Leeds Catalyst

Interview with the Soul Daddy of SoulFood!

(Reporter) What type of business is Soul food?

(Adi)

Soul food is private catering to businesses and local and private events. I mainly specialize in African Caribbean and Caribbean food but if a client requests a certain type of food I can also accommodate that as I previously worked as a chef for a lot of well-known hotels.

(Reporter) How long have you been trading.

(Adi)
I’ve been trading for 6 years now.

(Reporter) What inspired you to set up a business in catering?

(Adi)
I remember as I child my mum used to run her own catering company in Gambia. I used to sit around for hours watching her cook amazing dishes, and the aromas and smells that used to travel from the kitchen were amazing

My mum was gifted with this skills and she passed on her knowledge and her gift over to me.

I made sure I gained the experience and knowledge of working as a chef in the industry before I decided to start-up my own business.

(Reporter) So did your mum teach you how to cook traditional dishes?

(Adi)
I shared with my mum my vision to set up an African and Caribbean catering company, and explained my experience in cooking other foods from around the world but not Gambian.


When my mum came over to England in 1998 we spent a lot of our time in the kitchen making authentic Gambian cuisines.

(Reporter) What special events have you catered for so far?

(Adi)
Mmmm! Were shall I start I’ve catered for the Abolition Common wealth event put on for the lord mare of Leeds.

I’ve been doing AGM meetings for housing associations for the past 7 years, and also cater for various departments within social Services.

I’ve done up to 30 different weddings in Leeds for up to 400 people.

And I’ve also catered for big functions for West Yorkshire Police and Leeds probation Services for up to 300 people.

(Reporter)Throughout the years of trading have you received any awards?

(Adi)
Yes, in 2003 I received the Young black Achievers Award at Leeds town hall.

(Reporter) How do you promote your services?

(Adi)
I’ve mainly got all of my business through word of mouth. When I normally cater for big functions and people taste my food they normally either recommend me to their business partners or family members.

(Reporter) How many events do you normally cater for on a weekly basis?

(Adi)
Approximately 4 events per week.

(Reporter)Tell me more about the team you work with?

(Adi)
They’re amazing!

My team consists of 4 chefs/waitresses whom I have taken on board and trained to become experts in the industry.

(Reporter)What are your plans for the future?

(Adi)
At present I’m looking for a factory unit to further develop my sauces and drinks. I would also like to have a line of my products in supermarkets this is something I’m looking into at the moment.

Wendy Smith

‘ When Addi originally came to the Catalyst, he came as a referral from another client.’

‘He was running a catering company and was branching out to create his own sauces, juices and food recipes, which he had passed and tested at a lab but didn’t have the know how, how to transport what he had into the manufacturing industry.’

‘Since being involved with the Catalyst he has become more involved with the Leeds Chamber Advisors including Sharing the Success. Through the help and support he has received, he has now secured a unit to transport his sauces into labeled jars.’

‘He’s also been getting a lot of new recommendations through word of mouth.’

‘One thing I also want to highlight is Adi’s Soul Food banner includes flags from around the world because he can create any cuisine to suit any palate requested.’

Leigh Green's Story

Leigh Green has recently completed his foundation course in Contemporary Music Production at Park Lane College in Leeds, and will be attending Leeds Metropolitan University in September to study for a degree in Music Technology.

Leigh was raised in Bradford by his mother, and admired his father for his strength in raising 2 boys and his creativity being that he was a musician.

Leigh was inspired by music from a very young age and decided at the age of Seven that he wanted to pursue a career as a music producer. He even wrote to Jimmy Fixett to make his dream come true but sadly never received a written response.

After witnessing his father struggling, barley making ends meat as a musician, this motivated Leigh to develop a business idea that benefited deprived communities through building creative skills.

Leigh explained when he was drafting his business idea, it dawned on him how much musicians struggle to find somewhere for their bands to practice, and how expensive it is to get studio time. This is why he’s decided to set up a number of recording studios and rehearsal rooms fitted with microphones for the local community to use. It will work on a first come first served basis at cheap rates.

Leigh is a passionate and driven individual who scenery wants to make a difference.

At the moment Leigh is currently looking for sponsorship and support to help him along with his business venture.

If you’re a business owner, interested in providing a young entrepreneur with support and sponsorship please contact one of the Leeds catalyst hosts.

Serena        M: 0771 898 2546

Randolph    M: 0789 439 3835

Wendy        M: 0787 269 4804

Work & Learn - Every Thursday from 28th Aug 08

Leeds Catalyst will be holding drop in sessions for catalyst members to come together and become fully acquainted with one another. Brainstorm ideas, share experiences and information, with an aim to improve and move their business ideas forward.

Owen Jackson (Leeds Credit Union) and Balbir Semdhi (LEGI Business Advisor) provide intensive business support daily and are experts in their field.

They both hosted our very first drop in session today, which was a success and fulfilled our overall aim to encourage our clients to utilise the free information, advice and guidance provided through the Leeds LEGI Programme.

Both Owen and Balbir encouraged members to speak to as many partners as possible and attend as many events to promote their business.

The Catalyst members were overwhelmed with the amount of support and practical information they received.

Testimonials

                                    

How useful did you find the information?

(Faadil Kareem)

It wasn’t bombarded with too much information, they were  going at the right pace. I found  the information provided practical and useful.

I was previously jumping through hoops, pondering that my business idea wouldn’t work but through attending this discussion I feel a lot more confident.

Overall i feel there's more clarification on my progression path, everything seems more doable.

(Lyndsay Din)

I found the information very useful and the hosts extremely helpful. All of the answers to my questions were answered which if not answered could have stopped all progression.

The environment was really calm and friendly which i found easy to work in.

What do you think about the catalyst?

(Faadil Kareem)

The catalyst clearly has a staff recruitment ethos ethic, which I think really helps people coming into the centre. I’m gob smacked because the staff seem to be falling over themselves to help you, I’ve never experienced that type of assistance in a business advice centre.

My experience of business centres has been lots of talk and visits and very little action and the objectives of the visit were never met.

(Lyndsay Din)

I think it’s really great to get free advice.

It’s learning new skills and gaining other views on decision i have to make is helping my business loads. I've learn't how to connect with clients including how to present my business professionally.

I personally feel  the people within the catalyst, make the catalyst’s what it is. Their friendly, easy to get on with, and really supportive. I now feel i can ask an advisor a question without feeling stupid.

Will you attend another ‘Drop in Work and Learn’ event again?

(Faadil Kareem)

Yes I would! It’s been great to meet other members of the catalyst to talk and potentially network, building new partnerships to benefit one another’s business.

(Lyndsay Din)

I would defiantly attend another session. It’s really good to know that on a weekly basis there’s someone within the catalyst to give advice.

Leeds Credit Union - INFORMATION

Please click to view leaflet

 

 

All Aboard! Coaching Days Starting from 22nd August 2008

Come along to Life & Action coaching days starting from the 22nd August’08, 10am – 12Noon at the RISE Catalyst Centre in Seacroft.


 

Andrew Smith – Life Coach

Take a giant step with Andrew Smith, and discover if life coaching is right for you, with our FREE one-hour life coach taster session.

You are invited to experience a FREE, NO OBLIGATION one hour introductory session. Then we leave it up to you to decide whether life coaching is for you.
No obligation, no pressure and no unsolicited calls or emails and that’s a promise!

 

 

Ian Hargreaves – Action Coach 

Book yourself in with Ian Hargreaves today! 

ActionCOACHING can help you improve day-to-day operations of your business.Focus on time,team and money, we can deliver strategies and systems designed to guide and mentor you in improving the efficiency and profitability of your company.

Book yourself in for an introductory FREE session today!

For more information or to book a session call Wendy Smith:

Tel: 0787 269 4804 (or) Email: [email protected]

Alternatively you can visit us at:

RISE Catalyst,
Brooklands View,Seacroft,
Leeds,LS14 6SA

Explore! Business Link Events Coming Soon

Business Link have set up a chain of events to inspire and excite those of you who maybe interested in setting up a business or becoming self employed.

These events will offer further information and guidance on what to do next and how to move your business idea forward to becoming a reality.

What will it cover:

• Why you want to start your own business?
• How to generate more ideas
• Where to find customers
• Building Confidence
• Information sources and networks

  
  

  Please click here to download the calendar of events
  Download blwy_events_calendar2.xls

  To find out more about these FREE events or to book a place immediately you can call on 0845 6048048
  or email [email protected].

  For more information about these and other events visit www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk and click on 'Events'.

  
  
                                                  

'A taste for success!' - Taste by Design Interview

Entrepreneur Hussein Mahamed inventor of ‘Taste by Design’ a catering company with a twist, explained yesterday to a Camberwell reporter how he feels his business could benefit the local community financially.

He talks about the recognitions and successes his business has received including future plans for expansion.

(Hussein)‘Taste by Design was established in 2006 for the local community of Chapeltown. We provide a fusion of high quality Somalian, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines at affordable prices. We also do outside catering, themed nights and have experienced in house event mangers if needed’

What is your role in the business?

(Hussein)‘I’m a business partner along with Mohammed Yaseen. I concentrate on internal affairs and business sales. I also focus on developing business strategies to be the number one supplier of ethnic food in Leeds and surrounding towns.’

Tell me about the team?

(Hussein)‘ Well, our staff bring over 25 years experience to the taste by Design umbrella, they’re very passionate about what they do and enjoy spoiling customers with the mouth watering cuisines they create’.

What have you accomplished within 2 years of running?

(Hussein) 'In 2007 Taste by Design were one of the finalists in the Business Concept Competition held at Leeds Metropolitan University. We have also been awarded 4 stars by Leeds City Council for good hygiene Practice’.

That’s Fantastic!

(Hussein)‘Yes, this was all achieved within our first year of trading which has never been achieved before within the area. We are extremely proud to have achieved this in such a short space of time’.

So what are you plans for the future?

(Hussein) 'My aim is not only to have a thriving expanding business, but also to add quality back to the area. I believe in order for us to be successful the community in which we are serving needs to be successful to. By recruiting the best locally and training them to the Taste by Design way and supporting them through their journey, this will enable taste by design to be successful as well as the individ al.’

Were can I find more information about you?

CNC - Contribution Not Competition 29th Sep'08

 
CNC (Collaboration Not Competition) was formed  around 18 months ago, driven by Yorkshire Forward. This group was established to bring together incubator managers from the Digital and Media Cluster, to network, talk about issues, and learn from each others experiences.

Business Link established a similar group called WYIN (West Yorkshire Incubators Network), to bring together a network of managers.

Due to funding issues both groups have become a bit sparse on the ground, and we want to keep them going!

After the last CNC meeting on 26th June, it was put to the forum that we merge both groups to create a forum for Incubator managers, to share ideas and information, make connections, discuss positives and issues including the opportunity to show case each others centre's.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 29th September‘08 12pm – 2pm.

(Location)

York Science Park (Innovation Centre) Ltd
Innovation Way
Heslington
York
YO10 5DG

To reserve a place, please call us on:

T: 0870 551 8677
M: 077 189 825 46
E: [email protected] 

Member Spotlight: Laura Butler, Ringlit

Name: Laura Butler

Where do you live? Hyde Park, Leeds

What is your business? Ringlit sells unique Ladies clothing, also offering bespoke items, commissioned on request. Each piece made and sold under the Ringlit label is original and has a fashionable edge. Ringlit is suitable for any age and size, giving women the right to feel liberated and feminine, through wearing fresh and affordable clothing.

What influenced you to set up this business?
A variety of different things have lead me to the stage I am at currently. Having an interest in business and art & design from being a teenager, taking A-levels in business & art was possibly the initial catalyst. Since then I have studied further taking a degree in Fashion/clothing, cornering my artistic skills into garment design & manufacture.
Along the way I have been influenced and encouraged by others who have experienced running their own business. This has helped me discover what I ultimately need and want to do and therefore motivate me to continue striving for my dream.

What challenges/goals are you currently facing?
The main challenge is my financial situation, as for the first time in 3 years I do not have the security of a salary.
Keeping organised and efficient in terms of the order of doing things is also appearing to be quite challenging. It does take a lot of thought and consideration to ensure nothing is missed out, overlooked or finished too late.

Your greatest moment:
Seeing my final show collection on the catwalk when finishing university. The final show was held at The Royal Armeries.

Your worst moment:
Starting on the ladder. Working as a junior garment technician, going through the process of having to prove to management that I wasn’t the imbecile.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
To get experience in the Industry before proceeding into business and as much as possible.

And the worst?
To stay in a job as its more secure.

What is one of your special talents?
Finding materials and having an eye for how to construct colours, fabrics & prints together.

What is your definition of success?
Going from failure to failure and never loosing enthusiasm.

What is your pet hate?
People that judge to easily without even speaking to the individuals involved.
Following the crowd and not standing by your morals.

If you could have dinner with two people (living or not) who would they be?
River Pheonix and Kurt Cobain, they both died when I was a teenager.

Mosaic Market

Wendy took a trip to Mosaic Market to meet some artists. 
Wendy says "My visit was truly delightful, the artists were inspiring, passionate and engaging, their talents visibly clear by their products on sale."  To read all about Wendy's visit, click here...Download trading_catalysts_down_at_the_artsmix_market.pdf

Mosaic market is different from any other market an experience not to be missed, they happen every two weeks (every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month). Check out www.mosaic-arts-market.org or www.artsmix.co.uk for further details to see when the next one is.

Member Spotlight: Ian Thomas, Digital Plus

Your names: Ian Thomas

Where do you live?         
Kirkstall

What is your business?   
Digital Plus
Our aim is to always exceed the customer’s expectations. Here at Digital Plus we can produce banners to your exact specification, regardless of size. We produce indoor and outdoor signage using a variety of printing products, printing onto almost any material. We are a leader in printing direct onto almost any substrate and with using new UV cured silicon-based inks, there’s no need for mounting and lamination.
Whatever the product, whatever the occasion, Digital Plus can help your business to succeed.

How long has the business been in operation?    
8 years

What is your role in the business?     
New Business Development Manager
My role in the business is to make sure the customers are happy and that they are satisfied with the quality and price of the products produced.  At Digital Plus we tailor our service to your needs, regardless of size, from postage stamp to billboard and what ever the quantity.

What obstacles have you encountered during your time with the business?
Learning everything about all the products we sell, as well as the needs and desires of our clients.

For more info contact [email protected] or visit www.digitalplus.co.uk

Member Spotlight: Ben Storey, Courtley West

Name: Ben Storey

Where do you live?
Methley, near Rothwell and Woodlesford.

What is your business?
Courtley West, Accountants & Business Advisors.

What influenced you to set up this business?
I sincerely believe that every business, director and manager deserves a service which is specifically suited to their needs and expectations. It’s getting harder to find good customer service but I really believe that if you get that right then the rest will follow. I’d been advising clients for years in how to run their own business and so I thought I’d better put my money where my mouth is. I quit my job with it’s secure salary and put all my energy into this business.

What challenges / goals are you currently facing?
I’m trying to get my head around the marketing; it’s not something I’m particularly familiar with so I’m learning as I go. I generate most of my business through referrals from existing clients or from other professional such as bank managers, however I would like to build on the brand and increase the general awareness of the business in the local area.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
You can do anything if you put your mind to it. (Professor Hill, University of St. Andrews.)

What is your definition of success?
Making my kids happy!

To find out more visit www.courtleywest.co.uk

Catalyst teams up with The Unit

Leeds Catalyst and Bradford Grid have teamed up with The Unit and now all Event and Centre members can benefit from discounts on their 'Excellence in Enterprise' training programme.

The programme has been put together by experienced and successful entrepreneurs across Yorkshire and covers the issues that your business may face from pre-start up to 3 years old.

Topics include:

• Strategy and planning
• Marketing
• Business Development
• Staff
• Administration
• Finance
• Legal
• IT
• plus a whole range of other skills development courses including How to Network, Time Management, Presentation skills, Stress Management, Confidence / Assertiveness etc etc.

For more information, please contact:

Wendy
Mobile 0787 269 4804
Email [email protected]

Or Randolph
Mobile 0789 439 3835
Email [email protected]

Member Spotlight: Jo Densley, About My Area Community Website

Name: Jo Clair Densley

Where do you live?
Chapel Allerton

What is your business?
AboutMyArea LS7 is a Community website for the Chapel Allerton, Chapeltown and Meanwood areas.  The aim is to be the primary source of community and business information for the LS7 postcode.  The website covers local news, events and features and also includes a Business Zone.

What influenced you to set up this business?
A desire to become more involved with the community where I live.

What challenges/goals are you currently facing?
Trying to find the time to do everything I want to do on the website.  LS7 is such a vibrant, diverse community and there are so many organisations, clubs, businesses that I want to involve.  I have to accept that I can’t do everything at once!

Your Greatest moment
Completing the 10k Abbey Dash – I am not a natural runner!

What is your Pet Hate?
Waste.

If you could have dinner with two people (living or not) who would they be?
Billy Connolly and Anthony Hegarty.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Jo at [email protected] or 0772 335 1884 or visit www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/LS7

Member Spotlight: Andrew Smith, Giant Steps Life Coaching Ltd

Name: Andrew Smith

What is your business?   
Giant Steps Life Coaching Ltd which offers personal life coaching in all areas of life (ie health, relationships, vocation, money, personal development, spiritual and emotional).

What influenced you to set up this business?   
A desire to meet people where they are and help them arrive where they want to be, to enable  people to have and experience the best possible life.

What challenges/goals are you currently facing?
Having originally worked alongside new insights as one of their master coaches, helping to mentor new life coaches up until September of last year, I am now seeking to build up my own clientele.

Your greatest moment:   
When I first realised how effective my life coaching  skills were in the lives of my clients.

Your worst moment:   
Being unemployed for 12 months in the mid  1980's.

What is the best advice you have ever received?   
Believe in your dreams, believe in yourself - you can achieve all your heart desires!

And the worst?   
Get yourself a proper job!

What is one of your special talents?   
According to my clients - being an inspirational life coach.

What is your definition of success?   
To be truly happy in being who you are and doing what you've always wanted to do.

If you could go back in time and witness one event in history what would it be and why?   
To be present when Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr gave his "I have a dream" speech, to see inspiration up close and personal and at it's best!

What is your pet hate?    Unthinking motorists.

And if you could have dinner with two people (living or not) who would they be? 
Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr and Muhammad Ali.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Andrew by email [email protected] or call him on 0114 251 4951 or 07931 582 485.

Partner Profile: Helen Hawney, Leeds Ahead

A great big welcome to Helen who has recently joined the Leeds Ahead team!  Helen will be working from the East Leeds Basecamp on a regular basis and will eventually work from the Catalyst Centre.  Here's her profile...

Name: Helen Hawney

Job Title: Area Broker, Leeds Ahead. 

Describe your role: 
Leeds Ahead is a social business that enables the private sector to support the social and economic regeneration of Leeds.  We provide a simple mechanism through which businesses can meet their corporate responsibility objectives in the community by volunteering time, expertise and providing other resources to a wide range of community regeneration activities.  These activities centre around five core themes, 'Education, Employability, Enterprise, Environment 'and 'Community'. My role is to bring together the private sector's offers of support with the communities who most need it.   Leeds Ahead will be working in partnership with the Catalyst team to deliver events, activities and workshops around enterprise for members, as well as brokering business mentor relationships between local business people who can offer inspiration, support and guidance to catalyst members.

Which areas of Leeds do you work in?
East North East Leeds, including Chapeltown, Harehills, Gipton, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill and Seacroft.

What is your background and how did you get to where you are today?
I've always been driven to do something that really benefits society and I've been lucky to work for several not-for-profit organisations including WWF (the conservation organisation, not the wrestling federation!) and the National Media Museum.  I have a fundraising and business development background, having helped businesses invest their cash, expertise and time into film festivals, exhibitions and educational activities.  I've now got the chance to work with a wide range of community partners and organisations as well as private business, and the challenge for me is to find winning relationships that benefit both parties.

What was your best moment?
Completing the Great North Run earlier this year in aid of the Stroke Association.

And your worst?
About the 10 mile mark (see above!)

What do you feel are the biggest challenges faced by the people you work with?
Lack of confidence, funding and business expertise to make great ideas flourish. Private businesses are keen to offer their expertise but don't know how to access the right activity for them...that's where Leeds Ahead can help.

And finally, if you could give 3 top tips to would-be entrepreneurs reading this feature, what would they be?
1.  Believe in your product.
2.  Build up a network of contacts and use them.
3.  Learn from those who have been in your circumstances via business mentors, work experience, workshops

etc.

For more information about the work of Leeds Ahead, visit their website .

 

Member Spotlight: Gemma Povey, Future Arts

Name: Gemma Povey

What is your business?
My organisation is Future Arts. We are a new group delivering music and media technology projects in economically deprived areas in Leeds. We use creative technology as a means to develop people's skills, to build confidence and self esteem and to tackle social issues by give people a platform for their voices to be heard. At the moment we operate as an outreach service delivering in community centres and a variety of other venues. Along side this we also take contracts to work with both private and social sectors where our expertise and equipment and required.

What influenced you to set up this business?
From already working on a project that delivered an outreach programme for technology I saw how well it was received, how much the users got from it and what a shame it was when that funding ran out. Me and my colleague Paula Temple saw this massive gap for informal, fun and creative learning that no one was stepping up to fill. Understanding how much of an influence music has had on our own lives and seeing the benefit for others first hand we decided that we would begin our journey to creating an organisation that could offer something really special and lasting in the community. What has been the influence in keeping us going, perhaps when we haven't had the results we wanted, or fast enough has been talking to people who we worked with in the past and will in the future. It keeps reminding us the gap is still there and the service is needed.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Quite simply, Listen

What are your pet hates?
Hoovers that don't suck!
People who don't listen!

Who in the world do you most admire and why?
Thom Yorke of Radiohead.  What an amazing man - beautiful voice, amazing melodies, a very talented guy. But beyond that quite politically active. He has a dig at the world with his songs but follows it up by campaigning for changes with regards to global warming (the big ask) and the Iraq war.

Also the controversial dig at the music industry and the big wigs that call the shots. I love the fact that he and the band gave the music-buying public the right to choose if and how much they would pay for their album. It opens up doors and flies the flag for DIY music and musicians, proving that if it is good people will pay. I feel that the industry is trying to keep a tight hold of the reins and not flexible enough concerning music availability over the net, they aren't moving with the times.

If you want to know more about Future Arts, members can find Gemma's contact details by logging into the Catalyst system.

Partner Profile: Balbir Sembhi, Legi Advisor

Many of you will already know Balbir as he spends most of his time out and about supporting entrepreneurs in various parts of Leeds.  But for those who don't, here is his profile and for those who do - hopefully you'll find out something new!

Name: Balbir Sembhi

Job Title: Business Counsellor

Describe your role:
As a Business Counsellor I provide intensive support to  residents and businesses in the most disadvantaged areas of Leeds, assisting businesses to grow and helping individuals to become more entrepreneurial.

Which areas of  Leeds do you work in?
I work in the following postcode areas - LS1,2,3,4 9,10,11,15.

What  is your background and how did you get to where you are today?
I come from a sales and marketing background but studied graphic design and marketing at university, and set up my own design agency in 2000 called Red Dezign Ltd.  Having run my own business for 7 years I needed a new challenge and wanted to pass on my business experience and knowledge to others.

As an entrepreneur yourself, what is the best advice you have ever received?
Work hard and believe in your product or service and get as much advice as possible from your peers.

What  do you feel are the biggest challenges faced by the people you work  with?
Confidence, finance, social backgrounds, support and knowledge.

And finally, if you could  give 3 top tips to would-be entrepreneurs reading this feature, what would they be?

1. Believe in yourself and your product. 
2. Extensive planning and research.
3. Get as much help and advice as possible.

Think you might benefit from Balbir's support?  Then call in to see him at:

Beeston Basecamp, any Wednesday morning 9am - 12 noon
East Leeds Basecamp, any Thursday morning 10am - 1pm

Member Spotlight: Jonah Ulebor, Webstrat Consulting Ltd

This week's featured member is Jonah Ulebor of Webstrat Consulting Ltd.

Many of you will already know Jonah as he has been working from the Beeston Basecamp for the past few months.  Webstrat is now expanding and Jonah moved out of Basecamp and into his own premises today.  He will of course continue to be a network member and we hope he'll pop into Basecamp from time to time to see us!

So here's to Jonah and here is his Member Spotlight...

Name:  Jonah Ulebor

Where do you live?
I live in Beeston and also my business is based in the Beeston area.

What is your business?
We are a website design company passionate about providing professional, effective and affordable websites and internet solutions for our clients. We help our clients look at the big picture by designing websites and helping create a strategy to promote their websites so that in the end it makes a positive impact on their business. So we design websites, implement email marketing campaigns, search engine optimisation, per-per-click advertising and graphics design. We also promote innovative website tools like Constant Contact (Small Business Email Marketing Tool), Sitepal (Online Dynamic Talking Characters) and Live Person (Offering online chat to increase sales or improve customer service)

What influenced you to set up this business?
Passion, Passion, Passion. The initial thought was that the internet was for the “big guys” (Big sized companies with huge market), or for “egg heads” (those who could come up with great internet business ideas like “You Tube”) but I am passionate about how the internet can help small businesses and create success for them. This passion drove me to do a masters in e-business and innovation AT Lancaster University and straight after that, Webstrat Consulting was born. So in a way while I am interested in new internet technologies, I am also much more interested in what works best for small businesses and how they can integrate this into their business strategy to enhance their success.

What challenges/goals are you currently facing?
Moving from the one man band to becoming a more successful and sustainable business. We have just recruited 2 full time staff and we have to effectively blend together to create a more effective company. We were recently based in the Catalyst Centre run by Camberwell in Beeston but have now had to move into a bigger office space and now trying to work harder to grow the company and offer better and faster service. Doing this is clearly more challenging as it involves a range of new skills.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Create a database for all leads, work through your leads funnel and do something about converting them to clients.

What is your pet hate?
Dishonesty and people who blame everything on every other person apart from themselves.

And finally, if you could have dinner with two people (living or not) who would they be?
Nelson Mandela and Richard Branson

You can find out more about Webstrat by visiting the website www.webstrat-uk.com.

Member Spotlight: Jeremy Morton, Tiger 11

We have introduced a new feature on the blog...

Starting this week, each Friday you can get to know other Catalyst members and find out about their products and services in our 'Member Spotlight' feature.

I cannot think of a better person to feature on our first week than longest-standing Catalyst member, Jeremy Morton.  So here goes...

Name:  Jeremy Morton

Where do you live?
In Beeston. I've lived here since 1984 and never regretted it. It's a vibrant community with loads going on and many many good friendly people. It's got its problems, but we're working on those!

What is your business?
Tiger11 is a development trust so we will respond to the needs of the community. Our first business is to refurbish the former Hillside Primary School, so i guess we are property developers and buildings management. The difference is that we will re-invest the profits back into the community and we care about who takes space in the building so hosting the Beeston Catalyst is fantastic. 

What influenced you to set up this business?
I've been involved in the regeneration of Beeston for the last ten years, but as a resident I've had enough of it being done to us by other organisations - the council, housing associations, etc. Tiger11 is about people in Beeston deciding on our priorities and having the financial independence to do what we think is right.

What challenges are you currently facing?
Redeveloping a listed building! Initially it seemed pretty straightforward, but issues keep popping up. People keep saying  "No you can't do that", or "You just have to do this extra thing before you start". And they never tell you in advance that there's another hurdle coming up so that you can programme the extra work to fit your timetable.

Your greatest moment:
Getting the job as Director of Tiger11. I got the project going, but I was terrified some clever clogs would come along and take the job.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
It's better to make the wrong decision than not make a decision at all.

And finally, if you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
What am I? Not sure. I'm a marathon runner not a sprinter, I'm tenacious, sometimes grumpy, loyal, dependable - what does that make me?

Answers on a postcard please!?!?

A big thank you to Jeremy for being our Member Spotlight 'guinea pig'!  To find out more about the work of Tiger 11, click here.

Next week it could be you!!!

If you would like to feature in next week's Member Spotlight - an opportunity for you to promote yourself, your products and services - please email [email protected].