zipsafe

We sell Fairtrade cotton valuables bags to schools which children can personalise (Sheffield company). We could provide your school with some bags on a sale or return basis. If you're interested e-mail info @ zipsafe.co.uk and we can get some out to you in the post. Great to see people getting ready for Fairtrade fortnight!

I've seen lots of posts about selling a business, but has anyone actually used services such as businessesforsale.com or Daltons to sell one? I'm looking at selling my business due to work commitments (I was part time when I started now am full time). Although there is no substantial turnover to date (due really to lack of promotion due to lack of time!), the company has a website, approval to use the Fairtrade logo from the Fairtrade Foundation and a trademark for the word 'ZipSafe' with regards to bags. The company is limited with VAT registration. The business's main market is selling to schools and ideally would need someone established in the area to take it on. Would anyone have any thoughts on the best avenue to go down? My first look at businessesforsale.com brings up loads of adverts trying to sell Amazon store sites, lots of 'earn a passive income' sites. Would an advert for a physical internet business get lost within all this?

The Workstation offered telephone answering. They have more packages than Burton Street. Burton Street is a desk and a pigeon hole for your post - very basic. Different businesses suit different places. The Workstation is full of media type businesses. There is the Showroom cafe but little chance to mingle as the cafe is open to the general public. With Burton Street the cafe is used a lot by community groups - there are many posters of various projects. For some businesses setting up at Burton Street would be great - offer discount to all the groups there, become their first port of call for flyers, leaflets, web design etc.

There are many hot desk schemes but Burton Street and Workstation are the only reasonably priced ones. At the Workstation you are only allowed in the Creative Lounge and other tenants are in their offices (not much chance to mingle). Burton Street has it's own cafe and gym - you'll meet lots of people. As I said - there is a hive of activity at Burton Street - many community groups all of whom need websites, graphic design for leaflets etc - it would be a very wise move for a website developer / designer etc.

What is it that you do?

I have been using Workstation and they launched a rent-a-desk scheme called Creative Lounge at the start of the year. Prices vary depending how many hours of desk time you want, from around £20 a month upwards. You have the option of a phone number and the reception staff will answer calls in your company name and take messages. It's not busy at the moment but should pick up once more people know about it. Other option is Burton Street Project - they have a rent a desk scheme. That could be a good place for a web developer - community groups / clubs are always after websites to promote activities.

Hi Jayne, Schools are very good at paying on time. Normal terms are 30 days. Are they state or private schools. Adding to the above - with the end of the tax year everything will have been gone through with a toothpick, all payments accounted for. Something doesn't sound right.

I don't think Burger Vans do as well as they used to, places like Subway and McDonalds now open until 2am/3am sometimes. Why buy from a van when you can sit down and chat in the warmth? Maybe look into getting a car boot pitch? Vans there do roaring trades in bacon / sausage butties and coffee.

How about doing a different event each month? Networking should be about meeting new people, and we are all capable of organising an event, turning up and introducing ourselves. Those who can't do that pay someone else to do it for them. At the end of the day we are a group of Sheffield Businesses and we should have events where we get to know each other and support each other. The events are about us and should remove the typical scenario of bank 'consultants' attending networking meetings trying to get you to switch bank accounts. So what about a pub night (as we have already done); bowling night; dinner night; quiz night etc. In the summer we could do a BBQ. Doesn't always have to be a Tuesday night - at a next meeting someone would just need to set a calendar of dates for the next few months and distribute to people - let them choose which events they want to attend.

Sad about SCEDU - they are great A social enterprise is just like any other business, the only difference being the profits go back to the business instead of to the shareholders. I've been on a quite a few social enterprise events and the number one issue is funding. There are loads of people with great ideas, but they need seed money to start and devote time to the project. A social enterprise takes time to build up and it is very difficult to have a job and try to start a social enterprise at the same time. The aim is to become sustainable and generate enough profit each year. So much money is being spent on telling people how to become social enterprises but not enough is available to actually make it a reality. This is why I would contact UnLtd and Striding Out - they are more clued up than Business Link in my opinion. With regards to Jayne - would you consider changing the training company to a social enterprise? Any profits from your training could be used to fund Asperger's awareness activities, fund projects for kids etc. This would be a big selling point when selling the training to providers.

Hi Jayne, I think it sounds a good idea. You could go down the route later on of donating 10% of profits from the training company to the social enterprise. Business Link have lots of social enterprise info - but look further afield as well. There is a company called Striding Out (http://www.stridingout.co.uk), and there's a couple of annual events called Voice and Shine Unconference (Shine this year is in London on 15th and 16th May). SCEDU could be worth a shout as well. There are lots of people trying to get involved with social enterprise - too many groups / committees / initiatives who tend to talk in circles with not a lot of action - but in my experience SCEDU are great and I would certainly look into attending Shine even though it will mean a trip to London. Jonathan

What about offering kids something different? Holiday scheme / activities - market to children 5-16 years. Start small - go and work for someone - creche, childcare etc. Then you will understand how everything works and you will then know if it is something that you want to do.

Hi - welcome Setting up a nursery will be incredibly difficult. Are you wanting to be a nursery nurse or are you looking at employing people with yourself acting as owner? Search the net - go to the OFSTED site, check other forums. It is a minefield and will be very expensive to do. Even once it is set up there is no guarantee that it is sustainable. Talk to as many people as you can - visit nurseries in all areas of Sheffield, go and talk to Sure Start about the services they offer.

I'll try to make this - might bring some freebie bags along again

ZipSafe is a small cotton bag with a zip. Simple way to look after valuables and each bag can be personalised. PM me your details and I'll send you a sample - I handed a few out at the networking event the other week. Thank you for passing on my details to the PR company - they have e-mailed me today. They look very good and will be in contact with them over the next few days.