For anyone that owns or works in a business, it can be very beneficial for them to seek the support of a great business mentor. More often than not, the start-ups that withstand the test of time are the ones that have worked closely with a mentor. Furthermore, people can feel supported and less stressed out when they have somebody to lean on. While there are many benefits to seeking professional help, business coaching and mentoring is a very saturated market and it can be difficult to find a gem amongst the stones. It can be easy to perform a Google search to find someone, however, a good website doesn’t necessarily reflect the services that are offered. Because of this, it is often better to rely on word of mouth or to make sure that a professional has plenty of positive feedback before hiring them. Additionally, it can be a good idea to find someone that has competitive prices, however, that aren’t too cheap either. Good business mentors will know their self-worth and so will charge accordingly. And this is the type of values that they are able to instil in you when they are hired. There are also some things that you can do personally before searching for a mentor that will make the hunt a little easier and make it more likely that someone amazing is found.

Be crystal clear on what you want

Before hiring a business mentor, it is important to first figure out exactly what you want. For example, do you simply want emotional support while you are starting up your business? Do you have a yearly income goal that you want to reach? Perhaps you have a number of clients that you want to hire? Maybe you need help with your business structure? Whatever it may be, deciphering this beforehand means that you can relay this to a potential mentor, and they can let you know if they are able to help in this area. Furthermore, it will give you something more specific to search for. For instance, you would be able to type “business mentor that offers emotional support” into a Google search rather than just “business mentor”. Cutting down your choices is the perfect way to ensure that someone tailored to you is found and having a crystal clear idea of what you want out of mentoring will make it more likely that you will get what you need.

A business coach is someone who mentors a business owner and will work with them at a strategic level. They will help them develop a long-term strategy which will often help entrepreneurs become more focused and motivated. Furthermore, they are able to help people move through any mental barriers that they may have with personal development techniques such as NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming). While there are many benefits to hiring a business coach, the profession itself has become somewhat of a trend of late. This means that life coaches, nutrition coaches, health coaches, and business coaches seem to be popping up at every corner. So, for those who may have paid good money for their business coach training and are extremely passionate about what they do, they will want to ensure that they stand out from the rest and are able to reach as many people as possible. But how can a potential client differentiate between one business coach from the next? This question is what many coaches out there get stuck on and so will find themselves in a constant loop of trying to convince people to hire them. To best help those who are struggling coaches, here is how to become a successful business coach.

Create a niche that you are passionate about

Where many business coaches go wrong is that they are too broad in their offerings. The successful ones are really clear in what they can do for people as well as how they can help. For example, one professional may wish to focus on coaching those who are tradies and builders. This will make things easier when it comes to marketing and with where to show advertising. Furthermore, a coach that focuses on this niche will know exactly how they are able to help tradies and builders. Their motto may be something along the lines of “working with builders and tradies to help them organise their business structure”. As it can be seen, this is a very clear-cut statement and will let people know exactly what they are offering. Many people think that they are ruling out potential customers when they focus on a target market, but this actually isn’t the case. Those who decide on who they would like to work with are more likely to attract their ideal customers who will then spread the word to other potential customers.

gazebo

A gazebo enjoys a wide-ranging definition, essentially working as any structure that is separate from the main house on the property.

In that respect, a gazebo will come in all manners of sizes, styles, colours and designs where the architecture can take on whatever is complimentary to the surrounding area.

It is therefore paramount that the creation of a gazebo be installed by a trained and educated professional.

Homeowners have a habit of venturing down the DIY path, yet it is strongly advised that a builder take over construction duties to ensure that the project does not fall into short-term or long-term problems that would have otherwise been easily avoided.

 

Permits

Residents in rural and suburban areas often overlook the need to check for permits, seeing council regulations as nothing more than unnecessary red tape.

Despite the advice that you may have received from a friend or neighbour, it is always in your best interests to have a builder on hand who knows the local area and has dealt with the development of similar structures in the region before.

Planning permits can be needed to ensure a gazebo does not go beyond certain boundaries and building permits check the necessary Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards are maintained. A professional builder should have this expertise as a matter of course, whereas DIY operators can fall foul of the law.

 

Functionality

Most gazebos can be broken down into three categories:

  • Metal – heavy construction for long-term use
  • Timber – compliment the garden best by blending into the natural landscape
  • Vinyl – can be erected and taken down when necessary

There is no real limit to what characteristic a gazebo can take on. From old style Victorian to new age double-decker artisanal designs, these ornamental features  work to provide an indoor safety for an outdoor setting by offering the requisite shade and shelter from natural conditions.

Those new to their surrounds though can be naïve to the environment when rushing into a project like this, overlooking where the sun hits in the morning or afternoon, whether large trees are at risk of collapsing on the structure, if electricity is running between the gazebo and a power source etc.

All of these issues fall under the banner of functionality and a builder will be able to advise on placement and features that compliment the garden correctly.

 

Cost

This all boils down to what the gazebo is, determining the type and amount of materials used to ratifying permits and additional costs that would arise during construction.

While the hiring of a builder does not come for free, what you are purchasing is efficiency in their expertise. In the event of a DIY development, a wrong decision or an oversight here or there can cost thousands of dollars that would have been negated.

A standard gazebo will usually cost in the region of $5,000 – $10,000 for those expecting a structure that can be multipurpose or specific to one type of event, such as:

  • Wedding
  • Family gathering
  • Outdoor entertainment
  • Lounge room
  • Exercise/yoga
  • Artist’s office
  • Barbeque
  • Bar
  • Music
  • Parties

Any of these will carry unique requirements with additional costs. A trusted builder will have the knowledge of implementing a structure that only includes those that are deemed necessary without overinflating.

 

Materials

Whether it be a pergola, kiosk or pavilion, your gazebo will need to tick a number of crucial boxes that determines the materials used. This includes ventilation for warm and cool air, shade, glass and potential drainage.

The builder will take into account the surrounding geography and then make an assessment on the materials for the roof and flooring. The top might need to be constructed of lattice to allow for airflow, polycarbonate to block out strong UV rays or steel to eliminate maintenance concerns.

So get online and find yourself a great local gazebo builder!

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds have been gaining popularity in the last decade. Why is that? Why are people flocking towards this particular style of blinds? What is it about these blinds that makes them more popular than traditional curtain covers or horizontal blinds?

Well, vertical shades have a number of advantages over curtains and horizontal blinds, making them the most sensible option. Here’s a quick look at why you should consider installing them at your home or office space.

Easy Maintenance

They are easy to maintain. Unlike curtains (which will need to be periodically washed) or horizontal blinds (which are notorious for catching dust and will need to be dusted regularly), vertical window screens pose little to no extra work by way of maintenance.

They are easy to clean; all you need to do is wipe them down every now and then. So, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, then they are the way to go.

Durable

They will easily last for nine to ten years without any problems. If you’ve used horizontal blinds, you know that they are a little more fragile, thereby making them more prone to breakage. And curtains tend to fade or look dated, requiring you to change them every few years. So, when it comes to a long-term solution for your windows, vertical shades are ideal.

Give You The Best of Both Worlds

Want to stay warm during winter and cool during summer? We’ve got two words for you: vertical screens. The blinds help to keep you warm during the winter by trapping the heat inside the home and warding off the chill.

And in the summer, they help to keep the interiors cool by keeping the hot sun rays out. Win-win. Of course, this also helps in considerably reducing your electricity costs, saving you money in energy bills in the long term.

Customised Functionality

Want plenty of sunlight but also like to keep your privacy? Vertical window coverings offer the perfect solution. You can find just the right angle to let in the sunlight but, at the same time, keep your privacy.

Curtains offer limited options. You can either open them up to let in light, and risk having people from the other side getting a full view of your space, or close them up and be in the dark.

Cost-Effective

It is a well-known fact that vertical window screens are the most cost-effective option. Their cost is one of the major factors that make them such a popular choice amongst home owners and businesses.

When you have floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s only natural to expect that you’ll need your privacy at times— and want an unobstructed view of the beautiful landscape outside at other times. And with vertical screens, you get that, at just the right price.

Work Well on Big and Small Windows

Curtains look splendid on big, floor-to-ceiling windows but just end up looking ridiculous on small windows. Similarly, horizontal blinds look good on small to medium-sized windows but just don’t work for big windows. So, the only other option that’s versatile and can be used on windows of all different sizes are vertical shades.

Offer Full Protection

No more squinting to cut out the glare when watching television or working on your laptop. Vertical window covers offer complete protection from glare. They also offer protection from the sun’s harsh rays. This means that you don’t have to worry about your furniture, rugs or carpets fading or getting damaged in any way from prolonged sun exposure.

There are a lot of different options to choose from when it comes to vertical coverings. There’s wood, fabric and there’s vinyl. They come in an array of different colours and shades. So, you can take your pick and find the right one for your living space.

They look sleek and complement modern-architecture and interior designs, with their clean lines and sharp edges, so well. They can be unobtrusive or eye-catching, depending on your preference, which is what makes them so versatile.

You can either opt for neutral colours such as white or grey to keep it simple, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can go in for bold reds or deep greens to add a dash of colour to your space.

If you’re looking for a stylish, long-term, hassle-free option for your windows or patio doors, vertical blinds tick all the boxes. It’s no wonder then that they’re the absolute favourite when it comes to window treatment options.