How to Successfully Turn Your Freelance Career into a Business CareerMetis.com

Step by step instructions to Successfully Turn Your Freelance Career into a Business On the off chance that you have a sprouting independent profession, you might be considering how to move it from being a rewarding interest into an undeniable business.Here are some details that can assist you with getting a superior picture:According to the Small Business Administrations, there are 28.8 million private companies in the United States which represents 99.7% of all the business in the U.S.On normal, entrepreneurs require about $10,000as the startup capital.42% of the new businesses fizzle as a result of an absence of market need. That is the no.1 explanation behind failure.evalThis article gives 6 methodologies that any specialist hoping to begin a business can profit from.1) Come Up with Your Selling PointsevalUnless the item or administration you offer is genuinely stand-out, you'll likely be rivaling hundreds or even a large number of different consultants and organizations. In this way, it's critical to distinguish why you merit recruiting over your rivals, concurr ing toThe Muse giver Kate Kendall. To help in this procedure, Kendall suggests making sense of what your qualities are.Specifically, Kendall exhorts thinking about your experience, estimating, affability, and current organizations as potential selling focuses. You can likewise utilize this as a chance to distinguish a particular specialty you will work in.Here are a couple of ways that can assist with conceptualizing your one of a kind selling points:Identify what you can offer, the experience you have or the land favorable circumstances that your rivals can't imitate.Search and contrast the ranges of abilities you have and your immediate rivals and recognize the advantages that set you apart.Try to imagine your client's perspective. Investigate what your clients truly need and what could persuade them to purchase your service.Additionally, in the event that you don't have an arrangement of work tests, right now is an ideal opportunity to construct one. Clergyman an assortment of yo ur best work and be prepared to give it to customers who request to perceive what you can do.2) Build Your Online PresenceThe selling focuses you think of will be an immense piece of another significant fixing: your online nearness. Nowadays, any business without a flourishing computerized personality will probably fall behind its competition.Over at Forbes.com, business visionary Andrew Gazdecki recommendsthe following systems for building an online presence:Be present on different channels. That implies making an appealing, forward-thinking, exceptionally usable site. It additionally implies being dynamic via web-based networking media stages. You don't need to post 20 times each day, however you do should be dynamic enough that individuals normally observe refreshes from you.Target explicit clients with website improvement For example, on the off chance that you have an exceptionally one of a kind association with another business, posting about that can be an approach to flaunt your organization to expected customers. On the off chance that you totally nailed a task and the customer is alright with you demonstrating it off, at that point do so.3) Consider the Financial ImplicationsYour explicit money related picture will change contingent upon how much reserve funds you need to incline toward, how much your business undertakings to win every month, and what costs you have. In any case, you should ensure you have enough investment funds to support your new business through any early unpleasant patches.Stats have appeared, just 50% of the private ventures will endure 5 years or more and around 33% will endure over 10 years If you genuinely need to transform your independent profession into an economical business, you should know how and where to spend your money.For model, before you dispatch an undertaking, you have to appraise the expense of all the individual exercises included and the course of events to finish. After you have the subtleties, include all the appraisals cost together to have a total picture. At that point ask yourself, are you ready to take this risk?evalAdditionally, you may likewise need to make sense of if your installment structures need to change.For model, Entrepeneur.comcontributor Michael Luchies began with a plan of action of charging customers by the article, yet he discovered more accomplishment subsequent to changing to month to month bundles. Despite the fact that his number of customers dropped, the new arrangement was better for his business.4) Keep Taxes in MindIf your change from incidental outsourcing into full-time business-running works out in a good way, almost certainly, you'll start to pull in more cash. That is incredible newsâ€"yet it additionally implies your duty duties will go up.Your explicit expense liabilitieswill rely upon what sort of business you work as. You may likewise need to make your new business official by setting it up as a lawful element. This can have a few advantages. Fo r instance, as Priyanka Prakash explainson Fundera.com, legitimately enrolling a business can give assurance to your own benefits by isolating your own and business characters. For instance, on the off chance that somebody sues your business, your own benefits won't be on the snare. Two alternatives for this incorporate constrained obligation organizations Those are only the general terms of the means of setting up your business as a legitimate substance. Make certain to investigate every one to ensure the entirety of your desk work is all together and your needs are covered.6) Network ConstantlyAccording to The Balance supporter Jen Hubley Luckwaldt, networkingis an enormous piece of making it as a specialist. Luckwaldt prompts that systems administration is significant both to forestall detachmentâ€"since you won't have conventional colleaguesâ€"and to develop a customer base. She prescribes utilizing internet based life to help commitment, make and keep up connections.If you have made an online nearness for your independent business, similar to what I've referenced before, it's an ideal opportunity to use it. Other than exhibiting the past work you've done, you can share or notice others' work in your website.Setting up a blog area for systems administration purposesis the least expensive way you can start with.Here are a few hints where you can develop your system with a blog:When you compose a subject, you can make reference to and connection to others that are connected. You can include their recommendation and tips in your blog entry. At the point when your post is distributed, told them that you have remembered them for your article.You can welcome somebody you know to compose an article on your blog. In all probability they will say yes to your greeting. Not just you can get new substance from an alternate point of view, however you can likewise assemble a more profound relationship with the person.You can enlist somebody to do a meeting post with the master you know. From that point, you can find out such a great amount about the individual and their business. It might sparkles thoughts where you can team up with them in the future.Besides, proficient affiliations are another incredible method to keep steady over news in your industry and extend your network.evalOther roads for systems administration remember for individual occasions and chipping in your community.No matter your strategy for systems administration, be prepared to discuss your business with a lift pitch and give your contact data, for which business cards can be helpful.ConclusionChances are that in case you're a consultant, you effectively like what you're doing.Turning your independent vocation into a business can be an approach to make your low maintenance gig your full-time dream job.To make it a reality, recognize what you're acceptable at and manufacture an online nearness to flaunt your abilities, achievements, and assets. Keep your expense installments, protection strategies, and desk work all together and on favorable terms, and make certain to persistently system to fabricate important associations.

How To Avoid Keeping Secrets From Your Employees

How To Avoid Keeping Secrets From Your Employees The concept of complete transparency at work is a relatively new phenomenon across U.S. offices. Younger generations of workers grew up with all the information in the world at their fingertips, and they expect their organizations to be open and honest. But is a lack of transparency to blame when employees aren’t productive? I recently spoke with Kris Duggan, whose company BetterWorks commissioned a survey on this issue. The results revealed a strong link between transparency and worker productivity: 64 percent of employees believe their company’s leadership team isn’t completely transparent when communicating top goals. However, 37 percent of respondents said an increase in corporate visibility and transparency would spur their performance. But perhaps most surprisingly, 92 percent of employees surveyed said they would work harder if their co-workers could see their goals. “This data tells us that the large majority of organizations are failing to make even their quarterly or annual goals public,” Duggan said. “When goal-setting becomes open and collaborative, managers can better recognize employees for their work, and employees are motivated to work harder.” Duggan said keeping secrets at work is hurting employee productivityâ€"and he noted that high-performing organizations need their employees to operate at the top of their game, especially given today’s economic climate. According to Duggan, there are three ways transparency can help companies win at work and transform company culture into one that thrives on openness and visibility. Work Toward the Same Goal Duggan said that successful business founders get started by establishing their company vision or mission. But somewhere along the way, that mission tends to get lost or replaced. Even if a business’ focus changes, employees should never feel lost when it comes to why it exists, or what short and long term goals they’re working to hit. Duggan told me many of BetterWorks’ customers begin using goal setting software to eliminate duplicate work; if a workforce spends time on the wrong things, or duplicates efforts, it’s not productive. Transparency helps employees understand why their work matters. As it stands, only 32 percent of women and 25 percent of men completely understand how their work contributes to company goals. A recent Gallup study found that 71 percent of millennials who say they “strongly agree that they know what their organization stands for and what makes it different from competitors,” plan to be with their company for at least one year. “When you’re working to build something great, you need employees to stay committed,” says Duggan. “Keeping goals visible allows all employeesâ€"from entry level workers to C-level executivesâ€"to unite around a common mission and purpose.” Give Feedback on Employee Performance BetterWorks’ survey found that workers are dissatisfied with their managers’ feedback on their performance, with 62 percent responding that feedback isn’t useful or frequent enough. Duggan said that since feedback is the backbone of high-performing organizations, if employees fail to receive it in real-time, it’s impossible for them to improve and produce better results. The concept of the “death of the performance review” has received a lot of attention over the past year, but BetterWorks is still talking about killing it not because it’s inherently bad, but because employees need more frequent and relevant feedback to remain agile and improve. While new questions are emerging, like how to handle compensation and performance, one thing remains clear: employees crave consistent feedback. Foster Trust Among Colleagues EY surveyed nearly 10,000 full-time employees from March to May of 2016, and the results begin to unravel the connection between trustâ€"or lack thereofâ€"across workplaces around the world, and the impact trust has on employee retention and satisfaction. Turns out less than half of global professionals trust their employer, boss, or colleagues. When asked which factors promote trust, 59 percent chose “communicating openly/transparently.” A lack of transparency among departments and between managers, employees, and executives is the quickest way to diminish trust at work. Creating an environment of trust can impact not only daily interactions among employeesâ€"it determines whether or not your employees will want to continue to work for you. Positive teams that trust each other are more likely to be productive, according to a research article published in the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. EY found that when professionals reported a high level of trust in their employer, they were happier at their job, more likely to stay committed to the company, and more engaged and productive. In the year ahead, organizations should focus on creating a company culture where transparency and visibility are the norms. It seems that keeping secrets from employees does more than prohibit the flow of communication. As recent research has shown, employees learn to trust the organization and their colleagues when they see how and why their work matters. In turn, employees stay productive and committed to the organization. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class ® now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!

The Best Resume Explained

The Best Resume Explained Professional intrigue has a significant part in raising the gauge of your application. Since you wish to give heaps of regard for both, you probably won't have a lot of room left for various areas, including a resume synopsis, humanitarian effort, interests, and so on.. There are as a general rule words which are broadly utilized on resumes that could damagingly affect the strength of the resume. Your resume ought to be arranged in a simple, proficient strategy. The most effective method to Choose the Best Resume Besides your LinkedIn account, the ideal resume should fuse any connections that are identified with your work, similar to an individual webpage, portfolio, or blog. The best thing about resume layouts is they have many resume tests that you can use. Most of the formats are provided by named, continue composing pros and in this manner the quality is amazingly acceptable. There are fairly numerous formats on the web however not these are adequate. Th e Importance of the Best Resume The pinnacle of your resume ought to includecritical key expressions and a quick depiction of your center qualities, Leavy-Detrick states. You may improve the substance of your resume on the off chance that you comprehend what the businesses are keen on. Numerous organizations partake in building the resume, however a couple of them are not reasonable by cost. Till now numerous organizations are burning through millions to make themselves as large brands in the global area. Get the Scoop on the Best Resume Before You're Too Late The absolute first thing you should do is ensure a potential boss realizes whose resume they're investigating! At the end of the day, you'll despite everything require a strong resume to really sell yourself. The staff gives an awesome cake and some pop. What precisely does matteris that you place in the chance to show your planned business that you have what it requires to satisfy the drawn out necessities of the firm. You'll likewise spare your time important for research. Vocation target proclamation is the underlying part in any application after the contact points of interest of the candidate. Resume is a critical record expressing your data fundamental for the activity. You should ensure you read the headings quite well. Facing everyday life After the Best Resume To decide the kind of arrangement that you ought to use for your resume, you ought to assess your current targets and the type of information you should present to your conceivable business. On the off chance that that is the situation, at that point the utilitarian resume arrangement could be great. You should choose the suitable organization that will accommodate your necessities and match the work portrayal. Some portion of making a viable resume is picking the most fitting arrangement to illuminate your private story. Transportation occupations include a lot of duty and your resume will need to reflect you can manage that. Resumes begin to look and sound precisely the same to them. They can be utilized for an assortment of reasons, however regularly they are utilized to make sure about new business. They might be sorted out in various manners. Likewise, further range of abilities of the man or lady will be founded on the field he's working in. Be sure to feature relationship building abilities and that you see how to finalize a negotiation. On the off chance that you need to assume responsibility for your work life, the underlying advance is simple. The resume ought to be made in the perfect route with the end goal for it to bode well for the business. Center One significant piece that a resume developer can help you with is acquiring an emphasis on your destinations. Our resume manufacturer is the speediest way to deal with make a resume that can assist you with landing your dream position. Since now and then, you have to discover awkward to discover the outcome you want. In case you're endeavoring to secure work in bookkeeping or money you require averystrong continue. There are heaps of angles choosing the evaluation of the CV and clean appearance is the most extreme perspective. There are loads of variables, which ought to be kept up when assembling the resume.

7 Myths about Job Hunting in a Recession

7 Myths about Job Hunting in a Recession ShareShare Myth: Nobodys hiring. Truth: Theres always some hiring. Yes, theres more competition, but most of your competitors dont know how to do a best practices job search. Do that and youll be ahead of the pack. Of course, it may take longer these days, so the sooner you get down to it, the better. Myth: Theres no use approaching a company thats just had layoffs. Truth: Companies often hire following layoffs. Even during a hiring freeze some exceptions may be made. Most crucially, doing informational meetings now at a company youre interested in will position you for success later, when hiring picks up. It takes time to build up a network of good contacts, so dont wait until the job postings appear. Besides, the fewer job seekers are reaching out, the more easily you can get an informational meeting. Myth: People dont want to be bothered with informational interviews at a time like this. Truth: Actually, when times are tough theres extra goodwill in peoples hearts, a feeling of were all in this together. So ask. Tip: Instead of asking for an informational interviewwhich can sound uncomfortably formalask if theyd be willing to talk, to offer you some advice. Say something like Id like to ask you about your experience and any insights you may have. That kind of language is more inviting. For more tips, read my post The Best Way to Make Contacts within Your Target Companies. Myth: You might as well just kick back and wait it out. A long resume gap in 2020 wont look bad on a resume. Recruiters will get used to seeing it. Truth: They may get used to it, but they wont prefer it. While youre job hunting, keeping busy with free-lancing, consulting, temporary gigs and/or volunteering (including virtual volunteering) can provide a wide range of benefits: a gap-free resume, new contacts, learning experiences, the satisfaction of contributing, and a feeling of accomplishment. It also demonstrates your strong work ethic and energy. Myth: In a recession you have to broaden your search and consider types of jobs you wouldnt otherwise be interested in. Truth: The most effective job search in any job market is a targeted, proactive job search focusing on a specific type of role (or small set of closely related roles) that youre well qualified for and interested in. A targeted search can get you hired faster than an Ill take anything search where youd spread yourself too thin. Of course, you may want to avoid targeting an area of the job market thats much less promising than others, so if youre laid off from the hospitality industry or the airlines during a pandemic, it may be best to identify an alternative industry to focus on. Tip: Look at industries similar or related to your previous industry; you may have plenty of credibility there. Myth: If youre unemployed you should tighten your budget in every area, including job search expenses and career-related training. Truth: Those are the last things to scrimp on when you need a new job. Find better ways to save money. Myth: You cant negotiate during a recession, so when you get an offer youd better just say yes! Truth: Even in a recession, an experienced professional can often negotiate a better package. Since future raises will be based on a percentage of your starting salary, why start with a handicap by accepting less than you can reasonably get? Unload these myths from your mind and move forward with clarity, focus and energy. 7 Myths about Job Hunting in a Recession ShareShare Myth: Nobodys hiring. Truth: Theres always some hiring. Yes, theres more competition, but most of your competitors dont know how to do a best practices job search. Do that and youll be ahead of the pack. Of course, it may take longer these days, so the sooner you get down to it, the better. Myth: Theres no use approaching a company thats just had layoffs. Truth: Companies often hire following layoffs. Even during a hiring freeze some exceptions may be made. Most crucially, doing informational meetings now at a company youre interested in will position you for success later, when hiring picks up. It takes time to build up a network of good contacts, so dont wait until the job postings appear. Besides, the fewer job seekers are reaching out, the more easily you can get an informational meeting. Myth: People dont want to be bothered with informational interviews at a time like this. Truth: Actually, when times are tough theres extra goodwill in peoples hearts, a feeling of were all in this together. So ask. Tip: Instead of asking for an informational interviewwhich can sound uncomfortably formalask if theyd be willing to talk, to offer you some advice. Say something like Id like to ask you about your experience and any insights you may have. That kind of language is more inviting. For more tips, read my post The Best Way to Make Contacts within Your Target Companies. Myth: You might as well just kick back and wait it out. A long resume gap in 2020 wont look bad on a resume. Recruiters will get used to seeing it. Truth: They may get used to it, but they wont prefer it. While youre job hunting, keeping busy with free-lancing, consulting, temporary gigs and/or volunteering (including virtual volunteering) can provide a wide range of benefits: a gap-free resume, new contacts, learning experiences, the satisfaction of contributing, and a feeling of accomplishment. It also demonstrates your strong work ethic and energy. Myth: In a recession you have to broaden your search and consider types of jobs you wouldnt otherwise be interested in. Truth: The most effective job search in any job market is a targeted, proactive job search focusing on a specific type of role (or small set of closely related roles) that youre well qualified for and interested in. A targeted search can get you hired faster than an Ill take anything search where youd spread yourself too thin. Of course, you may want to avoid targeting an area of the job market thats much less promising than others, so if youre laid off from the hospitality industry or the airlines during a pandemic, it may be best to identify an alternative industry to focus on. Tip: Look at industries similar or related to your previous industry; you may have plenty of credibility there. Myth: If youre unemployed you should tighten your budget in every area, including job search expenses and career-related training. Truth: Those are the last things to scrimp on when you need a new job. Find better ways to save money. Myth: You cant negotiate during a recession, so when you get an offer youd better just say yes! Truth: Even in a recession, an experienced professional can often negotiate a better package. Since future raises will be based on a percentage of your starting salary, why start with a handicap by accepting less than you can reasonably get? Unload these myths from your mind and move forward with clarity, focus and energy.

Helen Marsden Alun Hindle - the business couple at the helm of MediChecks

Helen Marsden Alun Hindle - the business couple at the helm of MediChecks Helen Marsden Alun Hindle the business couple at the helm of MediChecks Image Source: medichecksHELEN  Marsden and Alun Hindle, respectively the CCO and CEO of MediChecks, are one of the more unusual entrepreneurial pairings to  have featured on AGENT, in that they’re a life partnership as well as a successful business one.Prior to the foundation of MediChecks in 2002, Helen Marsden worked in  business development in the City of London. She  had a passion for health and an interest in the home blood-testing that was popular in the US but almost non-existent in Britain, and encouraged her family business to purchase MediChecks, a small business selling blood tests online. When MediChecks  began to take off, Helen persuaded her husband Alun Hindle, a City investment manager, to join MediChecks as  CEO.Today,  MediChecks is a fully-fledged direct-to-consumer health testing company, selling more than 1,200 blood tests and health tests online. The tests are sent to one of the UKs foremost, state-of-the-art accredited laboratories in the heart of Londons med ical district, meaning that company clients can be confident of accurate, reliable results.MediChecks aims to provide affordable, convenient, confidential and accurate health screening to individuals who need to understand their own health issues and do not want to wait for important test results. The MediChecks tests also assist people who wish to know whether their fitness and wellbeing regimes are having the desired results.Helen and Alun recently spoke with AGENT and told us more about the story of MediChecks  so far, where they see the company going in the future, and  their experience of striking a balance between life and work as a married couple at the head of a successful business. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Tell us what your business is about, and describe your business goals.ALUN HINDLE / Image Source: MediChecks“Technology is delivering a revolution in health care and we are very much part of that movement.”Alun: MediChecks is a direct-to-con sumer health testing company. We sell blood tests and health checks online, making the process easy, affordable and accessible to everyone, wherever they are in the country.We sell over 1,200 different tests from single biomarkers, for, say, testosterone or vitamin D, to comprehensive profiles, which cover all of the body’s main organs including heart, liver and kidneys, as well as nutritional status and hormones.All of our tests are sent to fully accredited laboratories and many can be conducted at home using a finger-prick sample collection method. Results are made available online on a visual dashboard with an explanation of each biomarker and an interpretation from a MediChecks doctor.People love our service for the convenience it provides â€" no need for time off work for doctor’s appointments â€" just a simple test that you can do at home and post to the laboratory.Our business goal is to be the household name for home health testing. The market is growing quickly as more and more digital providers of all forms of health care come into the market.Whether you want to talk to a doctor, get a prescription, or have a blood test, you can now do it all without leaving the comfort of your own home â€" technology is delivering a revolution in health care and we are very much part of that movement.What is your background? When did you decide on a career in business, and why?Helen: My background is the City. I spent the first part of my career helping grow investment management companies in business development roles. But ever since I can remember I’ve had a fascination with health. I read everything there was to read, much of which came from the US, where they were always sending people off to have their bloodwork done.I was in the UK and wanted my bloodwork done too. But how? There lies the germ of an idea! I left the City and persuaded my family business to buy MediChecks, a fledgling company selling blood tests online. The rest, as they say, is history.A lun: My background is also in the City and is in fact where I met Helenâ€"we both worked for the same company. However, I soon branched out to other things, joining Virgin as an investment manager, which gave me great exposure to the whole stable of Virgin businesses.I was part of a team that  led Virgin’s entry into Formula 1,  and I remained with the team in its various guises until my wife poached me to come to MediChecks! Why was I interested? I love taking a business from small to big. We built a Formula 1  team in less than a year.  My job as CEO of MediChecks is to scale the business while making sure we still deliver excellence and reliability in all aspects of what we do. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What gives you the most satisfaction in your business?HELEN MARSDEN / IMAGE SOURCE: MEDICHECKSHelen: For me it’s definitely seeing the concept of blood tests as a consumer product gain acceptance. People are ready to take control of their own health n ow, whereas even a few years ago many people wouldn’t dream of taking a health check without going through their doctor. There has been a real shift to patient power â€" and it’s still in its infancy.Alun: For me it’s the satisfaction of seeing the team grow â€" developing our home-grown talent, as well finding smart people who can bring something new to the business.Who are your business icons and inspirations?“You’re never too old to be an entrepreneur!”Alun: I worked for Branson for five years, so he would be an obvious choice, but I don’t really go in for the cult of leadership business-inspiration.I do, however, admire what Amancio Ortega has done.   Few people know who he is, but he has built his family’s dressmaking company into one of the world’s biggest clothing chains (Zara) and is on-and-off the world’s richest man.He doesn’t court the media but regularly takes lunch with the shop floor workers to help him remain grounded in the business and connecte d to his workforce.   This shows that he is interested in every facet of his company, down to the smallest detail, which is an admirable trait in my opinion.You are much more likely to command the respect of your colleagues if you engage with them and listen to what they have to say â€" and you can’t lead without respect.   Ultimately he lets his business success do the talking for him and that is quite refreshing in this day and age.Helen: My father (sadly, no longer with us) who, having built a long and successful career in the oil business, retired at 60 and started the family business that  now owns MediChecks.When most people are picking up their golf clubs he was spotting opportunities, buying companies, and running businesses. You’re never too old to be an entrepreneur! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What has been your biggest challenge in business and how did you surmount it?Helen: Our biggest challenge has definitely been to grow the market for an e ntirely new concept. We’ve had to make blood tests consumer-friendly. We’ve done this by renaming our tests around conditions people will recognise. No-one wants to buy a Glycosylated Haemoglobin test but thousands of people every year will buy it as a Diabetes Check.Alun: Yes, and pricing is critical in a market where people lack knowledge about what value to put on a blood test. We’ve really had to test our pricing to find the right price points that will drive volume, especially when we are competing with consumer products for the pound in your pocket.How did you end up working for the same company?Helen: Having worked with Alun before, I knew that we worked well together. We have very complementary skills. Things had started to take off at MediChecks and I recognised that we needed someone to lead our growth as well as make sure we had the controls and disciplines that you would expect to see in a big company. Alun has this experience in abundance, whereas I am much better at the health issues, looking at how we communicate with our customers, what new tests to offer and why. I think we make a great team! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); How do you find the work-life balance, taking account of having a professional relationship with your spouse?Alun: Well inevitably there is less balance. We can both be tied to our laptops for much of the evening and a lot of our conversation revolves around the business. But to be honest, it’s less of an issue when you are both doing it for the same objective than it would be if I were constantly on my phone when Helen wanted my attention for something else. At least now when she asks me how my day was she is interested in the answer!What is the first thing you do every day?Alun: I read The Economist Espresso on my iPhone.Helen: I get some health inspiration for the day ahead by reading Dr Mercola’s daily email. Unless it’s Wednesday or Sunday, when I will read my Houzz email and get interio rs inspiration instead. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What’s the most important app on your phone and why?Alun: Google Maps â€" it gets me to wherever I need to be.Helen: Zombie Castaways, because it keeps our 10-year-old son quiet in the car.What item do you never leave the house without?Alun: My iPhone for Google Maps (see above) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What screen saver picture is currently on your phone?Alun: Our new golden retriever puppy named Bear.Helen: Our two-year-old mongrel called Rue (I’m more loyal than Alun!).What advice would you give your younger self starting out in business?Helen: Work in something you feel really passionate about and then it doesn’t feel like work.IMAGE SOURCE: MEDICHECKS