“@ Susan Gater
I don't for the life of me understand why you should state " I am horrified to see the negative political comments by handymanphil , in particular on a first production magazine." Why on earth should you be horrified at the truth?
I truly am very pleased that "Pampering 4 Pooches" has taken off and is providing you with an income and hope it continues to do so for eternity Susan but there are 10,000 people (minimum) out there that had perfectly good businesses that brought in a perfectly adequate weekly wage until July 1st, 2007. The question is Susan-why should that be?
You have started a small business Susan, and fair play to you for that, but how many 'small businesses' have closed in the past 4.5 years - or of course, don't they matter Susan?
Don't get yourself all 'humpy' or 'agitated' Susan for i am not decrying your business whatsoever, but I am a realist and see what is happening in the world-and what they are engineering is not good!
Good luck with the pampered pooches btw ;)”

“Hello , I was nominated by the http://tinyurl.com/6nfe6nt community group based at Business Box, Braunstone to be featured in the First Edition of the Leicester Mercury Business magazine (page 25), concerning new starter Businesses. I am horrified to see the negative political comments by handymanphil , in particular on a first production magazine.

I wish to thank Ian Griffin, the Business Editor, for the lovely write up and photograph
of my journey to starting up a mobile Dog Grooming Business, pet products and accessories.

I certainly did not enter my Business with " Rose Tinted Glasses and the garden is permanently rosy " attitude - a lot of hard work, determination and creativity has gone into the making of my Business.

"Not brushing it under the carpet " , it has been proven that these days, in this recession period, it is much harder and riskier to be self-employed than employed. In fact, there are many more obstacles. Setting up a Business is not for the faint hearted.

Yes I ditto scottchocolat - the magazine is an excellent idea and very inspirational.
Well Done Leicester Mercury - keep up with the good work and positive attitude.
:-) :-) :-)

Susan Gater
T/A http://tinyurl.com/84kjqx7 , Pampering 4 Pooches”

“@ scottchocolat
Oh dear oh dear me! So you only want to report all the good stuff so that the garden is permanently rosy-how sad that truth and reality have to be brushed under the carpet because "it doesn't look right" You sound like one of Blairs cronies trying to sell fresh air to an oxygen company! Perhaps Bombardier should never have been allowed to feature on East Midland Today or any national papers "scottchocolat" just in case it upset some of the more sensitive souls in our society-but what about the 1,400 that are said 'will be losing their jobs', are we to brush them under the carpet as well.
Doesn't it bother you that laws in this supposedly democratic country are actually killing off chunks of the business sector or do you permanently peer through those 'rose tinted glasses' of yours? Please do enlighten me why truth should be curtained off!”

“handymanphil - surely its better to talk about the successes rather than the negative things that are happening in business, too much negativity is reported and this spreads like wildfire throughout the business community, its good to have an outlet for positive and enthusiastic news and stories to help spread a positive business mindset which in turn could have a positive effect in our local and national business communities. - well done Leicester Mercury”

“handymanphil

I take it from your profile you may be talking about the smoking ban
Give me a call on 0116 222 4212 and we'll have a look at a possible story

Ian Griffin, Business Editor”

“Quote: "The new magazine has been designed to celebrate business success in Leicester and Leicestershire, while supporting and campaigning on behalf of companies."
In other words the winners will be accoladed but the failures, and the reasons for their failure, will be swept under the carpet as per usual. How about an equal space allowed for businesses that fail because of a wrong law in this country, the complete hoodwinking of 75% of the population and wasteage of £19bn. Are you up for it LM - First business? The Vikings Tun!”