Enterprise Nation

Caroline Jones launched a new home based business just last week yet she’s already out and about marketing herself and her venture. This new entrepreneur knows her market and is looking forward to travelling whilst still keeping on top of the business.

Forum chat

I spotted Caroline’s post in the forum. She announced she was starting a skill games website and suggested that Enterprise Nation members consider adding a games feature to their own sites. Only one week in and Caroline’s already at work on sales and promotion. Good thing too! 

When did you start the business?

The business was launched on Monday 28 January 2008. This in effect is the ‘soft’ launch. The full blown launch will be at the end of March.

What were you doing before?

I was a Licensed Psychometric Practitioner for 10 years and was associated with Thomas International, one of the leading providers of Business Assessment testing tools. I spent my time assessing and profiling people, which was really interesting.

How did you come up with idea?

I am lucky to know a number of interesting people who are innovative and creative and they came up with the original idea. I had taken a year off last year, and was looking to do something quite different from profiling, but it had to be flexible.

For me, the idea of running a business out of a box (a laptop) is the ultimate in flexibility. I love to travel and that’s quite tricky if you do have a business or a job, because if you go away for too long, your customers leave you/you get the sack!

Online games is a huge market and growing exponentially. I’ve always been interested in playing games and am quite competitive, so it was appealing.

Have you had help from family & friends?

I’ve had so much help from my sister and many great friends. It would not have happened without them!

Who is your target audience?

There are two aspects to the business, and so two audiences:

• Playing the games of skill - these are people who just want to play games, have a wager and challenge other people. Tournaments can also be set up for many people to participate.
• Winning-biz - is for people who want to develop a business from this. The games are not the Fantasy/shoot ‘em up type games. They are games of skill i.e. the more times you play them, the better you get, and you increase your skill level. They last between 2 – 10 minutes, unlike the fantasy games which can take up to 5 hours! Examples of the games include Puzzles, Basketball, Pool, Darts, Jigsaws etc. As time goes on, more games will be added.

So, the target market is between 35 – 50 year olds, men & women. Teenagers are not necessarily part of the target audience.

Do you work from a dedicated office?

Well, I work from home, where I have a dedicated office cum painting room cum craft room!

Caroline Jones talks to Emma Jones (no relation!)

• Playing the games of skill
• Winning biz