity without ever losing its remarkable sense of cosiness, Serenity somehow manages to provide a feeling of familiarity between guests from all corners of the earth that have never met one another, and the instant sense that you’ve known the staff all of your life.

It’s difficult to work out what the star of the show actually is when you jump on board. The outstanding amenities, service and staff set a classy tone and Serenity navigates the sometimes potentially treacherous area between high end luxury and pretentious without trying. The instant disconnection from the real world means that the destinations moored at each morning almost become a side-story.

A fascinating and breathtaking side-story, nonetheless.

We boarded the 12 night ‘Magical Mediterranean’ tour on a typically gorgeous Monte Carlo Sunday afternoon, and immediately felt the nervous energy from the principality, that its title of Millionaire’s Playground was under threat from its elegant harbour resident. The round-trip tour of European highlights took in the expected staples of Rome, Naples, Sicily and Barcelona, as well as delightful days in some of the continent’s more hidden gems; Palma, Malta, Genoa and Toulon.

The mystique of Serenity is perhaps best highlighted through its magical ability to make time stand still and activity filled days pass with a soothing sense of leisure and tranquillity.

The mid-trip day of travel between gives guests the perfect opportunity to sample the full range of available activities and leaves even the most avid lover of action-packed sightseeing longing for an extra sea day or two to relax and fully utilise the onboard experience. For it’s the ship itself that really steals the show.

To describe the facilities as catering for everyone just doesn’t scratch the surface, and everything available at your fingertips is naturally of the highest standard.

Those wanting to stimulate the mind of an afternoon will be gripped by an extraordinary line up of special guest lecturers, with outstanding keynote speakers covering everything from international history and politics to contemporary business and technology.

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If you are after a more active break, then the state of the art gym and luxury spa facilities come as standard, with group classes and bespoke lessons readily available. The two top deck tennis courts provide a civilised sense of competition, and table tennis and golfing facilities overlooking the stunning Mediterranean coastlines have to be sampled to be believed.

A well stocked library, cinema and games rooms provide just some of the alternative entertainment, with the onboard professional dance duo readily available for expert one-on-one lessons for those wishing to work on their Charleston or Cha-cha-cha.

Opportunities are endless but the underlying theme throughout is one of exclusive luxury, with everything on your terms and at your own pace.

Of an evening the fine dining options take centre stage, with exquisite world cuisine choices to satisfy the most demanding of palates, with the delightful Crystal Dining Room and speciality Italian restaurant Prego particular favourites amongst guests, whilst Sushi fans will be wowed by the wonders of Nobu’s Silk Road.

After dinner delights include award winning, high-production value shows and globally acclaimed musicians appearing throughout the various lounges leave guests spoilt for choice. Those seeking an evening activity can head to the casino or onboard nightclub, or alternatively for a more relaxed approach there is a wide range of bars and lounges keeping up the exemplary customer service into the early hours, or the intriguing Connoisseur Club for those

that appreciate fine cigars and premium liquors. With an incredible attention to detail present throughout, the entire Crystal experience retains an ambiance of opulence and understated elegance.

Upon disembarking, polite chat between guests centred around who would be returning for the 102 night world cruise in the New Year. The question of ‘is that too long?’ needn’t be pondered as Serenity works in its own time zone and this slice of paradise could never become tiresome (so much so that one guest even lives onboard full time).

There’s an undeniable feeling that you’re the boss when you travel with Crystal and with so much choice of how to spend your time, the only guarantee is you’ll come back relaxed, yet mesmerised and insistent you want to do it all over again.

As the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright famously said ‘give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities’. In the world of Serenity, he needn’t have concerned himself with any such compromise. l In 2016 Crystal Cruises offers a selection of Mediterranean cruises with prices starting from £2,062 per person for a seven-night cruise from Athens to Istanbul departing 24th April. Price includes return scheduled flights, overseas transfers and seven nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, most alcoholic beverages, port taxes and gratuities. Call Crystal Cruises on 020 7399 7601 or visit www. crystalcruises.co.uk

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THE YACHT CONCIERGE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP – YOUR NAUTICAL PA 24/7 The world’s largest marine concierge specialist, The Yacht Concierge (TYC) offers an annual membership with unlimited access to the entire team who are available 24/7, contactable from anywhere in the world. They can organise anything required; from finding gifts and running errands, to making bookings, reservations and sorting out emergencies – acting as your personal assistant that never sleeps.

Each member is presented with a personalised membership card and set of dedicated contact numbers, ensuring a concierge consultant is available on the phone whenever and wherever assistance is required, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

As a result of The Yacht Concierge’s exclusive membership discounts, members can save time and money when booking services through the company, as a result of TYC’s extensive suppliers’ network. As a

yacht owner, savings can also be made in other areas, including yacht fuel, insurance and general marine supplies.

In addition, The Yacht Concierge’s bespoke luxury charter service is the ultimate luxury experience.

TYC offers a vast range of motor and sailing yachts to charter according to style, size and function, so members’ holidays can be tailored individually.

Charters booked through The Yacht Concierge start from £15,000 per week depending on the season, yacht and its location; early bookings are highly recommended.

Membership to The Yacht Concierge is available globally, to find out more about membership, special offers and charter options in time for the festive season visit www.theyachtconcierge.com.

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NEW RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

Land Rover has unveiled its first luxury compact convertible SUV along the iconic coastline of Los Angeles in Santa Monica, CA. Marrying luxury with an elegant four-seat convertible design, versatile storage and unrivalled capability both on and off-road, the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible combines the bold design and refinement of the Range Rover Evoque with a sophisticated folding roof to create a versatile, allseason convertible SUV. The new Range Rover Evoque Convertible will go on sale from Spring 2016. Pricing in the UK will start from ÂŁ47,500 OTR based on a TD4 HSE Dynamic derivative. www.landrover.com.

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LUXURIOUS NEW MERCEDES-BENZ GLS

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

The new seven-seat luxury SUV, the MercedesBenz GLS, is now available to order, priced from £69,100 OTR, ahead of first UK deliveries in March 2016.

Setting the standards as the ‘S-Class among SUVs’, this seven-seater premium model combines luxury with comfort, agile dynamics and best-inclass safety. www.mercedes-benz.co.uk entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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NEW MERCEDESBENZ SL

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

A fresh new even sportier look for an automotive icon. The new Mercedes -Benz SL has been launched with a host of significantly enhanced technical and visual features.

Highlights include more powerful engines, the automatic transmission 9G-TRONIC, DYNAMIC SELECT with five transmission modes, Active Body Control with dynamics enhancing curve tilting function, a new vario- roof, which can now be operated at up to 40 km/h, plus a rather handy automatic boot separator.

A much loved elegant roadster, the model is perfect for relaxed, comfortable cruising or as a dynamic coupÊ for sporty trips on winding roads. Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales & Marketing: "The SL is an all-season vehicle that is fully suited for daily use, but above all it is a dream car for those special moments as a couple. Whatever its owner desires - it fulfils the expectations with technical perfection." entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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FERRARI F12TDF Ferrari recently announced the launch of what is arguably one of its most beautiful, and powerful supercars to date – the F12TdF. A genuine racer, with an impressive 780 bhp, and 2.9 second 0-62mph sprint, it’s named after the glorious Ferrari models that dominated the Tour de France in the 50s and 60.

Guaranteed to be a hugely valuable collector’s car for the future, only 799 of these track honed beauties will ever be built – so you’ll have to snap one up fast! www.ferrari.com

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Fortuana PUBLISHING • PR • CONTENT • DIGITAL • DESIGN • MARKETING

Whether you are a start up with limited funds, or a large, established organisation, we have the expertise, flexibility and ‘can-do’ attitude to help build your brand, promote your products and develop a suite of marketing materials to wow.

We offer marketing, content and creative services, including PR, social media, website design and management, copywriting, ad design, marketing communication and business strategies and more.

Contact us to discover what we can create for you www.fortuana.com Email: team@fortuana.com

PUBLISHING We can create cost effective, content rich and impeccably designed print or digital inhouse or customer publications for your business and customers – whatever industry you operate in.

PR We believe the best brands aren’t built on ideas alone – but the dedication and vision of teams of storytellers and communication strategists.

Here at Fortuana, our PR experts have held top positions in global, household name organisations, and also work hard to help even the smallest start ups and boutique businesses to become famous, appreciated and written about by the most important influencers in their fields.

Most of the team are seasoned journalists too – and provide a hugely valuable insight into their particular needs and how to forge the most effective relationships with them.

From traditional media relations, to sophisticated social media strategies and campaign execution, our connections and understanding of the media ensures excellent returns on investment for budgets of all sizes.

Plus we can organise events for you, whether for the media, or potential customers to launch your brand or products – small or large, here or overseas. we can find venues, entertainment, organise audio/AV equipment for presentations and hospitality.

CONTENT CREATION Most businesses find the pressure to create regular content for their websites and social platforms a strain.

Our team of journalists and copywriters with extensive digital experience know just how to create content for companies that commands attention and drives high levels of traffic to your sites.

DIGITAL Whether you need a new website made from scratch, fancy features added to yours, or Apps created - our team of talented website designers can work wonders.

You also don’t need a huge budget to work with us – we can create simple, stylish yet ever so effective websites that are scalable - and ready to grow as your company does.

DESIGN Logos, stationery, flyers, company brochures, label design, leaflets, posters, and more… any marketing material your company needs, we can create it for you.

MARKETING The function that really underpins business success. Our experts can work with you to crystallise your USPs, key messages, target markets and commercial opportunities.

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

BEAUTY & GROOMING

A quick look at the latest gadgetry launched to enhance your appearance

Braun 9 - The World’s Most Efficient and Comfortable Shaver Discover the science and technology behind the unparalleled performance in efficiency and skin comfort of the Series 9 – the ultimate synergy of four specialised cutting elements multiplied by the power of Sonic Technology™.

The all new Series 9 is built with a staggering 400 parts, all of which work seamlessly together to create an unbeatable shave. Its SyncroSonic™ cutting system has four fully synergized elements that work in perfect harmony to make this Braun’s most intelligent shaving head yet. Braun’s strong Linear Drive motor generates 10,000 sonic vibrations and delivers 40,000 cross-cutting actions per minute. This means more hair is captured in fewer strokes, boosting performance while minimizing skin irritation.

Skin is left unbeatably soft, smooth and stubble-free – even after shaving torturous three-day beards.

Series 9-9040s Wet & Dry £269.99. Series 9-9095cc Wet & Dry £329.99

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Braun Silk-épil 9 The world’s most trusted epilation brand has set a new standard of excellence with the New Braun Silk-épil 9. Featuring a multitude of design innovations, Braun’s Silk-épil 9 provides the most precise results and in the quickest time yet! The 40% wider head ensures even more hairs are captured and removed in one stroke whilst the revolutionary Micro Grip Tweezer Technology with wider, longer and deeper tweezers increases epilation performance - making Silk-épil 9 Braun’s most efficient wet and dry epilator. Teamed with the latest curved geometry, Silk-épil 9 delivers closer skin contact - removing 4x shorter hairs than wax so women can enjoy long lasting smooth skin for up to 4 weeks.

If that wasn’t enough, the High Frequency Massage system deliver pulsating active vibrations, which combined with the Skin Adapting Pivoting head, ensures skin stimulation for, not only a better, but also a gentler performance. With regular use, epilation becomes virtually painless.

New Braun Face The world’s first 2 in 1 facial device delivers pore-deep cleansing and highprecision facial epilation for pure, radiant beauty, whether you want to go make-up-free or create the perfect canvas to try the latest trends. This revolutionary new beauty device from the world’s No. 1 epilator brand is an investment in better-looking skin. Expect your complexion to look visibly smoother, fresher and beautifully flawless at the flick of a switch.

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FESTIVE FRAGRANCES FOR HER

ANNICK GOUTAL LES ABSOLUS 112 | entrepreneurandinvestor.com

The Annick Goutal House has created a collection based on their authentic relationship with raw materials. This family of precious absolutes pays homage to the ingredients, to the art of perfumery, and their exceptional character. Oud wood. Vanilla bean. Amber.

Available exclusively at Harrods Each Eau de Parfum 75ml ÂŁ166.00

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

New for this winter, Elie Saab presents a jewel of light: L’Edition Argent Collector Bottle. Inspired by Elie Saab’s sumptuous creations embroidered with sparkling pearls and sequins, the iconic bottle transforms from shades of gold to silver in an explosion of glitters.

Eau de Parfum 90ml £78.00

ELIE SAAB LE PARFUM, EAU DE PARFUM L’EDITION ARGENT

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JEAN PAUL GAULTIER CLASSIQUE COLLECTOR GLAM EDITION

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New limited edition fragrances for this festive season. Eau de Parfum and Eau de Parfum Intense. Spicy, rich, musky, head turning - both are perfect evening and special occasion scents.

Eau de Parfum 100ml ÂŁ81.00

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

The perfect decadent gift for those who really know their perfume. Serge Lutens has released five absolutely gorgeous new fragrances, - and come only in rich parfum forms: Renard Constrictor, Sidi Bel-Abbès, l’Haleine des Dieux, Cracheuse de Flammes and Cannibale. Available exclusively to Harrods.

Parfum 50ml start at £480.00

SERGE LUTENS GOLD COLLECTION

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FESTIVE FRAGRANCES FOR HIM

DUNHILL LONDON ICON ABSOLUTE 116 | entrepreneurandinvestor.com

ICON introduces a new olfactive chapter: the first Oud signature in the world of Dunhill. Rooted in the elegant refinement of the brand, ICON Absolute exudes the height of luxury in a warm, rich gold paired with the original strength and masculinity of ICON. This Incensed Woody Oriental includes key notes of black pepper, black rose and Exotic Oud Wood.

Available exclusively at Harrods.

EDP 100ml ÂŁ90.00

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

Rich, powdery, woody, with key notes of Bergamot, Violet, Iris, Patchouli and Vanilla. An intriguing scent that that can be worn by both men and women.

Extrait de Parfum 100ml ÂŁ235.00

TERRY DE GUNZBURG OMBRE MERCURE EXTREME

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ETRO IO MYSELF AND MARQUETRY

Two more stunning fragrances that can be worn by any gender. Inspired from the ancient perfumery, Io myself is a masculine and distinctive woody bouquet, with a subtle unisex quality. Key notes include lemon, bergamot, and mandarin to open, turkish rose, cedarwood and saffron in the heart, and oud amber and musk in the base.

Marquetry is a solar oriental fragrance, with key notes of bergamot and lavender to open, rose and tonka bean in the heart and vanilla, amber and musk in the base.

Both bottles are decorated with a luminous Paisley design, Io Myself in the famous silver, and Marquetry in a stunning gold.

EDP 100ml ÂŁ118.00

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Taking its inspiration from the simple elegance of fine tailoring – and with an eye firmly on the details – this fragrance is the very embodiment of Paul Smith style: effortless, contemporary, surprising and eminently wearable.

A contemporary take on a traditional woody fragrance, with key notes of yuzu fruit, ozonic accord, herbs (rosemary, clary sage and lavender), orange flower, musks and cederwood.

EDT 100ml £38.00

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WINTER GIFT IDEAS

All available from online luxury gifts atelier www.annabeljames.co.uk

A Trio of Luxury Leather iPad Cases ÂŁ94.95 www.annabeljames.co.uk

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Luxury Leather Shaving Travel Set £114 www.annabeljames.co.uk

Luxury Leather Weekender Bag Sparring Hares £265 www.annabeljames.co.uk

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Alpaca Throws ÂŁ175 each www.annabeljames.co.uk

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Ethically Precious Baroque Bangle £235 www.annabeljames.co.uk

Ethically Precious Baroque Pendant £195 www.annabeljames.co.uk

Pair of Grand Champagne Flutes £29.95 www.annabeljames.co.uk

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Luxury Mohair Throws in Autumn Winter ÂŁ89.95 www.annabeljames.co.uk

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A DELICIOUS TATTINGER TRIO TAITTINGER PRÉLUDE GRANDS CRUS NV 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir Grand Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from top vineyards such as Avize, and Le Mesnil sur Oger in the Côte des Blancs and Mailly and Ambonnay in the Montagne de Reims. Combined with a minimum of four years ageing in Taittinger’s cellars make this a particularly complex and elegant Champagne with the structure and minerality to match more than just an appetiser.

Stockists: Wm Morrison Supermarkets, John Lewis, Harrods Of Knightsbridge, The Soho Wine Company, Majestic, Lea And Sandeman Company, The Oxford Wine Company, Hedonism Drinks, Fortnum and Mason, Wine Press, Famous Wine, The Leamington Wine Company, R Campbell and Sons Ltd, Amps Fine Wines, Champagne Direct Ltd, Constantine Stores Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, Chislehurst Wines, Wine Rack RRP: £50.25 TAITTINGER FOLIES DE LA MARQUETTERIE NV 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay This is a stunning single vineyard blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the vineyard surrounding Taittinger’s iconic Château de la Marquetterie; full-bodied and elegant this is a wine of great finesse and harmony and was made with gastronomy in mind. Winner of the NonVintage Classic Blend Trophy at the IWC this year too.

Stockists: Waitrose, Harrods of Knightsbridge, Edencroft Fine Wines, Champagne Direct, Fortnum and Mason RRP: £60.70 TAITTINGER NOCTURNE SEC NV 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier With twice the dosage of Taittinger’s Brut Réserve this tiny touch of sweetness makes for a soft and mellow wine that is perfect to enjoy with afternoon tea or long into the night!

Stockists: John Lewis, Waitrose, The Champagne Company, Amps Fine Wines, Majestic Wine Warehouse, Ellis Of Richmond, Fortnum and Mason, DeFINE Food and Wine, Just Champagne, Lea And Sandeman, The Oxford Wine Company, Champagne Direct, Hedonism Drinks, Aitken Wines, Ann et Vin, Wine Press, Thomas Peatling, The Fishermans Retreat, Beaconsfield Wine Cellars, Peter Graham Wines Ltd, R Campbell and Sons Ltd, Wine Rack, Fenwick Ltd RRP: £51.90

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WINTER WINE SELECTION

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2007 A vibrant delicious bubbly complemented by notes of almond milk and a crystalline freshness, showcasing pear and peach notes.

Availability: Waitrose and Ocado RRP: £141.79

The Campo Viejo Gran Reserva A delicious Rioja which is ruby red in colour and full of the flavours of ripe red berries with a hint of spices at the end.

Availability: Most supermarkets nationwide RRP: £16.79

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G.H.MUMM Brut Cordon Rouge A golden yellow in colour and features tropical fruit aromas with a delicate vanilla fragrance. The well-rounded taste is balanced with the fresh fruit and caramel flavours.

Availability: Most supermarkets nationwide RRP: ÂŁ32.09

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The Brancott Estate Terroir Series Sauvignon Blanc Features strong flavours of fennel and apple combined with ripe grapefruit to produce this luxurious white wine.

Availability: Tesco RRP: £12.49

The Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Lively and floral, this champagne offering fresh flavours of lemon, peach and mango.

Availability: Waitrose, Ocado and Majestic RRP: £43.19

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WINTER WELLBEING LUMIE BODYCLOCKS Waking up and leaving home in the dark and returning after sunset can be depressing for many. There is however a rather simple remedy from Light therapy expert Lumie, a company which offers a range of products the team here at E&I swear by for getting us up and about with energy during this time of year.

Bodyclock ELITE 300 And, for those who like to wake with music or birdsong, and enjoy the benefits of sunset and sunrise gradual brightening and dimming, this is the bodyclock for you. It even has meditation mode - wonderful after a hectic day at the office.

Reatils at ÂŁ160 www.lumie.com

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Lumie Bodyclock Iris Wakes you up and sends you to sleep gradually with light that brightens over a period of time of your choice, and dims again when you set it to sunset mode. What’s extra special is the fact it combines light therapy with aromatherapy, with two separate chambers to make it easy to switch between a relaxing oil like lavender for sunset and an uplifting one like lemon for the morning. This luxury product also comes with remote control and a range of sleep/wake options.

Reatils at £160 www.lumie.com

STYLISH, WEATHERPROOF WORK BAGS FROM OUTDOOR EXPERT THULE Thule Paramount 27L Daypack

A sophisticated yet rugged pack designed to comfortably transport and protect electronics and essential daily belongings.

Made of a durable 420D nylon material with water resistant finish, the daypack has loads of handy features including a dual-density laptop sleeve with secure flap closure and SafeEdge construction for superior corner protection, protective tablet pocket with soft interior lining, welded bottom panels provide enhanced protection from the elements, added valuables pocket protects sunglasses or a phone.

Retails at £119 www.thule.com

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HOME IDEAS LUXURY GLASS BOX DIGITAL GRANDFATHER CLOCK Standing at over two metres tall, the fascinating Glass Box Digital Grandfather Clock from luxury retailers Touched Interiors truly is a feat of design.

This modern and eclectic piece goes against the traditional look usually associated with these memorable timepieces and creates a beautifully balanced blend of ancient and modern. It is similar to the original, but gives the classic heirloom a new form.

Framed with the finest hand carved mahogany, with a cut stainless steel pendulum and encased in smoked glass – this luxury piece is a unique mixture of magical fantasy and reality.

The baroque-inspired hand carved wooden base is covered in silver leaf and finished with a

combination of exquisite high gloss amethyst and smoked black translucent varnish.

This stand-out piece offers a dynamic twist on the timehonoured grandfather clock, and will become an instant talking point in any setting.

The company, founded in 2009, offer handcrafted furniture from all around the world, and boast an extensive range of opulent interior and exterior furnishings. This includes a vast selection of free-standing and hanging sofas, dining tables and chairs, and coffee and cocktail tables. £9,960.

For the full range visit www. touchedinteriors.co.uk

LOOKING AHEAD TO SPRING WITH STYLISH NEW CONSERVATORY FURNISHINGS Warmer days may seem so far away, but it’s cheering to start to plan how you can update your conservatory, pool area and also garden seating.

These handcrafted pieces include The Legend – a contemporary take on the traditional garden swing; Le

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Cirque – unique outdoor seating at its finest; The Oyster sofa – the ultimate in outdoor comfort; and The Manhattan – a Gatsby-esque, copper-plated chaise lounge.

All from www.touchedinteriors. co.uk

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

Following a much publicised pop up, Cutter & Squidge, inventors and purveyors of the headlinegrabbing biskie, has now opened its first retail store in Soho.

The biskie is a unique hand-crafted creation of biscuit/cookie/cake filled with a special lightened buttercream, handmade jams, award-winning caramels or other delights. Using only the finest all-natural ingredients, and free from nasty artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives, they are the creation of food-obsessed sisters Annabel and Emily Lui. The new shop sells a whole array of crisp yet melt-in-the mouth Biskie varieties, together with other treats such as vegetarian marshmallows, Dream Cakes, Chocolate Gems, honeycomb, jams and Cutter & Squidge Salted Caramel, the proud recipient of no less than 3 stars in the latest Great Taste Awards.

Guests can take away their precious purchase or sit down and enjoy it on site, accompanied perhaps by Cutter & Squidge’s own blend of hot chocolate, artisan tea and coffee, or a glass of refreshing Oomph-ade. www.cutterandsquidge.com 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ

TABL

CUTTER & SQUIDGE

FINE FOOD

Tabl is the exciting new online home for fantastical food adventures, pop up kitchens and supper clubs.

This imaginative new food hub brings together talented hosts and chefs, unusual settings and curious diners for unforgettable escapades.

Richer, more rewarding and more cost-effective than dining out in a restaurant, the Tabl revolution offers a culinary experience that is both personal and sociable.

Totally free to join, becoming a member of the Tabl community couldn’t be simpler. Guests simply feast their eyes on a line-up of events and choose one that whets their appetite.

What’s more, Tabl also allows everyone, whether it’s a trained chef wanting to experiment or a talented enthusiast with a passion for entertaining, to host heir own supper club or pop up.

Forthcoming events range from experimental sevencourse feasts to comforting roasts by enthusiastic home cooks. There will also be events themed around literature, art, quizzes and other interests, with costs varying from £18 to £48 per head. Up to 20 events a month will be hosted on the site, initially based in London and the south of England, with plans for further expansion. www.tabl.com

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MAÎTRE CHOUX

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

London has welcomed its first choux specialist run by a pastry chef whose extraordinary career has encompassed no less than nine Michelin stars!

Now open in South Kensington, Maître Choux is a vibrant new patisserie overseen by the brilliant Joakim Prat, latterly head pastry chef at the two Michelin star The Greenhouse.

Maître Choux focuses exclusively on choux pastry, a light dough made of flour, water, milk and butter that rises in the oven, leaving the inside soft and hollow and the outside golden and crispy.

A staple of every boulangerie and patisserie in France, choux pastry is a relatively simple bakery base. However in the hands of Joakim it is transformed into something quite extraordinary.

As visually stunning as they are delicious, Joakim’s hand-crafted éclairs, choux and chouquettes are baked throughout the day. They can even be filled upon ordering for incomparable crispiness.

A select range of Maître Choux creations are now also available at Fortnum & Mason and on the dessert menu at Chiltern Firehouse www.maitrechoux.com 15 Harrington Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3ES

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NEW, DISCRETE ANTI-AGING TREATMENT SILHOUETTE SOFT entrepreneurandinvestor.com |

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Before the treatment

Six weeks after the treatment

Silhouette Soft is an innovative new treatment. Known as the non-invasive skin lift, it is designed to redefine the face for those looking for restored volume and reduced wrinkles, and it’s ideal if you want to freshen up your looks – and tackle common problem areas like sagging jowls. In just an hour, with very minimal discomfort – the results are remarkable, and a huge confidence boost.

T

he treatment helps achieve an extremely discrete and natural-looking result leaving the face completely mobile. What’s more it only takes an hour to perform and the results last up to 18 months-2 years.

The top practitioner to go to for this is Dr Leah Totton, who you will recall as the winner of the 2013 Apprentice series. Dr Leah is a key trainer to other practitioners here and overseas now – and you are in very safe and competent hands. At her state of the art Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinic in London she explains its considerable benefits.

“We are seeing a rise in the number of patients who seeking discrete, natural looking, anti-aging treatments. Sagging in the mid-face and jowls, naturally occurs over time as gravity takes its toll.

This drooping of the skin ages our appearance and Botox and fillers are unable to treat this. However, Silhouette Soft, a new, innovative and discrete antiaging treatment is the only non-surgical option to lift the skin and defy gravity.”

“Treatment is carried out under a small local anaesthetic, which is administered to the face immediately before the procedure. Once the face is numb fine threads are inserted just under the skin where they are held in place with bi-directional cones.

These cones are positioned along the length of the threads and act as anchors. The tension in the threads, once gently tightened, work to lift the sagging skin-

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elevating the facial tissue immediately. The threads are then absorbed by the body.”

Even better, the results of the treatment continue to improve over the coming months. Before dissolving the cones on the threads stimulate the body to produce its own collagen, helping increase the volume of saggy areas, restoring shapeliness to the face gradually.

The treatment takes often an hour, and the initial effect can be seen straightaway: A smooth, more defined jawline, reduced wrinkles.

It’s absolutely remarkable what results can instantly be achieved with this procedure – and without any of the long recovery time and potential downsides of full conventional face-lift surgery. You might feel some slight discomfort for a few days, and a little swelling and very minor bruising, but otherwise – it is pain and hassle free. The benefits of a fresher, far more youthful appearance and the huge boost in confidence this gives is very much worth it.

A typical Silhouette Soft treatment consists of four threads and costs around £1,500. Treatment is offered subject to the clinician confirming a patient’s suitability.

Dr Leah performs Silhouette Soft at Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics www.drleah.co.uk For more information please visit www.silhouettesoft.com

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

Before the treatment

After the treatment

Before the treatment

After the treatment

DR LEAH’S COSMETIC SKIN CLINICS Founded by The Apprentice winner Dr. Leah Totton and Lord Sugar, Dr. Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics are London’s highest profile non-surgical providers. Dr. Leah Clinics offer the most safe, effective and innovative cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers, Silhouette Soft Thread lifts, laser, body and skin treatments. Dr. Leah’s approachable and highly-qualified team are dedicated to providing outstanding customer service and bespoke treatments. All staff are fully insured and practise under a strict code of ethics and confidentiality, adhering to stringent standards of hygiene. The mission is to set the gold standard for safety in the non surgical sector and to bring excellence and a medical influence to the entire cosmetic industry, which is why we only work alongside premium brands to provide an outstanding client experience. Dr. Leah is the well-known Botox doctor of choice and skin columnist for the London Evening standard and is frequently quoted in the media as the expert of choice for the cosmetic industry. www. drleah.co.uk

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RESTAURANT ROUND UP MIMOSA CHELSEA Mimosa, Chelsea’s buzzing new bar and restaurant, has just launched its very own club. Perfectly poised to meet the needs of the area’s cool and cultured crowd, the opening will also create the area’s most exciting and all-compassing destination.

Located on the lower ground level of this fabulous three-storey Georgian townhouse, this elegant, sophisticated and intimate new venue is sure to become a mecca for Chelsea’s glitterati.

The club’s bar, with its eye-catching mirrored backdrop, will offer cocktails hand crafted by Mimosa’s brilliant mixologists among them Smokey Island (Maple and rosemary, rye whiskey & Laphroaig) and Manhattan (Bourbon, Martini Rosso & plum syrup.)

Low level antique tables and luxuriously upholstered seating further add to the ambience, whilst backlit textured panels give the space added depth and character.

Mimosa will combine the best sounds and visuals with the cream of house and techno DJs, led by the brilliant AudioLung, whilst the state-ofthe-art Funktion One sound system will ensure that the club becomes the destination of choice for discerning revellers. www.mimosa-chelsea.co.uk 86 Fulham Rd, London SW3 6HR

CUCINA ASELLINA Located within the ME London Hotel, Cucina Asellina’s stunning, contemporary offering combines an industrial design (terracotta walls, polished concrete floors, copper lighting) with the simple ingredients used in Italian cuisine to create a rustic and charming Italian restaurant.

Designed by Foster + Partners, Cucina Asellina is a reflection of its twin Ristorante Asellina in New York and features the same high tables, stools and benches to encourage the social dining so popular in Italy.

Drawing on authentic Italian cooking techniques, the menu focuses on delicious flat breads served from a wood-fired oven. Bursting with natural flavours, other indulgent signature dishes include square spaghetti with tomato and fresh basil and strozzapreti saffron pasta with prawns, courgette and brandy sauce. www.togrp.com/restaurant/cucina-asellina-london 336-337 The Strand, London WC2R 1HA

FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

DABBOUS Launched in early 2012, Michelin-starred Dabbous is the first solo venture for acclaimed chef Ollie Dabbous and award-winning mixologist Oskar Kinberg.

Spread over two levels, Dabbous comprises a dining room and lower ground floor bar. Both areas have an industrial but organic design, with exposed brickwork, sheet metal and copper pipes offset by rustic candles and natural woods.

Complementing the surroundings is food characterised by clean flavours and simple presentation. Featuring dishes served in slightly smaller portions, diners have the option of a tasting menu and a four course lunch and dinner menu.

In the bar, Oskar presides over a menu of classic drinks and signature cocktails using homemade sugars and infusions. A limited selection of bar snacks is also offered.

Dabbous’ menu quickly earned rave reviews from the capital’s critics, with Fay Maschler awarding it a rare five stars and describing it as a ‘game changer’.

Ollie Dabbous won Breakthrough Chef at the inaugural Food and Travel Awards. Other trophies include Best Kitchen at the Tatler Restaurant Awards 2012 and Best New Restaurant at the Time Out Eating & Drinking Awards 2012. In addition, he published his debut cookbook last autumn.

Although tables are always booked several months in advance, the venue is now keeping tables aside for lunch and dinner service walk-ins.

39 Whitfield Street, London W1T 2SF www.dabbous.co.uk

NOVIKOV RESTAURANT & BAR This cool and contemporary Asian Restaurant offers inventive pan Asian cuisine designed by Japan-trained chef Jeff Tyler. The focal point is a huge open kitchen; fronted by an amazing display of seafood and vegetables, it evokes the atmosphere of an Asian food market.

Although still modern in design, The Italian Restaurant, under head chef Marco Torri, has much more of an elegant country feel, complete with an imposing wood-fired oven and a menu of classical regional dishes. A stunning standalone Lounge Bar with its eclectic collection of furnishings and objets d’art, has presented the capital with a stylish yet relaxing watering hole.

50A Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8HA www.novikovrestaurant.co.uk

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NEW FAIRLINE TARGA 53GT Leading British luxury motor yacht manufacturer, Fairline, recently launched the stunning Targa 53GT. This latest model heralds the future of Fairline’s long tradition of iconic designs. It incorporates a beautifully tapered hull glazing that emphasises the Targa 53GT’s dynamic character. The boat’s classic swept stern shape integrates the hull lines, creating a functional yet attractive transom with optional submersible bathing platform.

Fairline’s Targa 53GT is immediately distinctive thanks to its exterior styling and shows an evolution from the time proven Targa lineage, incorporating the distinctive deck window profile with signature Fairline spear.

Designed to be a sociable boat inside and out, the Targa 53GT combines large cockpit seating and sunbathing areas, with interior saloon seating to provide a seamless flow of entertaining and relaxation space. A key attribute of the Targa 53GT is the full beam mid-ship master cabin with king size bed, feature headboard and large panoramic windows bathing the cabin in natural light. In addition to the stunning master cabin, there is a forward double cabin and a versatile twin cabin to port.

Offering excellent sea-keeping in all conditions, the Targa 53GT is a true “boater’s boat” and offers a choice of two shaft driven engine options from Volvo and Cummins. For crewed boats, Fairline offers an optional spacious crew cabin with its own window. Every Targa 53GT can be customised with Fairline’s high quality choice of specifications, equipment and interior options, each thoroughly tested and evaluated for its suitability, performance and style.

Fairline’s Marketing Manager, Oliver Taylor, comments, “The Targa 53GT epitomises Fairline’s British craftsmanship and technical excellence.

With its iconic design, elegant styling and flexibility in spacious accommodation, we anticipate it becoming a class leader.

For more information about Fairline, please visit: www.fairline.com

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FORTUNE & LIFESTYLE

NEW LA PRAIRIE FACIALS, AND COUPLES INDULGENCE DAYS AT WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA Aquarias Spa at Whatley Manor restores mind and body to a new harmony. Set in the courtyard of the honey-coloured Cotswold manor house hotel, the awardwinning spa has announced two new La Prairie facials and a Couples Indulgence Day Spa in the VIP Suite.

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NEW LA PRAIRIE WHITE CAVIAR ILLUMINATING FACIAL 60/90 MINUTES (£110 FOR 60-MINUTES OR £145 FOR 90-MINUTES) Combining elegance and efficacy, this facial promotes an even skin tone by helping to prevent discolouration and brightening the skin. With the added benefit of Golden Caviar extracts, the skin is firmer and more hydrated, providing a more illuminated, smoother skin that enhances the complexion. The 90-minute treatment includes a massage for the hands and feet for a truly pampering experience.

NEW LA PRAIRIE CELLULAR SWISS ICE CRYSTAL FACIAL 60/90 MINUTES (£110 FOR 60-MINUTES OR £145 FOR 90-MINUTES) Skin needs moisture, energy and protection. With this in mind, La Prairie has developed this facial to combat the first signs of ageing and to encourage younger-looking skin that is bursting with moisture and vital energy. As its name suggests, the Swiss Ice Crystal facial includes an exquisite eye and face massage using clear and rose quartz crystals; while the 90-minute treatment also incorporates a lomi lomi back massage.

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THE LA PRAIRIE SIGNATURE GENTLEMAN’S FACIAL HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO OFFER BOTH A 60-MINUTE (£90) AND A NEW 90-MINUTE TREATMENT (£125).

This cleansing and energising treatment rebalances the skin using La Prairie’s exclusive Cellular Complex and Cellular 3-Minute Peel to reveal younger, fresherlooking skin, with the addition of a scalp, neck, shoulder and back massage for the 90-minute treatment.

NEW ‘COUPLES INDULGENCE DAY SPA’ (£265 PER PERSON) This is an opportunity to enjoy exclusive pampering for two in the VIP Suite (available Monday to Thursday). Complete with its own hydrobath and unique treatments the VIP Suite offers a highly luxurious experience. Couples can relax together and enjoy the two-and-a-half-hour ‘Aquarias Heaven’ including a full aromatherapy salt and oil polish, aroma flower bath and full body massage using warmed volcanic basalt stones infused with aromatherapy oils, concluding with a soothing fresh camomile tea ritual. A light lunch for two with a glass of champagne is served in the spa lounge.

Additional half-day spa experiences (from £120 per person) and full-day spa experiences (from £150 per person) are available Monday to Thursday, including full use of the spa facilities and a 60 or 90-minute treatment, with a serving of tea and biscuits for a half-day and a light lunch and refreshment in the spa lounge included in the full day spa experience.

A supplement of £20 applies when booking a deluxe 60-minute or deluxe 90-minute La Prairie facial.

All guests have access to the spa and can take themselves on a journey to relaxation through the European–style facilities which include a magnificent Hydrotherapy Pool that extends outside, a Tepidarium with Heated Stone Recliners, Salt Scrub Showers, a Thermal Suite, Wave Dream Sensory room, gym and studio. They can prepare the skin for treatments by exfoliating the body in the Salt Scrub Showers, then take a dip in the Hydrotherapy Pool with its all-over body massage lounger, cushioned by thousands of soft air bubbles. A swim outside brings guest to an underwater massage bench that gently pummels the backs of the legs and thighs.

The Thermal Suite also features a gently heated Laconium followed by two essence-infused steam cabins and an intensely heated Sauna.

Between each of the steam cabins, guests can take an ‘experience shower’; either cooling mint or a tropical rain shower infused with Maracuja.

Light refreshments, including delicious juices and smoothies, are served in the stylish spa lounge, overlooking the Hydrotherapy Pool with views to the Spa garden and woodland beyond.

Aquarias Spa : 01666 827 070 or aquarias@ whatleymanor.com www.whatleymanor.com

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