january 2012 newsletter

Leicester Business Women Leicester Business Women Leicester Business Women Leicester Business Women Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter

January 2012 January 2012 January 2012 January 2012

“Because I don’t want “Because I don’t want “Because I don’t want “Because I don’t want anybody telling me what anybody telling me what anybody telling me what anybody telling me what time I can eat, how long to time I can eat, how long to time I can eat, how long to time I can eat, how long to take and the hours that take and the hours that take and the hours that take and the hours that

I should work.”I should work.”I should work.”I should work.” Kathy Hector of Latin Fit


Leicester Business Women would like to wish you a very “Happy New Year” “Happy New Year” “Happy New Year” “Happy New Year” and welcome to our first newsletter of 2012.

Although we are sad that we are now into our final year of Leicester Business Women, we are very happy to say that we have been able to support and guide many women through their confidence barriers and into following their dreams of making an income from a hobby, and we continue to put 110% into making Leicester Business Women even more outstanding than before with further dedicated support through one to one advice sessions, training programmes and networking events until June 2012.

Our theme this year: making 2012 Your year

To begin with, Heena and Nicole would like to know:

• What does the year 2012 have in store for you?

• What's your plan? Have you developed one yet?

• What networking events are you attending? Have you seen the excellent line up of events we have this year?

• Where are you going to advertise and find your first / new customer?

Our experienced and trained team of Leicester Business Women’s trainers and advisors are ready, but are you??

If not, remember that Leicester Business Women are here to help and support you on your journey, we have dedicated trainers and advisors wanting to help you and give you the support, information and confidence to face any barriers or challenges you may be facing.

Finally, if you were one of the ones who completed the actions from the last newsletter, we’d like to know what you came up with! For those of you who didn’t complete it, here they are again:

• What would you like to have achieved by Christmas 2012?

• What personal goals have you set for yourself in 2012?

• How are you going to reach these goals?

• What are you doing everyday to ensure that you achieve these goals?

For further information about the Leicester Business Women programme please contact Nicole Hocking on 0116 251 8730 or view our website www.leicesterbusinesswomen.co.uk

“Starting out on my own has been one the scariest but one of the most rewarding things I've “Starting out on my own has been one the scariest but one of the most rewarding things I've “Starting out on my own has been one the scariest but one of the most rewarding things I've “Starting out on my own has been one the scariest but one of the most rewarding things I've done.done.done.done. I don't know if I would have come as far as I have without the help and support of I don't know if I would have come as far as I have without the help and support of I don't know if I would have come as far as I have without the help and support of I don't know if I would have come as far as I have without the help and support of

everyone at Leicester Business Women, from the Business Mentors to the Admin Team I have everyone at Leicester Business Women, from the Business Mentors to the Admin Team I have everyone at Leicester Business Women, from the Business Mentors to the Admin Team I have everyone at Leicester Business Women, from the Business Mentors to the Admin Team I have been inspired and motivated to follow my dreams.been inspired and motivated to follow my dreams.been inspired and motivated to follow my dreams.been inspired and motivated to follow my dreams. Working on your own trying to build a Working on your own trying to build a Working on your own trying to build a Working on your own trying to build a business can get quite lonely so being part of this network and having the opportunity to business can get quite lonely so being part of this network and having the opportunity to business can get quite lonely so being part of this network and having the opportunity to business can get quite lonely so being part of this network and having the opportunity to

meet like minded people who could also be potential business associates or meet like minded people who could also be potential business associates or meet like minded people who could also be potential business associates or meet like minded people who could also be potential business associates or customers is fantastic.customers is fantastic.customers is fantastic.customers is fantastic. I feel privileged to have been part of this project and I I feel privileged to have been part of this project and I I feel privileged to have been part of this project and I I feel privileged to have been part of this project and I

would like to say thank to everyone for their part in helping me along the way.”would like to say thank to everyone for their part in helping me along the way.”would like to say thank to everyone for their part in helping me along the way.”would like to say thank to everyone for their part in helping me along the way.”

Leah Golde of Inside Out Holistic Health & Beauty


Leicester Business Women’s January Newsletter

Includes

Welcome

Details of Leicester Business Women’s forthcoming Networking Events

Social Media - does it increase business?

Did you wake up on 1st January 2012 excited or worried about the year?

Finance hints and tips for pricing your product / service from Jim Hewitt

Information on Leicester Business Women’s Business Lounge

Case Study: Fatima Gordon - Ameya Cards

Details of Leicester Business Women's forthcoming Training workshops

Testimonial from some previous members

Information on Skills For Enterprise Hotdesk service

Mariana Rodrigues Pérez’s vanilla cupcake with raspberry frosting recipe

*****

We hope you enjoy We hope you enjoy We hope you enjoy We hope you enjoy

“Because I want to combine “Because I want to combine “Because I want to combine “Because I want to combine my hobby with an income, my hobby with an income, my hobby with an income, my hobby with an income, and have more time for and have more time for and have more time for and have more time for

my family!”my family!”my family!”my family!” Aparna Nardekar of Kiya Arts

Networking Events

As well as our training programme and one to one appointments, the Leicester Business Women project also organises regular networking events to help our members with further advice and support on business elements, motivation and confidence while meeting like minded women from Leicester.

A New Year - Healthy, Positive Outlook & Registering Your Business

Wednesday 1st February 2012 from 10.00am till 1.00pm

With the Leicester Business Women ambassadors and the HMRC.

Here, we will be focusing on keeping Healthy and Positive as the New Year begins, when setting up your own business and throughout the early days by Leah Golde and Hannah Ingram.

Short belly dance and exercises for Body Confidence by Hannah Myatt.

Advice and guidance regarding TAX and VAT when starting your own business by the HMRC tax advisors.

“Let go of the fear of things that are holding me back. Be positive” “Let go of the fear of things that are holding me back. Be positive” “Let go of the fear of things that are holding me back. Be positive” “Let go of the fear of things that are holding me back. Be positive” Fatima Gordon

How Will You Benefit From The Olympics, The Queen’s Jubilee and Mothers Day this year?

Wednesday 29th February 2012 from 10.00am till 2.00pm

With Leicester Business Women’s trainer Lou Gimson

2012 is going to be a BIG year for the UK with the Olympics and the celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee, so how are you going to make it Your Year?

Have you thought how you can be a leader and beat the rest in your sector or even your competition?! How can you use any of these years’ events to benefit your business? There is going to be a lot of focus on the UK and plenty of tourists, it is estimated that there will be 500 000 extra people coming over to the UK for these

events, what will you do to make your business stand out and make the most of this amazing opportunity? And trust us – it will be an absolutely fantastic opportunity to promote your business and services.

The festivities will be taking place across the UK, so you will have plenty of opportunities to develop your business. So how are you going to get started? What is your next step to

achieving your dreams?

We hope that you will start with step one:

Attend this fantastic event and gain some focused action points with your trainer Lou Gimson’s help and advice, you can begin to plan how to make this year Your Year! Lou will go through a number of key points that you should be considering, giving you ideas to get started, helping you plan your ideas and marketing around key dates and festivities this year and most importantly ensuring that you go away with the most appropriate action

points for your business!

Can you afford to really miss this one???Can you afford to really miss this one???Can you afford to really miss this one???



Finance refresher Learning from our mistakes

Wednesday 21st March 2012 from 10.00am till 2.00pm

With Leicester Business Women’s advisor and trainer Jim Hewitt

Remember your financials from the programme? No??? Then this is a must attend networking event for you. A review of the financials, and a chance to share understanding and practise the skills. Elements such as sensible pricing for your products or services, forecasting your profit, calculations and formulas for the

frightened, a practical look at book keeping systems – keeping track of your income and expenditure plus a chance to get any answers to any questions or queries you may have.

“Who do I already know? Use contact and ask for help” “Who do I already know? Use contact and ask for help” “Who do I already know? Use contact and ask for help” “Who do I already know? Use contact and ask for help” Hannah Myatt

HMRC workshop. Registering your business Bartering and Negotiations—A How To Session

Wednesday 25th April 2012 from 10.00am till 1.00pm

With the HMRC and Leicester Business Women advisor and trainer Jim Hewitt

This event will include a presentation delivered by the HMRC who will be advising on aspects of business start up such as the process of registering your business, information and advice on TAX and VAT, which record you

should be keeping etc plus a chance to get any answers to any questions or queries you may have.

Have you mastered the art of successful bartering in your business? Does the thought of asking for a discount or reduced rates terrify you? Find out how to barter successfully with Jim who will focus primarily on this topic and help you with useful hints and tips so that you leave feeling more confident in your own negotiations.

“Clarity in what I need to do next in my business” “Clarity in what I need to do next in my business” “Clarity in what I need to do next in my business” “Clarity in what I need to do next in my business” Sarah Johnson

Social Media

Wednesday 23rd May 2012 from 10.00am till 1.00pm

With Leicester Business Women ambassador

Help, support and advice to ensure you make the most of the FREE opportunities Social Media can offer you and your business. Advice on marketing, networking and blogging etc.

Call Leicester Business Women today to book you place on 0116 251 8730

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I’ve always been a talker - got told off a lot in school for it then spent much of my working life talking with people face to face. It always worked for me so I didn’t see why when I set up my own business I would need to communicate by anything but talking, phoning or email. I was told social media is the way forward so went to some seminars. I was more tempted by the breakfast than learning how to “tweet” or use Facebook (thought it was only for celebrities and people under 25) and that it definitely wasn’t for meJJJJJJJ..I was wrong! Twitter and Facebook for Business accounts were easy to set up. I linked them to my website (more scary technology) and Linked In account. I decided what type of person or organisation to follow who would give me information to help my business. I did searches for key words, found people who looked interesting (and didn’t just tell me what they had for breakfast), put them into “lists” and checked those lists every day. Plenty of information to flick through – I started “re-tweeting” it. Doesn’t mean I wrote it, just that I thought it was usefulJJJJamazingly enough, people started following me! I put the same info, particularly articles about women and business from Twitter onto the Facebook page – same thing happened, people start to check it and I aim to become a point of information. By and large people do business with people they know. Social media is a way of letting more people get to know you so they are more likely to do business with you. I’ve had people contact me who’ve looked at my Linked in account, facebook stuff and website so am gradually building up more potential clients. I’m now considering developing a blog – is the world ready for this? BUTJJonly let the world know what you want them toJJJtoo much information and all that! Sue Grogan – Joined-Up Working Leicestershire www.joinedupwork.co.uk e: [email protected] Twitter: @SueGrogan Facebook: Sue Grogan Ltd

Social media – does it increase business?

Want to see you business here?

This exciting newsletter will give you the opportunity to advertise and promote directly to our database, all are female and based in Leicester / Leicestershire.

In addition, we have a large partner database who will also receive the newsletter.

Contact us today for more information on 0116 251 8730


Did you wake up on 1st January 2012 excited or worried about the year?

Think back, its 9.00am (for some of us it may well have been much much later) on the 1st January 2012. You woke up either excited about 2012, after all there has been so much hype about it recently; with the Olympics

and the Queens Jubilee and who know what other fantastic thingsJ

Or did this happen?

It’s 1st January 2012. You woke up, yet another day where you don’t know what to do? You felt stressed and worried, after all there had been so much hype in the news about the big recession, rise in unemployment

figures, rises in all living cost. You’re worried about how its going to affect youJ

You see, it’s really all about how we think about things. If you watch your thinking and plan ahead you can make lots of things happen. On the other hand, you could let things happen to youJ

The difference really is in year mind set. This year, there are many events to look forward to, at the same time, there are many things to be wary of. However, if you let those things that worry you get on top of you, you will not be able to focus on all the good things that 2012 has in store for us all, and may well get to 1st January 2013 thinking much of the same as you did this year. The main thing to remember is that there is, has been

and will always be negativity around us. What many of us fail to realise is this: We can choose to focus on either – the positive or the negative, one will spur us on and motivate us to do well and achieve what we want to, the other will spur us on and help us become more negative and

fearful of the future.

So this year, I ask all Leicester Business Women members to think of all the good things that will be happening this year, for us all and also personally for you. And start by developing a plan to make that happen.

A little exercise to get you started is to spend a few minutes today thinking about what you would like to

achieve by Monday 31st December 2012? It could be anything, your career, health, personal life, business, now really think about the key steps to achieve these outcomes, like for example, if your goal is to become more

healthy, how about planning 3 days of your meals for this week, see how you get on and then you may want to increase it to 5 days or 7 daysJ Before you know it you’ll be on your way to a healthier you!!!

Did you know it takes 21 – 28 days to develop a habit?

So, why not start developing a good habit and by the time our next newsletter arrives you will have formed the habit into a routine.

Something to help you get started is just thinking about this:

What would you do if you knew you would be a success?

Planning is central to ensuring success, think about it, you do not set out to go somewhere without knowing

how to get there do you? Even if you are driving and you use a sat nav, you still know where your end destination is don’t you? So why would you not apply the same rule to your life and your year?

This year can be what you make of it, or don’t make of it!

Let’s make 2012 your year!

We have now made our Business Lounge available for Leicester Business Women members to give you the chance to work on your business whilst in a social environment. Our Training Room has full internet access and laptops which you can use. This would also be a great time to meet up with like minded women whilst you work.

Our Business Lounge is available at the following times: Monday 10.00am – 4.00pm Tuesday 10.00am – 3.00pm Wednesday 1.00pm – 3.00pm Thursday 1.00pm – 3.00pm Friday 10.00am – 1.00pm Saturday and Sunday closed Address: Skills for Enterprise, 4th Floor,2-4 Colton Street, Leicester, LE1 1QA

However booking in advance is essential!

If this is something that you feel you, your business idea or your business would benefit from and would like to make the most of this FREE space in a business environment then please contact Nicole either via email [email protected] or call me on 0116 251 8730

Finance hints and tips for pricing your product / service from Jim Hewitt

Pricing your product or your service is never an easy task and yet it is vital that you get this right.

In a recession, shoppers are more likely to base buying decisions on price. This means that you must be competitive: research the price that your competitors charge. Whether you charge more or less than your competitors is up to you. Remember, some of your products may have a higher rate of profit than others – low prices on some items will attract buyers who may then buy more profitable items. Don’t just look at your competitors’ prices though; look at what they offer to their customers for the price. If you can’t compete on price, you may be able to compete on what you offer for the price. The extra value you add can be your USP (Unique Selling Point).

Think seriously about bundling your products or services. For example, you can sell a computer mouse, keyboard and memory stick as a package at a bargain price. This way, you will generate more revenue per transaction. Look around at how many “packages” you see advertised and consider what you might bundle together.

If you are trading for profit then you should make a profit on what you sell. To make a profit, your selling price should cover the variable cost of what you are selling (what you paid to buy the product) plus a share of your business overheads, as well as allowing extra “markup” for the profit.

Where you have a unique product or service, you may launch it at a relatively high price. On the other hand, you could decide to launch a product at a very low price, just to build up a share of the market. Remember, though, that it is easier to put prices down than it is to put them up, especially if you want to retain clients for the longer term. Discounting your prices for “good” customers might get round that if you really need to put prices up.

A product is worth what others are willing to pay for it; a higher price can suggest better quality and good

service. The same can be said for a service. When we choose a supplier for some services, we are more

likely looking for a company or person that we can trust and whom we like dealing with. This is true especially

for things that really matter, like repairing your boiler, organising your wedding or minding your special pet

whilst you’re away. You can’t easily put a price on true peace of mind!


Leicester Business Women Leicester Business Women Leicester Business Women Leicester Business Women Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter Fatima Gordon—Ameya Cards

Fatima works part time in a school and fitting in her own business is ideal to her lifestyle as she can control

what she does and when. She says ““““I don’t have anyone telling me how long to work… I decide how I don’t have anyone telling me how long to work… I decide how I don’t have anyone telling me how long to work… I decide how I don’t have anyone telling me how long to work… I decide how much or how little I do.“ much or how little I do.“ much or how little I do.“ much or how little I do.“ Fatima started her luxury cards and wedding stationery business in November

2011 following completing of her training in June and attending one to one coaching as well as networking events.

So, how did Fatima get started so quickly? After being handed a Leicester Business Women flyer from her daughter, Fatima joined the programme and first

went onto access the excellent training programme which we deliver. “The training has been really The training has been really The training has been really The training has been really helpful in getting me started.”helpful in getting me started.”helpful in getting me started.”helpful in getting me started.” Fatima also accessed the other services we offer such as networking

events and one to one coaching. She goes onto say ““““the networking meetings are vitalthe networking meetings are vitalthe networking meetings are vitalthe networking meetings are vital to me it gives to me it gives to me it gives to me it gives you the chance to talk to others with similar issues as yourself and how they over came you the chance to talk to others with similar issues as yourself and how they over came you the chance to talk to others with similar issues as yourself and how they over came you the chance to talk to others with similar issues as yourself and how they over came them.” them.” them.” them.” This is a vital element of Leicester Business Women and we know how important it is that our clients

learn and are able to speak to others who have done it. Her coach, Sharon has helped Fatima by being extremely supportive and helping Fatima in building her

confidence. ““““Each time I come away I feel so motivated by her she has real confidence in me Each time I come away I feel so motivated by her she has real confidence in me Each time I come away I feel so motivated by her she has real confidence in me Each time I come away I feel so motivated by her she has real confidence in me much more than I have in my self.” much more than I have in my self.” much more than I have in my self.” much more than I have in my self.” Like with many women who are looking to turn their hobby into an income, Fatima goes onto say that she feels her own fears held her back as well as the fact that she had very little business knowledge. In addition, she says

“I don’t think my family took me serious, so didn’t give me much support to start off with” “I don’t think my family took me serious, so didn’t give me much support to start off with” “I don’t think my family took me serious, so didn’t give me much support to start off with” “I don’t think my family took me serious, so didn’t give me much support to start off with” That’s where Leicester Business Women help, “Leicester business women has been my true “Leicester business women has been my true “Leicester business women has been my true “Leicester business women has been my true inspiration , I know I could not of started my business with out the help of the team”inspiration , I know I could not of started my business with out the help of the team”inspiration , I know I could not of started my business with out the help of the team”inspiration , I know I could not of started my business with out the help of the team” So, what’d next for Fatima? Fatima would like some help and advice with talking to corporate business people about selling her cards into their shops, and Leicester Business Women will be helping Fatima take her business to this next level. And Fatima’s advice for other women wanting to transform their hobby into an income:

• Register your business as soon as you finish your course with Leicester women it doesn’t cost you to do it

and you will feel a great sense of achievement

• Start small and build, remember Rome wasn’t built in a day

• Let people see you believe in what you do and are passionate about it but be honest, don’t promise to

deliver a service you know is to big for you, if you don’t deliver it could give you a bad reputation and you may lose business as a result of it.

Finally – “The only thing that’s in the way of you starting up your own business is you.”The only thing that’s in the way of you starting up your own business is you.”The only thing that’s in the way of you starting up your own business is you.”The only thing that’s in the way of you starting up your own business is you.”

BraunstoneBraunstoneBraunstoneBraunstone


Date Time Venue Workshop

28.02.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

Braunstone Grove

Now Is The Time

01.03.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

Braunstone Grove

Your Passion Plan

06.03.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

Braunstone Grove

Your Financial Planning

08.03.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

Braunstone Grove

Motivate Yourself

13.03.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

Braunstone Grove

Your Style, Your Selling, Your Brand

15.03.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

Braunstone Grove

Influence Your World

Date Time Venue Workshop

27.03.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

City TBC

Now Is The Time

29.03.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

City TBC

Your Passion Plan

17.04.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

City TBC

Your Financial Planning

19.04.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

City TBC

Motivate Yourself

24.04.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

City TBC

Your Style, Your Selling, Your Brand

26.04.2012 9.15am—2.30pm (to start 9.30am)

City TBC

Influence Your World

CityCityCityCity

Upcoming Training

The Leicester Business Women project provides an excellent series of workshops that have been designed to help ladies from Leicester start up their own business from an idea they may have or to earn income from a

hobby. Our support is second to none, and we pride ourselves on the number of women that have developed in confidence and followed their business through with our support. Our programme covers key elements to consider

when setting up plus developing your confidence & overcoming obstacles.

Now is the Time This workshop shop covers key elements to consider when starting your business. You start the journey of

building your self confidence by taking a look at your confidence levels, your attitude towards your business ideas and looking at your goals and aspirations.

Your Passion Plan A creative version of a whole life plan and how to achieve a life balance. This is an active session and a fun and feminine way to look at particular aspects required in your business plan. Take the time to get to know yourself

and your dreams!

Your Financial Planning Making finances understandable - Who knew that managing your finances could be so simple? From cash flow

forecasts to profit and loss accounts.

Motivate Yourself Learn how to overcome your obstacles, take a step outside of your comfort zone, and find out what motivates

you - then use this to the advantage of your business. Also find out about the techniques that women are using to work through the recession! Aim of the day to leave feeling more motivated!

Your Style, Your Brand, Your Selling Find out about the sales and marketing hints and tips to gain and retain customers.

Your Influence Yourself Keeping positive and overcome those obstacles and enjoy challenges by taking your self confidence and

assertiveness a step further and watch yourself rise to the top!

Leicester Business Women’s next programme of workshops for February - April 2012 are as follows


Testimonials

Just some of the responses we’ve had over the years to our training, one to one and networking services

“I have gained confidence, the “I have gained confidence, the “I have gained confidence, the “I have gained confidence, the belief in myself and my dreams belief in myself and my dreams belief in myself and my dreams belief in myself and my dreams as well as practical knowledge”as well as practical knowledge”as well as practical knowledge”as well as practical knowledge”

Reena Kant

“I have gained the knowledge I “I have gained the knowledge I “I have gained the knowledge I “I have gained the knowledge I

needed to start my business needed to start my business needed to start my business needed to start my business

and also valuable life skills” and also valuable life skills” and also valuable life skills” and also valuable life skills” Justine Bates

“I feel very positive and “I feel very positive and “I feel very positive and “I feel very positive and confident which is a surprisingconfident which is a surprisingconfident which is a surprisingconfident which is a surprising

result”result”result”result” Nicole Harris

“I have enjoyed meeting such “I have enjoyed meeting such “I have enjoyed meeting such “I have enjoyed meeting such inspirational people on an inspirational people on an inspirational people on an inspirational people on an

excellent course”excellent course”excellent course”excellent course” Sally Porch

“Jim was very excellent at “Jim was very excellent at “Jim was very excellent at “Jim was very excellent at working out what I needed to working out what I needed to working out what I needed to working out what I needed to

focus on to enhance my confidence”focus on to enhance my confidence”focus on to enhance my confidence”focus on to enhance my confidence” Parmjeet Bahia

“Jim Hewitt has a lovely way “Jim Hewitt has a lovely way “Jim Hewitt has a lovely way “Jim Hewitt has a lovely way about him. I really felt about him. I really felt about him. I really felt about him. I really felt

listened to and my vision listened to and my vision listened to and my vision listened to and my vision respected”respected”respected”respected” Crystal Voyle

“Sharon showed me how to be “Sharon showed me how to be “Sharon showed me how to be “Sharon showed me how to be more confident and more confident and more confident and more confident and

focused”focused”focused”focused” Rashila Chauhan


Leicester Business Women members have access to a discounted service through Skills for Enterprise for

Hot DeskingJ So read on to find out a little more about what this service actually isJ

Do you sometimes find yourself in crowded coffee shops, cafes and train stations working away when you would rather be in a professional office environment? Or alternatively, have you been trying to work from

home, only to realise that you are not getting much done with all the distractions around you, like for example: just washing up, putting your clothes out, nipping to the shops to get something, only to find out its now time for lunch and you’ve not got much done at all? If this is the case, then our hot desks are the solution to your

business needs.

Skills for Enterprise provide a professional environment to working in a coffee shop or other open plan business lounges which may not always be suitable to your business requirements where you can tap into the

expertise of the Skills for Enterprise staff all in a get ready to work office space designed just for you in a vibrant business hub.

This is the perfect answer to those of you who don’t require a permanent office, do not want the headache of property ownership or lease agreements, however would like a ready made office when you really need to focus and get some much needed work done! This is an excellent way to get serious about your business! Our hot desks aim to provide you with a professional working environment, where you can meet, develop and

be inspired. We are focused on developing a dynamic working environment for our members along with practical facilities to use in order to work, and the best thing is you can use the hot desking service on a pay as

you go basis.

Our hot desk service is the opportunity to work in a managed office with your own desk and internet connection. It provides the opportunity to work in a professional environment and if you have a meeting it will give the impression of being professional and well established in your company. This is ideal for those of you who want to portray the image of being a professional, established business based in the city centre. We

will even have our receptionist meet and greet your clients if you have appointments. There are many advantages to hot desking for entrepreneurs – anyone can have a desk and gain internet access, however, working alongside other enterprising, motivational and inspirational individuals allows your creative juices to

flow better and create further motivation to get your business to the place it needs to.

You maybe wondering what the prices are for a service like this, well they vary from organisation to organisation and very much depend upon what’s on offer. Currently, Skills for Enterprise offer all of our

Leicester Business Women members reduced rates for access to a hotdesk at a rate of £15 per day plus VAT. You will have your own fully equipped office, with a desk and high speed internet connection,

access to our kitchen facilities, and the chance to pick our brains for ideas or propose suggestions – great for those of you wanting to work in a professional capacity and environment with like minded people around you.

And as you already know from attending our programme or any of our networking events, there is a certain type of synergy and inspiration which can come from working with talented, like minded

people in the same place.

Our hotdesks are available Mon – Fri 8.00am – 5.00pm. To book or if you would like a hot desk outside of these hours or over the weekends, please contact us to discuss your individual

requirements on 0116 2518 730.


Vanilla Cupcake with Raspberry frosting

Ingredients for the cupcakes: (Makes about 15)

170 grams unsalted butter 170 grams self raising flour 170 grams caster sugar 3 large eggs 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla extract 1 tablespoon milk

Ingredients for the raspberry frosting:

200 grams unsalted butter 100 grams cheese cream 650 grams icing sugar 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla extract 1 teaspoon raspberry extract 2 or 3 drops of pink colour

Method: Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 150C Fan or 160C otherwise.

Ensure that the butter and the eggs are room temperature. You can leave them out of the fridge overnight. The butter should be as soft as possible without melting.

Cream the butter and the caster sugar in a kitchen mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix until light and fluffy. If you do not have a kitchen mixer, put these ingredients in a large bowl and mix with a wooden spoon, briskly, until your arms ache.

Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix thoroughly.

Add the vanilla and the milk.

Finally add the self raising flour. You need to mix this last ingredient for NO more than 1 minute.

This mixture is enough for about 15 cupcakes, depending on the size of your cupcake liners. Fill cupcake liners between ½ and ¾ the way up.

Bake for 20 minutes in the middle of the oven, but check after 18 by inserting a little cocktail stick. If there is anything stuck to the stick, then bake for the full 20 minutes.

Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for around 5 minutes and then take them out carefully and allow to cool outside the pan.

FROSTING:

Cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth.

Add the vanilla extract, the raspberry extract and the pink food colour and blend until combined.

Add the powdered sugar (icing sugar) gradually until combined.

Now is time to decorate your cupcakesJ Frost the cooled cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting, be generous and let your imagination fly!!!!!

Enjoy!

Mariana Rodrigues Pérez of The Cake Queen has very kindly sent in her recipe for a vanilla cupcake with raspberry frosting

january 2012 newsletter

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