New interactive business website, www.inafishbowl.com has recently been set up to help those considering setting up in business do exactly that – learn from the experience of others! The new ‘reality’ Big Brother style business website profiles the trials and tribulations of three start-up businesses filmed through different stages of their journey and broadcast on the website using live twitter feeds, videos and blogs as the entrepreneurs share their experiences in real-time.

Businesses featured include a record label, a bespoke tailoring company and a Mexican food range. Each are finding their way through the start-up maze and sharing their experiences along the way. From naming their business through to frustrating first meetings with banks, the businesses lay themselves open for others to watch and follow online.

The In a Fishbowl project was founded by entrepreneur Toby Reid and is being supported by Midlands based entrepreneur Andrew Springhall.

Springhall commented:

“So many people go through the process of starting a business and it is a truly daunting experience. There is a wealth of information available to first time entrepreneurs, but nothing that provides you with the chance to learn from the experiences of others. www.inafishbowl.com will do just that.
The service is designed to provide empathy, learning and motivation to others in a similar position. It will act as an interactive support guide for any budding entrepreneur.”

See www.inafishbowl.com for more details

Be in the flow…

let go of your fear; of your need to be in control

for it imprisons your dreams.

Breathe deeply in the darkness…

an illusion cast forth by your light;

no other can take your place.

Let the world be blinded by your majesty…

a beacon to those struggling to find their way;

for it is your divinity to shine like the star you truly are.

Go; enter the dragon’s den and reclaim your heart.

***************************

© Cheryl Hopkins, 2nd Jan 2006

Inspiring you to do work you love

www.Changeitliveit.co.uk

When you were born

the stars danced in the sky

birds rejoiced; flowers showed their bloom

God’s creation… love, incarnate once again

the world would never be the same

Your presence, a gift to mankind

a reminder of what he can become

if he truly believes, if he dares

to achieve that which eludes him

so frequently… the truth of his heart

And should you ever doubt your

reason for being, pause a moment

look within… all will be revealed

the master key to life lay within

your grasp, if you dare to seek

© Cheryl Hopkins (1971 and 2006).

Read more inspiration here

I think every entrepreneur should either borrow or buy a copy of the following books, it will make your entrepreneurial journey much more smoother.

This is a mixture of both old and new powerful books for the entrepreneurial mind.

How to Win Friends & Influence People
Dale Carnegie

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Michael E. Gerber

The Long Tail” by Chris Anderson

Seth godin Linchpin

Four hour week By Tim Ferris

Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey

Founders at Work: Stories of Startups’ Early Days by Jessica Livingston

Entrepreneur Journeys (Volume 1) by Sramana Mitra

“The Four Steps to the Epiphany” by Steven Gary Blank

Sun Tzu Art of war

Guy Kawasaki’s The Art of the Start

“The Prince” by Machiavelli

Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Which Book is your favourite?
Did i miss out on any book or do you feel one of the books do not deserve to be in the list, let me know?

why do you like these books?

A book to look forward to

This is one of the books i am seriously looking forward to reading this year, A fan of Seth Godin and his principles, I think that this is going to be a very complete book which completely removes your thoughts on how things work or should work.

This book will change your live; I repeat this book will change your life.

Look forward in giving my reviews as soon as i get my hands on a copy
Oooh, The Excitement.

Click to purchase

Enterprising Young Brits Awards is a great opportunity to get the spotlight shining on you and your venture!

Are you following your entrepreneurial dream? Have you successfully mixed creativity with commercial flair, or demonstrated real determination in turning your ideas into reality? If so the Daily Mail Enterprising Young Brit Awards could be right up your street.

Run by Enterprise UK, in partnership with the Daily Mail, the Institute of Directors and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the competition is open to anyone aged 30 and under who has made their idea happen in a new, innovative or inspiring way.
Why enter?

We’re calling for entries now. Do you want to be in with a chance to win £1,000 and money-can’t-buy-profile for your venture? If so get your application in to us before 5 March 2010!

Not only do lucky winners receive £1,000 for their business but they also get valuable coverage in national media and an invitation to join the Enterprise UK Ambassador programme. As an Enterprise UK Ambassador they will get a chance to network with some of the UK’s top entrepreneurs and help us inspire the next generation of Richard Bransons and Anita Roddicks!
Categories:

You can enter up to two of the categories below:

* New startup – For enterprising individuals who have started their own business, large or small within the past three years.
* Social, ethical or environmental – For ventures combining the principles of a successful business with an emphasis on the social, ethical or environmental benefits it can provide.
* Teen – For anybody aged 13 – 19 who is making their enterprising idea happen
* Creative – Rewarding enterprising individuals in the creative industries such as fashion, music, design or the arts.
* Open category – Entrants whose business does not immediately fit into one of the four categories above are welcome to enter the Open category.

Enter now!

The Apprentice Manchester, sponsored by Rolls Royce, is a student competition organised by Manchester Entrepreneurs Society.

www.apprentice-manchester.co.uk

22nd to the 26th of March 2010

First prize will be £1000

Open to all students from the University of Manchester, Salford University and Manchester Metropolitan University

Applications should be done individually, and then individual students will be put into teams.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1ST OF MARCH
To apply email your:
- Name
- University
- Student Number
- Course
To : apply@apprentice-manchester.co.uk

We will then hold interviews in the first week of March.

Come and speak to us at MBS East or the University Place Foyer between the 1st-14th of February 11am-4pm

It is the first of its kind to run in the city aimed at young, driven and determined students. Running from the 22nd to the 26th of March 2010, it is a week long event based in and around Manchester University. It will pit only the most driven and focused teams against each other in a series of challenges, ranging from selling products for charity, to hosting and promoting club nights in Manchester.

This week long, intensive programme is open to all students at Manchester, Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as a select number of secondary schools in the Manchester area. First prize will be £1000, and will be presented by at the closing ceremony of the competition on the last day.

This programme is intended to not only provide a week of business-orientated excitement, but also be a talking point for future interviews, as well as looking great on a CV. It will show not only curiosity and competence for innovation and entrepreneurship but also the drive for excellence that many employees feel is missing in the graduating students of today.

For further information, and more details about the challenges, please email us at:
apply@apprentice-manchester.co.uk

WILL YOU BE FIRED?

Are you interested in enterprise around science, technology, engineering and maths?

Do you want to get the scoop on the latest industry opportunities and trends?

Do you want to develop your enterprise knowledge, skills and network?

The top university students, staff, graduates and researchers – as well as members of the South East enterprise community will come together to get inspired and develop the knowledge, skills, network and experiential opportunities necessary to launch STEM enterprises.

>Who attends?

Students, staff, researchers, graduates, local business professionals, and major corporate partners from any university, discipline, level of study or field of specialization from across the South East region.

>Why attend?

From inspirational speakers and an industry trends panel to practical workshops and experiential business creation, pitching and networking opportunities, delegates will have the opportunity to meet and engage with leading STEM entrepreneurs and develop their network and skills. Engage with Microsoft, BAE Systems, Investors, Leading Academics and Entrepreneurs!

The events feature keynote entrepreneur speakers, an industry tends panel, workshops with NACUE, Business Boffins and Rob Geraghty from the Wow Factor, as well as speed networking and a pitching competition.

All delegates who complete the one day course will receive an Official STEM Enterprise Certificate of Participation and ongoing business and mentorship support from NCGE.

It’s Free!

>Where and When

Oxford (Feb 10)
Reading (Feb 15)
Southampton (Feb 19)
Oxford (Feb 24)
Reading (March
Southampton (March 29)

SPACES ARE LIMITED, SO REGISTER TODAY! http://www.flyingstartonline.com/public/fsworkshops/upcoming

For more information, visit: http://www.flyingstartonline.com/stem and give yourself the leading edge.

The Global Social Venture Competition is the largest and oldest student-led business plan competition providing mentoring, exposure, and $45,000 in prizes for social ventures from around the world. Start forming a team today to submit your executive summary by January 20, 2010*!

Winning plans in the past have ranged from global health to microfinance, from cleantech to education, from fair trade to community development, from business concepts to operating companies, and have included for-profit and non-profit models.

ENTRANT REQUIREMENTS

· Every team must include at least one member who is a current student in ANY graduate business program or who has graduated from any graduate business program within the past 24 months.

· Operating companies are welcome to enter, though they must be less than 3 years old (as measured by first revenue or first patent issued).

· Plan can be for a for-profit or non-profit as long as either can be financially self-sustaining at scale.

For full details please visit: www.gsvc.org

For Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneurs

Date: Tues 2 Feb – Wed 3 Feb 2010
Location: Central London

Hosted and sponsored on location by Reed Smith LLP and BDO LLP

Doing it Right London is a programme where exceptional entrepreneurs enhance their company’s ability to attract funding and cultivate invaluable relationships.

Through candid discussions led by local investors and seasoned entrepreneurs, Doing it Right increases participants’ understanding of the current state of investment as well as what it takes to succeed in a high-growth enterprise.

Email us to find out if you might qualify or register today for open sessions.

50% discount for University Enterprise Club/Society members! Use the code ‘ASTIAstudent’.

Astia Highlights

Astia is a global non-profit organisation that provides innovative programmes to exceptional women-led start-ups. Head-quartered in San Francisco, Astia delivers programmes for entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, New York, London and, from later this year, India. Astia is well positioned to work with start-ups around the world as they access capital, grow their businesses, and develop the leadership of the founding team.

The Astia model of engaging a community of experts to the benefit of the select start-ups it serves has resulted in an exceptional success rate; since 2003:
· Presenting companies have raised over $600 million
· Greater than 55% of the presenting companies at Astia Investor Forums have achieved funding or an exit within one year of the program
· 16 presenting companies have secured an exit, including 2 IPOs