Congratulations to Diane Shawe for becoming one of the 2023 Start Up Awards Finalists for her Shoppers Discount Club Business.
Dudley based startup Shoppers Discount Club has been named a finalist ahead of the Midland Final of the StartUp Awards.
The StartUp Awards has been launched to recognise the booming startup scene across the UK which has accelerated since the 2019 pandemic. Over 800,000 new businesses were founded in the UK since 2021, a 4.3% increase from the year before.
A record number of businesses applied to this year’s StartUp Awards, with 1,100 firms shortlisted across ten UK nations and regions. The contribution of these firms – all of which were started in the last three years – is significant, having created over 5,000 new jobs since they were established and generating annual sales of £584 million.
The Shoppers Discount Club is a using AI Conversational Chatbots and QR codes to help bricks and mortar retailers offer live discounts to shopper via their mobile phones in real time, helping retailers attract more footfall into their businesses founded by Diane Shawe in 2022. The business has been nominated for the Mobile and Emerging Technology StartUp of the Year.
Diane Shawe, founder of Shoppers Discount Club, said: “This is amazing. I have a business on the High Street and the idea came to me when I was trying to think of a way that us the retailers could compete with online discounts and offers in real time to attract more footfall. I focused on a solution using Artificial Intelligence Technology Chatbots and QR codes that could instantly engage passer-by in real time and entice them to claim their instant discount via their mobile phone and would not cost a fortune for retailers to use. Its been working for my business as customers are surprised that they can claim an instant discount on certain treatments. ”
Supported nationally by Starling Bank, British Business Bank, BT, Creative Ideaz, GS1 UK, Jeeves, Join Talent, ScoreApp and The Purposeful Project, the programme will celebrate the achievements of the amazing individuals who have turned an idea into an opportunity and taken the risk to launch a new product or service.
The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the StartUp Awards, said:
“ Start-up businesses are the lifeblood of any economy, being responsible for new jobs, innovation and in supporting communities in every nation and region across the UK.
All of the finalists this year represent the best of those entrepreneurs who have spotted an opportunity and through their sheer hard work, talent and perseverance, have created an amazing new business that is creating real impact in its sector.”
The StartUp Awards was created in collaboration with the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, one of the most successful awards programmes in the UK. The StartUp Awards are running for the second year after launching in 2022.
This year’s StartUp Awards finalists can be found online at
The StartUp Awards is a collaboration between the founders of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards – an established programme nationally receiving thousands applications annually – and the Wales Start-Up Awards, the only regional awards currently celebrating new businesses in the UK.
The StartUp Awards will recognise the achievements of those amazing individuals who have had a great idea, spotted the opportunity and taken the risks to launch a new product or service.
Already established and thriving in Wales, the StartUp Awards is now taking the passion and drive to celebrate new business and extending across the whole of the United Kingdom.
Lace wigs are a great way to add a little bit of glamour to your everyday look or disguise thinning or bald patches. They come in all different styles and colors, and with the right wig, you can create any look you want. In this post, we are going to teach you how to wear lace wigs for the perfect look.
The lace wig designs have much improved over the years
We are going to cover the basics of how to put on a lace wig, how to style it, and how to get the perfect look every time. From basic styles to more daring looks, we will cover it all in this post. So if you are looking for a way to add a little bit of glamour to your look, lace wigs are the perfect choice. So come and learn how to wear lace wigs for the perfect look!
What is lace wig?
Lace wigs around the hair line gives the appearance of hair growing from the scalp because each strand of hair is knotted into a fine net made from either swiss lace or silk woven net. they are made of human hair and are a type of wig that is typically worn by women or sometime special toupee peices worn by bald men. They come in a variety of styles and colors, and can be worn for a variety of purposes.
Most lace wigs are made of human hair, though there are also lace wigs made of synthetic hair. Blended Synthetic hair is often more affordable than human hair, but it doesn’t have the same natural look and feel. Some lace wigs may need to be glued down, but there has been a range of glueless lace wigs launched in the markek place.
translucent lace for an invisible look
Lace wigs can be styled in a variety of ways, and they come in a variety of lengths. They can be styled straight or curly, and they can be styled in a variety of ways.
Lace wigs are a great way to add a new look to your wardrobe, and they can be a great way to change your look for a special occasion. They can also be a great way to add a new look to your hair.
Types of lace wigs
There are two types of lace wigs- human hair and synthetic hair. Blended Synthetic heat tollerant hair is made from man-made materials such as latex, polyester, and nylon. Human hair lace wigs are made from real hair and are the most natural looking option.
Which type of lace wig is best for you will largely depend on your hair type. If you have thin hair, a human hair lace wig will be the best choice. If you have thicker hair, a synthetic hair lace wig will be better.
There are also a variety of colours and styles to choose from, so you can find the perfect wig for your look. Whatever type of lace wig you choose, be sure to get a wig cap to keep your wig in place and protect it from damage.
How to match lace wig to your head size
Choosing the right lace wig for your hair is important. You don’t want to have to take it off every time you want to style your hair in a different way. When choosing a lace wig, make sure you have the right size cap. It needs to fit comfortably, not too loose or too tight. Lace wigs come in many different colours and some people might choose to wear an alternate colour to their own hair. This is not a problem and can save you from colouring your hair if you don’t want to damage it.
Once you find the right colour, make sure to style it. You don’t want to have to take the lace wig off every time you want to style your hair in a different way.
How to style lace wig
When wearing a lace wig, it is important to have a hairstyle that will compliment both the wig and your face. Wearing a wig will give you a new look and you want to make sure that the style you choose will help you look your best.
360 lace wig. Bonded down at the back by Need a Hair Makeover
There are many different ways to style a lace wig and it really depends on the look you are going for. If you are looking for a natural look, a simple bun will work perfectly. If you want to add a little bit of glamour, a ponytail will be a great option. If you want to rock a more dramatic look, curls will do the trick.
There are also many different ways to style a lace wig. You can rock a straight hair style, add a few waves, or curl your hair. Whatever look you choose, make sure it will compliment the lace wig and help you look your best.
Tips on how to wear lace wigs
There are many ways to wear lace wigs and every woman has her own personal style. Whether you choose to wear a lace wig as your everyday wig or for a special occasion, these tips will help you get the look you want.
When choosing a lace wig, it is important to make sure the hair is of the right quality. Lace wigs can be expensive, and if the hair is of poor quality, it will not last long and will not look good. Make sure to ask the seller if the hair is Remy human hair or synthetic hair. Remy human hair is the best quality and will last the longest, but blended synthetic hair is also good and looks just as good as Remy human hair and is heat tollerant.
When wearing a lace wig, it is important to keep in mind the style. Many women experiment and find what works best for you.
Conclusion
Clients hair braided away, lace wig applied and styled
Lace wigs are a great way to add a little extra glamour to your look. However, it is important to know how to fit them for the perfect look. Follow these tips and you’ll be looking like a million bucks in no time!
Find a specialist lace wig supplier or wig maker.
Get your head properly measured so you can have the perfect wig cap size.
If you have very long hair it might be helpful to visit a specialist lace wig fitter
If you have bald patches or want a semi permanent fitting, visit a specialist wig anchoring lace wig fitter
Get your hair professionally cut and styled so it looks natural.
Remember that using light non greasy products on lace wigs will help keep it conditioned and let the wig last longer.
We hope you enjoyed our blog post on how to wear lace wigs for the perfect look. Lace wigs are a great way to add a little bit of glamour to your look, and they come in many different styles and colors to suit everyone’s personality.
We walked you through the different steps you need to take to get the perfect look, and we are sure that you will love the finished product! Thanks for reading, and we can’t wait to see the amazing look you achieve with a lace wig.
I came across an article today suggesting a brain checker tool to help avoid dementia.
I covered this topic in another of my blogs back in 2019 when another report came out stating Scientists have long found a possible link between anticholinergic drugs and an increased risk of dementia. A study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine on Monday suggests that the link is strongest for certain classes of anticholinergic drugs — particularly antidepressants such as paroxetine or amitriptyline, bladder antimuscarinics such as oxybutynin or tolterodine, antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine or olanzapine and antiepileptic drugs such as oxcarbazepine or carbamazepine.
Study is important because it strengthens a growing body of evidence showing that strong anticholinergic drugs have long term associations with dementia risk,” said Carol Coupland, professor of medical statistics in primary care at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom and first author of the study.
We wish it wasn’t the case but, unfortunately, memory loss is a hot topic. People have countless questions about brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. What really causes it? Read more
So the Alzheimer’s Research UK has launched a new app which gives people of all ages tips on how to keep their brains active and to reduce the risk of dementia.
The brain checker tool encourages people to do more to look after their brains, and offers suggestions to stay sharp.
Dementia is the term used to describe a set of symptoms that over time can affect memory, problem-solving, language and behaviour.
The disease is progressive, which means symptoms may be mild or even unnoticeable at first, but they get worse over time. There are many types of dementia but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. The next most common is vascular dementia
Well excuse me.. In March 2015, researchers published a prospective cohort study in JAMA Internal Medicine called “Cumulative Use of Strong Anticholinergics and Incident Dementia.”
The University of Washington and Seattle healthcare system, Group Health, conducted the long-term study which tracked 3,434 men and women who were aged 65 and up, and had no dementia when the study began.
The team accessed every participant’s history of drug use for the previous decade, including both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Over a 7-year timeline, they followed up with all the participants every two years, during which 797 participants developed dementia (637 of whom developed Alzheimer’s disease).
As researchers looked back on what those 797 individuals took, anticholinergic drugs became the main suspect. The most common anticholinergics participants used were tricyclic antidepressants, first-generation antihistamines, and bladder antimuscarinics.
Compared to those who didn’t take anticholinergic drugs, people who did for as little as three years were 54% more likely to develop dementia.
What Are Anticholinergics? Usually, these types of drugs are prescribed to treat problems including urinary incontinence, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
Anticholinergic drugs’ main purpose is to block the actions and effects of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which causes muscles to contract, activates pain responses and regulates endocrine and REM sleep functions.
It’s just a natural fact of life – as we age, our bodies’ ability to produce acetylcholine decreases. Since the brain actually contains many acetylcholine-producing cells, as Harvard editor Beverly Merz highlights, “blocking its effects can deliver a double whammy to older people.”
It was suggested that if you want to keep your head clear and brain functioning as highly as possible, steering clear of anticholinergic drugs seems ideal.
However, it is important to recognize that the long-term study revealed only a small portion of drugs was interfering with cognitive function. So, please discuss with your doctor if you’re thinking of getting off any prescribed medications.
I know that we have to try all avenues to help combat what is now the fastest growing health problem around the world.
Most children are pretty advanced on their mobile phones
Almost everyone has a mobile phone, a good percentage of owners pay games on their phone. We have the highest users of technology and evening is becoming automated. So if we are already using technology how is just a checker going to help? Just asking
Influencer marketing is not an emerging trend anymore but a strategic part of companies’ overall digital marketing budget.
While a decade ago, influencer marketing did not exist, the adoption of influencer marketing is rising fast and 93% of marketers use it today.
Ignoring the benefits of influencer marketing campaigns can spell doom for companies and social influencers. But what is influencer marketing, and how can you develop an influencer marketing strategy that works for you?
What is influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing is a marketing strategy in which brands partner with social media influencers to promote their products and services.
Influencers have an engaged and large following on social media platforms due to their knowledge, expertise, or unique point of view. They typically share content with their followers on diverse social media platforms such as:
• Podcasts
• Online blogs on WordPress, Wix, or other online content management websites
• Instagram
• Twitter
• TikTok
• Pinterest
• LinkedIn
• Snapchat
• Twitch
• Facebook
To strengthen your influencers online conversational marketing strategy you now need to consider seriously introduce A.I Technology. A Conversational Chatbot can interact with all your followers simultaneously providing them with advice, links, offers and much more.
About Virtual Speedy Services Chatbot Design Services
We can design a Interactive #Chatbot for your business and your clients which helps interact with visitors, capture vital information, signpost, send proposals, vouchers, videos and lots more.
Businesses, Enterprises, Organisations of all sizes and legal formats now find themselves post pandemic with increased online activity from current and new customers wanting information, customer services, services fulfilment and much more at an all time high.
As a result of this the last few years have set up scenarios where businesses and customers are mutually ready to adopt conversational automation.
A.I Chatbot for Business: Industry reports that today, just being present online is not enough. Businesses need to provide a 24/7 conversational availability, which is what customers expect across messaging platforms, social networks, websites, and other digital channels.
Virtual Speedy Services has looked at the top ten industries that are adopted conversational AI on various social media platforms like facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram or providing a link instead of their business website.
1. Social Media influencers
There is a growing number of social media influencers who have now amassed a huge following sometimes in the millions. In order to stay connected with their fans and streamline any endorsements, products or promotions they can stay fully connected in real time with their followers using A.I. Chatbot technology.
2. Using conversational A.I for e-commerce
The e-commerce industry is on a roll with exponential sales growth. The worldwide e-commerce retail sales amounted to £3.00 trillion in 2019, which is expected to reach £6.00 trillion by 2024.
Despite this growth rate, e-commerce businesses are struggling to maintain their sales cycle with traditional channels such as social media, emails, and phone calls. Not more than 1-3% visitors feel engaged enough to fill those static forms. If you also rely on these platforms, you must be struggling with the same problem.
Relying only on the human-driven sales and support system which are becoming more and more expensive can’t lead a business to success at profitable scale. E-commerce brands such as Shopify giant brands have created a new form of transformative digital customer experience with A.I chatbot.
Conversational A.I is helping e-commerce companies to
Every company needs a smoothly running HR department to ensure long-term success. During the process of recruitment, HR managers have to take care of hundreds of activities. And the success of those activities defines the future of a company. Finding the right candidates, ensuring policy compliance, resolving queries and conflicts- all these activities ensure that a business can run without any interruption.
Many organisations have started using conversational A.I for futuristic and proactive HR activities. Companies that use artificial intelligence for HR are able to increase their productivity by 45%. HR teams are saving almost half of their time usually spent on managing talent and answering repeative questions and queries. Hence, they can spend more time strategising, planning, developing, and recruiting talent.
With A.I deployed to your Customer services and HR activities, you can-
Attract more relevant prospective candidates
Reduce the hours spent and scale up the recruitment process
Qualify candidates based on automated background checks
Answer their questions with personalized interactions
Help candidates with paperwork, onboarding, and company policies
And more!
With Virtual Speedy Services, you can adopt an A.I-powered Customer Services or HR chatbot for more human-like engagement of candidates, customers and employees. An A.I that can find what they want in real-time and help them instantly rather than letting them go through an endless cycle of emails.
4. Conversational A.I for Distribution and Manufacturing
The distribution and manufacturing industry involves large-scale customer queries and operations. Manually handling interactions causes reduced results due to delayed responses and inefficient processes. With everyone having a mobile phone to hand they react by calling instantly when wanting assistance
To match the scale of manufacturing, enterprises are deploying AI in their digital conversations. Various tasks across marketing, sales, and support are being automated using AI chatbots for business.
Using Virtual Speedy Services conversational A.I platform, your manufacturing business can-
Run conversational marketing for more qualified leads
Take care of supplies and inventory with AI-enabled ERPs and legacy systems
Automate 90% of repetitive customer support queries
It’s hard enough for doctors and nurses to ensure accuracy in every minute detail of their jobs. At the same time, they have to invest 1/6th of their working hours into administrative work. For instance, even the small task of arranging doctor’s appointments requires a lot of attention. Any mistake during manual entries can result in serious problems for patients.
Thankfully, now your hospital staff can automate many such tasks with A.I-powered chatbots. Instead of manually filling forms, hospital staff can simply let the self-service A.I bot schedule meetings for patients as per the available time slots and much more.
Conversational A.I can offer complete automation to the healthcare front-office. Patients don’t have to rely on calling the staff to get information or wait for responses regarding transfer requests, discharge, and consultation requirements. Everything is processed and conveyed by an A.I-enabled virtual assistant.
With AI there for patients 24*7, hospitals can send on-time alerts and receive urgent requests to respond without any delay. AI bots are designed to update records, manage medical history of every patient, notify them about prescription refills.
Every prospective customer adds a big amount of money to an estate agency’s revenue. So, businesses can’t afford to lose those leads on social media and websites due to the nonresponsive approach or abandonment due to waiting too long..
Beautiful images and too much information can’t do the trick if customers want to ask questions for quick and relevant answers. In that case, they’re likely to enjoy an instant conversation with A.I that understands their requirements, rather than browsing through the long web pages.
Virtual Speedy Services can give that ability to estate agents businesses with conversational A.I, so they can have more qualified leads ready for nurturing and more satisfied clients.
In the travel and hospitality industry, businesses work for 8 hours while customers wish for assistance 24*7. This presents the challenge of losing more than half of your potential customers. Even the best of contact forms on your web pages can’t give you more than 1 to 2 percent of sales.
An A.I chatbot, on the other hand, lets you engage potential leads, qualify them, and convert them into sales. Not only that, but conversational A.I can also be there to answer customer queries 24*7 to enhance their travel experience without you lifting a finger.
For car dealerships, maintaining an ongoing relationship with customers is a must to keep on receiving revenue by fulfilling maintenance and repair requirements. At the same time, they need to ensure that no prospect goes away due to complications or wrong information.
Without any conversational automation, car dealerships struggle to capture leads and convince them to book a test drive due to delayed or no response. Often customers choose multiple channels to connect with a dealership and feel frustrated if they are restricted to a single channel for conversation.
So, automobile dealerships are now transforming their approach with AI-powered chatbots by integrating them across multiple channels for a unified customer experience. They are using the predictive intelligence and data segmentation capabilities of AI to find, track, and nurture leads.
The year 2020 was an eye-opener for many institutions that neglected the digital student experience for a long time. From primary schools to higher education institutions, all are now trying to establish a digital presence that can manage the immediate requirements for information by student.
A.I chatbots can help educational institutes:
Improve the quality of student query support
Increase admissions with conversational academic marketing
Attractive landing pages and regular social media promotion can’t do much if an instant conversation isn’t possible in the insurance industry. People decide to buy insurance from a company that gives them top-notch experience, answers questions, and resolves confusion.
To enable such prompt service and support, insurance companies now adopting conversational A.I. Instant interactions are improving engagement on websites, social media, and digital ads. Using this 24*7 availability, insurance companies are able to-
With a conversational A.I platform, you can generate leads on every channel and simultaneously nurture those leads with personalised interactions and help with transactional activities 24*7. But in todays world not everything is about leads.
Callers usually have questions, problems or want some information which is often hard to navigate via a mobile phone on a website.
It was statistically proven that most people respond to text messaging or prefer to engage in messaging on their phones, this is one of the main reasons why A.I conversational technology is proving popular
To have such a conversational A.I for your business, click here to chat and share your business details. Or, sign-up for a FREE DEMO to see how an advanced conversational A.I chatbot performs 90% of regular business activities without any human involvement.
Recent survey showed that 90% of ecommerce websites generally looked the same. And played little to no role in a customer’s decision to chose who they will purchase from. This means that thousands of pounds spent per month on traditional advertising has little to no contribution on over all profits.
But despite these setbacks, some businesses are earning more profits than ever while spending less time and resources then their competitors. No matter where your business is located, and no matter what condition its in, you can attract high paying customers in droves using little to known but effective techniques I’ll introduce just a couple of them to you now.
Did you know that many of your customers are willing to pay you more and buy more of your products if you simply presented it in the right way to them. You can also acquire more customers by simply marketing smarter and more efficiently as well.
One way to immediately increase your front end sales is to improve your sales letter offering.
Take control of your headline
You donʼt need to test and tweak a million different things until you start to doubt your own offerings, in order to bump up your conversions the first thing you want to do is just test and tweak the headline. Leave everything the same …just start changing the headline and see what happens.
You test your headline first or in some cases your email subject heading and you do that simply by just making a more powerful, more compelling headline that in my opinion should solve a problem for the reader. Once you have control over your headline then you can start testing the body of your content.
Use A.I technology by introducing conversational marketing
Start engaging with your social media followers especially if you have thousand of followers across your social media platforms?
Did you you can have a conversation, pass on details, resolve problems, show videos, get visitors to schedule appointment themselves, buy from your store, register on your courses, competition or events and much much more without you lifting a finger. A.I online virtual assistant can help you to:-
➢ Qualify your website visitors and direct them to what they want
➢ Increase your website or social media conversions
➢ Build a bigger email subscriber list
➢ Collect valuable feedback data to improve visitor experience
➢ Give them quick answer to questions
➢ Present a more streamlined buying experience
➢ Resolve complaint or problem in real time
➢ To get a more detailed answer to a query
➢ Link to calenders, videos, courses seamlessley
➢ Reduce your online admin time by 50%
Test your offering
The Key To It All. By testing your offer I mean you might want to, say, instead of selling an eBook for £12.99 – you might want to offer a physical version of your package for £27.00 + shipping and handling. You could offer three easy payments of £9.00 by a paypal subscription to a persons credit card. See?
Thatʼs actually £14.00 in total …over double the price …using a risk reversal offer that seems cheaper at first glance.
In fact, that offer would probably convert better. So it’s important to tweak your offer a lot. In the words of Dan Kennedy, “ITʼS THE OFFER, STUPID.” Iʼll give you another one.
Trial offers are another fantastic way to persuade potential customers to register, use your services and you can then up sell them afterwards (no spamming)
Testing your offer structure.
Instead of offering a trial, you could ask for a fair sum upfront £99.99 …and then gave them the big box of stuff as a bonus. They get the same thing but you simply structured the offer differently. Just imagine if you got 100 people to take your service there and then online, fees right up front. No trial, no launch, no affiliates you could see just how profitable and structured your offering truly is.
The number 1 complaint about launching and running a online #business or posting links is generating enough enquiries to make a #sale! and capturing contact details to respond
Every New Year I have always checked for the top business growth tips and trends.
This year I have decided to present my own because we the business community are still living in unprecedented times of uncertainty, fear, transformation, deception, confusion, and outright disruption of the old ways of doing business.
I am Diane Shawe founder of Virtual Speedy Services Ltd (which I gave birth to during the first lockdown) and author of ‘Answer 77 Questions about your business to avoid business failure’ shares her top small business growth strategies for the year ahead.
2021 has been a year of rapid transformation across all industries as the business community has dealt with shifting customer buying activities and economic challenges, as well as mitigating hot-button issues such as the pandemic and people’s changing conception of work life balance. In a year filled with change, there are some trends which are going to be firmly fixed into 2022 that you and your business should seriously build into your growth plans.
To lead your business in the right direction as we head into 2022, here are my humble 10 small business growth strategies.[
1. Prioritise your business culture
Throughout the pandemic, businesses have been dealing with “The Great Resignation” as workers are quitting their jobs at record-high rates. One of the reasons for this is that people are changing their definitions of what they consider a healthy work-life balance and what they want in a company culture.
“The pandemic has shifted the way people incorporate work into their life, whether it’s moving to another county for cheaper housing or not going into the office every day and getting the opportunity to do remote or hybrid work,” Diane states.
Diane goes on further to state that “Not all solutions are made equal, and culture is now a part of that. “A big factor for employees, in addition to salary and benefits, is culture, so have a culture strategy in place.”
2. Consider hiring more freelance workers
The number of gig workers, freelancers and contractors has grown exponentially over the last few years and they make up a large portion of workers within the current market.
“Small business owners will now be able to bring in more specialised freelance workers to carry out tasks without having to deal with the hiring and training costs that are often associated with recruiting a full-time employee,” said Diane. “With the importance of being agile in today’s economic environment … as well as the rise of remote work, … skilled outsource
Peopleperhour.com and fiverr.com are great places to start.
3. Work with micro-influencers
While small businesses may be competing against larger businesses to work with online influencers, collaborating with micro-influencers is an option to consider.
“As influencer marketing is becoming more popular than ever… micro-influencers are going to be the best option for small businesses because they don’t cost as much and they are more open to collaborating with small businesses too,” explained Diane. “With a couple of these small influencers helping [your business] reach specific audiences, growth will not be an impossible feat in 2022.”
4. Leverage the way you supply your products and services.
Distributors and businesses across the country dealt with supply chain issues with the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent economic disruptions. In 2022, businesses must be aware of scarcities within the supply chain and get ahead of manufacturing and transportation challenges by working collaboratively with their suppliers.
Checkout companies like Amazon who can provide a fulfillment service for your orders. Consider moving to a drop shipping manufacturer or warehouse so as to reduce your cash investment in slow moving stock.
5. Educate client and partners your new paradigms
It’s important to inform your clients and partners about changes you’re making to better benefit your business across a shifting economic landscape. If the changes don’t land, it may be time to consider other options,
Many businesses are painfully aware how much the talent pool has changed. Working with potential employees, client partners to educate them on the new management styles needed, increased compensation packages and other aspects of recruitment and retention is very important.
6. Prepare for potential contracting opportunities
Almost 80 new businesses were created every hour across the UK in the first half of 2021, according to research by iwoca – one of Europe’s largest small business lenders.
Analysis of Companies House data reveals that 340,534 businesses were registered in the UK between January and June 2021, an increase of 32% from 257,243 over the same time period in 2019.
London dominates list of areas to start a business
iwoca’s Small Business HotSpots UK 2021 reveals that Camden saw the largest number of businesses registered out of all UK local authorities, with 19,755 new companies – a rate of more than four and a half new firms every hour.
The second largest number of new businesses were registered in Hackney (13,646) followed by 10,151 in Westminster. London’s local authorities make up half of the top 10, which also includes Birmingham in 5th with 7,442 new firms and Kent placing 7th with 6,504 businesses.
London saw over one third of the new registrations with 120,338, followed by the South East (37,573) and North West (33,640). The capital city also witnessed the largest increase in new business registration compared to 2019 of 59%, with the West Midlands registering a 49% rise followed by the North East (28%).
Christoph Rieche, iwoca CEO and co-founder, said: “It is fantastic to see the creation of so many businesses during the first half of this year, they are testament to the entrepreneurial spirit which characterises our vibrant economy.
“Many of these businesses will be unnecessarily constrained by cashflow. At iwoca we turn cashflow into a superpower enabling them to grow faster and worry less. We look forward to working with many of them.”-
Why is such a growth happening?
A survey I read stated that 39% of people in current jobs are going to quit within the next 12 months, which is not great for an employer, but suggests a start of a business revolution is happening.
What advice would I give to somebody looking to start a business?
There is never a good time to do it and you just must go for it. It’s all encompassing and it’s a phenomenon. I just decided to go for it in 2000 and have never looked back. However you can be clever about it though – can you cut down your hours in your current role or could you work part-time initially? Explore your options wisely.
7. Get creative on sales and marketing opportunities
The digital marketing landscape has become increasingly challenging due to congestion and evolving regulations, said Diane Shawe of Virtual Speedy Services Ltd
“This is forcing many traditionally digital companies to explore other sales channels and marketing strategies,” she said.
To mitigate these challenges, Shawe said her company is getting creative by helping other companies engage with A.I. Conversational Marketing Technologies with its engaging methods.
8. Widen your business’s online footprint
Small businesses must adapt and be “practical” when it comes to sales, as consumers continue to favor online and mobile shopping.
“Businesses need to widen their online footprint to gain a significant proportion of customers from the current market,” said Diane. “A simple way to sell products is to have a sellers account on your popular social media or estore platforms. To sell services, … list [your company] on freelance and contract websites.” Also create a blog and YouTube website for reviewing products, testimonials, advice and tips. Become the expert in your field. Entry competitions, exhibitions, network meetings.
9. Learn video SEO strategies to rank higher on search engines
Video marketing has become an integral part of a successful marketing strategy with the rise of live videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. It’s estimated that by 2022, videos will account for 82% of all consumer traffic. That’s why video SEO should be a top priority for businesses in 2022.
“Small businesses that incorporate short-form videos into their website posts will see more organic traffic coming from search engines,” explained Gilmour. “As TikTok continues to grow, search engine algorithms will shift to articles and posts that include short-form videos. Short-form videos from TikTok and YouTube may even become the main point of ‘how to’ searches.”
10. Utilise partnership marketing to reach a broader audience Partnership marketing is a strategic collaboration that gives you and your partner company a chance to reach a wider audience together, explained Diane Shawe, founder of Virtual Speedy Services Ltd.
“Collaboration with another company can aid in the development of better marketing initiatives that benefit both parties, If your target clients are similar, you may pool your resources to better your marketing techniques, build your brands and expand your audience reach.”
Start to use smart customer acquisition techniques such as collaborating with discount giants such as wowcher, groupon or discount voucher websites to help get your business name, brand or services directly into potential customers mobile.
“Another example, if a consumer purchases a product from you, you can provide a discount coupon that they can use to purchase discounted products from your business partner,” said Diane. “Co-branding of a product or project can also boost both companies’ marketing power.”
Virtual Speedy Services Ltd is set up to provide a suite of services for Small and Medium size businesses to help them efficiently and quickly Setup or expand their business. Our core service is A.I technology by designing conversational marketing chatbots to generate quality business leads or engage online visitors in real time. We populate and generate impressive business plan and 5 years projections for focus, raising finance along with smart eCommerce website, streamlined social media tools and an effective google verified website. We think of ourselves as your Virtual Personal Assistance who will help streamline your business development and growth without all the drama.
I assist various clients from various backgrounds to overcome or disguise hair loss or damaged hair challenges. Most of them want to learn how to stimulate faster, stronger healthier hair growth. There are many hair growth products in the market place but, I am going to take a look at Castor Oil in particular today, mainly because it is a natural product and not many people understand it’s properties.
Castor oil is a thick, odorless oil made from the seeds of the castor plant. Its use dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was first used as lamp fuel and later for medicinal and beauty treatments — Cleopatra reportedly believed the oil would brighten the whites of her eyes.
Today, most of the world’s castor oil is produced in India. Modern research backs up some of its traditional uses, including laxative effects, anti-inflammatory properties, and the ability to help induce labor.
While studies continue to investigate other potential health benefits, castor oil is considered safe if used as directed, and can be found in a range of skin and hair care products sold today. Pure castor oil is also available at many specialty health stores.
You can put the oil directly on your skin and scalp or take it orally in small amounts. Some people also make castor “oil packs.” Castor oil packs are made of cloth that is soaked in castor oil and applied to affected areas. Because of its potency, castor oil is not used in cooking or added to food.
Firstlys we must outline that there are two types of castor oil available.
• yellow castor oil, made by cold pressing fresh castor beans
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• black castor oil, made by roasting the castor beans and then using heat to extract the oil
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Further on in this article we will outline the differences, uses, benefits and risks.
Nutrition Information
A one-tablespoon serving of castor oil contains:
• Calories: 120
• Protein: 0 grams
• Fat: 14 grams
• Carbohydrates: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams
Castor oil is a good source of:
• Vitamin E
• Omega-9 f atty a cids
• Omega-6 f atty a cids
More than 90% of castor oil’s fatty acid content is ricinoleic acid. Research shows that this omega-9 has pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects. When applied to the skin may help relieve issues like joint pain and menstrual cramps.
Potential Health Benefits of Castor Oil
Castor oil is a common ingredient in many beauty products. It’s rich in essential fatty acids that moisturize the skin, and research continues to study how their properties may be effective in treating common skin conditions.
Castor oil has also been used to help pregnant women with delivery for centuries. In fact, a survey from 1999 found that 93% of midwives in the U.S. used castor oil to induce labor. While further research is needed, one study found that castor oil initiated labor in 91% of women with little to no childbirth complications.
Other potential health benefits associated with castor oil include:
Laxative Properties
One of castor oil’s most traditional uses is to stimulate digestion, relieving temporary constipation. Modern research has found that this effect is due to the oil’s high levels of ricinoleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that acts as a natural laxative.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Studies show that castor oil’s ricinoleic acid reduces swelling and pain caused by inflammation. Research suggests that, when applied to the skin, castor oil may reduce arthritis symptoms more effectively than prescription topical treatments. More studies are needed to confirm this effect in humans.
May Heal Wounds
Castor oil’s fatty acids are natural humectants, substances used to moisturize the skin by preventing water loss. This effect can promote good skin health, relieve dryness, and soothe skin inflammation.
It may also have the potential to accelerate wound healing. Castor oil is a triglyceride that has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Research shows that, when applied to the skin, it may prevent infection, reduce inflammation, improve localized blood flow, and shed damaged skin cells — all of which help skin’s healing process.
We can help make your hair dreams come true
Treats Some Skin Conditions
Castor oil can benefit overall skin health, but may treat specific skin conditions as well. Though there’s a lack of clinical research, its combination of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing effects is thought to help treat some causes of acne. One study showed that castor oil also fights fungal infections, which may help relieve hard-to-treat fungal acne.
Other studies have found castor oil helpful in the treatment of melasma, dandruff, and ringworm.
Potential Risks of Castor Oil
When applied to the skin, castor oil is considered safe for most people to use. However, its dermatological effects are still being studied, so be sure to follow your doctor’s advice when treating any skin conditions.
If you take it internally, castor oil’s potent fatty acids can pose health risks. Castor oil is a powerful laxative. It is recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a way to relieve temporary constipation, but it isn’t suitable for long-term treatment. Use castor oil in small amounts and be sure to consult with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you.
What is Ricin
Castor beans naturally contain the poison ricin. If you chew and swallow castor beans, ricin can be released and cause injury. Ricin is also in the waste that is produced in the manufacture of castor oil. Castor oil does not contain ricin.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that it is highly unlikely to be intentionally exposed to ricin unless you were to actually eat castor beans. The CDC also indicates that ricin has been the focus of medical experiments to kill cancer cells.
Some health risks associated with castor oil use include:
Allergies
Some people may be allergic to the castor plant and experience itching, swelling, or rashes when using castor oil.
Physical Discomfort
Ingesting too much castor oil can cause nausea, cramps, dizziness, and muscle weakness. Use it as advised by your doctor and don’t take it on an empty stomach.
Pregnancy Concerns
Because castor oil may help induce labor, pregnant women should avoid it. There is also a lack of research on its effects on infants, children, and breastfeeding women.
Medication Interactions
If taken with diuretics, adrenal corticosteroids, or licorice root, castor oil may reduce the potassium content in your body to dangerously low levels.
Overdose
Taken orally, large amounts of castor oil can be poisonous. Symptoms of overdose include abdominal cramps, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Use castor oil as directed to avoid unintentional overdose.
Digestive System Damage
Long-term laxative use can cause damage to your digestive system and can even cause electrolyte abnormalities or dehydration. While castor oil can provide occasional constipation relief, you should talk to your doctor to discuss treatment options before consuming it
Using Castor Oil for Hair Growth
The most popular oil for hair growth is Black castor oil, which is made by roasting the castor beans and then using heat to extract the oil
Read a related blog
Because the method of starting with roasted beans was developed in Jamaica, black castor oil is often referred to as Jamaican black castor oil.
There are, however, many people who, supported primarily by anecdotal evidence, feel that using black castor oil on their hair promotes hair health and hair growth.
One way that proponents of black castor oil support their position is by aligning it with the benefits of other essential oils.
Although there are indications that many oils, such as peppermint oil (according to a 2014 studyTrusted Source) and lavender oil (according to a 2016 studyTrusted Source), have potential as hair growth-promoting agents, there is a lack of qualified studies on black castor oil and its effect on human hair.
• Benefits
• How to Use It
• What to Look For
• Side Effects
• Precautions and Concerns
Castor oil is often praised as a natural solution for hair growth. An age-old remedy long used in traditional medicine, castor oil is said to moisturize the scalp, ease dandruff, and leave your hair smooth, strong, and shiny.
Sourced from the castor bean, castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid—a type of fatty acid known to fight inflammation.1 When applied to the scalp, it is thought to promote healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss.
This section discusses the benefits of castor oil for your hair along with how to use it. It also covers what to look for when choosing a castor oil product and the possible side effects you may encounter.
Benefits
Some of the claims you may have heard about castor oil’s benefits for hair include:
• Castor oil increases blood flow to the scalp, which promotes healthier hair.
• Applying it just once a month can boost hair growth up to five times the usual rate.
• Castor oil can moisturize a dry, irritated scalp.
• Castor oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties can reduce dandruff.
There is very little evidence to back up the claims that castor oil specifically can improve hair health and growth.
There is, however, evidence that individual nutrients in castor oil, including vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate), increase blood flow to the scalp and promote hair growth. This explains why vitamin E is so commonly used in hair loss products.2
Castor oil is also a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging the body’s healthy cells—a process known as oxidative stress that leads to hair loss.3
Additionally, castor oil contains omega-6 fatty acids—a type of essential fatty acid that promotes hair growth and reduces inflammation in the hair follicle.4
Recap
There is no scientific evidence that applying castor oil to your hair can boost hair health and growth. More research is needed, though, since specific nutrients in castor oil, like antioxidants and vitamin E, are well known to have these effects.
Learn How and Why Hair Forms and Grows the Way It Does
How to Use It
If you’re interested in using castor oil for hair growth, try rubbing just a few drops of the oil into your scalp. You can also massage a few more drops into your hair’s midsection and ends. This may protect against breakage and improve your hair’s texture.
Castor oil is heavy and very sticky, making it difficult to remove from your hair. It’s best to dilute it with other natural oils like coconut or jojoba. This can also tone down the scent of castor oil, which many people find unpleasant. Simply mix one part castor oil with two parts of another “carrier oil.”
There are no exact guidelines for how long you should leave castor oil on your hair. Leaving it in too long can actually dry out your hair and scalp, though, so it’s best to wash it from your hair after two hours or so.
Many hair care experts recommend using castor oil no more than once a week. Using it more frequently than that can cause buildup and lead to issues like matting.
What to Look For
When shopping for castor oil, you might see some products that say “cold-pressed” on their labels. This means the castor seeds are pressed into oil without the use of heat or harsh chemicals. Many people say that cold-pressed oils are the best quality and more nutrient-rich than those processed with heat.
One of the most popular castor oil products for hair care is Jamaican black castor oil. This variety is made with roasted castor beans and the ash produced by the roasting process. Jamaican black castor oil is said to be especially good for thick, dry, and/or coarse hair.
Like any oil, castor oil has a shelf life. Once opened, it can start to go rancid after about one year, so keep that in mind when choosing a product and storing it at home.
Side Effects
There’s some concern that using castor oil as a hair treatment may lead to acute hair felting—a rare disorder in which the hair becomes tangled into a hard mass. Since the condition is irreversible, the only solution is to cut off the affected hair.5
It should also be noted that consuming large amounts of castor oil can be extremely harmful and trigger a number of adverse effects, including:
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Hallucinations
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath and chest pain
• Skin rash
• Throat tightness
Applying castor oil to your hair shouldn’t cause these problems, but make sure that you or others don’t accidentally swallow it.
Precautions and Concerns
Castor oil can stain your clothes and towels. Take care to cover your head with a shower cap, an old t-shirt or towel until it’s time to wash your hair. This will prevent the oil from dripping onto your clothes or other items. Keep in mind that your hair may require two applications of shampoo in order to completely remove the castor oil.
If you’re thinking of using castor oil as a remedy for hair loss, remember that hair loss may be a sign of an underlying health problem. Therefore, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you notice unexplained hair loss.
Summary
Castor oil is popular among natural beauty enthusiasts, who claim that applying it to your hair can boost your hair’s health, shine, and growth. There is no scientific evidence to support these claims, although some nutrients in castor oil, like antioxidants and vitamin E, are known to be beneficial for hair health.
A Word From Diane Shawe
Hair loss is not just a symptom of getting older. There are many medical conditions that can lead to hair loss, including thyroid disease and alopecia areata. You can also lose noticeable amounts of hair during periods of severe mental or emotional stress.
If you find yourself losing large clumps of hair or you’re suddenly developing bald spots, get in contact with your doctor. When an underlying health condition is to blame, applying castor oil won’t help.
Types of Castor oil and Uses and
CASTOR OIL seeds
Castor oil, also known as a #1 grade Castor oil for products like soap making and general use-
Castor oil is a widely used renewable, bio-degradable and eco-friendly product. It is useful in a wide range of D-I-Y applications including: Soap and lotion making, blending of lotions, salves, creams, shampoos, and more. It is Vegetable Based, has no animal derived products, and there is No Animal Testing on our Castor Oil. It is GLuten free, and contains no Wheat, no Peanuts, no dairy, egg, fish, and is also solvent free .
On popular way to use castor oil is in soapmaking. It is a very useful, beneficial oil in soap making. It is typically used in relatively low percentages depending on the over-formulation and what other oils are used. The addition of the right amount of pure castor oil may enable soap to trace quicker, and make better soap. Plus. castor oil adds the benefit of better and more stable lather. Castor oil is an excellent moisturizer as it attracts and holds moisture to skin. Check your superfatting chart. Sometimes using castor oil will require more sodium hydroxide since it has a high ricinoleic acid content. In softer products, like shampoo bars and skin-care products it is excellent. In the right combination with over vegetable oils, however, it makes a very nice moisturizing and wonderfully emollient, hard bar of soap. Try castor oil in salves, balms, shampoos, hair oils, and other thick emulsions for the skin and hair. It is in all kinds of specialty formulations as a natural emollient and applied to the skin and hair as a softener.(keep away from eyes!)
Many customers tell us they use castor oil as a mole repellant in their yards. They blend it in hose end yard sprayer and spray in the mole holes to rid it of those pesky critters. One recipe passed along to us says to blend in 1 tablespoon of pure Decyl Glucoside with 12- 14 Oz of Pure Castor Oil. For a pump type sprayer add 1 Oz of Decyl Glucoside surfactant to every 32 Oz of Castor oil and then the balance of water up to 2 gallons to treat the mole holes. Spray at least half a gallon in and around the holes. Retreat as necessary. * In tougher situations try adding 2 Oz of natural NEEM OIL to the blend. This will also help with other pesky insects too.
Did you know that pure castor oil is a natural product, made from the beans of the castor plant which can be grown in any tropical region?. The world’s largest producer of castor oil is India, with China and Brazil being a far-distant second and third place.
It’s reported that castor Oil is one of the oldest,most versatile ingredients in use. The evidence of the use of castor oil goes all the way back to ancient Egypt. It has been found in tombs over 4,000 years old. There are other documented uses of castor oil in India, China and other ancient sites that date back thousands of years. In ancient times in the Netherlands, it was called “Wonder Oil” and was thought to be a cure for a multitude of ailments.
Castor Oil still has many useful applications today,from us as a cosmetic ingredient, to an industrial chemical and a specialty chemical. It is also a popular natural polyol, it is used in an increasing number of specialty applications, replacing traditional petroleum based polyols. Another advantage of Castor Oil is that it is not made from a food source so it is really not subject to the controversies that can arise with other plant based oils that are more traditionally used as a food source.
• CASTOR OIL INCI Name: Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
• CAS no: 8004-79-4
• EINECS no.: 232-293-8
What is SULFATED TURKEY RED CASTOR OIL
Sulfated Castor oil, is also called “Turkey red” castor oil
Sulfated Castor oil CAS 8002-33-3 Formula: C18H32Na2O2S
Sulfated Castor oil, also known as “Turkey Red” has a wide range of uses including: Soap and lotion making, blending of lotions, salves, creams, shampoos, and more. It is the only castor oil that completely disperses in water and will not leave an oily ring around the tub when you use it in your products to emulsify colors, fragrance and essential oils.
Features of Sulfated Castor/ Turkey Red
• Turkey Red Castor oil completely disperses in water.
• Use it to emulsify fragrance and essential oils so they disburse completely in other water-based products
• Use for superfatting liquid soap so it remains transparent
• Excellent humectant & moisturizing properties
• Has a typical sulfated castor oil odor but is easily disguised in formulations using typical fragrance and essential oils.
Sulfated castor oil. also known as Turkey Red oil is very useful since it will completely disperse in water. It contains all of the same humectant and moisturizing properties of Cosmetic Castor Oil but in a water soluble form. Castor Turkey Red is a common addition to bath products, natural soaps, lotions etc. Try using it to formulation balms, shampoos, hair oils, and other thick emulsions for the skin and hair.
Sulfated Castor Oil is also seen in formulations as a natural emollient and applied to the skin and hair as a softener. (keep away from eyes!)
PEG 40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor oil – is also a very popular derivative of castor oil
PEG 40 Castor oil, also known as Castor oil ethoxylate (POE 40) is a Multifunctional Oil-in-Water Emulsifier, surfactant, foam booster.
PEG 40 Castor oil is a multifunctional non ionic surfactant used as fragrance builder and fragrance solubilizer, emulsifier. PEG 40 can be incorporated in to a formulation to help solubilize PLUS act as a foam booster, which benefits the formulator by possibly eliminating a secondary surfactant, or lessening the use of a secondary surfactant for example.
In some formulations it is a good replacement for polysorbates used to incorporate fragrances and oils in to water based blends like shampoos and body washes. Whether you are making creams and lotions, floral waters, room and fabric sprays, body washes, shampoos, even bath bombs, and need a good solubilizer for colors, fragrances, give PEG 40 Castor oil a try.
It is a safe, easy to use, vegetable derived non ionic surfactant, and serves a number of useful purposes.
Out side of uses in the personal care formulations, ethoxylated castor oil POE 40 is found in lubricants, specialty formulations that have applications in metals, textiles and other areas too.
Non Ionic – Compatible with non-ionic, anionic, and cationic ingredients and products.
Useful as a surfactant (foam booster.) As an emulsifier, solubilizer, and foam booster. Miscible in both oils and in water Use in a heated oil, or in cool down phase at 1% to 10%, although it’s safe to use up to 100% (Neat) on skin.
Cloud Point: 185°F (85.0°C)
Black Castor oil (Jamaican Black Castor oil)
Cold pressed Black Castor Oil (Jamaican Black Castor oil) also known as JBCO
Jamaican Black Castor Oil, JBCO for short, is a liquid extracted and cold-pressed from roasted seeds of the castor plant, known by the botanical / latin name Ricinus communis Seed
The difference between “regular ” castor oil and Jamaican Black Castor oil are that the seeds are roasted before the liquid castor oil is extracted from the seeds, This roasting process means that the oil has a dark burnt orange to reddish-brown appearance. It also has a different fragrance – it is a roasted nutty fragrance.
Roasting the seeds also raises the pH level of Black Castor Oil which results in a preferred ingredient for making many hair and cosmetic formulations.
Black Castor Oil, or JBCO is very popular in skin and hair care products and formulations. Many cite that the JBCO improves hair growth, and use it to massage in to the hair. Other sources cite that the black castor oil may improve circulation, to help stimulate follicles. Products made with the black castor oil often advertise that it helps moisturize the hair and eliminates hair split ends, and it is used as an alternative to, or even in addition to traditional hair conditioners.
Typical Uses: Skin and Hair Care, hair conditioning, personal care products, Medicinal type topical products, Ayurveda
The effects of drinking Alkaline water on our body
We’ve all heard that drinking water is good for us and we’re often told to drink around 2 litres a day. But all waters are not equal. What is good quality water and how can it norish the body?
I work with a lot of clients who are experiencing hair loss, low energy, joint aches and pains and even weak nails. I had those same issues until I started to explore the benefits of drinking good quality water. What I mean by this is alkaline water?
I was reading and watching a lot of healthy eating books and videos by Dr Sebi https://drsebiscellfood.com/ and he kept mentioning Alkaline foods and drinks. So I set out to find out how I could drink Alkaline water everyday effortlessly and came across pH Replenish which I will introduce you to later. However what I really wanted to do is share the benefit of drinking alkaline water.
So does alkaline water have even more health benefits than regular tap or bottled water?
Firstly, why is drinking all that water so good for us?
Over half of our body is water! Our cells, organs and bones all need water to function properly. In fact, our brains and hearts are made up of about 70% water.
Although drinking water doesn’t seem very glamorous, if we become dehydrated we can quickly begin to lose concentration and focus, become lethargic and have sugar cravings. In the long term, dehydration can result in organ failure and humans can only survive for 3 or 4 days without water.
OK, So water is good for us. But what’s the difference between regular water from the tap and alkaline water?
Regular tap water usually has a neutral PH of 7 (although it can be lower) whilst alkaline water has a PH over 7.
7 is neutral and any lower than 7 is acidic. As an example, corrosive liquids like lemon juice have a PH of around 2.5.
Water usually has a natural PH higher than 7 which comes from the minerals and salts found in the earth. But as the water passes through our man-made pipes and water distribution systems it loses a lot of it’s minerals and as a result the PH levels drop.
The blood in our bodies has a PH around 7.4 and the systems in our bodies work hard to maintain that level. Many alkaline water fans believe that drinking filtered water with a higher PH means that we are giving our bodies a helping hand to keep to that healthy PH of 7.4.
Are there any other advantages to drinking alkaline water?
1 Reducing acid levels within our bodies
It’s widely believed that drinking alkaline water can help to reduce or balance the acid levels within our bodies.
Having too much acid in our body can result in a long list of issues including fatigue, confusion, joint pain and inflammation, headaches, an elevated heart rate and digestion problems. This ‘acidosis’ occurs when our kidneys cannot remove all the excess acid from our body.
Acid in our body can also strip important minerals like calcium and magnesium from our bones which can lead to diseases like osteoporosis.
Cancer is also known to thrive in acidic environments and struggles to survive in alkaline environments. The opportunity to reduce acid in the body could be a significant benefit of drinking alkaline water for many people.
2 Anti-oxidant effects
Alkaline water is high in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are great for our body and our overall health. They help us to keep repairing our cells to keep us looking and feeling fit and healthy.
3 Anti-aging
Another benefit that drinking alkaline water can have for our bodies is an anti-ageing effect. A 2016 study on mice which ran for three years suggested that drinking alkaline water increased their life span significantly.
4 A treatment for acid reflux
A report by Dr. Jamie Koufman concluded that alkaline water with a PH of 8.8 can work as an effective treatment for people who suffer from acid reflux. Alkaline water has the ability to neutralise the stomach acid causing this unpleasant disease.
5 Hydration
The molecules in alkaline water are smaller than in our regular tap water. This means that our bodies can absorb alkaline water more easily without that bloated feeling that regular water can sometimes give you.
6 Reducing high blood pressure
One study carried out in Shanghai discovered that drinking alkaline water for 3 to 6 months brought high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood lipid levels back to normal.
7 Decreasing blood thickness
A paper Weidman et al found that drinking alkaline water after exercise helps to thin out the blood faster then normal water. This is useful to aid recovery after exercise and could be potentially life saving for individuals suffering from thickened or hardened arteries who want to improve their fitness with less risk.
8 Preventing obesity
Many alkaline water enthusiasts report that it helps with weight loss. Backing up this claim, a 2013 study found that when obese mice drank alkaline water for 7 weeks they lost weight compared with mice drinking regular water but eating the same diet.
The benefits of drinking alkaline water are very promising and many people who drink alkaline water report considerable health benefits. However, many of these studies and reports have only been carried out in labs or on a small scale so it would be nice to see more research demonstrating the many benefits of alkaline water.
Are there any side effects to drinking Alkaline water?
As with anything, if you consume too much there can be negative effects. Although it is extremely unusual, an over consumption of alkaline products could lead to alkalosis. Having too much alkaline in the body can bring on the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. However, if we drink alkaline water alongside a healthy and varied diet we would be very unlikely to experience this effect.
Slowly increasing the amount of alkaline water that we drink allows our bodies to adapt to the increased mineral content and higher PH and reduces the likelihood of any unwanted side effects.
How can I get alkaline water in my own home?
Installing a water filter is the easiest way for us to access unlimited alkaline water and Invigorated Water offers a variety of alkaline water filter systems to suit every home.
Counter top filters for kitchens with plenty of space hold enough water for the entire family. Smaller pitcher filters will fit easily into the fridge door where you can keep them cool.
Or, there faucet filters are a great option to easily provide alkaline water in your home and are easy to install.
If you are on the go and want to make sure that you have your alkaline water with you, try one of our bottle filters. Not only do they make your water taste better, they also look great.
You can also benefit from using alkaline water in your shower.
When you shower, water is vaporized into steam which you inhale as you shower. By installing a shower filter such as the PH Rejuvenate shower head filter, which increases the PH of your water you’ll know that you are breathing in safe, alkaline steam rather than potentially harmful, acidic water.
Showering with alkaline water can also be good for your skin. One study found that applying alkaline water to the sun damaged skin of mice helped to reduce the damage. Alkaline water has an anti-inflammatory effect that was also seen in people bathing in high PH spring water. Many of our customers report that their hair and skin feels noticeably softer and smoother after showering under our shower head filters.
Another advantage of the Invigorated Water filters is that they can remove any unwanted toxins, chemicals and heavy metals from our drinking water whilst adding in healthy minerals like magnesium and calcium.
Pollutants often work their way into our water supply and can be missed by our government water treatment stations, particularly if our water is carried through old pipes, across long distances.
Increasing the PH of your drinking water to make it alkaline, removing pollutants and adding in the healthy minerals allows your body to thrive. By choosing to drink filtered, alkaline water you are looking after your health in one simple, easy step.
So I hope you found this article useful, I have been drinking alkaline water for the past 18 months and have seen and felt the difference.
What Are The Best Hair Loss Products and Supplements On The Market Right Now?
Everyone wants lovely healthy hair
As dozens of new hair loss products hit the market every year. Finding out which ones are effective can be a real nightmare.
It is clear that many more people are looking at the content of each products, reading customer reviews and weighing up the pros and cons, but all this can be time consuming and confusing as each product vendor claims some form of exception superiority.
They all claim that many ingredients can help fight hair loss and promote hair growth. Recent scientific studies show that many ingredients can boost the flow of nutrients to the scalp to reduce hair loss for example.
As with all health products, however, there are also differences in the formulation for hair loss products. The effects can also vary and not every product is suitable for every person.
We can help make your hair dreams come true
Most people are now looking for hair care products that are SLS, Petrolatum & Paraben free! Gluten Free, Soy Free, Wheat Free and even mineral oil free.
In this blog we introduce 5 product that are natural and best for you and what to look for in a high-quality hair growth product for you consideration.
1. About this item Advanced Trichology
Ladies a product that tackles a variety of things
This Ultimate Hair Growth Formula is impressive because it does much more than just grows your hair! It’s GLUTEN FREE and VEGETARIAN FORMULA which ACCELERATES Thicker Fuller Hair Growth, Stronger Nails, Anti-Aging for the skin. INCREASES Thyroid production, Cleanses the Liver with Alpha Lipoic Acid and Fo Ti.
Uses patented ingredients like Opti MSM and clinically developed cellular support with 5000mcg of Biotin, Saw Palmetto, Hyaluronic Acid, Choline, Silica, Vitamin C, and 2000iu Vitamin D3. 28 herbs and vitamins.
Very well researched
REVERSE HAIR LOSS from Nutritional Deficiencies, Thyroid issues, Stress, Anemia, Low Vitamin D, Medications, Poor diet, Vegan and Vegetarianism in Men and Women. Rebuilds Skin with L – Cysteine and Pine Bark Extract.
Great for men looking for help to keep their hair srong
PROVEN EFFECTIVE, 3RD PARTY TESTED, and CERTIFIED in Clinical Testing Reviews. Made in Southern California, Certified GMP. Gluten Free, Soy Free, Wheat Free, and Vegetarian Hair Growth Pills la mejor vitamina para el crecimiento del cabello
100% MONEYBACK HAIR GROWTH PRODUCTS GUARANTEE.
More than Hair Skin and Nail Vitamins, the FoliGrowth contains enough Powerful Ingredients to replace other vitamins like B Complex, Multi-Vitamin, Anti-Vitamin, Biosil, Nutrofol, Viviscal, Thyroid Support, Adrenal Supports, and Hair Skin and Nails Vitamins
PREFER A SHOT INSTEAD OF TABLETS OR POWDER? This Hair Vitamins with Biotin, Keratin, Zinc, B12, MSM, Vitamin E and C , has a Higher Absorption rate than Tablets or Powder – Liquid Skin, Nails, Hair Growth Supplement for Women and Men
HEALTHY, STRONGER, THICKER LOOKING HAIR – Your hair’s health doesn’t only depend on genetics. Nutrition can help promote healthy hair too. Pro Hair Clinical Formula is a nutrient dense supplement that works hard to promote healthy hair using the power of total body nutrition.
HEALTHY SKIN, HAIR GROWTH FORMULA – Pro Hair beauty shots, work with your body to target hair issues from different angles. We help you get the necessary nutrients for gorgeous volume, incredible shine, and rejuvenated health. Works on all hair types.
INGREDIENTS HELP SUPPORT IMMUNE HEALTH – These naturally derived hair-supporting beauty shots contain immunity-supporting vitamins and minerals, that support healthy hair through whole-body wellness. With immune-supporting properties & nutrients like Zinc, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Selenium, MSM, and Hyaluronic Acid, each hair-supporting ingredient was chosen for its benefits to help keep you healthy on the inside. Creating the ideal canvas to promote healthy skin, hair, nails starting from within
Packed with effective ingredients
FEEL THE CLEAN DIFFERENCE: We’ve left out the fillers, harsh preservatives & artificial ingredients in favour of natural, powerhouse ingredients that work wonders for boosting your beauty from the inside out.
♥ How to use: Take one shot daily after breakfast or with your main meal. Drink straight or mix with water, soft drink or smoothie. Be consistent and commit using daily for at least three months. Suitable for Vegan and Vegetarian diet.
5X HIGHER ABSORPTION RATE – Liquid Vitamins go straight into your bloodstream and therefore are absorbed between 90-95% by the body as compared to pills or capsules which are only absorbed about 18%. Stop wasting your money on inferior products and give liquid vitamins a chance. Live Life Better.
Hair Vitamins with Biotin, Keratin, Zinc, B12, MSM, Vitamin E and C High Absorption than Tablets or Powder – Liquid Skin, Nails, Hair Growth Supplement for Women and Men
Click to View our Top Hair care Products to help with Hair Loss, Thin Hair or Damaged Hair. Get a Healthier, Stronger and Faster Growing Hair from Need a Hair Makeover Hair Extensions & Hair-loss Recommenations
3. About this item Hair Burst
For Everyone – Whether you have fine, thin, medium, coarse, dry, sleek, straight or wavy hair, Hairburst is for you!
Perfect Starting Point – This Hairburst bundle contains everything you need to to start the journey to getting that stronger, longer and healthier hair you have always wanted. Hair Burst Shampoo & Conditioner for Healthier Hair http://amzn.to/3kAlovK
Hair Growth – Hairburst Supplements are the best hair growth vitamins on the market. They contain 26 Premium vitamins and minerals to achieve Faster hair growth
Hair Resistance – Hairburst shampoo & conditioner will reduce hair breakage & strengthen your hair for thicker and faster growth!
All Natural – Our vitamins contain an infusion of vitamins A, C & D with Minerals, Calcium, Zinc, MSM and Collagen, Biotin and Silica and Folic and Pantothenic Acid. Our shampoo is SLS & Paraben free!
Hair Burst Shampoo & Conditioner and Chewable Vitamins for Healthier Hair Price £44.00 Prime 1 day delivery
4. About this item Pro Hair
Dreaming of long, thick brows, lashes and Beard?
Want stronger, healthier hair? Looking to accelerate hair growth and fight hair loss?
ProHair is the answer!
• Promotes hair growth
• Increases hair thickness
• Decreases hair shedding
• Prevents balding
• Enhances brows and lashes
No more false eyelashes, eyelash growth serum or greasy vitamin e oil
Grow long, thick natural eyelashes
Beauty from within
3 Minerals Ensure Your Hair Is Healthy and Strong:
• Biotin improves the keratin infrastructure – a protein that makes up hair, skin and nails
• Zinc accelerates hair follicle recovery
• Selenium keeps hair dandruff-free and reduces flakes, itching, scalp redness and irritation
What’s more, our formula can also enhance your brows and lashes!
【EFFECTIVE HAIR GROWTH】 – ProHair hair growth biotin supplements for men and women are specially formulated with added biotin, zinc and selenium to improve hair structure and accelerate hair growth including brows, lashes and beard! Fuller, shinier hair and longer, thicker eyelashes
【PROHAIR CONTAIN】 a unique blend of biotin, zinc and selenium to accelerate hair growth and decrease hair shedding – the most potent combination for hair growth, and beautiful skin and nails
【2 MONTH SUPPLY】We have stacked the value even further: You will receive 60 biotin tablets for a FULL 2 MONTH SUPPLY. No need to reorder for another 2 months
【HAIR VITAMINS MANUFACTURED】 in a GMP facility in the UK, GLUTEN free and VEGETARIAN friendly
【MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!】 If you’re not absolutely delighted with our product for any reason we will refund your money
Dreaming of long, thick brows, lashes and Beard? Hair Pro Supplements might just be the product for you. Contains 3 Minerals to Ensure Your Hair Is Healthy and Strong
Great Value for a complete all round hair treatment
NUTRIENT DENSE: Sheabeutimia Anti-Hair Loss System for Stronger, Thicker & Manageable Hair Contains ethically and tested ingredients that Stimulate Hair Growth to Reduce Thinning, Stunted Growth, Activate the follicles and Nourish the hair. Our products are full of 50+ nutrient rich ingredients; MSM, horsetail, nettle, bamboo extract, castor oil, amla, calendula, Love and many more. All products are PH balanced. Results may vary** Great Val’s Day Gift.
• GENTLE CLEANSE: Our Gentle Conditioning Shampoo cleanses and moisturises the scalp & hair without stripping it off its natural oils. This Sulphate Free Shampoo targets dandruff and dry scaly scalp. STIMULATE THE HAIR GROWTH (Oil): Formulated with 100% natural oils and herbs that strengthens the hair follicles to promote hair growth. It targets alopecia areata, bald spots and general hair loss. Formulated and enriched with ayurvedic herbs and active stimulating ingredients.
• MOISTURISE & PROTECT HAIR: Our Moisturising Conditioner aids with moisture retention to protect and moisturise dry, dull hair. It has anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties thus good for sensitive and irritated scalp conditions. It helps to strengthen, protect, and smoothen the hair. Reduces static build-up, restores shine and lustre. Great gift set for women, men, Mother’s Day, Birthdays, Easter etc. “Add to Cart” to order your pack today.
• DETANGLER & HAIR IMPROVEMENT: Sheabeutimia Leave In Conditioner is Natural Handmade like all our other products. It is designed to seal the hair cuticles and give it sheen thereby preventing hair breakage. Good news for Adults and Kids! It Super Moisturises, Softens, tackles brittle and dry hair. It is a wonderful detangler for easily tangled, knotted & matted hair. Safe For Kids Too, No Nasties!
• OUR PROMISE TO YOU: We are so confident of the quality of our premium quality hair products that we offer 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you are unhappy in any way, contact us directly. Plus, we donate a percentage of our profits to Orthopedic Training Centre (OTC), a charity in West Africa, where mainly children with leg deformities, spinal, neck and lower back problems are treated. • Grow Me Thinning Hair Home treatment Set
Congratulations to Diane Shawe for becoming one of the 2023 Start Up Awards Finalists for her Shoppers Discount Club Business.
All of the finalists this year represent the best of those entrepreneurs who have spotted an opportunity and through their sheer hard work, talent and perseverance, have created an amazing new business that is creating real impact in its sector.”
About StartUp Awards
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