Almost three years into this wonderful inspirational industry I thought I would share what it means to Perfect Lovely Cakes to be nominated and make top 3. 

In 2015 I entered the world of Small Business a stark contrast to the comforts of large enterprises where Sales Marketing, IT , HR, Production were all at the end of an IM or phone. I spent many years helping clients navigate organisation and processes. In May 2015 all of those functions were ME!

Past commute meant I knew very few people locally - seriously outside of my immediate neighbours - I could count on one hand my local contacts!! Searching local groups to begin to see what was out there, stumbling across Maidenhead Business Girls, run by Amanda Ayres, a fledgling group of business women. It is now known as The Business Girls Network.

Very soon the monthly meetups and the online forum became my sanity and connection to a new world. Supportive women with referrals, advice and learning opportunities. As the group evolved, I  learnt that networking is very different in small business, it takes a long while for you to be remembered, I had lots of opportunity to help others with the skills from past roles. 

I have invested in education, showcasing my work at the first Inspire Conference last year made a real difference to conversations, as people realized its not JUST a Cake its a whole lot more. 
Different blog for next time! Here are a few examples of what I have been up to. 

As you set up a business you can often feel alone, where your gremlins can knock confidence. So to have access to people from the baking industry or in local businesses you soon feel you have an extension to your team with invaluable experiences, and support. The nomination is feedback that whatever it is that I am doing is resonating. 

I am up against two very highly regarded professionals with very different creative businesses, which makes me so proud of the quality and standard I am being measured against. The icing on my cake journey...  to win would be the Cherry on my Cake journey so far. 

With only 48 hours of voting left. People are voting from all over the world,
I would appreciate every support possible. Click below to place your vote. 

If you are considering jumping from one career to another, 

My Top Tips so far .. cos I don't have the answer... and OH Boy! YES  this is a journey!
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1. KNOW YOUR "WHY...?"
without it there's NEVER ENOUGH MOTIVATION.
I had a great career in the IT Industry, that included experiences of fabulous people, places and projects. A fair share of successes and failures and No two years felt the same. However underneath it my reason for being was always centered around being a mother and being part of a family.  

Sometimes my previous career was a means to an end, sometimes a source of sanity to the rollercoaster life threw at me. It challenged my WHY on many occasions.  Don't get me wrong I think you can be a mother and be in the IT world - so many examples in my life of fabulous women doing great things in my IT network.. I personally couldn't do what I do today without changing my approach to my work.  I still work late into the night but my hours are completely built around my priorities. 

2. FOLLOW YOUR PASSION vs BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU FOLLOW. 
I truly believe if you choose to be somewhere, be in that moment completely.
Those who have known me for the past 20 years would use words like - Dedicated, Passionate, Operational, Logical, Detailed, and in the corporate it could often feel like a handicap. 

Sometime circumstances present that do not allow you to take bold steps. When I realised how stifled I was being passionate about what I was doing, instead of doing what I was passionate about a fog lifted. 
It  was easier to take a bold step. Occasionally! I do miss my monthly pay cheque but I couldn't trade that for the time I have now. Don't worry those moments soon pass! 

My passion: helping people create and enjoy special memories. 

3. NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK
- you simply haven't met the right clients or colleagues. 
As the Micheal Buble Song goes -- "I  just haven't met you yet" echos in my head when the order books are not as full as I would like. As you start out in your business finding clients can be the hardest thing to find time for. So many things to do and networking could be the most daunting thing on the to-do list.  

For any introverts out there - I am an extrovert that has a daily crisis in confidence. Networking for yourself was actually quite a scary prospect. I did try networking in my corporate world, it was not half as fulfilling as it has been for my own business. It opens you up to so many opportunities  for exploring and learning, to collaborate with other businesses, and of course to sell. Clients begin to arrive through recommendation.  Why..? People by from People. If you are in the moment, your passion for YOUR business will shine because you come across as genuine. 

My starting out advice : Give it a go! ... There are great learning experiences ahead!

This is my first BLOG post - the journey is on! 
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1. Join my journey by following me on Social Media
2. Like and share my Facebook page - a recommendation could be the start of something special!
3. Need a cake! - Let Perfect Lovely Cakes help you create a #perfectlovelymoment