Emily Canino got the bug for art and design at a young age. She has turned that love into her own business, Doodlemoo. Emily, who is a member of Enterprise Nation through the Council's partnership with them, shares her story.

Describe your business in one sentence.

Design-led brand producing playful art prints, accessories and stationery.

How did you come up with your idea and turn it into an actual business? 

I have always been creative, always making and designing. Ever since I was little my mum had me making cards for the whole family (I’ve never bought a greetings card in my life) and I designed my first logo at 13 for my dad's restaurant.

When my eldest boy came along we decorated his nursery with some characters we created which we turned into posters and Doodlemoo grew from there. It has evolved lots from this into what it is now.

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Come and join MP Crispin Blunt and local employers on 12 October, 8-10am to hear how your company can benefit from the Disability Confident scheme.  Hear how large employer East Surrey Hospital has been able to recruit and retain disabled people and people with health conditions for their skills and talents. 

Find out more 

Don't miss out on our learning lunch on 17 October! Come and hear the charismatic Frank Sinclair from Fit with Frank discuss how health and fitness can motivate you and your employees.  

Frank took part in our Entrepreneurs Academy and won investment to develop his personal fitness business to a subscription based model, allowing him to help far more people. He has 300+ signed up for his latest course in September and is fitness trainer to the stars! Click on the heading to get tips to loosen you up at your desk.

Meet the Fraudstars – a crack-team of lookalike CEOs, enlisted by Get Safe Online and Lloyds Bank to show just how easy it can be to fall victim to impersonation fraud. Disguised as famous faces, this fraudulent three demonstrate some of the most common methods of impersonation fraud, and how would-be victims can stop scammers in their tracks.

Want to learn more about impersonation fraud and how to protect yourself and your business? Watch the video through the link below to find out more.

Get Safe Online and Lloyds Bank, have commissioned research into the effect of impersonation fraud on SME businesses. The findings reveal:

• Impersonation fraud is costing victims an average of £27,000 each time
• The number of attacks has risen a huge 58 per cent in the past year alone
• Over half (53 per cent) of respondents say they have experienced scammers posing as their boss, demonstrating a rise in the popularity of CEO impersonation fraud
• A similar number (52 per cent) say they have experienced invoice fraud - a rising scam where fraudsters pose as known suppliers to the company and send an invoice with a false change of bank account details
• Despite this, only 20 per cent of victims say they now think twice when receiving a request at work
• Over a third (37 per cent) of employees don’t know or don’t have any security precautions in place.

Tips and video on how you can protect your business

On 15^th November 2018 Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, in conjunction with Applied Resilience, are hosting a Business Continuity Workshop. The Workshop will introduce you to the business continuity process, what your organisation should have as a minimum and why you should have a plan. Please email to book your space.

All businesses should have plans and procedures in place for managing a disruption and ensuring that it doesn't penetrate core business. At best, poorly handled incidents can disrupt functions, set projects back and unnerve staff.  At worst, they can risk staff safety and destroy your corporate reputation, putting you out of business. 

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