Home Business Heroes, in association
with
Home businesses generate £284bn of the UK's GDP making them the
true heroes of our economy. So to continue Smarta and Viking's celebration of
these brave entrepreneurs, we tracked down founder of Grannynet,
Verity Gill.
Can you sum up your business?
Grannynet is the definitive website for grandmothers, providing
a one-stop shop for all of their needs including a forum, articles
and a shop.
What's the business model?
The business is based on an ecommerce and
advertising revenue model.
What were you doing before?
I was an econometrician at media agency, Mindshare.
How did the idea come about?
I thought of the idea behind Grannynet when I had my first child
in 2006. Suddenly I saw my mum in a totally new light. I was now
able to appreciate all she'd done for me and saw the beginnings of
an incredibly strong and unique bond between my child and her
grandmother. Aware of how online networks had provided such support
to the parenting community and realising how hands on my mum would
be with my daughter, I saw a need for a social networking site for
the UK's grandmothers. That was when Grannynet was born.
How did you fund it?
We initially funded Grannynet ourselves (myself and business
partner Charlotte Lloyd Owen) and we also won funding through an
UnLtd Engage award, part of the Millennium trust.
How did you market it?
Through online social networks, exhibitions, advertising on and
off line. Also forming partnerships with bigger names than
ourselves who were very interested in our niche market.
How have you grown the business?
By working out what works. We learnt very quickly what was value
for money, and we tried to concentrate the resources we had towards
those activities. It is always important to keep networking, I
think it can be very tempting to keep your head down, but if you
work from home it is so important that you go out and meet people
as you never know where it may lead.
Where in the home is your office?
I am up in the study in our loft.
Do you have set working hours?
I have three children under six so it is really important that I
have set working hours. It is important that my work time is just
that and I am a Mum the rest of the time.
How do you make sure you're focused and never get
distracted at home?
I am really lucky and have fantastic childcare for the days I
work so I don't have to worry about the children even if they are
just downstairs. My study is my workspace and the children know
that when I am in there, they have to knock and it has to be REALLY
important!
What was it like at the start?
I have always loved working on Grannynet, I was really motivated
then and I am just as motivated now. Everyone was so positive about
the idea and it was great to turn an idea into a reality.
What's the worst thing about working from
home?
Occasionally I get cabin fever if I have not been out to
meetings for a few days, so I have to get out and go for a walk,
even if it's just for half an hour. Also I used to miss the banter
you get when you work in an office, but regular Skyping with my
business partner has put a stop to that.
What's the best?
There are so many great things about working from home. I don't
have to commute, so when I finish my day I walk downstairs and I am
immediately with my children; I can take deliveries; I am there if
the kids are ill; and I can get chores done in my breaks so that at
the end of the day I don't come home to a house that still needs
everything to be done.
For more information about Grannynet, click
here
Home Business Heroes, in association
with