raise up business club (silke thistlewood)
Cheshire
I (Silke Thistlewood, that’s me on the left with my 2 girls) set up a local
networking group for mums in early 2017 after returning from (self employed)
maternity leave and feeling decidedly isolated. I had lost my business mojo,
felt pretty lonely, and couldn’t make any of the existing networking meetings
(no babies allowed, too early, too late etc) so I decided to start my own. I
called it Tonbridge Mums in Business and its facebook group grew to 500 members
within just a few weeks (it surpassed 1,000 quite some time ago now). We’ve been
having regular meetings ever since and the facebook community has grown from
strength to strength, with the Thursday promotional thread having become a thing
of legend. You have to see it to believe the amount of local talent! And now
RuBC_LogoFinal_White_Rose.png In early 2019 I felt is was time to raise the bar
and level up - in my own businesses and for the group. I had for some time been
wanting to add more value for members - more structure, support and resources
(mailing lists for meeting reminders, access to talks members can’t attend,
accountability, goal setting etc). With 2 other businesses to run and young kids
to look after this was logistically and financially not possible on a voluntary
basis (paying for the yearly website subscription alone made my eyes water…..)
so I made the decision to introduce a membership structure and a charge for the
meetings. I very much hope that the pricing structure I have decided on reflects
the value current members have gained from the group and the meetings, and the
fact that most of us are working with small margins and reduced working hours
crammed around child care and other responsibilities. To set the group apart
from other networking meetings in the area, which are confusingly similar in
name, the group has been re-branded and has a new name that I feel embodies what
the group and community are - supportive, encouraging, non judgemental,
inclusive, friendly and quite frankly, magical. I am blown away at each and
every meeting by the friendships and kindness that members show each other. What
you can expect Community, support, encouragement, friendship, collaborations,
inspiration, education - online and in real life across both communities. Weekly
check-ins, accountability prompts in the membership community to keep you on
track, inspired and safe in the knowledge that this group of women will always
have your back. We also co-work in real life and on zoom, go on walks together,
discuss books and have coaching sessions with the one and only Action Woman. A
wider community of businesses in the free facebook group with the chance to
promote your business each Thursday, as well as getting to know others and
forming friendships and a basis for collaborations. Someone will always have an
answer to any questions you might have - business or otherwise. Regular
networking meetings with expert speakers, mingling and cake and/or wine - and
not an elevator pitch in sight (so no need to feel nervous). Easy going
networking, without the need to “work the room” or hand out business cards at
super sonic speed. Our meetings are informal but effective. Low key but
inspirational, educational and supportive. Some kind words from business women
in the community “There is always a warm excited, inclusive buzz within the
group, with many friendships that have been formed over time and I know that
some of us have started either using each other’s products or services – or
formed collaborations with each other. It’s like a girls night out every month
in Tonbridge! SAM HOGWOOD, ESCAPE FROM THE CITY This group has been very
welcoming from my first step into my first meeting. I have found everyone in the
group to be friendly and supportive of each other and encouraging of the
development of one another's businesses. The facebook group and meetings have
allowed for shared knowledge and experience in developing each others
businesses. I have made great business links and come into work through the
group, both paid and through joint collaborations. I have also made some lovely
friends through the group which has been a really lovely added bonus CLAIRE
READER, CAPTURE ME HAPPY PHOTOGRAPHY I started my Virtual Assistant business in
the middle of last year and I am a regular on the weekly Thursday updates. These
updates are great as not only do people learn how your business is growing but
you can support and find out about other local businesses on your doorstep. I
have not made it to one of the networking events that Silke kindly arranges yet,
but I will, and when I do, I am sure it will be even more beneficial to my start
up business than the group has been so far. EMMA HAGGART, KENT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Since setting up my hypnotherapy business in 2018, I've found the support of
this talented and diverse group to be wonderful. It's great knowing I am not
alone in being new to setting up a business, and coming up against many of the
same issues as others in the group. This is so reassuring, and I have really
benefited from the shared knowledge, passion and experience of everyone in the
group. Meet ups are friendly and dynamic, and the topics very fitting. I've made
some good contacts and will always recommend fellow business owners where I can.
Thanks to Silke this group has really grown and developed and I look forward to
further collaboration this year.
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