Saturday 26 September 2015

Dormen Mentoring service prepares Angels for franchising

Some exciting news & times ahead for us at Domestic Angels HQ! Dormen Mentoring service prepares Angels for franchising



A HOME cleaning company is on the verge of franchising after enlisting the help of a mentoring programme and MBA students.
Southbourne-based Domestic Angels has been taking advice from Martin Spooner of Dormen, the Dorset Mentoring Programme, since spring 2014.
The mentoring tested the strength, culture and finances of the business and found it to be poised for growth.
Samantha Acton, who founded the business, said: “I requested a Dormen mentor as I have been trading since 2002, doing well enough and exceptionally well during 2012 and 2013 and I needed to establish whether the business was really robust and had the potential I suspected.
“As my Dormen mentor, Martin has objectively examined the company and reviewed its potential. This has definitely been a great decision.”
“The questioning caused action. Action to address areas of weakness, to perfect established strengths and to introduce new methodology. It also resulted in a distinct growth in my confidence as a business person, the realisation that I do actually know what I’m doing and talking about.”
The business also collaborated with Bournemouth University MBA students, 15 of whom were briefed to help develop tools the company would need in the franchise market.
Teams of three students produced comprehensive reports including market information, analysis and recommendations.
The reports confirmed the strength of the brand and stressed the need for the highest calibre franchisees.
MBA director Dr Milena Bobeva said: “Domestic Angels has offered the MBA students a multi-dimensional experiential learning opportunity that highlighted the reality of running a small business.
“Samantha has been amazing to work with – her comprehensive timely responses, constructive feedback and business acumen have defined the success of this project. She has been a true example of entrepreneurial agility and effective communication.”
The three organisations are due to work together next year to help Domestic angels achieve success at franchising.Mentor Martin Spooner said: “The very professional, thought-provoking presentations made by the MBA students will stand the formidable Domestic Angels business in good stead and form a solid foundation for expansion.”

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Dormen Mentoring & Domestic Angels interviewed for BBC South Today


Since Spring 2014, Martin Spooner of the Dorset Mentoring Service, Dormen, has been providing guidance to Samantha Acton of Domestic Angels. The guidance has been testing the strength, culture and finances of the business revealing it to be perfectly ready for growth.

Samantha Acton advised, “I requested a Dormen mentor as I have been trading since 2002, doing well enough and exceptionally well during 2012 and 2013 and I needed to establish whether the business was really robust and full of the potential I suspected. As my Dormen mentor, Martin has objectively examined the company and consulted on its potential. This has definitely been a great decision.”

The 10 year anniversary of Dormen led to BBC interest and an interview from BBC South Today programme. Business Correspondent, Alastair Fee, led the interviews with Sam Acton of Domestic Angels, Martin and Vivienne from Dormen Mentoring. Zelda de Hollander, of Studio Shotz Photography,  was on location to record the proceedings on film. Please enjoy our photos...







Friday 4 September 2015

Domestic Angels run a Bournemouth Air Festival themed competition as Patrons 100

Domestic Angels used the Patrons 100 sponsorship opportunity as the theme of their most recent competition in association with Quarters Restaurant. The competition ran solely on Facebook, with advertisement drawn from all Domestic Angels’ social media platforms, which offered a chance to win a meal for two at the Southbourne Restaurant with a Bournemouth Air Festival themed question: How many people in total attended the Bournemouth Air Festival in 2014?


“In 2014, the Bournemouth Air Festival saw 1.17 million people attend. The Patrons 100 scheme offers local businesses the benefits of business networking as well as contributing to the support of the Bournemouth Air Festival.” Jon Weaver, Bournemouth Air Festival Director.  
“The Patrons 100 member fee helps fund our chosen charities, and to support the night air displays”

Sam Acton from Domestic Angels said:  “The Charities that benefit from the Patron’s Scheme are extremely worthwhile and include Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund and ABF The Soldiers Charity. We are delighted to be supporting them all.”
The competition itself raises the profile of not just Domestic Angels, but that of Quarters Restaurant and the Patrons 100 scheme of the Air Festival, all while testing the knowledge of the Air Festival on the residents of Bournemouth! Over 8,300 people in the Bournemouth area viewed the Facebook post with an impressive 26 shares and over 95 entries.

We’re delighted to announce the winner of the competition as Emma Winter who successfully guessed the attendee’s figures. Emma has won a 3 course meal for 2 at Quarters Restaurant in Southbourne!