How to vomit your way to cookie law compliance

Back in 2007, when I decided to start my business, I went to various start-up workshops and seminars run by Business Gateway. Inevitably the evening rolled around when the topic of discussion was how to set up a web site. As a web site designer, I kept my mouth firmly shut and took it as an opportunity to observe what sort of advice startups were receiving from well-meaning generalists who had, themselves, never set up a web site. Continue reading →

The missing piece in Scotland’s business infrastructure: childcare

Today marks the Scottish Women’s Business and Enterprise Conference in Glasgow. I won’t be in attendance, as I had already booked in to a professional development opportunity elsewhere before I had heard about it. But I do have two cents to offer on my experience in women’s enterprise.

If you were to ask me today what my business needs to expand to the next level, my answer now would be the same answer I would have given you two years ago, and four years ago, and six years ago. It isn’t property, employee training, or a grant. It isn’t public contracts, networking opportunities, or advertising.

It’s childcare.

Let me explain: I have no childcare. And I have no childcare because there is no childcare. Continue reading →