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Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
‘I turned a hobby into a business – now I want to go nationwide'
Former NHS worker Becky Sibley started her gardening company after she was made redundant, and wanted to work flexibly. She wondered if she could turn her lifelong passion for gardening into a business. Sibley's gardening company Wild Thyme Designs was named the winner of the Small Business category in the Adobe Express Your Innovation competition, in partnership with Telegraph Media Group, judged by Julie Lilley, chief executive of the Federation of Small Businesses. The competition offers investment and mentoring to celebrate Britain's most creative businesses. Becky Sibley, 48, was a customer care manager for the NHS, then worked for the National Trust ensuring quality assurance of their holiday cottages before being made redundant in 2016. After two years as a stay-at-home mum she said to herself: 'I want a few hours out of the house doing something different.' Her lifelong love for her craft and compassion for community-building was a clear standout in the competition sponsored by Adobe Express, the free create-anything app enabling entrepreneurs to create eye-catching promotional videos, flyers and social media campaigns in seconds. Sibley has been a gardener her whole life, after being introduced to it by her mum as a child. 'I grew up with her in the garden every Saturday,' she explains. Meeting Lilley today in the garden of one of her clients, she says that the seed for Wild Thyme Designs was planted after she took a job that advertised a role for a few hours a week and things snowballed from there. 'I thought, brilliant, four hours is perfect,' she says as she points out foxgloves, pineapple broom and acanthus in a garden that she has been working on for four years. 'Now I've got my own business, and I can't believe I've won this competition. 'It took two years of weeding – getting rocks and roots out of this garden before we could plant,' she continues. 'A lot of what you see here is original; the people who had the house before my client were gardeners. My job is blending the old and the new.' Sibley now employs up to eight people, depending on the season, and is currently recruiting. 'Everybody brings something different to the team. I love career-changers and we can take on passionate people who might not be considered by big firms – that is the beauty of a small business. I create a sort of matching service: the client, the person who's doing their garden and the garden itself.' Sibley, who has 250 clients, offers everything from garden design, two-day garden makeovers and regular garden maintenance. Initially she took whatever work she could get, but now has a mix of high-end clients, including celebrities and manor houses, as well as people with smaller budgets, and finds much of her business through word of mouth. She also focuses on helping the elderly. 'That is a very important part of our business,' she says. 'We help people who can't look after their gardens any more and who need support. We are recommended by Age UK and can provide a support framework for families who live further away. I arrived at one house to find an elderly gentleman up a ladder the other day and I gently let his family know.' Sibley says that her NHS background means that she will flag health risks, such as loose tiles and will remove snow and ice from paths, and that her routine visits 'create friendships'. She also cares for her own mother, now 83, after her father passed away from dementia in 2016 when she was pregnant. Sibley's mum 'is still gardening to this day'. 'I want to make wonderful gardens affordable and for people to have the experience I did when I was growing up – we need to get children into gardens,' says Sibley. In the winter months, when some clients drop off, Sibley focuses on estate management for bigger clients as there are always jobs to attend to. Now that she has a mix of customers whose gardens need regular maintenance and others that require bi-weekly, monthly or annual visits, Sibley says that she has 'worked out' how to balance the company's revenue through the year. 'I know what I want to achieve. I have had a vision pretty much from day one,' says Sibley, who attributes her self belief to her father. 'Dad always said, 'You know yourself, and you know what you want, so you will get there',' she explains. Sibley put herself through Royal Horticultural Society qualifications in 2020 and 2022, and is currently studying a diploma in garden design. She has won several awards, including two BBC Gardeners' World awards. 'If you run a small business there isn't back-up behind you,' she says. 'You can't have a day off. I haven't had a holiday for eight years. I have to make this work. Now I spend a lot of my time doing the HR, the finances, and I am trying to find a way of balancing that with the stuff I love: being in the gardens.' Sibley says that she entered the competition because she hopes to take her business to the next level. She adds that she hopes she can stand out, as there are a lot of 'hack it and bodge it' gardeners who just trim everything back without truly understanding the plants. When judging, Lilley says that Wild Thyme Designs stood out: 'I was looking for the possibility of businesses to grow, to scale up and I could see how Wild Thyme Designs has done that. I could see what you wanted to achieve with your offer and I think there is a real gap in the market – no one's doing it, I don't think. You are a bit like Charlie Dimmock – you just go in and blitz the place!' Lilley adds that the business could expand and be franchised across the country, and that she hopes to offer Sibley mentoring, advice and connections, and to support as she focuses on what matters as she grows the business. Adobe Express, the free, create-anything app, will be valuable in helping her create the assets needed for franchising her business to others. 'They've got the qualifications, and people quite often can't afford a fully qualified landscape gardener,' says Lilley. 'Gardeners are often one- or two-man bands or handymen who just shove in a bit of soil and put in a few plants. If she pitches herself properly as an RHS-qualified horticulturist, there's not really much out there that's like that. Becky's got the skill and the ambition to roll it out – and that's why I think it could work.' 'I have a vision for this business,' Sibley says. 'There's a real genuine need for this in the UK. There's a shortage of gardeners and the demand is growing so I'm very glad to have some help to take it to the next level.'
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
How to Build a Team to Work on Social Media—Step-by-Step Guide
In today's digital world, social media isn't just a platform—it's a business battleground. From growing your brand presence to generating leads and building community, everything depends on how strong your social media game is. And let's be honest—you can't do it all alone. So, how do you build a solid team to manage your social media? Let's walk you through it step-by-step. 📌 Table of Contents Why Do You Need a Social Media Team? Step 1: Define Your Social Media Goals Step 2: Identify Key Roles Step 3: Hire the Right People Step 4: Set Tools & Workflow Step 5: Build Team Communication Step 6: Measure Performance Final Thoughts ✅ Why Do You Need a Social Media Team? If you're serious about scaling your online presence, a one-person army won't cut it. A social media team brings in diverse skills—design, writing, analytics, and strategy—all working in harmony. Benefits: Consistent posting & branding Quicker response to trends & messages Better campaign planning Professional growth & fresh ideas 🪜 Step 1: Define Your Social Media Goals Before hiring anyone, ask yourself: Do I want brand awareness? More engagement? Lead generation? Customer service? These goals will define what kind of team you need. 🎯 Pro Tip: Don't chase every goal. Focus on 1-2 key objectives to start with. 🧩 Step 2: Identify Key Roles in Your Social Media Team Here are the essential team members you might need: Role Responsibility Social Media Manager Overall strategy, posting schedule, monitoring trends Content Creator Writing posts, captions, scripts Graphic Designer Creating visually appealing posts, reels, stories Video Editor Shorts, Reels, YouTube, behind-the-scenes Community Manager Engaging with followers, replying to comments Analyst Tracking performance, suggesting improvements 👥 You can start with 2-3 multi-skilled people and grow over time. 🔍 Step 3: Hire the Right People You can build your team using: Freelancers (from platforms like Upwork and Fiverr) Interns (great for testing and low-cost help) In-house full-time team (ideal for long-term branding) What to look for: Passion for social media Good communication skills Understanding of your brand voice Willingness to learn 🤝 Tip: Start with a small trial project before fully onboarding. ⚙️ Step 4: Set Tools & Workflow To manage your team efficiently, use the right tools: Content Calendar: Trello, Notion, Google Sheets Trello, Notion, Google Sheets Graphic Design: Canva, Adobe Express Canva, Adobe Express Social Scheduling: Buffer, Later, Meta Business Suite Buffer, Later, Meta Business Suite Team Communication: Slack, WhatsApp Groups Slack, WhatsApp Groups Analytics: Instagram Insights, Meta Creator Studio 🗣 Step 5: Build Team Communication Even the best team fails without communication. Hold weekly meetings (online or offline) Share feedback regularly Encourage creative brainstorming 💡 Use voice notes, Loom videos, or quick check-in calls to keep it human and engaging. 📊 Step 6: Measure Performance & Improve Tracking performance helps you know what's working and what's not. Key Metrics to Watch: Follower growth Engagement rate Reach & impressions Click-through rates Conversion from posts 🔁 Feedback Loop: Use these insights to improve your content strategy. 🔚 Final Thoughts: Start Small, Think Big You don't need a massive team to start. Just bring in people who understand your vision, share your energy, and believe in digital growth. Over time, your dream team will help your brand shine online. ✅ Want Help Building Your Digital Team? 📩 Get in touch with to hire interns, content creators, and social media managers for your project. Let's grow together! ✍️ Written by: Salman Ahmad 📌 Founder @ | Blogger | Digital Enthusiast TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Out Dubai
14-07-2025
- Time Out Dubai
6 new Dubai laws in 2025: public holidays, traffic, public health and more
In a modern city like ours, there are constant updates and changes to rules and regulations that make life ever so slightly better. A significant number of important Dubai laws have been introduced in 2025, affecting everything from our health to how much time off we'll get. New traffic laws have been introduced, which could change how you get around the country, and there has also been a major change affecting takeaways that you may not have noticed. Dubai law: Public health (Credit: Adobe Express) First announced in April and set to be rolled out by the end of July, the new Dubai public health law aims to stop the spread of illnesses and put restrictions on travel for those with confirmed communicable diseases. Travellers must adhere to official health protocols, provide requested information at Dubai's entry points and report any suspected or confirmed communicable diseases. The new law states that you must refrain from travelling or moving, except to healthcare facilities, without the approval of the Dubai Health Authority. If you are travelling while ill, then you must observe hygiene measures such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing in line with approved guidelines. UAE law: Public holidays A new UAE public holidays law has come into force which should give us all more time off (Credit: Canva) Introduced on the first day of the year, the new UAE public holiday law established the official days off in the calendar and introduced new rules, meaning that days off could be shifted. A mix of Gregorian and Islamic Hijri calendar dates and occasions has been established. While we know exactly when we'll have time off for UAE National Day and New Year's Day, traditional Islamic occasions are less set in stone as they shift by between 10 and 12 days every year. The new law does, however, state that any occasion, other than Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr, can be transferred to the start or the beginning of a week to give us more long weekends. In 2025, we've already seen the Islamic New Year holiday moved to a Friday even though the occasion itself fell on a Thursday. The national public holiday law also states that each emirate is free to add any other public holiday or occasion that it wishes to celebrate with a day off. Dubai law: Single-use plastic Dubai banned single use products including plastic cups, straws and stirrers on January 1 2025 (Credit: Adobe Express) Dubai introduced a major new single-use plastic ban at the start of the year, which has changed takeaway orders forever. A whole range of products have been banned, including single-use plastic straws, cups and stirrers. Plastic straws have likely been swapped for paper, stirrers for cardboard and cups will have switched to a more eco-friendly material. Table covers, styrofoam food containers and plastic cotton swabs have also been banned in the emirate. It's part of a phased ban on single-use plastics, which saw single-use plastic bags banned in 2024 and will see single-use bowls, plates and cutlery banned from 2026. Separately, the UAE will ban the import, production and trade of single-use plastic products from the start of next year. UAE law: Traffic law The UAE driving age has been lowered (Credit: Adobe Express) The UAE traffic law got a major update in March. A lower minimum age for getting a license has been introduced, allowing young drivers to get behind the wheel at the age of 17 instead of 18. The national law also outlined punishments for driverless car registration, jaywalking punishments and licensing rules. UAE influencer rules New rules for influencers have been introduced (Credit: Canva) The UAE Media Council has issued new regulations which require content creators to get a business licence if they are making money from their online presence. Introduced on Thursday May 29, the law adds an additional step for influencers in Dubai, having previously only required a media licence from the authority. However, content creators will be exempt from the fees required for the business licence for the next three years. The updated system means that there are now a few more hoops to jump through for professional influencers in the UAE. The new rule is part of a wider framework introduced by the UAE Media Council to ensure that content on digital and traditional platforms is ethical, responsible and high-quality. Dubai law: Contracting activities Announced on Sunday July 13 by Sheikh Mohammd bin Rashid, this law will affect contracting work, such as construction, in Dubai. The new regulation establishes a regulatory framework for contractor classification, oversight, transparency and accountability. It applies to all contractors operating in Dubai, including those based in special development zones and free zones such as DIFC. It means that there will be changes to how construction of major projects is carried out in Dubai. However, it will not apply to infrastructure related to either DXB or Al Maktoum International Airport. Making plans? Dubai's best outdoor restaurants, bars and clubs Visit these spots to cool off Dubai's newest restaurants to try The latest openings to tempt your taste buds 12 underrated Dubai restaurants and cafés (that are not tourist traps) Some of our favourite eateries that aren't always in the limelight
Business Upturn
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
How to Easily Create Logos Without Any Design Skills
By News Desk Published on July 12, 2025, 09:42 IST Let's be real—creating a logo sounds intimidating when you don't have a background in design. The good news? You don't need one. Thanks to today's intuitive design tools and smart AI features, anyone can craft a professional-looking logo without ever opening Photoshop. Whether you're launching a small business, starting a YouTube channel, or branding your side hustle, you can create logos in minutes, even if your last artistic attempt was stick figures in grade school. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from selecting the right tool to crafting a logo that captures your brand's personality. No jargon, no fluff—just actionable steps. Why a Logo Matters (Even If You're Just Starting Out) A logo is more than just a pretty picture. It's the visual anchor of your brand. Think about Nike's swoosh or Apple's apple—those simple designs carry massive recognition and trust. A good logo builds credibility, makes you look polished, and helps people remember you. Even if you're a solo creator or a small business owner, your logo sets the tone for your brand's story. Step 1: Choose the Right Logo Maker Before you start designing, you need the right tool. Forget complicated software. What you want is something that's drag-and-drop simple, offers templates, and lets you customize elements without needing a design degree. One of the best platforms to start with is Adobe Express. It's designed for non-designers and makes it easy to easily create logos that look like you hired a pro. Just type in your business name, choose an industry, pick a style, and voila—you'll have a bunch of logo options ready to tweak. Look for a tool that offers: Pre-made templates Easy font and color customization Icon libraries Multiple file formats (PNG, SVG, transparent background) Step 2: Know Your Brand Vibe Before you dive into design, take a moment to answer these three questions: What is my brand's personality? (e.g., bold, friendly, professional, fun) Who is my target audience? What colors and fonts reflect that vibe? For example, if you're launching a tech startup, you might want a modern, minimalist logo with clean lines and cool tones. If it's a bakery, go for warm colors and handwritten fonts. Step 3: Start with a Template and Make It Your Own Templates are your best friend. Don't be afraid to start with a ready-made logo and tweak it to match your vision. You can change: Colors : Stick to 2–3 to keep it clean. Fonts : Choose something readable, and try mixing a bold font with a simple one. Icons : Use something that visually represents your industry (e.g., camera for photography, leaf for wellness). Pro Tip: Use color psychology to guide your choices. For instance, blue = trust, green = growth, red = passion. Step 4: Preview It Everywhere A common mistake? Only checking how your logo looks in one place. Before you hit download, preview it on: Your website header Instagram or YouTube profile Business card or packaging mockups Smart tools like Adobe Express show you what your logo will look like across different formats, so you can make adjustments before it's too late. Step 5: Download and Use It Consistently Once your logo is done, download it in various formats—high-res PNG for web, vector SVG for printing, and transparent background versions for overlays. Now comes the key part: use it everywhere consistently. Stick it on your social profiles, business cards, packaging, email signatures, invoices, wherever people see your name. Consistency builds trust and recognition over time. Real-Life Use Cases The Etsy Seller: Jenna sells handmade jewelry but had zero design background. Using a smart logo tool, she created a boho-style logo in less than an hour and used it on her Etsy shop, Instagram, and thank-you cards. Customers started recognizing her brand instantly. The Freelancer: Mark, a freelance web developer, didn't want to pay a designer just for a personal logo. He used a minimalist template, added his initials, chose a sleek font, and ended up with a clean logo that gave his portfolio a major professional upgrade. The Student Startup: A group of college students launching an eco-friendly T-shirt brand used Adobe Express to create their logo during finals week. In just one evening, they had a polished look ready for their website launch. Bonus Tips Keep it simple. The best logos are easy to remember and don't try to do too much. Avoid trendy fonts. Stick to clean, timeless typefaces that won't look outdated next year. Ask for feedback. Show your top 2–3 designs to friends or colleagues to get fresh perspectives. Final Thoughts Creating a logo doesn't have to be a stressful, budget-breaking experience. With the right tools and a clear vision, anyone—yes, even you—can design something that looks polished and professional. Remember: your logo is the start of your visual story. So make it count. Take advantage of tools that simplify the process and help you easily create logos that reflect your unique identity. Whether you're just starting or rebranding, now's the perfect time to give your brand the face it deserves. Ahmedabad Plane Crash News desk at
Techday NZ
10-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Adobe brings AI-powered creative tools to Premier League fans
Adobe has announced a multi-year global partnership with the Premier League as its Official Creativity Partner and Digital Fan Experience Partner, introducing new technology and tools to enhance how fans interact with the League digitally. This partnership is designed to integrate Adobe's digital creativity and marketing technology into the Premier League's fan engagement platforms, with a focus on delivering personalised content and creative opportunities to a global fanbase of 1.8 billion. Digital integration Adobe Express, which features the Firefly generative AI toolset, will be incorporated into the Premier League app and website before the start of the 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League season. This will allow fans to design and share customised kits, badges, and other content using exclusive Premier League-themed templates. Adobe's Firefly AI is described as being commercially safe, trained solely on licensed and public domain content. The integration of Adobe Express will enable users to utilise features such as Generate Video, Clip Maker, Insert, and Remove Object, providing a suite of tools aimed at allowing fans to express their creativity and connect more personally with the sport. These features allow users to generate images and videos from text prompts, create highlight clips for social media, and edit photos directly within the app. Personalised fan experiences The partnership will also see the deployment of Adobe's enterprise technology, including Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Platform, Adobe Journey Optimizer, Adobe Customer Journey Analytics, and Adobe GenStudio for Performance Marketing, to enable the Premier League to deliver tailored content and match alerts based on individual fan preferences and behaviours. These capabilities aim to support the Premier League's digital transformation, creating a more connected understanding of fan needs by gathering data from across its digital ecosystem. This data-driven approach is expected to enrich the fan experience and improve engagement through the delivery of relevant news, match updates, and marketing content. Official statements "Adobe AI technology is empowering passionate fans to shape how they experience and share the unrivalled drama of matchday, through real-time news updates and fan-created content that stands out on social media, thanks to the creative magic of Adobe Express - the quick and easy content creation app," said Rachel Thornton, CMO, Enterprise at Adobe. "Bringing the power of Adobe to the most watched football league in the world, fans have new AI-powered ways to engage and experience the moments that matter, and the creative capabilities to express their love of the game." Will Brass, Chief Commercial Officer at the Premier League, said: "The Premier League is followed by millions of fans around the world – all of whom have very different reasons for doing so. Adobe is a global leader in digital experiences and creativity, and this exciting partnership provides us with the tools to better understand and deliver what our fans need and want digitally, ensuring we can provide the best of the Premier League directly to them. Our partnership aims to enrich the fan experience and providing them with new creative ways to express their passion for the league." Expanded capabilities In addition to creative tools, Adobe's marketing and analytics platforms will support the Premier League in creating on-brand marketing campaign content at scale using generative AI, enabling digital marketing teams to deliver campaigns that are both high quality and personalised. The technology also facilitates the delivery of timely news alerts and real-time updates via push notifications, tailored to each fan's settings. Variables such as geolocation and behavioural insights can trigger personalised messaging, such as location-based notifications when a fan enters a stadium or performance highlights for Fantasy Premier League team managers. Focus on engagement and loyalty Adobe Customer Journey Analytics and its Data Insights Agent will provide the Premier League with further insights into how fans interact with content across platforms, helping to identify which types of content drive loyalty and engagement. This approach will allow for more targeted fan outreach, such as serving video clips focused on fans' favourite players. The partnership aims to give fans greater creative agency and enhance connections between the League and its supporters, aligning with the Premier League's ongoing efforts to engage a diverse and global audience.
