Setting you and your business free for growth

From Cally Robson, Coach & Founder, She's Ingenious!...

I had a flash of insight the other day. I was writing tips on how to get investment in a business, and why most women have real trouble with it. The issue is, we women tend to set up "lifestyle" businesses as coaches, therapists, consultants, book-keepers, VAs etc, - but no-one's pointing out a fundamental truth. These businesses turn out to be very time consuming and barely profitible, rarely delivering the lifestyle flexibility we're looking for. And certainly not scaleable or investable. So at April's WiRE conference I'll be launching my new workshop - Productize! - about creating profitable products that set you AND your business free. If you're setting out in business, or finding yourself stuck in one where something's just not working, I'll see you there. :)Cally

Tips For Everyone     20 Hot Areas To Design And Invent Products For Cally Robson You know you'd like to invent a new product, but you're not sure what will sell? Here are 20 suggestions for consumer product categories that are hungry for innovative ideas . . . keep reading     3 Simple Tips For Product Success Lisa Irlam interviewed by Cally Robson Lisa Irlam, inventor of the Pool-Mate, gives us her quick tips that have led to the lap counter for swimmers being a sell-out success. Her tips on pricing and margins, working with your customers, and being flexible in planning, are spot on for any new product . . . keep reading   Members-Only Highlights...     Blueprint For A Profitable Product - The Pool-Mate Success Story Meeting audio & summary Lisa Irlam, inventor of the Pool-Mate watch and computer for swimmers, applied her insights from her career as an electronics product development manager and now has a sell-out product. Listen to Lisa's full story and you've got a blueprint for developing your own product and taking it to market successfully. . . . keep reading    Mandy Haberman - Handling The Risks Of Launching A New Product Webinar slides & audio Mandy Haberman, inventor of the Anywayup Cup, is well known for taking on the industry giant who launched a copy of her patented non-spill drinking cup. Not a risk taker by nature, Mandy shares the story of the Anywayup Cup and some insights she has gained about launching a new product . . . keep reading   The 8 First Steps To Getting A New Product Idea Or Invention Off The Ground Teleseminar recording by Cally Robson For new members, it's worth highlighting this article again... Most people spend money prototyping and protecting ownership of their new idea or innovative design before they've covered the basics. Follow these 8 simple steps and you'll save yourself a lot of time and cash. . . . keep reading   From the She's Ingenious! Forum... * Elaine shares her success in getting the BIKEBACK shortlisted by Habitat in BBC2's new series The Buying Game * Bud wants to know how to go about getting a prototype for her product * Belinda wants to know if there is an alternative to registering a company through Companies House * Sumangat is looking for an experienced designer/manufacturer of childrens clothes   Next Mentoring Clinic for Members (Phone or Web) (30 March 10am, 14 April 8.30pm) Need some signposting? Or a sounding board? Want to unravel a dilemma? Or do you just want to connect with other women like you? These groups calls are run regularly for Members only. Get details for the next scheduled call and sign up for reminders... keep reading   Help Needed As www.shesingenious.org gets busier, I'm looking for someone to help edit and annotate interviews and recordings in return for free membership. A great way to learn about developing new products, plus get some new skills with Web 2.0 content. Interested? email me atcallyrobson@shesingenious.org  and tell me a bit about yourself and why you're interested.   QUOTE "Establishing a business is like growing a seed...it will take care and constant attention but if you put in the hard work, the Universe makes sure that every step you take draws you closer to where you want to be." Amaka Olateju, Founder, WuChi by Maks

Spotlight Events     Meet-up At The British Library: Turning A Product Into A Web Business. (23 March 2010, 11am) Move quick with this one. SEO expert, and owner of a number of online businesses, Alison Rothwell, will be telling us the essentials to know BEFORE searching out a web designer. Make sure you don't make the common mistakes that mean you pay too much and your website never really works for you. Only a couple of places left (though it will be recorded for Members) more info > > >     Productize! Creating Profitable Products That Free Your Business For Growth (WiRE Conference, 22 April 2010) Join this special She's Ingenious! workshop at the Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) national conference to find out how product creation, both real consumer products and digital products, can turn anyone's skills and know-how into a business that grows without gobbling you up   more info > > >     Meet-up: Developing Organic & Ethical Skincare Products As A Business, 25 May 2010 At the May She's Ingenious! meeting, guest speaker Amaka Olateju will share the story of Wuchi by Maks, her range of award-winning organic and ethical products that sells through wholesalers, online retailers and her own websitemore info > > >     Follow me on Twitter for loads more tips and alerts I can't keep up with in this newsletter!   I love your feedback: callyrobson@shesingenious.org