Harland Accountants’ Deborah Edwards embraces social media to share some top business tips from leading local entrepreneurs
We were pleased to be invited to the Ignite Cornwall business plan competition awards in May and were blown away by the level of energy and innovation on show by the fledgling businesses that evening.
Cornwall has always been a melting pot of creative ideas and entrepreneurs who have never shyed away from embracing technology in the fight for progress and prosperity.
One such technology, the Internet, has forged a new frontier of communication, networking opportunities and cross-fertilisation of ideas that has been particularly relevant for rural areas like Cornwall.
So with a sprinkling of irony as you read this on paper, I have asked six home-grown entrepreneurs to ‘Tweet’ me (in 140 characters or less) their business secrets in homage to that Internet social and business networking phenomenon Twitter, where users broadcast everything from the mundane to blow by blow accounts of uprisings and revolutions.
What advice have our business experts Tweeted?
“Get the right folk on board and trust them to do what you got them in to do.” Tom Kay, managing director – Finisterre online retailers
“Continually invest in your website. Don’t just assume that once it’s done and up that people will come and keep coming.” Rosie Houghton, partner – Illustrated Living, Lemon Street Market, Truro & online
“Be organised and committed. Be brave. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. And learn from experience.” Lisa Malone, partner – Zodiac Interiors, Newquay
“Be adaptable & be in the right market; one that you are passionate about. The passion will pass on to your employees & your customers.” Jen Hallinan, Director – Uneeka Ltd, shops in Boscawen Street, Truro & online
“When I started growing organic fruit and vegetables I was sure of my market before I began” Tom Petherick, journalist and gardener – Petherick, Urquhart and Hunt
“It is essential in this climate to innovate, customers want stimulation and excitement in the retail environment “ Angie Coombes, general manager – Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel
There you have it, in 140 characters or less straight from those who have walked the walk, demonstrating the resilience, flexibility and foresight that makes Cornwall such a great place to do business.
As small business accountants, we see many businesses evolve through the various stages of the business life cycle and are proud to support them. If we had to sum up our Tweet for success, we would say “Keep an eye on your finances. Know your costs, how much money you need personally from your business. Treat this as an expense.”
Talking of evolution, an early Tweet from Charles Darwin is must for all businesses: “In the struggle for survival, the fittest win because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment.”
And from little acorns do Mighty Oaks grow…. Let Harland Accountants help you grow. Call us now on Newquay 08453 883 274, St. Austell 01726 74573 or Falmouth 01326 319191 for a noobligation discussion.
This article first appeared in the August/September 2011 issue of Business Cornwall magazine
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