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.
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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
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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
A local Dudley salon owner has been nominated for the third year running as a finalist in not one or two but five categories. Dudley is going through a major investment makeover and retailers are feeling the buzz coming back to Dudley.
Need a Hair Makeover Hair Extensions & Hairloss Specialist Salons were overall winners in two categories for the 2020 most coveted prizes. 1. Best hair Extension Salon West Midlands and 2. Best creative image.
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Now Need a Hair Makeover Hair Extensions and Hairloss Specialist Salon West Midlands has been announced as finalist in five categories for the Salon Awards 2021.
Best Salon Best Customer Experience Best Salon for Hair Extensions Best Refurbished Salon Best creative Image
The salon which is renowned locally, now awaits the awards ceremony in November 2021, to see if they have been crowned the overall category winner.
We loved dong Freda’s 40’s makeover one of our regular clients
Need a Hair Makeover Hair Extensions and Hairloss Specialist Salon impressed the judge’s thanks to its commitment to meeting customer needs, making their mark as an established business locally, providing an exceptional range of hair extensions and disguising hairloss techniques to clients and for their exception salon design and interiors.
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Commenting on the result, Diane the owner said; “To be named as a finalist in not just one but five categories for the third year highlights how hardworking and commitment can pay off. With hundreds of entries for each category and a panel of judges that excel at looking for the finer details, just to make the shortlist is an outstanding achievement. What also makes it more important is the fact that we have also had to deal with a pandemic and closure.”
The Salon Awards celebrate and acknowledge the success of the most creative, dynamic and innovative hair salons, hairdressers and barbers across the country through county awards events.
As a hair industry professional, these businesses are part one of the most exciting business sectors, and this is an opportunity to be recognised professionally for the great work that they do in there home county.
To find out more about their services products and what they won visit:
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Recurring billing, client retainers, and real-time reports into your small business’s health and accounts? FreshBooks not only does it all, but comes in a range of affordable pricing tiers to cater to growing small businesses. Starting at £4.40
Ember – An Accounting Solution To Scale With Your Startup
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (651)
Automated filing, tax optimisations, easy invoicing, and more, Ember powers your SME’s potential, with chartered accountants on hand to help you manage your finances with ease. Run your business – we’ll take care of the rest. £39.00 monthly
QuickBooks smart, simple, HMRC-recognised software helps you focus on running your business. Manage taxes, cash flow, invoicing and payroll, all in one place. There’s no contract and award-winning UK-based support is free. Starting at £6.00
Excellent Trustpilot reviews! Clearbooks gives you Invoicing, Purchasing & Financial Tracking. You’ll get a cross-section of your company’s accounts. Search, sort, and filter your supplier and purchase data, and share it easily! Starting at £9.60
Sage’s industry-leading software caters to a customer base of over six million. But go back to 1981, and Sage had just begun life in a basement, focusing solely on – you guessed accounting software. £12.00 monthly
A lot of people refer to them as Influencers today but here’s a little secret that can help you raise your status or even attract funding to help you successfully grow your business, So what’s the secret? find and leverage mentors and advisors.
You might think this is odd and not doable, but think about it, this is a win win senerio.
So, who or what are advisors?
Advisors are successful people that you respect and that agree to help your company. Advisors are generally successful and/or retired executives, business owners, service providers, professors, or others that could help your business.
Advisors generally will not cost you any money (you don’t pay them), although I do recommend giving them stock options to incentivise them to contribute as much as possible. But one of the benefits to them is that they also need referrals and new clients.
Getting advisors is not a requirement for raising money, but they have multiple benefits as follows:
Practice: if you can’t successfully pitch an advisor to invest time in your business, then you’re not going to successfully pitch anyone to invest money in your business. So, practice your pitch on prospective advisors first, and use that practice to perfect it.
Connectionsto capital and more: as successful individuals, advisors often have the ability to invest directly in your company; and/or they tend to have large, high quality networks of individuals they can introduce you to. Likewise the right mentors and advisors can connect you with key strategic partners, employees and customers.
Credibility: having quality advisors gives your company instant credibility in the eyes of investors, partners, customers, etc., can build enormous credibility.
Operational success: Having Advisors with whom you can discuss key business matters as you grow your venture will help ensure you make the right decisions, particularly if they have encountered and dealt with the same challenges already in their careers.
We assist startups or established businesses to generate a business plan and projections. We then help them to raise any finaces to help setup or expand their business.
Threading in the UK has become a very popular treatment with a few tips and ideas you could benefit from starting your very own eyebrow and threading business.
There is a huge potential for earning good money as a self employed beauty therapist offering eyebrow threading as a service.
Look at most salons and even shopping Malls these days and they have signs for threading in their windows. Look inside a salon and you will nearly always see them busy.
Customers don’t usually need to make an appointment, they just walk in and wait or get it done after they have had there other beauty treatments.
There has never been a better time to Start your own Threading business from home. Working on your own gives you the opportunity to work your own hours with much more flexibility and freedom then being tied down in a salon.
What’s more you can actually out sell salons with your threading service and make even more money than they do.
1. You can offer very flexible hours.
Working on your own you can offer treatments at unsociable hours such as evenings or weekends. Just think how limited salon opening times are…
2. You can offer discounted rates.
A salon has huge overheads – staff, rent, heating etc, you can operate at very little cost and undercut salon prices hence making your threading prices very attractive. Eyebrow Threading is an ancient art with MODEST earning potential
3. You can offer a mobile service.
Clients love it when you can offer your threading treatments in their own home. Just think of the business mobile hairdressers get. Many people don’t want to visit a salon – they may have work commitments, young children, don’t drive. There are many reasons why people can’t get to a salon and offering a mobile threading service is a superb way to make good money.
Setting up a Threading business is not expensive. Although you should always buy the very best equipment, threading kits, tools and thread is very cheap.
You will have very little over heads, think what would you use for a client? A little talk, some wipes and a few metres of thread. These products will hardly break the bank expenses wise so your profits margins are very high.
The best place to start is to get some threading training.
DOWNLOAD COURSE INFO
1 Day Training Course
A decent accredited Threading courses cost under £200 and be booked on this site with a credit card or even Paypal. The price to train is very little compared to other similar industries. A hairdressing course would cost you £1000’s. You can learn eyebrow threading in just one day with our One Day Professional Threading Course Workshop. Combined with a practice and guidance, you ready to go… A Hairdresser trains for months if not years before they can offer their art for profit.
Once you’re trained getting business can be quite easy. Start of by printing or writing some adverts with your details and phone number. Stick these up in your local shops, post office or Supermarket. Chip shops surprisingly do well as people stand in the queue and read everything! Most places charge a just couple of pounds a week.
You local newspaper classified can be a good place to put a small add.
Currently some local paper charge £25 for 6 lines of text. You can also try your local supermarkets notice board, local salon, church, women’s group the list goes on.
Also place averts in online directories so people can find you when they search online. Gumtree and facebook market places are also good avenues.
The best way to advertise these days is to get a small website built. Most people search on the internet for what they need and a nicely designed webpage can be a great source of clients. Get in touch with us if you want a cheap website, we know a man who can!
Once you get a few clients, word of mouth of is by far the best advert for your services and if you do a good job word gets round quickly and you’ll soon be booked up with peoples mums, sister, aunts, uncles?? calling you.
So, put in basic terms, threading training is fast and cheap, materials are cheap and you can start your business in a short space of time with very little outlay. Threading is a perfect business model
It’s hard to be excited when talking about today’s coronavirus pandemic, when millions of people have been infected.
However, various research around the UK like GoDaddy shows the coronavirus pandemic has been a massive boon to entrepreneurship. And this could help our economy both recover and thrive for years to come.
But while jobs have suffered, new micro business startups have skyrocketed.
The government commendably offered a number of startups and etablished busiesses a lifeline at the peak of the crisis, but despite the slowly improving funding picture, we are now starting to see the pent-up effect of the pandemic on UK businesses.
Government support has artificially kept companies afloat and delayed the true impact. but with the second lockdown to non essential businesses we are only now starting to see more severe damage to UK businesses that could puts the survival of an entire bricks and mortar business generation of innovative companies at risk.
Learn how to start a online business properly
Will the Start Up Trends in 2020 continue through 2021?
A survey of 1,000 GoDaddy customers found 15 per cent of new UK entrepreneurs had made the leap due to job loss or furlough
UK workers have been turning to starting their own companies in unprecedented numbers as fears over job security have spurred a new wave of entrepreneurs.
The “State of the Nation” review, compiled by the group GoDaddy, showed there had been a 14 per cent increase in micro-businesses, start-ups with nine or fewer employees. They have experienced a 62 per cent increase in new UK customers and this is only one domain provider.
How many people actually have any desire at all to become the start ups of tomorrow?
There are, on average, 18,100 searches per month in Google UK for “how to start a business” based on data from kwfinder.com
This has surged in recent months with Google Trends predicting that January 2020 will demonstrate the highest number of searches since records began in 2004 for this query in the UK (by quite some way)
We are witnessing a few interesting events. “First, we are seeing unemployed workers starting their own businesses. Realising they need to be responsible for their own financial destinies, these micro entrepreneurs are opting out of the traditional workforce to start their own companies. Secondly, we are seeing virtual employees launching their own businesses.”
With 96 per cent of all UK enterprises identified as “micro-businesses” this sector could play a key role supporting an economic recovery.
With regards to the latter trend, Diane says “I think the mindset for many has become ‘if I’m going to ditch the office, why not ditch the boss too?” And many new work-from-home employees have now gained one to three hours per day as their commutes have been eliminated. Some have been using this time to develop their business plans and launch their own online companies.”
The GoDaddy Figures also revealed encouraging levels of confidence and resilience – 85 per cent were confident that their businesses would continue, with third of these expecting their businesses to thrive.
This was supported by 70 per cent who believed their businesses would recover fully within 12 months.
This was despite 38 per cent of the UK’s smallest businesses being forced to close on temporarily, and almost three-quarters having lost revenue (72 per cent), due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Micro-businesses also still planned to keep up business spending, with 29 per cent confirming that they would continue to invest in their ventures and one in 10 planning to invest more in the companies over the next three to five years
“Government initiatives alone are not sufficient to support startups most in need of funding and cashflow in the current economic climate. It’s possibly the growth of micro businesses that will provide the innovation and jobs that will drive the UK’s economic recovery, and they need urgent support.”
You can use Laybuy to pay for your courses
So How Can We Help and What is our Advice?
Don’t rush into anything because you could possible Get Scammed! If you want to start and grow a profitable online business then we recommend you take a quick course on ‘Starting a Online Business’. Without going over board you NEED to consume and LEARN every page of this work book.
Within the pages of this work book is the blueprint to building an online business from scratch…Its CPD accredited so this is proof!
And we’ve laid it out as easy as possible…even 11 year olds can follow along! (and by the way there is a growing number of online child millionaires)
So if you want to
• learn the correct way, • Explode your knowledge, • Learn how to Find a niche, • Learn how to Evaluate market viability, • Learn how to Conduct market research, • Learn how to Conduct competitive analysis, • Learn online business laws, • Learn how to Analyse your target market, • Learn how to source products • Learn how to choose the right ecommerce platform And more…
By following the strategy outlined in each module – you’ll learn how to launch and grow an organic profitable online business with minimal risk!
I know it sounds too good to be true…
But you’ll see why once you devour our work book course, (Which has to be done in 4 weeks with an accredited certificate to follow) you can begin setting up a website, mobile presence, and storefront and give your visiting clients confidence that you truly prepared for your new micro business. Click to enrol http://bit.ly/3fc4nnR
So if your thinking of setting up a online business, learn everything you need to know Plan to succeed so you don’t end up in the online business startup graveyard.
ABOUT VIRTUAL PERSONAL ASSISTANCESERVICE
We provide a suite of services for Small and Medium size businesses to help them Setup or expand by learning, executing a business plan for focus, raising finance and market tools like an effective google verified website and introducing artificial intelligence chatbots to generate quality business leads. We think of ourselves as your Virtual Personal Assistance who will help streamline your business development.
Looking for help to get a job or promotion, start a business or market your business effectively. check out our range of services http://bit.ly/3jObWBL
About Diane Shawe
Get my books on Amazon or Google Books
Diane Shawe is author of several books on Amazon and Google Books.
The traditional belief that we must prepare ourselves to be ‘employable’ is under threat. The counter argument encourages us to ‘gear up’ for earning our own money, rather than seeing income as someone else’s responsibility. Get your copy today. http://amzn.to/3945Njd
Covid 19 is changing the way many think about work
A quick and clickable overview during Covid 19 Pandemic 2020
When and where to wear a face covering
There are some places where you must wear a face covering by law. Different rules exist in different parts of the UK about which you can find out more on the relevant regional websites:
In England, you must wear a face covering in the following indoor settings (a list of examples for each is included in the brackets):
public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams and buses)
taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs)
transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
shops and supermarkets (places which offer goods or services for retail sale or hire)
shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)
auction houses
premises providing hospitality (bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes), except when seated at a table to eat or drink (see exemptions) from 24 September
post offices, banks, building societies, high-street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage centres, tattoo and piercing parlours)
premises providing veterinary services
visitor attractions and entertainment venues (museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, cultural and heritage sites, aquariums, indoor zoos and visitor farms, bingo halls, amusement arcades, adventure activity centres, indoor sports stadiums, funfairs, theme parks, casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas including soft-play areas)
libraries and public reading rooms
places of worship
funeral service providers (funeral homes, crematoria and burial ground chapels)
community centres, youth centres and social clubs
exhibition halls and conference centres
public areas in hotels and hostels
storage and distribution facilities
You are expected to wear a face covering before entering any of these settings and must keep it on until you leave unless there is a reasonable excuse for removing it. More detailed advice on the application of these requirements in different settings can be found in the government’s guidance for working safely.
You should also wear a face covering in indoor places not listed here where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
Face coverings are needed in NHS settings, including hospitals and primary or community care settings, such as GP surgeries. They are also advised to be worn in care homes.
Enforcement measures for failing to comply with this law
Premises where face coverings are required should take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law.
The police can take measures if members of the public do not comply with this law without a valid exemption and transport operators can deny access to their public transport services if a passenger is not wearing a face covering, or direct them to wear one or leave a service.
If necessary, the police and Transport for London (TfL) officers have enforcement powers including issuing fines. From 24 September this will be £200 (reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days) for the first offence.
Repeat offenders receiving fines on public transport or in an indoor setting will have their fines doubled at each offence.
After the first offence, there will be no discount. For example, receiving a second fine will amount to £400 and a third fine will be £800, up to a maximum value of £6,400.
Posted onMarch 25, 2020|Comments Off on So you think your kids won’t like cooking? Try this beef Patties recipe today.
Beef Patties are perfect for a snack, Appetiser, kids lunch bags, game nights and any occasion. Help them eat healthy whilst they are off school and stay entertained.
There are several components to this so you could delegate tasks.
I know it might be easier to let them vegitate on their play stations, but I recommend getting them involved so you dont burn out mentally, emotionally, physically or spiritually.
You can buy a pack of mince meat and let it go far. Great for freezing.
Ingredients
1 lb of mince beef
1 (8 oz) can of sweet green peas
2 beef bouillon
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 yellow onion minced finely
2 tbsp fresh chopped thyme
4-6 small fresh peppers if you like them spicy or just a prince of black pepper.
3 tbsp finely minced celery leaves
2 blades of scallion minced
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Egg wash(consisting of 1 egg beaten and 1 tbsp water)
Pastry Dough (you can buy ready made dough) or
3 cups of flour
1 ½ sticks or 12 tbsp of cold butter
1/4 cup of shortening or vegetable oil
1 tspn salt
8 tbsps of iced water
Instructions
Sift flour and salt in a large mixing bowl
Dice butter into tiny cubes and add
Add shortening or vegetable oil
Use fingertips to mix together
Add cold water one tbspn at a time
or until all dry ingredients has
been absorbed
Mold into a ball, wrap in plastic
Refrigerate for 30 minutes before
using
Method
Season meat with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce,
onion, allspice, pepper, and coriander
In a skillet, add oil and heat then add meat and bouillon
Saute on high heat or 2 minutes
Add thyme, sweet green peas, and continue to cook for 1 minute
Remove immediately in order to have a half cooked meat mixture
Bring to room temperature
Add scallions and celery leaves and incorporate using a spatula
Roll out pastry dough and cut rounds using a biscuit cutter
Fill center with approximately 1 ½ tbsp meat filling
Brush egg wash around the edges, top with another round of pastry dough
Press to seal edges with fingers, then use a fork to create indentations on edge
This will create a nice finish
Finally, prick the top with a fork, and baste with egg wash
Place on a greased flat sheet pan, and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes
All about On Demand Courses-Hair Extensions and Franchise Opportunity by Diane Shawe 
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