My name is Aoife Forbes and I have recently launched a gift-wrapping service called Forbes Finishings. Before I got these tools from Louise Lewis, I had some idea about how to set up a business but needed niche advice about a gift wrapping service. It was easy to get excited about paper and ribbons, but Louise’s advice really helped me focus on a clear path. Louise’s 7 Steps Guide has been my to do list I can tick off and explains factors such as types of insurance – which I was unsure about. The 7 steps has really helped me focused on the vital things to get ready from the beginning and I am sure I would have missed things off without it.

Louise’s Ebook has been really useful and I highly recommend it It has helped me really consider my ideal customers and the outcomes they would want. It has also really helped me price my workshops and incentives such as limited-edition discount codes have been a massive help to me. The most valuable feature of the ebook so far has been about making my offer clear and how to articulate this to my customers. I thought the ebook might be to generic but it is very specific to gift wrapping and hugely detailed. It has been a very worth while purchase for me.

I have started off slowly but am doing well so far. I did a Jane Means course in Harrogate, I ended up getting a start-up grant which has allowed me get branding, a photographer and other things, which is super. I have done a couple of free workshops for friends and have now listed a couple on Eventbrite, which I need to start promoting. I’m aiming to make my workshops quite informal and fun – nothing too perfect! I’m collaborating with local businesses and just trying to build brand awareness at the moment. I need to take things slowly as I have family commitments at the moment.

So far, so good! I am really enjoying it, so that’s a good start, and hopefully this time next year I will be very busy.