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Calling all Disabled Business Owners in Bristol!

Do you run your own business?

Do you have a disability or long term health condition?

 If so you are invited to the launch of a proposed network of disabled entrepreneurs on Thursday 19th November 2009.

 The launch meeting will include a free training session to help you improve your networking skills.

 With growing numbers of business being run by disabled people we want to encourage owners to meet up on a regular basis to:

Provide peer support; sharing information, advice and tips

  • Encourage collaboration; providing opportunities to develop joint projects or tenders
  • Arrange shared training and information sessions
  • Lobby for appropriate support for disabled-led businesses

We know that women’s business networks have played a key role in the success of women-led businesses over the past 10 years and this is a chance to see if the same approach can help disabled entrepreneurs.

The Launch meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn, Filton Road, BS16 1QX starting at 16.30.  A light buffet will be provided at the end of the meeting at about 18.30.

To book your place please complete the attached booking form and return it to Business Link.  If you are unable to attend the launch, but would like to be kept in touch with future developments please complete the network registration form and return it to the same address.

 The launch of the network is supported by Business Link which is working with the disabled-led business Will Bee Consultancy Ltd to support this initiative.

calling-all-disabled-business-owners-access-requirments-form1

calling-all-disabled-business-owners-booking-form

calling-all-disabled-business-owners-network-registration-form


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Food fit for a prince!

Hi all,

I just I want to share some good news with you and to let you know of one of my biggest achievement to date.  It is fair to say that I have been given so many opportunities and have had many life changing experiences however, this is the greatest one so far.  I know I am going on and you must be wondering what it could be so here it is!

Last week not only did I cater for Prince Phillip but I got to meet him in person and have a laugh with him.  Can you imagine me Adrian Carter got to rub shoulders with royalty!! 

(more…)


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The Power of Radio

 

The Power of Media

 

I was listening to BBC Essex online and they were asking for responses to retiring. I sent an e-mail to say I had been made redundant, had no intention of being put out to pasture, went to Exeter and did the clock course and set up my own business servicing and repairing clocks

 

Good old Graham Bannerman said on air he received my e-mail and mentioned Tiptree Clocks and the web address several times. To pay for that sought of exposure on air would normally cost a fortune but to get the company mentioned several times in less than a minute was an excellent piece of free advertising?? Now wait and see if anything comes of it.

 

Less than two hours after being mentioned on BBC Essex I had a phone call from a potential  Client who has a striking clock (that doesn’t  strike at the right time?) he wants repaired. He will phone me next week

 

So try getting your name mentioned on the radio. Getting just one customer from it makes it worthwhile.

 

Jim

Tiptree Clocks

 


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Introducing Sam Eve

Hello, I am the Regional Coorindator for the Central Region.  My job is to help you get your business started by acting as a sounding board for your ideas and concerns.  I will do whatever I can to help you find the right resources you need to get your business off the ground.  So if you’re banging your head against a brick wall, don’t be shy, pick up the phone or drop me an email and find out how I can help. Tel: 07738 034 115.  Email: sam.eve@lcdisability.org


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Hello! from Johnny, RTS Coordinator for the South West

Johnny posing for the camera

Johnny posing for the camera

Hello everyone

 

My name is Johnny Coleman and I am the RTS Regional Coordinator for the South West which means that I support all the new entrepreneurs coming on to the programme from areas around Southampton, Plymouth, Swindon and Bristol.

 

I have never ‘blogged’ before and am hoping – once I get the hang of it – to be able to share information with all you other bloggers.

 

Good luck and talk soon!

 

Johnny


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Hi everybody

 

My name is Annet Lukkien, Project Assistant for Ready to Start. I am working with Ann Chaplin, supporting entrepreneurs in London, Kent and Sussex. I look forward to reading your discussions on the blog. I am always interested in getting new ideas for other things the project could be doing.

 

 

 


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Already Started - Catering King

Adrian Carter home cooking

Adrian Carter home cooking

RTS success, Adrian Carter has big plans for Carters Home Cooking, his Caribbean catering business in South London. “I’m an entrepreneur…to the fullest. My aim is to be the Caribbean equivalent of Nando’s! You’ve got to think big and you’ve got to do it big.” This self-belief along with support from Ready to Start has equipped him with what he needs.
Seven years ago Adrian had a motorbike accident. As a result of this he lost an arm and now uses a wheelchair. After meeting on holiday a couple who had just started a catering business, he really began thinking about his future. “I didn’t want to rely on the government to support me for the rest of my life; I wanted to get on and achieve big things for myself”. With support from a food-loving family, Adrian is doing just that, most recently catering for 120 people at an event aimed at tackling gang culture and knife crime in London. His passion for food was obvious when we caught up with him at his home for these photographs and this passion is driving the business forward.
As well as gaining a strong reputation for good food, Adrian has also found fame in Leonard Cheshire Disability’s own Creature Discomforts animations. He is Ozzy the Owl in a campaign that seeks to change attitudes to disability. When it comes to Adrian, his actions probably speak louder than words. “I know where I want to be in, say, five year’s time. So I don’t let anyone put a perception on me based on my disability. No way.”


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Hello

Ann at the Maidstone Launch

Ann at the Maidstone Launch

I am Ann Chaplin, Regional coordinator for London and the South-East.  I plan to use this blog to notify my entrepreneurs about business start up events and networking opportunities in the region.  I look forward to seeing some interesting discussions on the blog.


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Mobility Might

Already Started

RTS entrepreneur Stephen Collins recently featured in a case study of disabled entrepreneurs produced by RTS project.

In recent times life has moved at a pretty fast pace for Stephen Collins, founder of Lazarus Mobility. Stephen has lived with disability all his life due to his cerebral palsy and was facing the strong possibility of losing his house through unemployment and a frustrating lack of job opportunities. Yet, today, only a year from when he began trading, Stephen employs three members of staff, has moved into new business premises and has really turned his disability into a business advantage.

Lazarus Mobility supplies mobility aids and everyday products for disabled people. “I reckon that my disability gives me a unique insight into what equipment works best for disabled people”. To enhance his offering, where possible, he is looking to employ people with disabilities who can offer good service to customers. Stephen has big ambitions and is hungry for success.

Stephen’s entrepreneurial talent has got him some high-profile attention in the business world. He so impressed Duncan Bannatyne of Dragon’s Den fame that he agreed to provide funding and advice to Lazarus Mobility for twelve months. A further highlight came with news of the company making it on to Startups 100, which lists the most exciting and innovative emerging small companies predicted to become the big businesses of tomorrow.

Stephen enjoys a mutually supportive relationship with Leonard Cheshire Disability through the Ready to Start programme. The charity has provided introductions and networking opportunities of which Stephen has taken full advantage. His drive and determination have seen him through the difficult times. “If you believe in what you are doing, don’t give up”.

www.lazarusmobility.com


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Saying Hello to Everyone

Dear All,

My name is Lorraine and I run several websites and blogs within the internet.   Back in 2005 I had a small operation that turned into a nightmare for me.  Since the surgery I went down with Pulmonary Emblous, Diabetes Type 11 and Myasthenia Gravis.  Today my health issues are still ongoing, however, I am determined to keep going and enjoy the benefit’s the internet holds for valuable information and show their is life to be enjoyed even when disabled. 

I own a full website business www.house-of-francheska.co.uk
Produced and do voluntary work for Truth in Medicine  truthinmedicine.us.com
and truthinmedicine.co.uk
Carers-healingspurwww.carers-healinspur.co.uk
Another website which is a great hobby of mine and produced by me is www.ma-musik.com

New Website produced and published today www.lorreva-web-development.co.uk for all your website needs, providing affordable and quality web design. I will be adding more to the price list to give special prices to the elderly, the disabled and for the low income.

I was asked by Stephen  Hilton to help with the Ready to Start RTS Blog and of course I am delighted to help.  I am a firm believer in sharing our experiences with each other when facing disabilites also how we can overcome them and show we can still become independant in todays society.  People who face severe disabilites can ask their carers to help them too, there are many issues still to be resolved with how our society see’s disabled people and also I want to mention the carer’s position is unfortunatley not recognised like it should be. 

Over time I want to help here on the blog by posting as much information as I can by pointing people in the right direction to try and overcome any obstacles that come our way.  a good saying is
” Where there is a will there is a way,  nothing is impossible, all is possible!”

Enjoy your time here with RTS this is going to be a valuable resource for us all

Peace, Love and Light to all

Lorraine


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