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Meet Social Media guru Janet Wakstein + seek out our useful services. You might be surprised at how diverse we are!

Meet our Social Media guru Janet Wakstein + seek out our useful services. You might be surprised at how diverse we are!

Janet from the powerfully named motherhood of brotherhood joined the Guild through our crowdfunder last year and we’re extremely glad she did! Since she has taken over our Twitter and Instagram accounts we’ve seen a surge in engagement and new interest in membership. Janet comes highly recommended and  especially for Small Business Saturday she is offering a whopping 20% off for December!

With Small Business Saturday celebrations almost upon us we want to our readers to know how diverse our membership is. As well as retailers we have a rich source of services and suppliers, many of whom operate from home like Janet. Why not peruse the listings on this site to find a  service, restuarant, cafe or pub, or a fun thing to do and go visit for your own copy of our map of members – East End Independents.

 

Now over to Janet to hear all about her story! Tell us all Janet.

 

It all started when I wanted to try something different – and work with clients who I really wanted to work with. Having 3 small children was either the best or the worst time to do it! My company is called motherhood of brotherhood because I’ve got 3 small boys within 2 years of each other. It’s important for me to have work I enjoy and be around for the boys as they grow up.

My first step after leaving my permanent job, was to start by doing similar marketing and sales work to what I had been doing, just on a freelance basis. I had a good network within creative businesses and my role was to be the part-time sales and marketing lead / head / support / director / whatever was needed. Over time, I’ve learnt more about the common challenges of small businesses and sole traders and have grown my offer to support their biggest needs.

What are you doing for Small Business Saturday?

I’m offering 20% off my monthly charges for 3 months for businesses who sign up in December. This would involve a first meeting to understand what you’re looking to achieve and then a plan would kick-off in January.

I have  a targeted approach to social media. I work with successful small and medium-size businesses to share their passion with the world and increase awareness with the people who matter to them. I know as a small business, it’s important to side-step wasted time and money.

I have over 20 years experience with large and small organisations with different marketing and sales challenges. I’m now focussed on social channels – and how they work in partnership with other more traditional marketing techniques.

How would you like our members to work together over the next year?

In managing social media for the East End Trades Guild in the run up to Small Business Saturday, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a good number of members, old and new. Everyone has been so inspiring. I really didn’t know about the diversity, creativity and expertise of the membership. I love the shared ethos – and the openness to sharing with others. If we can do one thing, it is to support each other – and to reach out to other members. Collaboration is a great next step. If you are looking for a partner or services, then the East Trades Guild should be the first place to look!

Why is it important that other businesses join the Guild?

As another member said to me, ‘the EETG is a brilliant focal point – for solidarity, morale boosting and practical support.’ We are indeed stronger together.

Running a small business has lots of challenges and these challenges are shared by many – if not all – the members. It’s a great network of people and having more members will only make us stronger and more diverse.

mobile: 07907 041949

Here’s just a few more of our magnificent services. Peruse our Services & Suppliers + Things to See and Do listings for further discoveries. 

 

DJA ONLINE SERVICES LIMITED 
djaonline.co.uk
Dan is a Guild hero and has often come to rescue at short notice to solve our website issues! Established in 2010, DJA is a website development 
company specialising in the design, build and update 
of content managed websites for businesses and 
organisations around London.

MOOSE
iammoose.co.uk
Guild superstars we couldn’t do without! Barry and his Dad John run efficient and reliable accountancy services, tax management and timely, 
useful advice – all with a personal service.

TOWER HAMLETS MUMS 
towerhamletsmums.com
Online magazine and membership scheme for families providing up-to-the-minute information and offers on helpful services, local shops, family-friendly events and restaurants.

GREENNET
greennet.org.uk
A not-for-profit collective providing broadband, web development, email and hosting to NGOs, activists and campaigns since 1985; members of APC, Cotech, and 
ISPA UK.

HANNAH RUMMERY LTD. 
hannahrummery.com
Graphic designer, illustrator and calligrapher with a passion for drawing and creating in a variety of different mediums.

JANE SMITH – ILLUSTRATOR 
janeillustration.co.uk 
Versatile linocut, pen-and-ink and graphic illustration for clients in design, advertising, editorial and publishing. 

JEREMY FREEDMAN
jeremyfreedman.com
Documentary Photographer focusing on portraiture, 
events and independent trades.

KATHRIN BÖHM
andmillionsandmillions.net
Artist with a long-standing interest in the collaborative making and extending of public spaces.

KATELYN TOTH-FEJEL
katelyntothfejel.com
PhD Research student in design, sustainability 
and dress (University of the Arts London). 

LOCAL BUYERS CLUB
localbuyersclub.com 
Online membership club and discount card which 
helps people discover and support the best independent businesses in London and save money at the same time.

MARYBOW PROPERTY
marybowproperty.com
Independent estate agency offering peace of mind and 
a caring ethos to property owners and tenants.

NATASHA KERR
natashakerr.co.uk
Fine artist creating portraits celebrating histories and lives. Kerr’s work is collected internationally and held in many private and public collections

PAUL HARRISSON 
MASSAGE THERAPY 
facebook.com/bodyknowledge1
Remedial and sports massages for clients with minor or chronic injury as well as general massage for relaxation, well-being and happiness

ROOM TO THINK
roomtothink.net
Caroline applies positive psychology to coaching, 
professional organising and training. She is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society and 
accredited member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers.

SOUP STUDIO
soupstudio.co.uk
Superbly located central London studio with 
large live room, welcoming atmosphere and the 
finest vintage analogue gear.

SPACE EMBRACE
spaceembrace.co.uk
Creating innovative festivals and events to 
improve health and well-being.

STACY BIAS
stacybias.net 
Specialising in sequential art and documentary/non-fiction animation for education and social justice.