We are all aware that across the globe businesses have struggled due to the ongoing impact of the Covid19 pandemic.
Economies are feeling the pinch of not only having to support millions of people; but also having many businesses not generating any incomes to support economies.
However, there have been many companies who have quickly adapted to the changing demands Covid19 has put upon their businesses.
We have previously explored how Hope Plants was born from the pandemic when a horticulturalist saw greenhouses full of plants destined for the compost heap & created a home delivery business. Locals who had no access to garden centres ordered in their thousands & now Hope Plants has not only re-branded & grown their online catalogue; but they have now become a thriving independent business.
This example is just one of the thousands of businesses who have learnt to use eCommerce more effectively, transforming & diversifying their business models & above all, not letting all their hard work be lost.
One such example of how a business idea was born from lockdown, is Binky’s Bakery GF/Vegan Treats.
Having posted a box of GF/Vegan treats to her sister for her birthday in May 2020 so she wouldn’t miss out on a birthday cake, right in the middle of lockdown; Binky (aka Simone) had no idea that this had any potential as a business idea. Having received the box of incredible home baked treats, Binky’s brother in law took one look at the box & said “There’s a business there!”
With the help & support of Binky’s sister, who already runs her own successful business with her partner; she offered to front & support the building of the business as although Binky has been baking since she was two years old, her business management skills need some encouragement.
Before the business model could be formed, Binky’s sister suggested that Binky have a 1-2-1 Business Mentoring Session with Helena Parrott – VA/Director of Virtually Smart Ltd.
With over 20 years of experience in supporting business owners, CEO’s, Directors, Managing Directors & a wealth of corporate & independent industries; Helena’s knowledge & expertise was going to be invaluable. Here is what Binky had to say about the Virtually Smart Ltd Business Mentoring experience.
“My sister Kate & her partner Dan presented the idea of a home delivery service for my GF/Vegan Home Baked Treats to me in May 2020. I have always dreamed of owning my own bakery, but never really had the financial opportunities to allow this. However, Dan & Kate encouraged me to consider my GF/Vegan Home Baked Treats as a postal service, something I had never considered before.
Because of the pandemic, meeting up with Helena physically was impossible, so we used Zoom as a meeting place. I was a little nervous before the meeting, as I had no idea what to say. However, I need not have worried as Helena instantly put me at ease with her easy going manner & her friendly approach.
In our first Zoom meeting Helena & I discussed what I felt I wanted to get out of Binky’s Bakery GF/Vegan Treats. What I found really helpful in this first mentoring session, were the open questions Helena posed about how to develop a catalogue of flavours, who were my target audience, had I considered my treats as Corporate Gifts, etc.
I came away from my initial meeting with my head full of ideas, lots of questions & plenty of research ideas to undertake.
I spent the next week researching other businesses models, what other companies in the same industry as me were doing & I began to develop my flavour catalogue. In the meantime, Helena was building me an Action Plan.
A week after our first Zoom meeting, Helena & I met again & she presented me with my Business Action Plan.
The PPT presentation was easy to follow & gave me plenty of fresh ideas to focus on. In addition, the Business Action Plan laid out a suggested stage by stage approach to building my business. From setting up social media, to fathoming costings, profit margins & future thoughts for directions to take the business; Helena’s Business Action Plan enabled me to gain confidence & plan effectively & efficiently towards my business launch.
I cannot thank Helena enough for her incredible support. We have met several times since the Business Action Plan was put in place, just to enable me to touch base with Helena & she has guided me along the way to ensure I felt comfortable & confident in my business development.
I launched Binky’s Bakery GF/Vegan Treats on 1st September 2020, only four months after that first box of GF/Vegan Treats was sent for my sister’s birthday. I am overwhelmed by the initial response & look forward to the orders beginning to come in.
Helena’s business knowledge, understanding nature, guidance, patience & expertise have been overwhelmingly supportive & I feel confident that if I ever need another Business Mentoring session, Helena will be there for me to answers my queries, make suggestions or simply guide me forward to the next development stage of Binky’s Bakery. Thank you Helena & Virtually Smart Ltd for all your help & guidance.”
If you are considering starting up your own independent business & feel you could benefit from some professional Business Mentoring; then please do contact Helena Parrott today for an informal conversation about your needs. T: 07954 994769 E: helena@virtuallysmartltd.com
Written by Katy-Jane for & on behalf of Virtually Smart Ltd
