In this episode we hear from Alice Edwards, founder of Memo Press: a bespoke plastic free stationery brand based in London. Founded in October 2020, Memo was born out of a vision to make stationery both beautiful and accessible in equal measure.

Following her successful career as the jewellery editor for Tatler, Sunday Times STYLE and LUXX magazines, Alice now writes in an equally beautiful but very different way.. delighting clients with stationery which is all personalised by her own hand.

Alice shares with us her experience on trademarking and why there is now better time to start than now. 

Alice's advice:

• The autonomy self-employment gives you offers huge advantages to parents
• Self-criticism is a useful quality when you are your own boss
• Being well-organised and motivated is also vital
• Recognise your weaknesses and delegate to someone more skilled in those areas
• Play to your strengths
• The community of startups is one in which advice is readily shared; don’t hesitate to ask for help.  Similarly, be ready to share if you can help others
• You’ll be surprised which suppliers will be helpful - don’t hesitate to ask
• You are bound to make mistakes; learn from them
• You’ll surprise yourself at what you can achieve
• When starting out, investigate resources and support geared for startups (eg. the Prince’s Trust) for business plan models, etc.
• When choosing a trademark, one word is harder to copyright; choose two.  
• Filing for a trademark should be done before anything else so you can avoid unpicking it later
• Know what time of day suits you best for different activities and plan accordingly
• Use mentors, official or unofficial to inspire you

If you’d like to contact Alice you can reach via: [email protected] 

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.

FF&M recommends: 

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

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