We are up and rolling

Well, the September classes at the HEART centre went really well (and were well evaluated by the participants). It was good fun as well to have a nice small group where we could really get some discussion going! Apart from some minor hiccups initially the venue worked very well also. I was planning on running some October classes but have so much to do at the moment, trying not to hide from my accountant, filing my accounts (sooo NOT good with sums), developing further courses and products, building a public profile, networking, networking, networking, updating some changes to the business (am now sole director), trying to find time for sleep and personal hygiene, etc.  Therefore, my next batch of courses is going to be in November and December, as I need plenty of time to promote the courses. Something not really appreciated in our original plans was how much time it takes to try and promote particular products when you are a completely unknown company.  People seem more likely to respond to a particular course date, rather than the generic 'come and see what we offer' type of advertising. I've also made some links with the Happy Baby Nursery in Headingley and subsequently have a new venue! I've got a one day couples class lined up there on the 12th November and I have got a few people interested in doing a postnatal early days course so I might see if I can develop a little half day course before Christmas.  I am still being inundated with potential midwifery students wanting to do voluntary work with me, despite posting on my website that I can't offer student placements or voluntary work.  I feel too guilty to just ignore them so I spend a bit of time pointing them in the right direction as well!  Maybe they will mention BBAB if they come across any potential clients?!

The September class is now full

Well, as it says on the tin, the September class is now full.  Still tweaking my ideas for the day.  Obviously I need to have some sort of schedule but I want to keep it very flexible so that I can adapt it according to the needs/interests of the guys coming on the course.  Need to do a bit of shopping for coffee, biscuits, etc, make up my goody bags and do some baby treacling!  We won't have that much time in one day so I need to keep it focused, though.  I must try NOT to go on to autopilot and start delivering (if one will excuse the pun) in the same manner as I do for my NHS classes.

I really need to do some more promotion for the October course, as well.  This one is going to be at the Happy Baby Nursery in Headingley, not too far away from the HEART centre.  I have got some folks interested in a November course but I had better get October sorted first.  On top of all this I'm trying to sort out my accounts for a meeting with my accountant next month and arrange a trip to Ireland for my Dad's 80th birthday party.  The party itself is now arranged thank God.  It's also the parents-in-laws 50th wedding anniversary party this weekend. AND we have just got back from a very busy couple of weeks in the Scottish Highlands and at the Edinburgh festival.  Bumps, babycare and beyond were not performing this year.....

Bookings coming in

Starting to get the bookings now.  Running an intensive couples course at the HEART centre in Headingley on the 3rd September and might have to start getting more dates in, as I haven't done my full advertising programme yet and its already 1/3 full.  Have also been interviewing and selecting accountants so need to get my accounts in order fairly soon.

Bump and beyond: The saga continues

Had  a successful day at the Bump and beyond Fair on the 22nd of May.  Acquired a few names and addresses for the mailing list, met a few old friends and made some new contacts.  Now going to try and have a few days off (sort of), but the phone will have to stay switched on!  I am now a one woman band as my business partner was unable to commit to the challenges of a new business. I do have lots of support from friends and family however who have helped with areas such as publicity, funding, photography and graphic design to name but a few.

Bumps and beyond fair. 22nd May 11am until 4pm. Marriot Hotel

Well, we're all set for the baby fair. The advert goes out in the Yorkshire Evening Post on the 19th of May.   Lots of interesting exhibitors should be there.  I am hoping we will get a chance to do a bit of networking.  Have a 'Bumps on a boat' event lined up for 18th July, so hoping to generate some interest in that.  Getting a few requests now from students wanting to do a bit of voluntary work with us.  Unfortunately we don't feel that we are really set up for that yet.  Hopefully, we will be able to offer this at some time in the future.  Still plodding my way through my accounts; trying to get everything on to spreadsheets (not my forte).  Also had eye surgery last week which is slowing me down a little more than anticipated! Got a bit of funding now but it has been swallowed up by the set up costs!

Bump and beyond Fair, Bumps on a boat, etc

Now getting ready for the Bump and beyond fair on the 22nd of May. We need to get some flyers printed for our Bumps on the boat cruise on the 18 July also.  Have got a flyer drafted and a very kind graphic designer friend of ours is tweaking them and getting them print ready.  I am learning more than I ever needed to know about the differences between layout, print resolution, etc! Thinking of getting some of them done out as postcards. We are hoping that people will see this event as something fresh and exciting.  a lovely cruise with tea cakes with a bit of antenatal education thrown in.  Our mission is to blow away the stuffy image of the antenatal class!

Open day and beyond

Had a great open day.  The kids loved changing the dolls nappies with the realistically rendered newborn poo (you wouldn't normally get kids at an antenatal class - except the ones in utero!).  The bookings are still a bit slow to come in so we are going to do a bit more marketing before getting going properly with the classes.  We are going to be at the Bump & beyond baby fair at the Marriott on Sunday 22nd May 2011 (11-4pm.  Free admission).  We will also be launching (literally) Bumps on the boat on Monday 18 July 2011.  This is something quite different - a tea party, whilst having a gentle 2 hour cruise along the waterways of Leeds, with a little bit of informal antenatal education thrown in!