My top networking tip.

I run Wightbuzz, a networking group for the small/medium businesses on the Isle of Wight. My top networking tip is to never go out without your business cards. You never know when you might need them. I find that I give at least one out every day. Yesterday, as I was leaving to go to a meeting, I noticed window cleaners next door. One of my members had been asking if we have a window cleaner in the group. (which we don't) I asked them for their card and had a brief conversation, leaving them with my card before I went on my merry way. 

I blame it on granny brain!!

My intentions were good when I started the Ultimate Blog challenge on 1st July. It wasn't long before I started to lag behind! I can assure you I wasn't sitting idle. Far from it!!! At an age when most people retire, there am I starting all over again to build my portfolio of businesses. I have worked long and hard and suddenly life is throwing some very exciting projects at me. Wightbuzz, my network group is growing very fast and with it lots of other great opportunities.


So back to the blogs subjects. The trouble is, I didn't jot down what I had done in the way of blog posts and last night I was trying to play catch up in the wee small hours! Not a good plan! I was clearly a very tired granny! It seems I have covered some of the same topic in two blog posts and I've only done 4!!! I apologise and now vow to make notes!!!!


I promise to try much harder and  vary the content. Today I took time out to be pampered by my hairdresser!! 



We sat and chatted while she coloured my hair and as we chatted I told her about the Ultimate Blog Challenge! Well it wasn't very long before we started coming up with ideas for new blog posts. I have jotted those down so hopefully the content will be more varied in future and my granny brain will not be so evident!!! Don't think I do badly really!!!

Botty Rule number one.

I have been a member of Nigel Botterill's Entrepreneur's Circle since December 2011 and am now lucky enough to be part of the Business Growth Advisor's Team for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.Nigel has built several million pound businesses over the last few years.  I have gained an enormous amount of marketing knowledge which is delivered in bite size nuggets. I have read The Botty Rules and often quote from them when talking to business owners including those in my Wightbuzz networking group. 


Rule number 1 As a business owner, you are 100% responsible for what happens in your business. It's all your fault.(I prefer the word responsibility)


I must take ownership for what happens in my business. I cannot blame anyone else if anything goes wrong. As Nigel says, "Responsibility is a powerful thing. Think differently. Get out of your rut. Take responsibility."

I am now seeing the benefits of investing in my business and I am looking for entrepreneurs to join the circle and enjoy the many benefits(£69.99 + VAT monthly - with no fixed length of commitment) For those who sign up before the close of play on the last day of the Olympics, Nigel will arrange for "Getting Customers" Surefire Attraction templates for your business (worth £499 )to be sent out FREE of charge. It includes a monster size toolbox of completely done-for-you, "fill-in-the-blanks" blueprints that you can simply put to work in your own business - all tried, tested and ready to put to work attracting new customers, clients, patients into your business. Dozens of ready to go templates for your marketing emails, sales letters, and auto responder campaigns. Plus you will learn how to find the perfect message for your market, a complete guide to writing subject lines that really get emails opened, leaflets and flyers - how to make them work, plus much more. If you would like one of my special envelopes detailing all the contents of the Getting Customers toolbox and the benefits of joining the circle, please get in touch with me Lyn Blackledge  soon.


Other benefits of the circle are many - local meetings, weekly marketing updates, a monthly magazine, National events ( I attended the Olympic Challenge - national event last week  in Birmingham and very good it was too & certainly was an Olympic challenge to get on a 5.45am ferry from the Isle of Wight!) a one to one with Nigel's team, the opportunity to have a piece of marketing critiqued etc etc - so much value that I can't afford not to be a member. 


So, remembering Botty rule number 1 - It is up to me to make my business succeed - no-one else and with his marketing help I certainly will.

To tweet or not to tweet?

It took me a long time to "get" twitter. I really didn't understand why I would want to know Johnny was standing at the bus stop with a jam sandwich. Why would I? Slowly it dawned on me as I watched and listened to others "in the know"  I am now about to organise workshops for my Wightbuzz members as many of them have yet to discover the power of twitter. At the beginning of this week, I was tweeting lots of my Wightbuzz members websites to the world. It hit home even more just what a brilliant marketing tool it is, when one of my tweets was retweeted by someone who had 18,000 followers! 


The following day, a friend of mine and Wightbuzz member ,  therapist, Maire Reeves, told me about a book called Twitchhiker by Paul Smith.

This demonstrates the incredible power twitter holds. It is the story of how one man travelled the world by twitter. Paul crossed the world from Gateshead to New Zealand in 30 days. He had 5 rules 1) He could only accept offers of travel and accommodation from people on twitter, 2) he couldn't make any travel plans further than 3 days in advance, 3) he could only spend money on food and drink and anything that fitted in his suitcase. 4) If there was more than one offer he had to choose. If there was only one, he had to take it within 48 hours and 5) If he was unable to move on from a location within 48 hours, the challenge was over and he had to go home. 

I have just started reading it and I know I am going to find it fascinating from my friends account of it! Paul raised much money for charity on his trip.

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a meeting where Dan Thompson was the speaker. He is the creator of the pop up shops and also spoke about Pop up People

He has used twitter extensively and it was he who started the #riotcleanup after the riots last year. He thought he would motivate a few people to help clean up but as the power of twitter is so extensive, thousands of people were motivated to help. 

So if you are in business can you afford NOT to be on twitter. Find me @Wightbuzz, @bookladyofryde and @Lynsbiz

An Olympic Challenge

Yesterday I attended the Olympic Challenge. This was a national event hosted by Nigel Botterill's Entrepreneurs Circle (I work with Mike Stevens the business growth advisor for Hampshire and the Isle of Wightand represent the circle on the island.) It was in itself, an Olympic challenge as it meant getting up at 4 am. linking up with 4 other circle members from the Isle of Wight and catching the 5.45 am  ferry in order to be in Solihull for a 10 am start. Helen, our driver and owner of Overdene Chase Cottages in Ryde, made very good time and we arrived in time to enjoy coffee before the main event started. Helen and I were joined by Dave Crewe , Bev Jessup of Speech Train and Sharon Lake of Naturally Wight In true Botty style, Nigel entered the room, carrying the Olympic Challenge although health and safety prevented it being lit!!!

I have been a member of the Circle now for 7 months and have gained so much marketing advice for my businesses! One of my businesses is Wightbuzz - a network group for the Isle of Wight and beyond. With the absence of a tourist board (not the council's brightest idea when our industry is tourism) I am implementing lots of Nigel's golden nuggets to promote our Island. Yes I invested in a flip camera and made a start promoting our beautiful Island . 

It was a fantastic day yesterday and well worth the early start. Nigel gave us an Olympic challenge - to find 2012 new members for the Circle before the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.  Would you like to know more? Nigel is offering a free tool kit to help you get more customers "Getting Customers - Surefire Attraction Templates for your business" worth £499 - to anyone who has joined the circle by the close of play at the end of the Olympics. Why not leave me a comment or pop over to my facebook page and leave me a comment. It has already been a great benefit to my business. I would love to help others. 

It's always good to have a plan B !

How often does your plan A work out? Are you flexible? Can you come up with a plan B or C at short notice? 


I have learnt to master the art and in fact got to plan E today!!!


As I sat thinking  of the content for  my first blog of the 31 day blog challenge, 

 I cast my mind back 40 years. I was 21 and was a brand new bride of 5 hours. It had been a wonderful day and I had  delighted my mum by choosing her birthday as my wedding day. My dad gave me away and had spent many hours practising "I do" in answer to who giveth this woman? I have such fond memories. 

Sadly, Plan A didn't work even though I tried my hardest. However, although the marriage ended after 16 years, I do have three wonderful children from that marriage,  of whom I am very proud.

And so over the years, if plan A hasn't worked, I have never given up but looked for another way to do things. Often Plan B hasn't worked either but I just plod on until I find a solution and a plan that does work. The message I am trying to convey here is that winners never quit and quitters never win. I may not have enjoyed a very long marriage, but I have enjoyed my life and the challenges it has presented. (and there have been many!) Writing my autobiography was never part of the original plan either, but I started it on father's day this year -  as a tribute to my wonderful dad who died two years ago at the age of 89. As my life has taken so many twists and turns, I have tried always to be positive and look for the good. Along this path, I have had to deal with some unpleasant and unkind people but also soooo many wonderful people have come into my path. I am very grateful for my wicked sense of humour and it has always managed to shine through even the darkest of days! Many people have told me they enjoyed my positivity and my sense of fun. It is these people who have also encouraged me to put pen to paper. As I say, it was never something I thought about before. So whilst I may not be celebrating my ruby wedding anniversary today, I have to say that my life has been full of other gems along the way. Gems of people and gems of situations and for that I count my blessings. I could so easily have given up and allowed my life to go in a downward spiral. I am so glad I didn't!

                                                  
                                                            

Good Friday

Good Friday holds special memories for me. I am a church goer and Good Friday is significant in the church calendar. I do think it a little sad that many people don't actually know the significance of the day - but just enjoy it as a bank holiday. However, in my own personal life it has also been hugely significant. In 1971, I was a student at Brighton College of Education. I was coming towards the end of my second year of a teacher training course and returned to my family home to celebrate Easter. We were fortunate to live in a very big house and often enjoyed big parties with family and friends. Good Friday 1971 was another such day. With members of the church family, we embarked on a Good Friday ramble. It was a fun occasion with lots of fun and laughter. Not wishing the fun to finish too early, my mother decided to have an impromptu party at our house to round off the day. We went back to prepare whilst other members of the rambling party went home to get out of their rambling gear and don their party clothes. 

It should have been simple but of course as many of you know, there is very little in my life that fits into the "simple" or "normal" category! The  house had been tidy before we left so it was just a matter of going back and popping on the kettle - (dad had popped to church to borrow the urn!) Oh shock horror! We were greeted with mess everywhere! We had been BURGLED! Not a very nice feeling! Well the police were called but the party went ahead. Mum felt that it would take the edge off the burglary if we continued as normally as possible. Not a lot was taken but I had  £7 of my wages stolen. I had hidden it in my undies drawer but the drawer had been turned out and the contents strewn down the stairs (my bedroom was small and my drawers were on the landing outside! and then my draws were on display for all to see :( ) Well as those who have been following me for any length of time will know, I always try to make good out of bad! Well on this occasion the outcome had a very happy result. I had to be interviewed by the handsome young policeman who came to investigate the crime. Funnily enough - he kept coming back to ask more questions - The headline in the Ealing Gazette  the following year was, "PC went to probe crime and found himself a bride" Yes I married that handsome young policeman and on our wedding day (1st July 1972) - the good Friday ramblers  presented me NOT with the usual horseshoe (I told you I don't do normal!) but with a Giant hot cross bun on a silver board complete with ribbon to hold it by. Not many brides, I am sure, carry hot cross buns - but it was fun. Unfortunately we had to give it away as we were off on honeymoon the following day and weren't sure we would be allowed to take it abroad with us!! 

As if that wasn't good enough, I produced my second of 3 gorgeous children on Good Friday 1978. Toby had arrived in November 1975 and Natasha decided to hang on in there! Due on March 5th - she finally made her entrance on March 24th (with a little hospital help as she was clearly too cosy inside!!!) I was running a nursery school at the time so she decided it would be a good plan to hang on until the Easter holidays so mum didn't have to stop work - and what better day than Good Friday! Two weeks later, at the start of term I was back with baby in carry cot! We completed our family with the arrival of Tristan in October 1981. 

Although my marriage to Ivor only lasted for 16 years, I have many happy memories. (including my now dearly departed dad practising how many different ways he could say "I do" when he gave me away at my wedding) and  from that marriage,  I have three gorgeous children who mean so much to me and ARE my world as are the grandchildren who have now arrived to enrich my life further.

So now to Good Friday 2012. Many of you will know my life as a granny and award winning mumpreneur, and award winning shining star has become very hectic (but I love it) I am now drawing my pension but absolutely no plans to "retire" What is the retirement lark anyway? One things I have learnt is to have "me" time and today there will be plenty of that. I had a long, well deserved lie-in and am now pooteling about my flat enjoying a very lazy day - catching up on a few things for me. In fact I'm going to spend most of the weekend doing that and enjoying it!! This will give me renewed vigour to start next week afresh and ready to go again - My network group Wightbuzz is growing rapidly and I am now working hard on building my Lyn's Biz. Meanwhile, I will relax and enjoy and maybe plan a few things for the next year. Then Good Friday 2013 - what will that hold? - I have HUGE dreams and I WILL make them happen. 

Video Blogging

Finally, after having video blogging on my to-to-list it is now ta-dah!! I have been out and about and have recorded quite a few clips which I will be sharing with you over the coming days and months. Let me share one I did promoting the Isle of Wight - the Beautiful Island on which I am lucky enough to live! The council closed down our tourist board. Strange idea when our industry is tourism!!!! Never mind, I have a flip camera so who needs the tourist board?? and here are my first attempts  

Networking - my top tip!

Networking is key to any business. Word of mouth is by far the best recommendation and my top tip would be to make sure you always have your business cards with you. Opportunities pop up all over the place, especially when you are least expecting them. I seize opportunities every day to give out my cards for Lyn's Biz and Wightbuzz. Maybe that is why I have been labelled a networking guru by my local paper. It certainly works for me.

What a fabulous day - Reaching High for Autism

Well what an amazing day. I was lucky enough to attend the Reaching High for Autism day held at the Ryde Fire station. 

Across the Island, for some time, children had been building rungs to go on the lego ladder. Each rung was made of 50 lego bricks and the idea was to get £50 sponsorship for each rung. Today these were all put together to make a 50 foot lego ladder during a family fun day. I hadn't fully embraced what was going on until yesterday. It was yesterday evening, in fact when I suddenly realised that Sunday was THE day - well I had been mega busy. I was preparing to take part in Earth Hour so had run my bath, lit the candles and was ready for a soak during which all my lights and electrical appliances were going to be turned off for an hour. Well the best laid plans of mice and men........ I was about to get in the bath when I suddenly started getting responses to the appeal I had out out to my Wightbuzz members. I had, a short while earlier sent an email and posted on facebook an appeal to members to sponsor bricks for the rungs of the lego ladder. The messages were coming in thick and fast. The offers of £5 here and £3 there  etc were coming in and I HAD to respond and update Lousie Foley who was the creator of the fundraising day! Well what a fantastic result in a short space of time - sponsorship for two rungs of the ladder. I was delighted at the response of my members - but 8.30 had come and gone!!! never mind - I did get my soak - I just celebrated Earth hour slightly off beat to others - I did mine form 9 - 10 pm!!! 

So on to today - I was planning to arrive at the fun day after church but very kindly my mother invited me to lunch - an offer I graciously accepted as it would be rude not to! As we got to the restaurant early , we were served early so we finished early which still gave me plenty of time to attend the fun day and WHAT FUN IT WAS! 

I interviewed Louise Foley (well it had to be done now I have my new flip camera!) I also did a short introduction to the day  There were lots of families who came along to enjoy watching the lego ladder being put together

and then of course there were other things to enjoy like the bouncy castle, the hog roast, the fire safety demonstrations, the chance to sit in the fire engines and then of course there was the ice cream!

and of course as a networking guru (as labelled by the County Press) I couldn't help but network my way around the event. It was lovely to meet Julie and Fred of Jules Ices - A good time was had by all and to top it all off Jo of Wightcakes gave me a lift home (my van is still out of action!!)

It was a truly amazing day - one where the sun shone all day and the skies were blue. Perfect for a fantastic day of fundraising. 

A day in the life of a mumpreneur!

When I hand my business card out these days some people look and ask what's a mumpreneur? I use that phrase because I was honoured to be voted Mumpreneur Best Saleswoman of the year 2010 at the Mumpreneur UK awards.  I am not even sure if I had come across the word much before that. Well it is has  been officially recognised and is now in the dictionary. Well it is an entrepreneur who is a mum!! I just happen to be a granny too so maybe it should be granpreneur!!

Anyway back to a day in the life of a mumpreneur. Today was one such day when my feet didn't touch the ground. What I love about my work is I am my own boss. I am in control and no two days are ever the same! I regularly find that Plan A becomes plan B and even plan C D or E sometimes!!

I try to slow down and chill on Fridays but not sure I am achieving that - the chilling isnt the problem! It's the slowing down.

I decided, that as I didn't have to be up for any appointments this morning, I would sleep until I woke. It might have been quite sensible then to make sure the alarm was switched off but I clearly didn't have that sensible head on when I retired for the night in the wee small hours!! As I had a lot to get through today, I thought it best to get up and crack on. I started with a work out on the Wii fit! I am loving it! My  children spoilt me at Christmas and treated me to one! It is part of my fitness campaign! I have lost over a stone and now my wii fit age is taking me down well below pension age!! I love it!

Having done my work out, I started on the long to -do list! Emails to write, messages to send, phone calls to make, a ferry to book and cases to pack as well as routes to print out as the sat nav is not playing!!!! It is amazing how fast the hands on the clock go round sometimes!!

I managed to fit in cooking lunch - well let it cook itself while i cracked on. All too quickly, it was approaching 3 pm so I have to whizz off from my home office to meet one of my lovely web designers. Claire Kay of Eve Designs and I met in Missy J Cafe and spent a couple of hours working on the Wightbuzz website.

Then it was back home (and of course the traffic was heavier due to the road  works and the diversions.) I had an hour and a half to get everything ready for a weekend away and  including checking outfits for the Party Plan Conference and awards oh no! where were my shoes??? I have had a fotot problem and have been wearing trainers - not sure my style coach would give her blessing to a posh outfit and trainers!! I found some that might just do!! but bearing in mind I have a problem anyway -not sure they would do but time was running out and of course. because I live on an Island - I can't hang about or I will miss the boat!!!!! Well the search for the errant shoes meant plan b had to swing into operation. I was due to collect a knitting machine from East Cowes on the way to the ferry but ooops not sure if I now had time!! So Plan B it is then! I will collect said knitting machine on my return through East Cowes on Sunday!! Always good to have a plan B!

Determined not to miss the ferry- I had to go with what I had. I was travelling to Bournemouth to stay overnight with my sister but calling at my son's place elsewhere in Bournemouth to make a delivery as you do when you have a van!!! 

Whilst on the ferry, time to eat the tea I managed to pack, time for some work on the laptop , a ohone call to a friend and some networking with a friend I saw on the boat! like I do!

Thank goodness for hands free and mobile phones! When you travel alone and the sat nav isn't playing, it is good to allow your son to be the live sat nav!! Delivery made, hugs and kisses and a quick chat and then it was off to my sisters. She is now a carer for her husband and I think I was a little light relief at the end of a rather difficult day for her.

Off she went to bed and I have rounded off the day mutlitasking - writing blog whilst chatting with facebook friends.

It has been a fantastic Friday if a somewhat long day. I love working from home and being my own boss. I also love helping and training others in my various home based businesses. Long may it continue. Oh and by the way - I found my missing shoes in the van!!

Busy Fingers

When I was recently asked by Barbara from church, to co-ordinate a thanksgiving service and display some beautiful craft work, little did I realise what it would lead to. Years ago, I used to do sooooo much craft work. I knitted, I sewed and crocheted, I worked on papercraft etc but I had packed it all away thinking those days were over. 

Well as a result of seeing Muriel Rabbit's beautiful craft work when I was displaying it for an afternoon, I renewed my own love of craft. Wanting to share this with others I decided to create a "Busy Fingers" group through Ryde Methodist Church Several of us meet together and work on different crafts while we have a good chat. I made a clown for my youngest grandaughter for Christmas.

Of course Granny being granny, I decided to let the twins choose a clown each so am now part way through Bertie Bloomer.

The Busy fingers group is newly formed and the idea is that we come together for frienship while we craft. Some people will work on their own projects and some will make and sell items for charity. One thing that is certain is that we will have fun fun fun!! Especially when I start knitting sausages and sandwiches!!

Monica and Kay are busy busy! Kay was making cards and Monica was making flags for the Burns Night Supper tables.

 while Julie started some cross stitch work.

I am sure the group will grow but it doesn't matter how many attend as we will have a good time and raise some money for charity. 

Coffee with the bank manager

I don't know about you but I just love good customer service. As some of you will know, I have come through some rough times and during those times I have to say, my banks let me down. Why then, now when times are improving, should I keep my business with them.  To say I was not a happy customer would be an understatement. So one day I walked into Barclays in Ryde and boy was I impressed. I found a bank who actually wanted to talk to me in my branch in a lingo I could understand!!! Not only that but they actually wanted to work with me to grow my business. They were really interested! I had no hesitation in opening an account for my network group Wightbuzz . Tonight, there was a meeting for Barclays business customers. I went along - it was a chance to hear what they had to to say as well as a golden opportunity to network with lots of other businesses! I never miss an opportunity!! It was an excellent meeting and of course, I stayed on to network. Imagine my delight and surprise when the meeting adjourned to the Bargeman's Rest (just round the corner) and the bank manager treated us to drinks!! Not something I had experienced before - I don't think I ever even got offered a cup of coffee in a branch! It might seem I am getting excited over something small but to me that all comes as part of excellent customer service. Long may it continue. I WILL be recommending Barclays big time.

People who inspire me/ Roberta Jerram

I was considering my second post about people who inspire me and felt I just had to write about Roberta Jerram when she left a message about yesterday's post. I posted the blog reference on my fan page  about Time to smell the Roses. She commented on my facebook page and left this you tube clip which is truly beautiful.

I first "met" Roberta online. She runs a social networking site for ladies who dare to dream big - Giant Potential (which is currently undergoing a makeover but you can link to the fan page) She spotted me online and invited me to join her network which I happily did. Imagine my delight and the sheer honour I felt when she made me an admin on the site. Mine had been a long and difficult journey with many knocks and blows along the way but here was a lady, who although she hadn't actually met me, believed in me! I was fortunate enough to meet her a short while later.

I feel very inspired by Roberta. She is a very special lady, a super business woman, an entrepreneur and one who cares so much.  She does all she can to inspire and encourage others. She continually pays it forward. I feel very honoured that she has embraced me and given me the chance to shine too. I can remember the immense feeling of pride I felt when my name was called as the winner of the Mumpreneur Uk awards - Best Saleswoman of the Year. I was fortunate enough to be sitting next to Roberta and before I had made my way to the stage, Roberta had announced it to the world on facebook!!!!

I don't think I would have ever entered any awards if it wasn't for Roberta. That was something other people did. Not any more - not only did I win the Mumpreneur award but I was  a finalist in the Hampshire Winning Women Awards 2011 networking category and am also a finalist in the Party Plan Awards which are being held for the first time this very weekend. (Jan 28th 2012) Following on from winning the award, I have set up Wightbuzz, an affordable networking group for the Isle of Wight. None of this would have happened without Roberta. Thanks to her, I am now following her lead and inspiring many people to grow their own businesses and work together as a community.

Roberta, herself has one several awards and justifiably so. She has set up and run more that one business. Her latest, Linen at Home is going from strength to strength and Roberta is encouraging and mentoring many new consultants - inspiring them to grow their own home based businesses.

Roberta is also a great connector of people. I am indebted to her for my two year friendship with Paula Pomeroy

Paula and I met through Giant Potential and as I wrote in a previous blog  - it has changed my life - I feel so enriched. 

Roberta is one very special lady. I owe her a huge debt of gratitude and feel truly blessed that she came into my life. Long may she continue to inspire and motivate others.

Time to smell the roses

For some of us life is sooooo busy that we forget to take time out. We don't remember the "me" time. It is important to remember this. I was very guilty of being a workaholic for many years. I now make sure I regularly take time out to smell the roses. Although this was originally just an expression I used, there is much more to it now :) One of my Wightbuzz network members is Jo of Blushing Blooms so these days I literally do take time to smell the roses. Jo's shop is not far from where I live.

She really does create some beautiful arrangements and I have the pleasure of delivering them sometimes to the lucky recipient.  

So these days - when I say I am off to smell the roses, there is more to it. It may be roses, sometimes its lillies or other delightful flowers. What a nice way of having a break!!!! I often get a cup of tea while I'm there too!

Hints and tips on going green

Today I would like to share some of the hints and tips from Wikaniko to create a greener world.

Wikaniko Hints and Tips

• Shower instead of having baths 

• Using a low flow shower head a family of four can cut water usage by as 

much as 280 gallons a month — and yet not feel much difference in water 

pressure. 

• Install a water butt for watering gardens and flowers, 

• Get a device that that transfers your sink water etc. to a water butt 

• Use rechargeable batteries where possible 

• If you need to throw batteries away make sure to recycle them 

• As your light bulbs go replace them with energy saving light bulbs. This 

will greatly reduce your electric costs and they last much longer. 

• Fit electricity regulating plugs on all appliances especially on fridge and freezer as these are energy guzzlers, this will regulate the amount of electricity they use.   

• Don’t leave doors open on fridges and freezers
• Defrost your freezer as often as possible to ensure it remains as efficient as possible 

• Don’t replace white goods unnecessarily.  If you need to though make sure to recycle the old and when you get your new make sure it is as energy efficient as possible. 

• You don’t have to buy new! Before you hit the shops to buy your new item of furniture, have a look at web sites such as freecycle 

• Using solar panels is a great way to save electricity. You don’t have to kit your whole house out with them, using them for your outside lighting is one way, and you can get portable solar chargers for things like your mobiles and mp3 players, which not only save electricity but are incredibly handy!  

• Remove yourself from junk mail lists. This will take a few months to kick in but will reduce the amount of paper waste you have significantly.  

• When you go food shopping take your own bags with you. There are a great range of re-useable bags available from net to recycled juice cartons.  Or you can use biodegradable bags. 

• When you go shopping don’t buy produce that has unnecessary wrapping, like polystyrene trays. Buy as much loose fruit and veg as you can. 

• Buy fruit and veg that is seasonal. Try to avoid food that has travelled long distances, and been flown in as this adds to pollution, and buying from your area supports your local farmers. 

• Get a rain harvester to catch the rain, this then goes through a small filter system and can be used to flush the toilet, shave etc 

• To save water you can fit spray taps to your sinks you can either fit new taps, install metal screw-in adapters or buy cheap rubber versions to push on to the end of your taps. 

More hints and tips coming soon . Information can be found at Lyn's Green Biz or join me at facebook http://www.facebook.com/LynsWikanikoBiz

Burns Night

Piping in the haggis

What an enjoyable night we had. I belong to Ryde Methodist Church and every month we enjoy an International evening. We have been all round the world on these nights but last night we were closer to home as we celebrated Burns Night with a wonderful Burns supper and entertainment. 

oops sorry cant turn it!!

Ruth Realy and her team of helpers provided a wonderful supper and the IOW Caledonian Society entertained before giving us the opportunity to join in the Scittish dancing. There were some wonderful raffle prizes 

and I was lucky enough to win one so its haggis and tatties for my supper tomorrow night.

Unfortunately, despite our gallant efforts, our table only managed to come second in the quiz just missing out on a valuable prize. :)

It was a great evening full of food and fellowship and my house guest Paula, thoroughly enjoyed herself as did I!

Mineral make up demonstrations.

Following on from my last post "My house guest" I best update you on why Paula came to stay! The visit from my Wikaniko sponsor and now, great friend Paula Pomeroy, was not entirely a pleasure trip although fun and laughter were on the agenda! Paula had recently been on the Wikaniko training to learn how to apply the mineral makeup.

100% natural makeup

My Wikaniko (we-can-eco) team were keen to learn about the makeup so Paula decided to pay us a visit and three demonstration times and venues were arranged. 

Nicola Broadsmith, one of my team, was a willing volunteer and Paula set to with the mineral makeup. Other team members looked on with interest.

That's me on the left with Charlotte Smith and Lois Prior enjoying the last demonstration of the day. 

Wikaniko KBK Minerals is an exclusive, pure and totally natural makeup range, which is a joy to wear and easy to use.  Applied with a Kabuki brush, you control the amount of product you put onto your skin. Wikaniko KBK Minerals allow the skin to breathe, never looking caked or heavy, giving your skin a healthy natural glow. Most people find that a couple of applications will give a fantastic finish with a light, sheer look. The KBK Minerals eye shadow range consists of stunning colours which can be used either dry or wet, (foiling) , to achieve different looks, either classic or modern. You can even make more colours than purchased by blending two colours together to give you a totally new and different shade.

KBK Minerals correctors and concealers enable you to achieve a flawless finish with ease. There is a yellow corrector for dark circles and bruising and a green one for thread veins or high rose pigmentation, strawberry birthmarks or scars. Let's see now, that's blushers, bronzers and concealers - oh and luxurious lipsticks which really pump up the volume - not enough for you?  Then really make your lips lush with a sweep of KBK lip gloss to make your lips glisten day or night. A fun new range of natural mineral makeup that is good for your skin, reflecting light so that fine lines and wrinkles look diminished, giving your skin a natural glow while blocking out harmful rays which damage the skin. 

Arlette Wood was also a willing volunteer for a mineral makeup make over! So now the team are keen to spread their new found knowledge. They are off to promote the paraben free, fragrance free, allergen free, gluten free, bismuthoxychloride free, talc free mineral makeup. 

Thus is all part of the plan to convert the Isle of Wight to the Isle of Green  Would you like to know more? Visit Lyn's Green Biz and enter the shop to find the whole range. If you would like to help us promote the mineral make up and other eco friendly items then please get in touch. We have an excellent home based business opportunity and we have lots of fun along the way. 

Thank you Paula for coming and sharing with us. I know we all enjoyed your visit.

My house guest

When pondering on the subject for my next blog, I was asking my house guest for ideas! Suddenly it came to me! Why not blog about her and how we met!

Tonight, I was delighted to welcome to my flat for the first time, my great friend of two years, Paula Pomeroy (although I have been her house guest in Kent several times!!)

We first met over the internet. I was perusing the Giant Potential Site (currently undergoing a revamp - check out their facebook page though!) Giant Potential is a social networking site for ladies who dare to dream big!!!! I discovered a post by Paula - about an eco-friendly business called Wikaniko (we-can-eco!)

 For as long as I could remember, my sister used to go on and on about being eco - friendly. Finally,  I found a post about a business that would help me take baby green steps to start and then to help others do the same! I rang and left an answerphone message and within an hour Paula had returned my call. I remember it well! It was Friday December 18th 2009 and following a somewhat lively conversation with Paula, I couldn't wait to fax in my form!! I became a distributor that very same day. Lyn's Green Biz was created and a new friendship was forged. I am extremely grateful to Roberta Jerram for creating the Giant Potential Site. It is a site for women who dare to dream big  (Paula and I are doing just that!) and for connecting like minded women. Paula's visit to me this weekend is not entirely social although we will have a lot of fun while she is here. She has been fortunate to have attended the Wikaniko training for the mineral makeup 

and is passing her new found knowledge on to my team and customers. I have built up a team of distributors on the Isle of Wight and we are working to become the Isle of Green :)  

Paula and I now have a great friendship and have shared many happy times and had much fun! She has dubbed me the Wight Tornado (it is an in joke for people of my generation - taken from the Flash advert many years ago!!!) She has made a huge difference to my life, as has Roberta. I sometimes wonder what life would be like had I not read that post on Giant Potential on that cold dark day back in December 2009!! It has certainly brightened my life!

I have regular customers now and a growing team across the UK who are working to make the planet greener. We ARE making a difference! Step by step :) However, we didn't leave it there!! We also work together for Karen Wattleworth who runs Zoobookoo. We are Primary Star advisors promoting fun educational products. We have relished the opportunity of working together, both for Wikaniko and Primary Stars. Our friendship has enriched our lives and those of many others! We have had a lot of fun along the way - fun which we share with others :) We have also made a difference to our planet (in small baby steps!)

Long may our friendship flourish!

Inspirational people.

There are many inspirational people around. I have met many of these more recently but probably the MOST inspirational person in my life was my dad. He left me in 2010 for a higher place but still has a great bearing on my life - spiritually guiding me through the many minefields.

I was very lucky as I had my dad around for a very long time. I was approaching retirement age and he was 89 when his health finally failed but he remained lively and cheerful until the end. He encouraged  us (I have 3 siblings) from an early age to go out and stand up for ourselves in the world. He encouraged us to take up public speaking which has stood me in very good stead. He nurtured us and explained school work to us when we had failed to understand it in school, breaking it down to bite size bits we could digest. He worked for the Inland revenue for most of his life but in later life ran two private schools - His idea for helping and putting back into the community. He also became a much loved local preacher on the Isle of Wight and preached up until about six months before his death. I owe so much to my dad. He was truly inspirational. 

This will truly be my year!

2012 is going to be a fantastic year for me and many around me. My journey has been long and hard - a real roller coaster journey! I have met some pretty unkind people on the way. People who didn't want me to succeed and actively tried to stop me. However, I have met far more people who offered kind and supportive words, people who inspired me and those who believed in me. As I look back, I wonder why some people try and destroy others. Does it really give them a kick. Do they sleep easy in their beds at night? I truly struggle to understand that. I have always worked very hard and have been self employed for most of my working life. I am now at the stage where I technically I could retire but for now retirement is NOT for me. I am having too much fun. Having finally escaped from that long dark tunnel, I am now out in the sunshine having a great time. I even get time to smell the roses. 

After a 30 year teaching career (running my own nursery school for 21 years) I ran a home based business promoting children's books. It fitted so well with my background. I put me all into that business only to find that 7 years on my loyalty was rewarded with moving goal posts. That was a difficult time for me. Suddenly the commissions I had built up through my own hard work and that of my team were gone. As if that wasn't bad enough, there were those ready to kick me when I was down. However, I have never given in to bullies and wasn't going to let them win. Being told I was stupid wasn't the nicest feeling. Why would anyone do that? I could give up and sink into oblivion. I chose the opposite route. No one had the right to judge me and tell me I was stupid. Fortunately, although I was somewhat of a crumpled heap at the time,  I still had self belief. I managed, with sheer grit and determination, to survive. The stupidity label came about because I added more than one string to my bow. Having been financially devastated, why would I put all my eggs in one basket? Very few people do these days and to be honest, why is it any one else's business?  I do what is right for me and have always encouraged my children to do the same. The criticism I received for bantering on facebook was neither kind nor necessary. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. That happy banter has brought me many friends. People tell me I inspire then and cheer them up!! Where is the harm in that. Many of these people are now joining my businesses. 

My determination to succeed was recognised when I was awarded the Mumpreneur Best Saleswoman of the year 2010. 

What a real boost that gave me :) Public recognition. Can it get any better than that? As a result of that award I have been able to work in the community and help many more people out of that long dark tunnel. I was lucky enough to be shortlisted in the Hampshire Winning Women awards, networking category in 2011. 

I have shed the negative people in my life and surrounded myself with inspirational and very positive people. I treat others in the way I would like to be treated. I have mentored many in my teams and outside. I always try to remain positive myself and always look for the good rather than the bad. It is truly paying dividends and life is just getting better and better. I have just been shortlisted in the Party Plan Awards, Shining Star Category. What a great start to the year. The future is looking very rosy. So my advice to anyone on that roller coaster of life - hang on, have self belief and be determined to succeed. You CAN make it happen. Have a great 2012.

Memory jerkers.

I was fortunate enough to meet a good friend for lunch last week. After a delightful lunch and a good chat I was on my way back to my van when I spotted the hexagonal paving stones. Nothing very strange there then. However, something as simple as that set off a wonderful chain of memories. Back in 1971 when I announced my engagement to my first husband, preparations were started to have the wedding at my family home. We were fortunate to live in a big house and loved the idea of having my wedding there. My mother thought it would be good to have the front garden tidied up and decided hexagonal tiles (green and white) would be just the job. My father and fiance set to and did such a splendid job my mother decided they could also lay a very large patio at the back of the house. I think they wished they hadn't done such a splendid job!! Neither of them were in the trade and had never laid a patio before (nor ever did again!) I remember the banter that went on during the course of these preparations! Such happy memories of my father and fiance working hard together :)

Years later, my parents and my husband and I swapped houses. The house was too big for them and we had an expanding family and I had already started running a nursery school in the house. It made perfect sense to swap houses!!

The floor covering in the toilet also had a hexagonal pattern. I used to spend much time supervising children in the loo so while they queued we had fun talking about the pattern on the floor. I even had fun teaching the children "big" words. I used to tell them a big word and then say they would never remember it but of course they did!! I remember the look on the Ofsted inspectors face when one of my little ones pointed out that the shapes tessellated!

Such happy memories evoked by these tiles. Do you have any memory jerkers? Would you like to share them?