Still on the cheap

Haven't quite managed the quantity of freebies that I did previously but the website is coming on thanks to some assistance from the web design team at BT. Yes, I did get a free website but for £149 I can have a logo designed, 2 pages on the website and an hours training. Which seemed like good value to me. But I'm reaping the benefits of free motivation in the form of a wonderful site and blog from Judith Morgan, inspirational stuff. I'd also recommend Danielle La Porte, I wish I had one ounce of her sass.

Make and Take Away HQ is coming on, one more days painting and the flooring can go down.Yay!

Business relaunch Make and Take Away style

i.e On the cheap!

I don't believe in paying over the odds for anything and with so many freebies you can make giant leaps costing no more than some of your time. Here's what happened this week:

Freebie No. 1 - A free lunch

On Monday, Jodie (from Felt so Nice) and I trundled up to Shrewsbury for the Passion into Profit event run by Enterprise Uk and supported by WiRE. So many lovely people offering help and THE most delicious lunch. Held at the Monkhouse Granary, top venue - thanks for hosting the event.

Freebie No. 2 - a website

In the pack from the event we received a leaflet introducing FREE websites for small businesses. You get a .co.uk domain for 2 years plus it's supported by BT and Google. I've been wondering what to do about a website for a while so ta-dah!! today I set up Make and Take Away.co.uk. It doesn't look to stunning yet but does give another platform to link the facebook and blog. And I can stop mumbling an excuse when people ask 'have you got a website?'

Freebie No.3 - accounts package

Another leaflet introduced Kashflow with a FREE 60 day trial on their accounting package. Just what I need as I'd much rather be making things than doing the sums. To be honest I'd rather be doing anything than the sums but that won't get me far. Although I did save a massive 200 quid on the building and contents insurance this week by using Money Saving Expert tips and the cashback site Quidco.

Freebie No. 4 - email marketing package

A 60 day free trial is available from Constant Contact. I have received emails from Do Your Own PR and Coaching Mums, both of whom use CC to great effect. Brilliant site and I'm looking forward to chatting with Joe who keeps calling from America to see if he can help. They did a fantastic webinar crammed full of really useful guidance and tips. The sort of thing that you'd pay a hefty training fee for over here.

Freebie No. 5: Start Your Business Magazine

A free copy of this excellent magazine was included in our event pack as well. It is full of advice, more freebies and contacts galore. Plus a subscription offer to get 12 issues for £12.

To round off the week I took a trip up to Scrappies in Church Stretton always a top destination for a bargain and picked up some wonderful scrap to upcycle for the Echo shop.

Not so WIld Women

Well it was a friend's birthday this week and that seemed a perfect excuse to do a bit of stitching so I could send a made with love gift. Last year I bought Sarah Lawrence's book "Wild Women" and had been wanting to make one of the lovely brooches for ages.

Here's the result - not very wild I'll grant you but quite pleased with her all the same. And not a brooch either as I thought my mate would prefer a clip. Just hope she liked it.