Got a question about starting a retail business? Ask a Sage Business Expert

Sage Blog (17 Jul 2013)

As you may recall, one of the many hats that I wear is as a Sage Business Expert.

Set up by the Newcastle-based software company nearly a year ago, the aim of the group is to support and advise Britain’s business community via social media, bringing together a raft of handpicked Business Experts who “share a commitment to promoting business and enabling others to do the same.”

Sage Business Experts website (11 Dec 2012)

It’s a great opportunity to champion issues important to the retail sector, and in previous Sage blogs I’ve highlighted the industry campaign to freeze business rates, urged businesses to ‘MOT’ their websites, provided tips on setting up a retail business, and most recently talked about how can we bring empty shops back into use.

My empty shops blog for Sage, from March (17 Jul 2013)

Now, Sage has introduced its first ‘Ask a Sage Business Expert’ week – and it’s focusing on retail. So, if you’re thinking about starting a retail business online or on the high street – or you’ve recently done so, but think you could benefit from some extra advice – this is your chance to get involved.

If you have any questions you’d like to ask, all you have to do is tweet them to @SageUK using the hashtag #SageRetailQ, or alternatively post your question in the comment box of the appropriate page on the Sage Blog. Sage will put up a new post on the blog next week, featuring the questions that have been submitted.

Questions will be answered by a panel that includes four Sage Business Experts with lots of experience in the retail world:

• Jeremy Corner, who is the co-owner of the award-winning greeting card publisher Blue Eyed Sun and the wedding stationery specialist Ivy Ellen, and who I had the pleasure of meeting (albeit briefly) at this year’s Spring Fair in Birmingham;
• Rachel Parkin, the owner and Creative Director of the Balagan Group – a jewellery design and wholesale business – and the founder of Retailrehab, which assists and supports independent retailers by creating a resource for sales-generating ideas and best practice;
• Miranda Harper, who set up and runs the beanie hat specialist Zaini Hats, selling direct to customers via a successful e-commerce platform; and
• Me, Graham Soult, who you probably know already given that you’re currently reading my blog – but there’s more on my CannyInsights.com site if you don’t.