Jules and Jayne aim for global audience

Aug 18 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

TWO entrepreneurs are aiming to take their North East business to a global audience by broadcasting hints and tips over the internet. Jules Rutherford and Jayne Goldstone, who run personal development and training consultancy the U Turn Partnership, are putting together TV-style video blogs to provide free advice to viewers online.

The business partners, who are based in North Tyneside, met and decided to launch their enterprise a year ago when former IT manager Ms Rutherford was being life-coached by Ms Goldstone.

Now they are aiming to use the internet to take their personal and business coaching and training message to a wider audience.

Ms Rutherford said: “Brochures never appealed to us and one person said ‘you are the brand – it’s Jayne and Jules’ and once we started to look in more detail we were shown the website of an American wine guru who promoted his business through social media – Twitter and Facebook.

“And we had one of those moments – this is what we were looking for – so we started to revamp the website.”

In addition to advice on personal development, management training and team building, the broadcasts give viewers an insight into Ms Rutherford and Ms Goldstone’s perspectives on a wide range of issues.

Ms Goldstone said: “It’s our dynamic that is our business.

“We are breaking new ground in the way that we help people to free themselves up from whatever is in the way of making their lives or their businesses successful.”

Gavin Elliott from Newcastle design agency Carrot Media, who put together the site, said: “The girls are going to be famous worldwide.

“They’re going to be video blogging and building their social capital. The girl’s vibrant personalities are going to be highlighted online and their business acumen is going to be there for everyone to see at first hand.”

The revamped site coincides with the firm’s move into new offices at the Quorum Business Park on Benton Lane, which Ms Rutherford says have “the wow factor”.

She added: “We’ve created a nurturing environment more like a comfortable living room for our clients to meet with us reflecting our unique ‘off the wall’ approach to the business.”

Ms Goldstone, who previously worked in HR and recruitment, said: “Together with the new surroundings and our new website, we have entered into a new dynamic phase in our business which is very exciting.

“The website will show everyone what we do and how our work can change people’s lives for the better.”

The video blogs are online at www.uturntv.co.uk. Advice on the website is free and the partners will answer specific queries but they are also planning to use the internet to produce interactive products.