A Baker's Dozen of Business Startup Tips

When I started this blog I wanted to share some of my journey with you as well as some of my insights into planning, setting up and running your own business. With things moving at a whirlwind pace for the The London Assembly, here are a few tips to get you started...

1. Talk about your business idea to everyone you meet. If you're passionate about it you won't bore them and you won't bore yourself.

2. Research every aspect of your business concept. Everything you learn will aid you even if it's just a "oh I already knew that" confidence boost

3. Read, read and then read a bit more. Why? see above!

4. Get as fit and as healthy as possible. this will make everything else just a little bit easier.

5. Learn to listen, you might just learn something you didn't know you needed to know.

6. Ask for help. The ability to get other people involved in your plans will be beneficial

7. BUT ask the right people the right questions and don't force people to get involved.

8. Take time out to totally switch off. I always come up with the most innovative ideas when I'm going for a walk or taking a bath ;-)

9. Plan, plan and then plan a bit more

10. Be consistant. Once you have defined your vision, your brand and your company values then follow it through with everything you do.

11. Work out what you're best at and become and expert, find out what you're worst at, learn about it and then delegate.

12. Make sure there is someone, indeed preferably a large amount of people who will actually buy into your idea!

and finally... Define your idea, create a vision and then focus on manageable time orientated goals.


Hope you find that helpful? Let me know...

Bis Gleich,
xx
A

Baker's Dozen Series: Part1 Interview with Amy Silberzahn

A Baker's Dozen Series

What: Interview Part 1
Who: Amy Ogundehin-Silberzahn
Where: Currently: Berlin, Germany

It seemed unfair to ask other people to answer questions without trying them out myself first so please find below Part1 of my interview with myself.

Why: Creative Director of The London Assembly Retail and Creative space, Lifestyle blogger, Style and travel enthusiast.

1. Can you sum up your career to date in one/two sentences?

My career to date is an eclectic multitude of creative and business projects, now coming together in concept in Frankfurt, Germany. I have run my own fashion label that sold across London, to Paris and LA, worked in Fashion PR & Magazines, as a Business English Language Trainer, a Sous Chef and as an Investment Banking Team Assistant.

2. Who have been the most influential or inspiring people during your life?

Influential, I guess my family, my sisters are very successful in their careers and I find that very inspiring, I’m immensely proud of their achievements. I ran my first company with huge practical support from my parents and will never forget their constant belief and faith in me and my vision.

Outside of my family, I would say Caroline Baker who was my first proper fashion boss at the Mail on Sunday, You Magazine. She told me to go for it with my own label because I had nothing to lose and I love her for that.

I always have a plan B but that attitude; ‘what’s the worse that could happen’ looked at positively has helped me to try to live in the moment and follow my instincts.

My sisters and I on my civil wedding day

3. What were the last 3 books or films you watched?

A TV series called Fringe with the H – Fringe science is all the really fascinating alternative side of science like telekinesis, teleportation etc. It’s the cause of a few scary dreams but I love how it makes you think about all the weird possibilities the combination of science and imagination can throw up.

Books:  I am currently reading Erotic Stories written by women published by penguin as an antidote to last years 50shades rubbish and I've just started a business book entitled "How to set up & run a fashion label" by Toby Meadows which was a gift from my best friend. I love to read and at the moment am trying to absorb as much business literature as possible!

4. Which three places would you recommend as a must visit and where are you heading next?

Costa Rica

I visited Istanbul last year which was incredible as it is such a vibrant city of youthful energy combined with culture and history. The biggest trips I have made to date were to Costa Rica which was just beautiful and of course Australia oluremi-imerulo.blogspot.de: An-Aussie-Adventure-Parts-1-4 which is a fascinating, huge and diverse country.  Next up I would like to do a long weekend in New York, check out Berlin, revisit Amsterdam and explore Russia.

5. Name the creative and business people that you most admire?

Kaisa Larkas Mossop springs to mine, we went to university together and now she is a wonderful wife and the mother of three beautiful children, a personal trainer, a journalist and successful blogger. http://kaisalarkas.com/ Last year she opened a fashion boutique that just made the Drapers Record top 100 Inspiring Indies list! Impressive, slightly intimidating but definitly inspiring! popthefashionstore.com

6. If you could have something made bespoke just for you, what would it be and who would make it?

I think a beautiful piece of furniture would be pretty amazing, something like an incredible desk that would be used all the time and loved. Not sure by who though, I think it would be great to commission a new design graduate, giving them some funds and encouragement to keep going. It's hard to survive in the creative world.

An example of a beautiful desk- Airia by Herman Miller

come back shortly for part 2 of my interview with myself!