UKShareCo is a go!

We're proud to announce that the UK Sharing Coalition was announced today. We at Sooqini have long believed that the UK can be one of the best places in the world for the Sharing Economy (SE) to thrive and deliver benefits to us all. UKShareCo is a tangible attempt by us and others in the space to tackle the thorny issues of regulation, trust and economics together, with one voice. Timely too, as the government is currently working on a review of the SE as we speak.

Please take a look, and if you are a company working in the Sharing Economy too, why not join us.

Kind regards,

Raj Singh,

CEO, Sooqini & Inaurgural Chairman, UKShareCo

Tiago Mateus interviewed on his thoughts on Sooqini, Tech City and entrepreneurship.

Sharing leads to Job Creation

Here is our guest post from London Bloggers:

Over the last few years we have seen the sharing economy take off in the UK, particularly in areas of high inefficiency with underutilised assets. Airbnb for properties, eBay for goods and ParkatmyHouse for parking spaces, are already well recognized by many. In 2013 the sharing economy is now extending to a more intangible, yet invaluable asset: time.

On average UK residents have become busier, yet the value of their time has risen significantly. According to the Telegraph over 100 years ago the average sleeping time was 9.2 hours – today it is 6.9 hours. In addition the average person in the UK earns more than we used to. With less sleep, we also have more stress and less care for our health. According to Business Matters Magazine, stress costs Britain £3.7bn per year with more than 13 million risking mental health problems. On top of this, with social media and the internet, more people procrastinate.

Sooqini was created to address UK’s time-crunch and manage time more wisely for millions of the UK public.

Sooqini, simply, is a task marketplace: using an online and mobile application you can outsource any of your “to-do” list to trusted members of your local community on your terms – price, place and time. Growing quickly to almost 10,000 individuals and small businesses signed up, and the support of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Sooqini is changing how people get things done.

While Sooqini is saving Londoners already a few hours in the day, it is also generating thousands of new jobs for others that have more time and multiple skills to offer.

Making money can be easy as doing someone’s groceries, teaching someone how to cook, assembling some IKEA furniture, teaching someone how to play squash, cleaning or delivering a meal. With Sooqini, anyone can extra money around their schedule, and build a reputation with ratings and feedback to be more employable.

We hope London bloggers take notice of this trend and help raise critical awareness of task marketplaces like Sooqini. As one task is a job for someone else, we can collectively create many jobs and help the UK economy get back on its feet.

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Sooqini in Crowdsourcing Gazette UK

Using crowdsourcing principles and mobile app technology, UK based Sooqini has created a an effective and unique means for unemployed people to find work and for small & medium businesses access to a cost effective and skilled source of labour...

http://www.crowdsource-gazette.com/2013/02/crowdsourcing-work-for-uks-unemployed.html

I need to find authentic fixtures for a Victorian house…

Sooqini have asked The Victorian Emporium to write a guest blog on transforming your Victorian period property to its original glory.

More and more people who are lucky enough to own a Victorian period home are looking for ways to restore their property in keeping with the Victorian era. Victorian times were all about elegance and grandeur, and in modern day Britain it can be very difficult to know where to start looking for authentic Victorian fixtures and fittings.

But as always, Sooqini can help you out!

We have a fantastic selection of local and reliable happy helpers who are ready to take on the most unusual of tasks. If you need some research on furniture and fittings for your Victorian home, Sooqini can take care of it. Our helpers could provide you with a list of Victorian fixtures such as handles, light switches, dado rails, door knobs and outdoor railings, and will also tell you where you need to go to find them. If you need something collected from a specialist Victorian period products store and delivered straight to your door, then Sooqini will make it happen. All you need is an idea of what you want: Sooqini will do the rest. Our helpers can even take care of the practical work involved in transforming your Victorian home.

Simply post your job on the website and one of our helpers will get in touch to say that they are interested in helping out. No job is too big or too small, and you can even read reviews on past jobs that your helper has undertaken, to make sure that they can do exactly what you need.

I need to hire furniture for a party!

Sooqini are delighted to welcome boutique furniture hire company Rio Lounge as this week's guest bloggers.

With the winter months finally drawing to an end, the party season is fast approaching! If you are organising a wedding, birthday party, anniversary or summer celebration then you'll be starting to realise just how much work is involved. Guest lists, deciding on venues and catering, themes and decorations, entertainment - the list is endless, and a party that should be all about fun and enjoyment could fast become stressful and daunting.

But don't worry - Sooqini are here to help!

We understand the pressures of modern day living, and we can take the stress away from any task that needs doing. If you need tableware or decorations ordered or collected for your party, then Sooqini can take care of it. One of our local helpers could even deliver everything you need straight to your door. If you'd like to find a local band for your party's evening entertainment, Sooqini will know who to call. Or if you are hiring a marquee and want to liven up the interior decor with some contemporary and elegant hired furniture, you'll be able to find someone who can make this happen.

All you need to do is post the task that needs doing on our website, and one of the local helpers who are keen to take on the job will be in touch. You can even read up to date reviews on the local helpers, to make sure that they come with the best possible track record.

Best of all, you can still stay in control of your party plans by only posting the tasks that you really need help with - so if you are keen to focus on the catering, for example, then Sooqini can help with everything else, meaning that your time is freed up to enjoy every stage of the preparations for your perfect party.

This is a guest blog by Rio Lounge. We are the UK's furniture hire specialists, with a fantastic range of elegant and contemporary furniture available for hire, which is suitable for any occasion. 

Sooqini on the BBC!

We were reviewed by Kate Russell on BBC Click on Saturday 16th February 2013 - check it out here: Sooqini on BBC Click

Party tonight at Movida Nightclub!

As a big thank you for being a part of our community, we are throwing a fun, relaxed get together at Movida NightClub. You and your friends are invited to join us, meet new people, learn a bit more about Sooqini and just have a good time in one of London's most fashionable venues. Sign up to the guest list today and: - FREE DRINKS (1 cocktail for the 1st 50 people) - Get FREE ENTRY before Midnight - Get a £5 voucher with Sooqini.com - You can win a FREE MASSAGE at the club The best time to come is from 10 - 11pm when we will be having cocktails in their Mood Lounge. Say you are on the "Sooqini" guestlist at the door. Get ready to have a good time! See you! ****** Sooqini.com was featured by BBC News a solution the employment problem.  It is the UK's task marketplace: get any tasks or errands done by trusted, local people. Sell your skills and get quick cash.  Check out our iPhone app or website to save money, save time, and make money.

Sooqini named in Top 20 UK startups...

Your Hidden Potential identifies us as one of the Top 20 in the UK - cool!

Whoa! I can get my iPhone in a different colour!

iPhones are still a two-tone affair - black or white - although there is huge demand for more choice. In a recent poll conducted by BGR, 63% of respondents claimed they would buy a new iPhone in a new colour. Fortunately, there is finally a company, which will customise your iPhone to the colour you really want: iPhoneColour.

  Many iPhone fans, including celebrities have already jumped on the opportunity to be different and get their iPhone designed how they truly like it. According to co-Founder Sam Kitondo, "celebs such as Lady Leshurr, Karis (from Stooshe), Fugative, Aattilia Fabbrini already have ordered red, pink and yellow colours. Lauran Alexandra even has a leopard skin as she wanted a bit more sex appeal. There are so many orders rushing in - it's great!"

  Instead of just buying another external case, iPhoneColour actually replaces the handset casing with the same high-grade manufacturer OEM parts, but with new colours. This way the transition is truly natural. And the process is simple: a iPhoneColour technician will replace the case in front of you in a few minutes. A 14-day warranty is offered to ensure complete satisfaction for its customers.

  Currently, red, blue, green, yellow and pink colours are available for the iPhone 4, 4S and 5 models and a more custom-design can also be requested. You can also ask for the same black or white if you just want to hide your scratches or damages.

  To order your own colour today, visit their partner, mobile marketplace, Sooqini.com which exclusively sells each case for £58.  For more information on iPhoneColour and to follow them visit their pages: https://www.facebook.com/iPhoneColour and https://twitter.com/iPhoneColour

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Sooqini.com gets the Prince's Trust

At Sooqini.com we've been supporting the Princes Trust for a while now, donating 10% of our profit to a charity we recognise is looking after the future of our world. 

With one in five young people not in education, work or training (affectionately dubbed NEWTs) the Princes Trust works to give them the skills, confidence and support they need to succeed in the workplace. 

The Prince's Trust estimated that youth unemployment costs the UK economy £10 million a day in lost productivity. And productivity is what Sooqini was made for. Whatever skill you have, whatever time you can spare, you can offer it on Sooqini to anyone in the community. Under-employed, unemployed, or simply taking some time out, you can earn and help others by fulfilling there to-do lists. 

It's a great way to top up your income making use of any spare time you have, and it creates employment by getting others to do tasks for you

Whether a to-do list is filing accounts, building flat pack furniture, or researching a holiday, it's a good place to find work which match your skills - whatever they may be. You can be a NEWT or a wise owl of your profession, there is something there for everyone. It can be saving time, making money or just getting stuff done!

To start off sign up at Sooqini.com and really make a difference to how you and others live. 

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Make resolutions easier this year with Sooqini

Fortunately for many, an online and mobile marketplace is available to help busy Londoners quickly conquer those resolutions quickly and cheaply. On top of that it will offer an extra bonus to help you get fitter, eat better, learn a new language or achieve practically any goals.

London’s very own task marketplace Sooqini.com is offering £100 to one of the first thousand people that post a request by January 13 to help fulfill their New Year’s Resolution.

Everyone needs a bit of extra help, why not get it at the right price from members of the Sooqini community.

The Sooqini community is a skill haven, with all of it’s members able to fulfill a range of to-dos anything from teaching a language, helping you clear the garage, or finding a personal trainer.

Because it’s a “buyer driven” marketplace once you ask for something anyone with the skill will then make an offer and then you can chose from the list, see who comes best recommended and will do it at the price you want.

Imagine what you could get for your £100 on Sooqini:

Hire a personal trainer or nutritionist to help me loose weight for 4 hours

Need a personal assistant to help me be more efficient for 2 days

Teach me something for 6 hours – e.g. how to use Twitter, learn Portuguese, skateboard

Clean and organize my place for a month

Sell stuff I don’t need on eBay

Plan my next vacation

Cook healthy meals for me for 3 weeks

Help me launch my own business

 Our New Year’s Resolutions’ normally centre around our own life and trying to achieve more. Some need that little extra help to achieve their goals which is why Sooqini donate 10% of the company’s profits to The Princes Trust - who work to get Britain’s young unemployed back to work.

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I need a... fancy dress outfit by tonight!

Sooqini have asked St Albans Fancy Dress to guest blog for us today, and help us out with a common dilemma…

The party season is upon us and we need to be prepared for every eventuality. Cocktail dresses, clubbing gear, smart jeans and…fancy dress…?! Ok so you forgot to check the invite and didn’t realise that the party was fancy dress. You need a pirate/Marilyn Monroe/serving wench/vicar outfit (cross out those which don’t apply) by tonight.

What to do? Thanks goodness for Sooqini!

If you’ve got too much to do, and simply need an extra pair of hands, then Sooqini can help. No job too big or too small. Looking for something unusual? Sooqini is just the place. Need something in a hurry, delivered straight to you? That’s the beauty of Sooqini. We put a call out to people in the local area who can help you with your request, and ensure that you get what you need in a hurry.

Post your job on the website and your request will be sent out to our little elves waiting in the wings. You’ll hear back from people interested in helping out. They’ll rush to their local fancy dress shop, get everything you need and deliver it to you at work before you know it.

The great thing about Sooqini is that you get to read feedback from people who have previously used the services of your helper. So you’ll get to make an informed choice about who you want choosing your fancy dress outfit.

So if you want to be the best dressed Santa Claus this Christmas, go to Sooqini.

Sooqini – give the gift of time this Christmas.

This is a guest blog by St Albans Fancy Dress. We’ve got a treasure trove of fancy dress outfits tucked away in our shop in St Albans. Come and have a look around! All Sooqies on a mission welcome.

Sooqini - I need help to sell my house fast!

Sooqini is really pleased to have Property Angel Solutions guest blogging for them this week.

Selling a house can take a long time. Particularly in the current market, homes are taking longer to sell, and prices are not rising as quickly as in the past. However, we all know that the better you present your house, the easier it will be to sell. Working with Sooqini, you can get some hands-on help and your home in tip top condition so anyone coming round for a viewing will fall in love and put in an offer straight away.

Use Sooqini to find a cleaner

When potential buyers view a home they want it to look clean and tidy and depersonalised. Hair clogging up the drains and washing up in the sink, will not inspire people to sign on the dotted line. If you are looking to sell your house quickly you need to be ready to accept viewers at any time, without having to first rush home to pick your clothes up off the bedroom floor. Having a cleaner can help you keep the place super clean and really appealing. It really will be a worthwhile investment. And you might like it so much that you decide to keep your cleaner in your new home…

Find a declutterer!

Sooqini can help you find a declutterer. If you are looking to sell your home, then decluttering will be a great start. Getting rid of clutter will make it easier for potential home buyers to imagine themselves moving in. It also makes rooms seem bigger.

Move anything you can into the loft, or into storage. But if you really have too much stuff then a declutterer can help. Even the most useless items can be difficult to throw out, and a declutterer can remove the emotional attachment from all that junk so that you can see the wood for the trees. You might even find the process quite therapeutic.

Redecorate

Looking for extra hands to paint and decorate your home? Sooqini can help!

Finding the time (and energy) to redecorate can be really hard, particularly if you are planning on moving and won’t get the benefit. You could have a painting party, but can you really see your friends giving up an entire weekend covered in paint, when they probably have lots of better things to do? Advertise on Sooqini for people to come round and help you decorate and you’ve got yourself a great value team of expert decorators. Set them to work for the weekend and your house will soon be gleaming. In fact it might look so nice that you won’t want to move…

Alternatively, Property Angel Solutions will buy your house fast in its current state. Contact Property Angel Solutions for advice on how to sell your property. 

Give the gift of time this Christmas with Sooqini!

Not sure what you want to give this Christmas? Try giving the most precious gift of all - TIME. More importantly, time off. This Sooqini gift card lets them take time off, and anything which our Sooqini members have to offer.

To get a voucher, send an email to [email protected] stating the name of the recipient and the amount you would like to give. We will then send you a digital gift card with a unique voucher link that can be easily redeemable upon task posting.

Visit sooqini.com to see our Christmas offers

          To get a voucher, send an email to [email protected] stating the name of the recipient and the amount you would like to give. We will then send you a digital gift card with a unique voucher link that can be easily redeemable upon task posting.

As more and more businesses start that are based on using existing resources instead of selling new ones, how can those businesses mesh with an economy built to facilitate consumption?

Partnership with We Are CAN

We have partnered with We Are CAN which is a creative agency and collaborative network where freelancers can exchange knowledge and develop the projects they love. www.can.is  “With one in four young Britons out of work, and arts and University cuts setting in, we don't need Facebook, we need a social network that can affect real change on a physical level. We Are CAN that network."  We Are CAN the positive reaction to the arts and the university funding cuts; and the ever-growing voice of the new, proactive generation who believes collaboration is the key to opportunity. It operates primarily as an incubator; as such provides the secure inspirational space for projects to be born and offers consultancy to help its members see their projects develop into functioning business.  We Are CAN not only a team, is a fully-qualified creative army. We Are CAN!