I've been touting for votes all over the place. My sister has been working on her 500+ facebook friends to get them to vote from every phone and email address they possess. My auntie has been onto her friends and relatives in Canada; my mum has covered her Reiki class; my husband has hassled work and old army contacts; I've emailed Scott Mills and made a complete pest of myself on Facebook, Linked In and Twitter. And we've got a request on the astonmitchell site too.
It is in the hands of fate and the gods of entrepreneurship now. I am all touted out.
Now please will you all think positive thoughts and hope that I've done enough to win?
Thanks to everyone who has voted for me. Whatever the outcome it's been a great experience. I've met some lovely people and got back in touch with lots more lovely people by asking them to vote. I even managed to fit in a holiday!
Favourite quote of the week 'Im a human being not a human doing'
must remember that one!
:0)
Claire
Sunday 7 June 2009
Saturday 6 June 2009
Nearly caught up!
I'm almost caught up with work after being off - phew! Lots of orders through astonmitchell today, wonder if it's because it's raining and everyone is indoors on the internet! We have a returning customer from the USA who seems to love our Italian Fontana Contarini range as he keeps coming back for more. I think he's getting braver each time!
Board meeting with Kate next week I think - we're trying to work out how much to spend on Google Adwords - it's a fine line between spending too much and too little! Orders are noticeably affected either way but sometimes the profit on the additional orders is wiped out by the extra Google spend. Analysis required!
Finally got my other new website up and running. Mark Foster of VTS Design built the astonmitchell site for us - I maintain and update it day to day, and I am always impressed by his attitude. I asked him to build my Claire Mitchell Consultancy site and he's come up trumps again. http://www.clairemitchell.co.uk is looking good - very modern and very friendly, just what I wanted. It's focused on Social Enteprise marketing although I already have clients who are 'for profit' too. Hopefully I'll get lots of enquiries through, I do like working with SEs, always very interesting.
Voting closes tomorrow night and I have everyone I know, and everyone THEY know trying to get more votes for me - I really want to win! Fingers crossed !
More tomorrow!
Board meeting with Kate next week I think - we're trying to work out how much to spend on Google Adwords - it's a fine line between spending too much and too little! Orders are noticeably affected either way but sometimes the profit on the additional orders is wiped out by the extra Google spend. Analysis required!
Finally got my other new website up and running. Mark Foster of VTS Design built the astonmitchell site for us - I maintain and update it day to day, and I am always impressed by his attitude. I asked him to build my Claire Mitchell Consultancy site and he's come up trumps again. http://www.clairemitchell.co.uk is looking good - very modern and very friendly, just what I wanted. It's focused on Social Enteprise marketing although I already have clients who are 'for profit' too. Hopefully I'll get lots of enquiries through, I do like working with SEs, always very interesting.
Voting closes tomorrow night and I have everyone I know, and everyone THEY know trying to get more votes for me - I really want to win! Fingers crossed !
More tomorrow!
Friday 5 June 2009
Back to work after lovely hols
I'm back from Somerset and on a last ditch push to get more votes. I've hassled EVERYONE I know, including Scott Mills and his team to see if I can get them to vote for me. The feedback I've had has been really positive but I'm up against Esther and the might of Durham Uni's marketing department so I'd better get hassling some more!
Astonmitchell was busy while I was away. I was in touch via my new iphone the whole time, so I didn't really miss much of what was going on. I have to say I preferred my old Blackberry but it died on me, so I thought I'd try out what Apple have to offer.
I'll be on full PR throttle next week once I'm back to work properly. I want to get in touch with some of the daytime TV shows to see if there is any angle they'd like to work with us on.
So - voting closes on Sunday and I've done my best to get as many as possible. If you're reading this and you don't know me, then please do vote for me as I really want to win and I've worked extremely hard to get this far!
Got to go as I've got a toddler looking expectantly at me - think she wants her tea.
More over the weekend!
Astonmitchell was busy while I was away. I was in touch via my new iphone the whole time, so I didn't really miss much of what was going on. I have to say I preferred my old Blackberry but it died on me, so I thought I'd try out what Apple have to offer.
I'll be on full PR throttle next week once I'm back to work properly. I want to get in touch with some of the daytime TV shows to see if there is any angle they'd like to work with us on.
So - voting closes on Sunday and I've done my best to get as many as possible. If you're reading this and you don't know me, then please do vote for me as I really want to win and I've worked extremely hard to get this far!
Got to go as I've got a toddler looking expectantly at me - think she wants her tea.
More over the weekend!
Sunday 31 May 2009
(13) Holidays in Somerset
We've come away to Brean for a few days, in lovely Somerset in our caravan. Very unfashionable but we love it. It's brilliant for Chloe who loves being out and about. We're really close to the beach and the weather is glorious, really scorching hot. We've got the poor child slathered in factor 50 suncream, hat, and cossie and still make her sit in the shade but she loves digging holes in the sand.
She particularly likes outdoor bathing....
It's a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks. Kate will manage the business singlehanded while I'm away - she is super efficient and will do a fab job as usual.
Back on the 8th June - might manage a post or two between ice creams.
Thursday 28 May 2009
IWCYC: Claire's testimonials
Hi! 'If we can, you can' here.
We just wanted to share a few comments that have arrived as people have emailed to vote for Claire to win the Challenge:
"I have dealt with Claire on business matters for many months and I have found her very proactive and professional on all occasions. And I have great respect for people that work at two jobs and both successful."
"Claire is professional, approachable, motivated and very business minded, and has been a joy to work with on several projects."
"Claire does a great job. We wish her every success."
"For me AstonMitchell have taken a bit of the stigma out of buying and using male cosmetics. I never would have done it if I had to go to Boots !!!"
"After reading the candidates profiles the one that stood out for me was Claire Mitchells.
This young lady spotted a niche in the market, and is giving it 100%. Shes obviously not the type of person to sit on her backside and expect opportunities to drop in her lap but is willing to work hard for herself and her familys future. What particularly impressed me is the fact that she combines being a mum with running the business; I would imagine this takes a lot of energy and commitment and its nice to see she acknowledges the help of her family, in particular her mum it seems. She's just the type of person this country needs and I would like to wish her every success in the future."
"Claire Mitchell is awesome."
"First rate products at reasonable pricesuser friendly site quick delivery."
"I vote for claire mitchell, because her website and buisness are superb. Products are brilliant and the service is as good as it gets..The passion she has for her buisness, really shows."
"Claire is an outstanding business woman who has managed to achieve the holy grail of running 2 successful businesses while also dedicating time to her family. She is an inspiring role model for those of us who are trying to achieve the same, very difficult, balance and success."
"Claire deserves to win for her drive and enthusiasm alone! Add to that her skilled marketing ability - to spot a growing niche and access it - she would certainly get my vote."
"Claire is an exceptionally impressive and hard working business woman who also has the foresight to turn ideas into money making reality."
"Claire Mitchell is an inspirational personality with fantastic practical knowledge invaluable for business and a seemingly boundless enthusiasm for new ideas and innovative business concepts. We have found her involvement with our business has helped us grow and mature in our outlook and development."
"I vote for Claire Mitchell. Efficient, innovative, driven, communucative and pleasant to deal with. I could go on......"
We just wanted to share a few comments that have arrived as people have emailed to vote for Claire to win the Challenge:
"I have dealt with Claire on business matters for many months and I have found her very proactive and professional on all occasions. And I have great respect for people that work at two jobs and both successful."
"Claire is professional, approachable, motivated and very business minded, and has been a joy to work with on several projects."
"Claire does a great job. We wish her every success."
"For me AstonMitchell have taken a bit of the stigma out of buying and using male cosmetics. I never would have done it if I had to go to Boots !!!"
"After reading the candidates profiles the one that stood out for me was Claire Mitchells.
This young lady spotted a niche in the market, and is giving it 100%. Shes obviously not the type of person to sit on her backside and expect opportunities to drop in her lap but is willing to work hard for herself and her familys future. What particularly impressed me is the fact that she combines being a mum with running the business; I would imagine this takes a lot of energy and commitment and its nice to see she acknowledges the help of her family, in particular her mum it seems. She's just the type of person this country needs and I would like to wish her every success in the future."
"Claire Mitchell is awesome."
"First rate products at reasonable pricesuser friendly site quick delivery."
"I vote for claire mitchell, because her website and buisness are superb. Products are brilliant and the service is as good as it gets..The passion she has for her buisness, really shows."
"Claire is an outstanding business woman who has managed to achieve the holy grail of running 2 successful businesses while also dedicating time to her family. She is an inspiring role model for those of us who are trying to achieve the same, very difficult, balance and success."
"Claire deserves to win for her drive and enthusiasm alone! Add to that her skilled marketing ability - to spot a growing niche and access it - she would certainly get my vote."
"Claire is an exceptionally impressive and hard working business woman who also has the foresight to turn ideas into money making reality."
"Claire Mitchell is an inspirational personality with fantastic practical knowledge invaluable for business and a seemingly boundless enthusiasm for new ideas and innovative business concepts. We have found her involvement with our business has helped us grow and mature in our outlook and development."
"I vote for Claire Mitchell. Efficient, innovative, driven, communucative and pleasant to deal with. I could go on......"
Tuesday 26 May 2009
(10) Back at work
I nearly had a whole day off. I had most of yesterday off and went to the annual Meet (carnival) at Barnard Castle, which was lovely in the gorgeous sunshine. I was supposed to be on BBC Radio Tees this morning but I have a persistent and horrible sounding cough which sounds like a distressed seal, and it wouldn't have made good radio. To cancel a radio appearance is sacriledge for me but needs must, and I had to phone up at 7am to apologise to the rather strict-sounding lady. I'm sure she thought I'd probably overdone the drink on the Bank Holiday and had a hangover but I don't drink - so I hadn't!
I was out seeing one of my lovely 'day job' clients this afternoon, helping them to complete a rather complicated business plan. We got there in the end, it seems to have taken ages, but they're still full of drive and energy to get on and start the business.
I've been writing the copy for my Claire Mitchell Consultancy website which should be up and running soon - i've just been trying to get inspiration but I think I'm about there now.
Just had an email from a customer who wants some brown mascara to thicken his lashes - really tricky for guys as it can look quite obvious so I've asked him lots of questions and hopefully we can help him out. I'm still on a mission to find some GOOD brown mascara for men. It's like a Mission Impossible challenge at the moment.
Right - I'm coughing like a loony again, off to bed!
More soon!
I was out seeing one of my lovely 'day job' clients this afternoon, helping them to complete a rather complicated business plan. We got there in the end, it seems to have taken ages, but they're still full of drive and energy to get on and start the business.
I've been writing the copy for my Claire Mitchell Consultancy website which should be up and running soon - i've just been trying to get inspiration but I think I'm about there now.
Just had an email from a customer who wants some brown mascara to thicken his lashes - really tricky for guys as it can look quite obvious so I've asked him lots of questions and hopefully we can help him out. I'm still on a mission to find some GOOD brown mascara for men. It's like a Mission Impossible challenge at the moment.
Right - I'm coughing like a loony again, off to bed!
More soon!
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