Pilot's Logs

Retail ...... Yes or No ?

Posted Sun, 01/01/2012 - 21:51 by richardgbell

Hi,
This is my first log and wanted to get a few more opinions on a question which i've asked several friends already.
I'm constantly warned about the cost of overheads if i want to use a retail shop. My idea would really need its own location but what is the best way to go about finding its own premises and getting the best deal on renting etc?

Many thanks
Rick

Just testing...

Posted Thu, 20/10/2011 - 07:37 by mystratex

I like the book. The site is a good idea but very poor execution. Emma's blog has not been updated for a long time. The other Pilot's Log have no interest. Just being used for advertising?

Leopard Lady says hello

Posted Sat, 01/10/2011 - 10:53 by leopard lady

Hi Im a newbie and looking foward to chatting to you all and picking your brains.
I want to get started but need to slow myself down and learn the key skills needed first.

I have a lot of retail sales experience and amongst others quite a few other skills necessary to start up a business jsut never pushed myself or had the confidence necessary before.

So here goes fingers crossed bought the book and read week 1, hoping to fly through this and have arranged a business course starting in October 2011.

Getting Started

Posted Sun, 10/07/2011 - 12:43 by Bentley10

this is my first entry.i'm reading start your business week by week gonna take it steady and get going on my business idea.

Working Through THE Book

Posted Sun, 03/07/2011 - 15:28 by donna1985

Hey Ya'll,

Well today I officially decided that I was going to start a business :) up until now I had been undecided and lacking the confidence I needed to cary my thoughts through to action.

I started reading 'Start your business week by week' by Steve Parks a while back and didnt really do anything with it, today - with the help of my partner I put together my old desk and made myself a small work area and worked through weeks 1 & 2 (setting up a work area and gettin appropriate items for my 'office'and daydreaming)and am moving onto week 3.  read more »

Getting started

Posted Mon, 20/06/2011 - 11:20 by bridieam

Granted, I did read up to week 3 in advance..I like to know what's in store! So now I know what the first 3 weeks entail but I'm yet to begin properly. My workspace is sorted - I already had a desk and computer but am awaiting payday to purchase stationary and magazines for dreaming! I may well combine week 1 and 2.....

Counselling in South Woodford and Buckhurst Hill

Posted Fri, 17/06/2011 - 18:21 by Transitionaltherapy

Well....... since starting things up in September 2010 things are going well. I suppose one lesson I've learnt is things do take time. I have only just finished the website and there's still so much that needs updating and rearranging. I have got a new office in Buckhurst Hill which I'm waiting to use. Clients are building up nicely but I could do with a few more. All in all though I can't complain.

Week 1: Building the office!

Posted Thu, 09/06/2011 - 14:50 by Luke Gregory

Okay so my walk in walldrobe is now my office. I have my nice shiney dell pc, 3 big bookshelves, and all the stationary i need. How exciting! Truth be told i already had the PC for gaming purposes, but now its business purposes, and the stationary is left over from my last business adventure that never even got past week 1.  read more »

Week 1: Starting a new journey.

Posted Tue, 07/06/2011 - 20:38 by Luke Gregory

Okay, so if you have read my profile you will see that i am a recently graduated university student who has discovered he wants to be a chef in his own resturant, rather then pursue a career as an advertiser.  read more »

Low cost Private Medical Cover for current/former civil servants and their families !

Posted Thu, 19/05/2011 - 13:38 by phil knight

If you work or have worked in one of the following areas, or are directly related to someone who has then you can access some of the lowest price medical insurance available from a specialist insurer who works only with clients who are in the civil service and public sectors.

Have a look through the following categories of job and if you have private medical insurance with another insurer or are interested in getting new cover in place for you and your family at rock bottom prices then get in touch.

Eligible Occupations :

Civil Servants
Armed Forces
Education read more »

Discover the real value of Private Medical Insurance

Posted Wed, 18/05/2011 - 08:45 by phil knight

Those people that have private medical insurance (PMI) for themselves and their family with an insurer (as opposed to those covered on a company paid scheme) know full well the sinking sensation each renewal when the increase in premium comes through. Given that medical inflation can be 10% or more by itself without taking into account any increase due to claims or age band increases. read more »

Frustrating blog entry !

Posted Tue, 17/05/2011 - 14:53 by phil knight

Just posted my latest blog post at http://www.knighthealthcare.co.uk/news.html I'm sure many will understand my frustration !

Progress - good so far

Posted Sun, 15/05/2011 - 14:31 by phil knight

Feel like I'm beginning to make progress - pulled in around half a dozen clients this month and income should be shortly forthcoming.

Working with a few introducer partners and the work I'm doing seems well received. Plus I'm in contact with two old friends who may have additional business opportunities for me too. read more »

Is it time to update and review your private medical insurance ?

Posted Fri, 15/04/2011 - 13:07 by phil knight

When I tell people the fact that I am about to revealm most of them do a kind of intellectual double take and exclaim, genuinely .... “Surely Not !”

This fact is probavly one of the least understood by the public about the financial services industry.

Here’s the fact :

INSURANCE COMPANIES TRANSACT BUSINESS, WRITE POLICIES ON THEIR CUSTOMERS LIFE TO MAKE A PROFIT

Now that this staggering piece of information is out there in the public domain I would like to examine it a little bit more.  read more »

Knight Healthcare - still live and running

Posted Fri, 15/04/2011 - 13:06 by phil knight

My business has now been up and running since the beginning of January and I've now passed the important milestones of writing the first three or four pieces of new business and am beginning to get regularly in front of new clients. read more »

Latest blog post from Knight Healthcare

Posted Sun, 06/02/2011 - 17:15 by phil knight

I've begun a series of blog posts in recent days about the value of private medical insurance and other protection covers for individuals and businesses.

You can find these at - http://www.knighthealthcare.co.uk/news.html

If you are interested in quotes for yourselves, your business or friends etc. I will offer introducer fees of up to 10% if you come via Flying Startups - feel free to drop me a line at

In for a penny...

Posted Tue, 01/02/2011 - 19:37 by Emily Walker

I'm passionate about an idea but am still unsure how profitable it will be, I'm waiting to be told to give it up, that I'm waisting my time and then for me to blindly refuse.... I'm still waiting!

I've just started reading 'start up your business Week by Week' and I've got to week 3. Although I've done this in a week, I've been a really good girl and followed all the steps. I've joined the site in hope and fear, looking for support, inspiration and advise.  read more »

starting up on my own

Posted Tue, 11/01/2011 - 15:33 by Andy Simpson

Hi there, My name is Andy and i have decided to start my own graphic design company based in the north east at 1st then spread out. targeting towards small local companies who need help getting there name out, and established the company amongst the competitors. I have been following the guide each step of the way. Already i have decided on a name for the company designed the logo and stationary. in the past month i have been in and out of meetings with bank managers from barclays, Natwest ,Loyds and Santander. read more »

New Year New Start

Posted Sat, 08/01/2011 - 16:37 by Sparkatrician

Well it's 2011 and I'm still going (6 years), as an electrical company, some big changes and loads of goals set for this year.

I've re branded from Electrical Concepts to Hertford Electrician see my new site at www.electricianinhertford.co.uk I'm only doing 2-3 days per week in this business now the rest is taken up with 4Networking and Utility Warehouse. I've set up loads of websites during December using Google sites http://www.thepauljennings.co.uk/ is my main profile that links to all my site blogs and some really useful resources. read more »

Dreams becoming reality

Posted Fri, 07/01/2011 - 15:04 by Strivingmel

Well it's the new year and a refocus on the dreams today to become reality tomorrow! Well not quite tomorrow but if i have my way the dream barn conversion,Aston Martin and the holiday home in the caribbean will all be mine 5 years from today.I'm ready for the rough and will relax in the smooth but bring it on!
Here's to the launch of ACC with Stephanie Askew. :-)

Knight Healthcare - officially live and running

Posted Thu, 06/01/2011 - 14:50 by phil knight

Just wanted to let everyone here know that my business : Knight Healthcare is now up and running from my office in Leeds.

I am advising individuals and companies on all aspects of private medical insurance and related healthcare and protection insurances. The business is as you would expect fully FSA (Financial Services Authority) regulated. read more »

Check me out on Linkedin and Twitter

Posted Mon, 13/12/2010 - 10:09 by phil knight

As well as my new website at www.knighthealthcare.co.uk I also have a profile on Linkedin at http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=68524667&trk=hb_tab_pro_top and I'm on Twitter @knighthealthcare.

My new business - Knight Healthcare

Posted Thu, 09/12/2010 - 08:01 by phil knight

Hi there

My name is Phil Knight and I was quite active on this forum a couple of years ago - talking about the business I’m now in fact about to launch. read more »

Getting ready to finally do it

Posted Thu, 18/11/2010 - 20:32 by Ophelia

"Get A Grip!" will cater for the film and television industry supplying everything from sound and lighting, to set dressing, hair and makeup supplies. Ideally I would like to get to a stage where I can offer 24-hour delivery anywhere in the UK. To do this, I would ideally need to be centrally situated but then the film industry is in Cardiff and London - maybe I should just base myself in London? But then what about the overheads and rent-cost? read more »

First day here

Posted Tue, 16/11/2010 - 07:58 by Transitionaltherapy

So the dream has begun.... already practising as a psychotherapist I have decided to join forces with a woman called Zane who is the most amazing Ayurveda therapist. The dream is to set up a beautiful holistic therapy clinic somewhere locally and at this stage it is hard not to run before we can walk.

The domain name has been registered and we are in the process of getting our logo created. We have started the layout for the website and now need a good (cheap) designer to implement our ideas.  read more »