Small Business, Big Network (Liz Drury)

Roger has run his market research business “Shopper Intelligence” for the past 15 years, servicing consumer goods companies around the world. On the back of that often difficult experience he felt that small businesses need additional support to achieve the better marketing outcomes they desperately need. That idea led to the creation of his new start up, Senseheck.com - a service where a huge panel of time served marketers offers a helpful objective second opinion on any marketing material. Crucially this is an external viewpoint; all too often we from inside our SME bubbles are in the worst place to assess our messaging and work. We are just too close to things. A Sense Check avoids the worst mistakes and helps optimise any marketing activity for a small business friendly cost.

David Perez is a podcast producer who helps health and wellness coaches build their audiences, grow their online presence and find their voice through podcasts. He’s also the podcast host for Audience Coach, a show focused on helping coaches start and run their own podcast shows. He has accompanied podcasters through the production and release of over a thousand podcast episodes. 

David has been featured in publications such as the Life Coach Magazine, and he’s also been a guest in podcasts like Create Your Course, Online Business Launchpad and Tactical Magic. Besides being a podcast producer, he also helps coaches devise, develop and execute podcast content strategies for their clients and creates courses around starting and running podcasts.

David currently lives in Colombia, in a city where summer lasts all year round. He’s the dad of two kids and considers himself a lifelong learner. https://AudienceCoach.com/

Through his social media marketing agency, RMK Marketing, Rob provides strategic and effective social media marketing solutions for people, brands and agencies. He work across all the major social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest & YouTube, and in a diverse range of industries, including e-commerce, travel, property, financial services, health & wellbeing and publishing.

RMK Marketing was set up during the first summer of the COVID 19 pandemic. Rob was furloughed from his job and decided it was worth trying to get his own agency set up. Before RMK, he had worked in the agency world as a social media specialist, and so knew roughly what he needed to do to bring in new clients and deliver results for them. He's been part of the social media space now for nearly a decade, and he's seen the rise of channels like Instagram & Tik Tok, and the fall of channels like Vine. During that time, he's worked for many well-known brands including TUI Travel, Teletext Holidays, Redrow Homes, Kiddylicious & more.

Rob knows the social media world like the back of his hand. This means he's able to provide a solution to any social media problem, and generate constantly improving results for his clients, whether that’s more leads or sales, improved brand awareness, or increases in followers and interactions.

Links

Website - https://rmkmarketing.co.uk/

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kearsey-867387b3/

RMK Marketing LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/rmk-marketing/

RMK Marketing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rmkmarketinguk

A short and sweet episode from me, talking about how you don't necessarily need to be at a networking meeting to grow your network. There are opportunities everywhere - including on public transport!

Find me at www.lizdrury.co.uk

Allegra Chapman is Co-Creator of Watch This Sp_ce, the award-winning organisational transformation team who solve business challenges through the power of inclusion. Allegra is also a writer, speaker, coach and mother of two. In 2023, Allegra was named as one of the most dynamic and inspirational female entrepreneurs in the UK by f:Entrepreneur.

Links:

Find out your organisation’s Diversity and Inclusion Score, and see your areas of strength and opportunity, with Watch This Sp_ce’s free Inclusion Journey Quiz: https://watchthisspace.scoreapp.com/

Find out more about Watch This Sp_ce at https://watchthisspace.uk

Follow Watch This Sp_ce on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/watchthissp-ce/

Bio

Janine Coombes is a marketing coach for coach-shaped-people who want to earn more without slogging their guts out. She’s an offer positioning expert with extensive experience including working with big brands like EE, Orange and Europcar. She has a business degree, a post-graduate marketing diploma (CIM Dip) and regularly speaks on stages like Atomicon, You Are The Media and MarketEd.Live. She’s a skilled writer and loves to be on video-garnering international attention with The Secret Marketing Show.

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinecoombes

https://www.janinecoombes.co.uk

https://www.janinecoombes.co.uk/jetpack (free sales course for coaches)

Sheena Whyatt is the founder of the KAPOW! Coaching Programme, which she set up in 2016, and runs as part of her training consultancy business, Lightning Training.

Sheena has over 18 years experience in the L&D industry, and speaks regularly to groups of small business owners on a range of topics from networking skills to public speaking.  

She has been keynote speaker for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants at their annual conference and for OfficeVA, as well as taking the floor at national level for 4Networking on many occasions.

Sheena has been awarded Freelance Trainer of the Year awards by the Learning & Performance Institute on three occasions, first winning the award in 2011 whilst undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  She is also an authorised Consultant and is also a member of the LPI Advisory Board, and chairs sessions regularly at Learning Technologies Live.

Sheena created the KAPOW! Coaching Programme to give business owners and employees structured and focussed advice to find their personal superpowers & put them to work creating a strong personal brand, and regularly delivers training workshops both on and offline to learners across the world.

Sheena is also a very active business networker and has embraced the move from real world to online networking, which has saved her hundreds of pounds in petrol costs!

Say Hello! | KAPOW! Your Personal Branding & Business Coach (kapowme.com)

Twitter - @traininggoddess

LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sheenawhyatt

Louise Chandler is an award winning marketing and communications specialist with over 20 years’ experience working in the media, marketing, and PR industry with names like the BBC and Superdrug. Working to influence organisations, charities, entrepreneurs and businesses with a dedicated passion to make a positive difference. For Louise it’s all about creating stories of success and sharing messages about achievements. 

 https://soundbitemedia.co.uk/

Self-employed stories:  Follow Louise's journey as she shares honest perspectives and tips on boss gal life as a media communications specialist  https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7156970726275600384/ 

The PR and marketing toolkits  https://soundbitemedia.co.uk/toolkits/

Almost 100% of clients will arrive at Ben's studio feeling some level of apprehension.

“You won’t get a good picture of me!” – “I always blink!” – “I hate having my picture taken!”

That’s why Ben prides himself on the ability to make his clients feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Ben has been using networking to grow his business and has even been able to keep moving forward during the lockdowns.

He believes it's the one to one conversations that you have with people either during or after a networking event that are the most valuable - and more important than the short business pitches.

Branding is all about creating an emotional connection between the brand and their ideal customer. When that prospective customer encounters your brand, it should create an instant feeling. That feeling if done correctly should grow and turn that customer into a customer for life. That’s exactly what Squark Design help business owners to do – build trust, loyalty and excitement in their brand. 

Links: 

Website: https://www.squarkdesign.com/

Discovery meeting: https://www.squarkdesign.com/contact/

Brand power Hour Q&A - Register your interest: 

https://www.squarkdesign.com/brand-power-hour-qa-interest/

Ike Kehal is the CEO of Social27, a virtual event platform that has been helping businesses connect digitally throughout the pandemic and beyond. Ike started his professional career at Microsoft where he focused on partner programs and marketing. He went on to co-found and/or run four successful organizations, eventually starting Social27

Cristina is the owner of CVG Solutions,  which is a growing GDPR consulting business that offers GDPR advice, guidance and training.  She helps up-skill business owners in Data Protection to strengthen their reputation and win new customers.  

Having started her business in late 2019, the pandemic could have wiped Cristina's business out, but by making use of online networking, CVG solutions has gone from strength to strength.

In fact networking has not only grown her customer base, it has led to strategic alliances and even an appearance on regional TV.

Visit Cristina's website to find out more www.cvgsolutions.co.uk

Neil’s aim in life is to “Inspire before he Expires”. Neil is an international Business and Personal Development Speaker, Business Transformational Consultant, Trainer, Mentor & BNI Managing Area Director. He also runs an expert Marketing Mailing Service known as “Stuff the Rest”.

Neil's mantra is that you should leave the people you meet with something they didn't have before you met them - even if that's just a smile.

www.neilgiller.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lord-neil-giller-radiator/

Message Neil via Linked In, Call 07985 346982 or email: Neil@stufftherest.com

With over 29,000 hours of practical marketing experience, Lenny has worked in the marketing and design industry for over 18 years for several European corporate companies. The Covid pandemic presented an opportunity to move away from employed work and into the arena of self-employment. Three years later, Lenny is the founder and director of Marketing Outsource Limited, an on-demand marketing service providing marketing tools, skills and experience but without the ongoing costs and responsibilities of full-time employees.

Links:

Website - https://marketingoutsource.co.uk/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennywood/

Calendly - https://calendly.com/marketingoutsource/1-2-1-meeting

Bev Thoroughgood runs Floresco Training, a training and coaching company that specialises in menopause awareness.

Tom Jepson is a coach for creative people who describes himself as being slightly rebellious and also quite nerdy!

Tom's background is in the design industry as both an employee and a freelancer, so he understands the issues that creative business owners face.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomjepsoncoaching/

https://www.tomjepsoncreative.com

Ivan Weiss is a portrait photographer based in London. Born with a camera pointed at him, he grew up surrounded by photography. His interest in portraiture was influenced by 12 years living in Florence, Italy. He creates images that reflect a fascination with classical composition, a delight in the technical possibilities afforded by modern equipment and techniques, and a sensitivity for human emotion.

Ivan enjoys a variety of networking events and he's keen to network with other photographers as collaboration always beats competition.

Helena is a born and raised brit who started her copywriting business at the tender age of 21. Having no contacts she immediately started networking her socks off and attended most groups across London. Later she moved to a new country that didn’t have much of a culture of formal networking and so created English speaking networking. With three groups locally that were both online and face to face she saw a demand for online meetings and last year founded Internationalesn with a focus on helping business owners right around network and grow their business. She now has three groups: professional services, health and wellness and creative. She currently lives in Tel Aviv with her husband and in her spare time enjoys riding her bike (Louise.)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenabaker/

https://www.instagram.com/internationalesn/ 

Drew Ellis is a serial entrepreneur and experienced business development executive.

He's been invited to Buckingham Palace and Parliament in the UK to advise on matters of business and enterprise, and has been written about in the Sunday Times, Financial Times, and numerous other publications.

In 1982 he designed the world-famous “Choose Life" range of slogan T-Shirts for Katharine Hamnett.

He founded Eyetoeye in 1994 as one of the world's first new media agencies, advising a broad range of business on digital strategy, content creation, website development, branding, and design.

In late 2009 he co-founded the Like Minds Ideas Festival, a global thought leadership platform, holding events in London, Exeter, Helsinki, and New York.

Business Breakfast TV, a weekly online show for entrepreneurs and SME business owners launched in 2020 and Drew also co-founded the Great British Business Festival in the same year.

Book your place at the 2021 Great British Expo here: https://wearelikeminds.com/march-31st-the-great-british-business-expo/

Claire Waite Brown is the founder of the Creativity Found podcast where she interviews people about being creative in later life.

She has also built the Creativity Found website to help grown-ups find their creativity by listing courses, workshops, events, books, products and subscriptions with creativity at their heart.

In addition she has created a network to support and promote artistic and creative facilitators who help adults to get creative. Membership is more than just a listing on a website, and includes access to monthly online meetups to connect with likeminded creative facilitators and suppliers.

www.creativityfound.co.uk

Apple Podcasts Creativity Found and on all other podcast platforms

Instagram @creativityfoundpodcast YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast

Facebook @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group

Linkedin Claire Waite Brown Pinterest @creativityfound  

Over the past 20 yrs Chan Lau has found that Leadership Success is recognising that imperfect action is ALWAYS better than perfect inaction. 

Consistency beats motivation, and he has found gym goals can be transferred to business goals. 

As a personal trainer and running a few business, Chan has showed Leaders what to do - and stop doing - to accelerate their results and reach their leadership goals faster...WITHOUT killing themselves in the process.

He is the creator of the fitter faster, stronger Program and has been facilitating this Program since 2020. 

www.theptcartel.com

www.paisleypropertysolutions.com 

John Wilson is the Founder of Honest Video, a full-funnel video marketing agency for corporate clients. Honest specialise in beautiful corporate videos and work with the likes of AQA, Bauer Media, Thomson Reuters, Roche, and Asahi.

Recently, John co-founded Xplnr which produces animated explainer videos with fixed fees, streamlined processes, and a proven script model. Founded on delivering hundreds of videos for global companies.

John is also the founder of the walk-and-talk community which is a series of events for founders in Surrey, London, and the South East that brings founders together in an informal countryside setting.

https://honest.video/

https://www.xplnr.video/

https://walkandtalk.community/ 

Sign up link for the walk-and-talk community

This episode is kindly sponsored by Yeseo.

SEO is BORING - but only when you're doing it wrong! Visit https://www.yeseo.io for a free consultation.

In 2015, Debra decided to leave the corporate world and do something. Exactly what she was going to do was somewhat unclear! She decided to focus on smaller businesses and see if she could use her experience to support them. Having set up a website, she realised that she needed to get the message out which led to her joining various networking groups - a new and, initially somewhat uncomfortable, experience! 

As her business progressed, Debra - like so many of us - tried to find her niche. Starting her own podcast in 2018 marked a turning point in her services. Recognising the challenges and obstacles that we can face when starting a podcast, Debra now provides 3 distinct services: Podcast Start, Podcast Refresh and Podcast Connect.

Find out more about Debra at www.bridgeroadconsultants.com.

Learn more about the Podcast Connector and sign up as either a podcaster or a guest:

https://bridgeroad.ac-page.com/Podcast-Connector-Founding-Membership

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levittdebra/

Listen to Debra's original podcast, Bridging Gaps - The Business Podcast https://modusevolvere.com/podcasts/ (note this podcast has now stopped but there are many interesting interviews available)

Today's episode is kindly sponsored by Sheena Whyatt of Kapow! Sheena is a fantastic coach for small business owners who has just created an online library of fantastically useful business books which can be accessed for just £5.99 a month 😊 . Visit https://heroes.kapowme.com/superchargeclub to get your library card now.

Ella started out in the mortgage industry in the USA, but after the financial crash of 2008, began building a career focused on helping people. As a specialist advisor for a charity, she worked with many employers facing tribunal claims, most of whom had a poor awareness of their legal duties, or how to tackle HR issues effectively. Ella wanted to find a better way - where companies could identify, and express their values, treat employees more fairly, improve communication and processes and avoid Tribunal Claims.

It is clear that the world of employment has changed post covid.  People understand that they can choose not only who they work for, but how they work. Businesses must adapt to attract employees. It's no longer all about the paycheck, it's about how work fits into our lives. 

With Humanity HR, Ella is now focusing on supporting small businesses implement HR best practices and avoid resource draining problems. Businesses that fully understand and support their people will foster employee wellbeing, relationships built on trust, and the shared vision that achieves growth.

https://www.humanityhr.co.uk

This episode is sponsored by MAGIC MIND - the daily shot that can help you with focus and concentration. Find out more at https://www.magicmind.com and until the end of January if you purchase a 3 month subscription you can get a month free if you use this link: https://www.magicmind.com/JANsbbn

AND if you use the code SBBN20 you'll get another 20% off!

Mary has years of networking experience, having worked at the Chamber of Commerce for a number of years.  She later moved into running her own networking business which she focussed on women. She used to watch ladies watch struggling at networking events, because they lacked confidence, so thus Ladies Who Latte was born. Meeting up, once a month for a coffee and chat.  Now 20 years later, it has grown beyond imagination.  It costs nothing to attend, no membership fees, no advertising. It has grown on word of mouth and dedicated volunteers who shared the same dream.  

Mary got to achieve her own personal dream too: when she showed interested in radio aged 15, she was turned down as the job was only done by men .(1960’s) Years later via networking, she was asked to join a local Community Radio station. She has been with Marlow fm 97.5 for 11 years now and is the Coordinator of all the morning Shows with a team of 25 Presenters. She has her own show twice a month.

www.ladieswholatte.com

Caroline Voaden is a copywriter and content strategist helping B2Bs ditch boring for brilliant. After a decade in PR advising multimillion-dollar businesses, politicians, and even a few disgraced sports stars, she paired the industry’s best-kept storytelling secrets with sales psychology to create storyselling: the framework behind her can’t-stop-reading content and revenue-generating websites.

Today, she helps global finance giants like HSBC, innovative SaaS fintechs and legtechs, and consultants, turn technical expertise into authority content that makes money. With 128+ clients and award-winning campaigns under her belt, Caroline knows how to get results – like 441% traffic spikes and white papers that reach 22M people.

Originally from the UK, Caroline traded London’s high-octane life for the laid-back beaches of Australia. When she’s not crafting stories, she’s surfing, teaching yoga or bingeing cosy English crime dramas.

 https://www.storycopywriting.co/website-copywriting

Louise Brogan works with entrepreneurs, SME’s and professionals who want to raise their profile through LinkedIn in a genuine and valuable way.  

 Louise is an international speaker, writes for Social Media Examiner and hosts the LinkedIn with Louise Podcast. She lives at home with her husband, three children and an energetic spaniel called Bruce. 

In 2019, Louise was invited to attend No 10 Downing Street to represent small business and annually attends the House of Lords as one of 12 UK Local Heroes for Business.  In 2021, Louise was named a Small Business Britain Champion. 

Tony Redondo is the found of Cosmos Currency Exchange.

Cosmos offers a bespoke, pro-active relationship-based, bank account to bank account currency exchange service, for both private and corporate clients. They deal in over 35 currencies to and from over 50 countries around the globe, including the UK, USA, EU, Canada and Australia amongst many other locations.

Being able to network around the world from his office has been very beneficial to Tony.

Allen built a successful 6-figure project management consultancy on the back of LinkedIn. Since then he has run a series of businesses in property, motorhome hire, domiciliary care and business support.

With a change in personal circumstances, Allen now focuses on sharing his LinkedIn knowledge with small to medium-sized businesses helping them to leverage the platform to generate leads.

Allen is also very active in the charity sector. He provides FREE LinkedIn training and support to any small or medium sized local or regional charity in the UK through the Linked Business Charity Training & Support Group.

His 50:50 workshops are a way for those charities to get their corporate sponsors access to his LinkedIn training at a very affordable price and at the same time generate funds for the charity with 50% of the fee being donated to the referring charity.

Lisa Townsend is a creativity and mindfulness coach who works with business owners to get them unstuck and moving.

She describes herself as being an introvert who loves to network with complete strangers!

We all network all the time without even thinking about it, but networking for your business needs be more intentional.

As well as understanding what networking is, it's just as important to understand what networking isn't.

It's all about making connections - and it most definitely isn't about making sales.

There are two main types of networking - in person and online, and there are lots of sub-genres which we'll talk about in later episodes.

The more people you connect with (and get to know), the more your business will grow.

Please do subscribe, rate and review the show on Apple podcasts so that more people find it! Thank you :-)

GRAND IPR® is led by Céleste The Empress Of Trade Marks, who is a fully-trained master of Law (or Candidata Juris) specialising in helping scale-up businesses with a premium system, programme, service, process or product find and register that elusive trade mark. She is also a multiple award winner.

Her mission is to help or inspire you to understand and appreciate the importance of protecting your business’ intellectual property rights, content, and thus your livelihood. With less worrying about your brand comes more time to spend staying in your zone of genius, on growing your business...and more profits! Mission statement: protect what you create before it’s too late.

Her vision, commitment, and expertise combine to help small-to-medium sized businesses feel confident when it comes to trade marking their brand and content, empowering them to feel peace of mind and true protection.

https://linktr.ee/CelesteReumert

Leigh is a Success Coach through his company, Succeed With Fulfilment.

With a holistic approach to coaching, mentoring and training, he helps people create more time so that they can do more in both their personal and professional lives.

His focus is to ensure that people attain the success they desire whilst living fulfilled throughout the journey... something that's often missed!

This is offered through 121 coaching, group coaching and specialised workshops, covering the foundations of Purpose, Wellbeing, Wealth and Business.

Links:

https://leigheyles.com

https://linktr.ee/LeighEyles

 MSA Skincare is a natural organic vegan skincare brand that is eco friendly and plastic free. Suprina offers luxury vegan skincare products and facial experiences to give her customers a more holistic approach to their skincare journey.

Her mission is to make self care enjoyable but easy on the planet, with quality products that celebrate the skin you're in.  

Suprina likes taking her products to in person networking meetings so people can smell them and try them for themselves.

https://www.msaskincare.com/

Faye Dicker - broadcaster, voiceover artist and founder of the award-winning networking group Freelance Mum.

Faye cut her teeth in television at a young age, before working in television production and then radio presenting, for both BBC and commercial stations. 

Her busy voiceover business, means she can be heard on national television and radio campaigns, corporate and E-learning. 

It was in 2014 that Faye launched Freelance Mum, when she found balancing motherhood around freelance work a difficult juggling act. She set about building a community for fellow ‘freelance mums’, by launching child friendly networking events for mums in business.  

After 7 years of running successfully in Bristol, Freelance Mum launched 6 hubs across the UK last year. She’s run 100s of meetings, hosts a weekly digital coffee morning and an awesome online community, The Mothership.

Faye Dicker has been named Top 100 Most Influential Women in The West in 2018 & 2019. She was awarded Freelance Ambassador of the Year Award, for her work with Freelance Mum and Covid-19 Success Story in 2021. 

When not found behind the microphone, or ferrying her girls to various clubs, Faye can often be found in her local lido and marine Lake (a rare occasion, when she actually stops talking). 

https://www.freelancemum.co.uk

https://www.fayedicker.com

Susan Gold is a marketing coach and consultant who describes herself as a networking maniac!

One of the things she helps her clients with is networking - and in particular, making sure they are in the right room.

Helen Tuddenham is an executive coach and leadership development consultant, who works with experienced professionals to help them untangle the complexities of leadership. She supports them to figure out what’s holding them back and eliminate those sticking points. As a result, they gain fresh perspectives on who they are and how they lead, and an ability to take on new challenges and thrive in their career.

Prior to setting up her own business, Helen was a Director of the People and Culture Risk team at PwC UK, advising finance, internal audit, and compliance teams on improving capability and culture. She is also a non-Exec Director and chartered accountant.

Links

https://www.helentuddenhamconsulting.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/helentuddenham/

Camilla is a Vedic Meditation expert, based in Kent, UK

Camilla trained as a primary school teacher in 2000 and learnt to meditate when she was an Assistant Headteacher in an inner city London school. 

After meditating, she worked as a gardening teacher in the Eden Project, a chef and cooking teacher in Sydney and then returned to the UK to live in the family home, Owletts, a National Trust property. 

She recently left the class room and, armed with Sanskrit GCSE (grade A!) she began teaching adults - how to read and write Sanskrit (the Devanagari Script).

She runs cacao ceremonies and wellbeing retreats in Kent and Gloucestershire. 

Meditation is still her favourite thing to teach.

She trained in India in 2014 with Thom Knoles, and currently supports advanced meditators across Europe preparing for teacher training. 

She is Director of Herbert Baker Furniture and co-founder of Lost Crafts CIC - supporting arts and crafts and wellbeing for Neurdiverse families.

She lives with her son and 2 dogs at Owletts, (a National Trust property) where her family have lived since 1783.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-baker-meditation/

https://www.vedicmeditationbycamilla.co.uk

https://herbertbaker.com

Amanda Whitehead is a health, nutrition and lifestyle coach who has been in the industry for 26 years.

She helps stressed-out people who are feeling stuck, struggling with weight and digestive issues, to have more energy, feel heard and reconnect to their true self.

She is a huge advocate of improving people’s mental health and the services offered to those struggling, and she is currently the General Governor for Mental Health Lincolnshire, her local board. 

After years of suffering with irritable bowel syndrome and an underactive thyroid, with Western medicines not helping and in some cases worsening her symptoms; she studied and learnt how alternative methods of healing can work through analysing what you choose to put in your body and what thoughts you allow into your mind.

She reversed both afflictions from simply changing food choices and daily habits, introducing self-care strategies and practices.

She has supported and educated hundreds of people to understand how their body functions, the importance of nutrition and a healthy mind-set. Creating a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and empowering them to become an expert of their unique selves.

This has enabled them to heal from issues like anxiety and depression, gut health and digestive issues, reversing diabetes type two as well as helping to heal skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis too.

Justin Nelson started in Real Estate at 16 years old as an Inside Sales Agent and Marketing Director for a Real Estate company based in Denver, CO. At 19 he pursued his Real Estate License and within 3 years had taken over the team which led him to launching his own Real Estate coaching company.

3 years ago Justin launched Sphere Rocket VA to help both Real Estate agents and businesses in all sectors acquire Virtual Assistant talent from overseas, specifically the Philippines.

Ultimately, he became filled with a greater sense of purpose and an unwavering conviction that if he can achieve success, anyone can.

We invite you to learn more about Justin Nelson at https://www.sphererocketva.com/

https://hireleverage.com

Now you know what networking is (and what it isn't), the next question to ask is 'why should you do it?'

We've established that networking isn't about selling (though we do want people to buy from us ultimately), so what are you going to get out of going to networking meetings?

Some of the things I've got out of going to networking events are:

• great suppliers
• information about other meetings to try
• information about other events e.g business expos
• information about grants I can apply for
• friends!

This short episode looks at some of the ways that small business owners can benefit from business networking.

Nadège Saysana, known as Nan, is a former English teacher from Paris who turned her personal struggles into a passion for helping others achieve the same kind of transformation she’s experienced. She’s a certified Life and Weight Loss Coach through The Life Coach School and Corinne Crabtree’s No BS Weight Loss University.

Nan’s journey started with stress-eating, and she gets it. She’s been there—feeling like food had a hold on her. But today? She’s no longer binge eating or battling cravings. She sticks to her food plan effortlessly—chocolate included (because, yes, she knows life’s too short not to enjoy your favorites).

At 50, Nan has also accomplished a dream she thought was out of reach—becoming a bodybuilder. She dropped three dress sizes along the way, and she’s determined to stay strong, fit, and vibrant for as long as possible, inspired by her 105-year-old grandmother.

Over the past five years and a half, Nan has coached around 50 clients a week through The Life Coach School, helping them stop binge eating, overcome cravings, get rid of procrastination and stick to their goals. Her approach is straightforward, compassionate, and grounded in mindset shifts that make real, lasting changes. She’s helped clients lose weight, build muscle, reduce inflammation, and take control of their health—and, most importantly, feel proud of who they are around food.

Based in Paris, Nan works with English-speaking clients from all over the world, with her adorable cat Eva by her side. Her philosophy is simple: Change doesn’t have to be hard. With the right mindset and tiny, healthy habits, transformation is not only possible—it’s inevitable.

STEP 1 - Let’s connect!

Email: nscoaching@outlook.fr

LinkedIn: Nadège (Nan) Saysana

Website: www.TheCravingsCoach.fr

Instagram: Nan.Saysana.Coaching

YouTube: Nadege Saysana Coaching

STEP 2 - I’m on a personal mission to empower overeaters around food - check out the free resources that are relevant to you:

- 5 simple steps to not stress eat tonight https://nadege-saysana-coaching.ck.page/b33737ad80

- 3 easy steps to stick to your chocolate plan today https://nadege-saysana-coaching.ck.page/5416ffba36

Need personalized support? Book a Free Crave Control Call: https://calendly.com/nadege-saysana/consultation

Maggie Sarfo an international TEDx speaker and bestselling author. She works with individuals, SMEs and corporate businesses by enabling them to adapt into current times for growth through advisory & mentoring services. She brings over 18 years’ experience in leadership, business growth, personal development and transformation to her clients and audiences.

Majority of her clients become hugely successful in their roles and businesses, or transition happily.

Maggie also deals with purpose and mission development (personal & organisational). 

When she’s not having fun with and leading The Athena Network (London City) networking groups, she is CEO of Meres Consult Ltd - a business and personal growth consultancy. 

You can Connect with Maggie on: LinkedIn , Facebook or Instagram

Visit a networking meeting online/offline: https://bit.ly/AthenaLondonCity 

Business and Personal Growth Advisory/Mentoring: https://www.meresconsult.com/

Amy Atkinson is a social media and digital marketing coach specialising in working with small to medium-sized service based businesses. Having worked for over 12 years in this field growing FTSE 100 companies customer bases and sales, she wanted to work with those smaller companies to help them see huge growth too.

Amy reached a full client roster, and 6 figures in her business all in a year after coming back from maternity leave and working 4 days a week. It’s her mission to help clients see growth in clients; sales, prospects; reach & warm leads; engagement through sharing her knowledge and expertise.

Links:

Free strategy workbook: https://thefemtrepreneur.mykajabi.com/strategy

Website: www.thefemtrepreneur.com

Insta: @thefemtrepreneur

In this episode I chat to author, publisher and founder of International Online Networking Day, Ladey Adey

Ladey has always loved meeting people and learning more about their businesses – and as her networking prowess has grown she has learnt how to benefit both their businesses and her own.  She says, “My life wouldn’t be so rich without business networking.  I use business networking offline and online as an integral strategy to helping more people publish the book inside them.  Within networking I’ve given as many talks as I’ve had hot dinners!”

To buy Ladey's book 'Successful Business Networking Online' visit https://t4s.site/networking-book/buy-your-book/

Ladey also co-hosts a LinkedIn Group for networkers who want to be successful. The group meets up via Zoom on a monthly basis – only group members though! The link is https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8985122/

Find Ladey online through one of the links below - or invite her to your next networking meeting!

Website:  https://www.ladeyadey.com

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladey  

Podcast on Books:  https://shows.acast.com/ladeyadeyshow/

World Online Networking Day – 29th Oct https://t4s.site/worldonlinenetworkingday/home/

 You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/LadeyAdey/videos

The independent coffee company, CafePod was founded by entrepreneur Peter Grainger, 12 years ago. Peter had been frustrated by how difficult and expensive it was to buy Nespresso pods and felt that consumers deserved more choice and access to quality coffee at home. He became aware that it was possible to produce Nespresso-compatible pods but that it had not yet been done in Europe. 

Having never worked in the coffee industry before and wanting to move away from his job in the city, Peter set out on a mission to bring high-quality, craft coffee to the masses. With such a unique offering, and many other brands following suit since, CafePod has gained strong supermarket listings and is available in Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon as well as a thriving D2C business. 

Peter used networking as a way to find help and finance for his business, and he says that the key is people like to help people they like - so be nice!

www.cafepod.com

William Warren is the founder of The Sketch Effect - a company that supplies artists to capture business events. He has also set up an initiative called The Conquering Creative which is all about helping creative entrepreneurs to navigate the business world effectively.

He has some thoughts about why creative people shy away from business networking events, which he shares here.

Find him online at www.thesketcheffect.com or www.the conquering creative.com

Hannah Thompson is the business manager at Heritage Lincolnshire, and the founder of the Development Partnership Network. She also runs a support group for people living with conditions such as ME and fibromyalgia.

Pre-Covid Hannah was running a host of business showcase events, and during the pandemic she came up with an online event which she called 'Sofa Networking'.

Hannah is full of enthusiasm and passion for networking as you'll hear in this episode!

Contact Hannah at info@thedevelopmentpartnernetwork.com

Veronica Di Polo is a Marketing & Messaging Expert with over 15 years of experience. She empowers busy service-based women entrepreneurs by crafting clear messaging that attracts ideal clients, and building effective marketing strategies that fit their schedules. Veronica's passion lies in helping women overcome time management hurdles and achieve business growth. She also hosts the Branding Momentum Podcast, which delivers bite-sized, actionable marketing advice in a format that fits even the busiest entrepreneur's schedule.

Check out her free resource at www.FromWordsToClients.com

Links: 

IG: @veronicadipolo @brandingmomentum 

YT: @veronicadipolo

Branding Momentum Podcast

www.veronicadipolo.com

Jack Allen is the owner of Innate Creative Productions, a creative agency that produces radio adverts, videos etc.

He is also one of the hosts of the Loose Dads podcast - four Dads talking about Dad stuff!

Sarah is a Self Esteem, Confidence and Identity Coach, passionate about supporting professional women who are ready to break their self sabotage patterns and change their inner story from “not worthy or deserving” to attracting success in every area of their lives. 

She guides women to reprogramme their negative thought processes which began in childhood with a difficult relationship (often with a parent). or a life event that negatively affected them.

She started coaching alongside her corporate role in 2016 where she worked closely in situations involving Child Protection and domestic violence. 

She had toxic relationships throughout her past and wanted to use her own experiences to create something life changing. She now lives with her husband and two amazing teens, having created her specialist practice during the 2020 pandemic. She’s already supported many women to achieve life changing results.

Away from work she can be found on coastal or woodland walks with her two dogs where she relaxes with photography. Having trained in Musical Theatre but unable to pursue this as a career, she indulges in her passion for singing with the national Rock Choir.

Now the world is opening up again, Sarah is excited to continue a new passion of travelling to new places with her husband or friends and sampling champagne or cocktails!

Sarah can be contacted via her Facebook Page “Coastal Coaching Sussex – From Striving to Thriving” or her website: https://coastalcoachingsussex.co.uk

Sarah also offers 1:1 retreats for business professionals who need to uplevel their confidence for success. Click here for more 

For hints and tips on "5 Ways to Forget Your Toxic Ex, click on this link https://bit.ly/3OQDBlU

Book an initial chat here: https://calendly.com/coastalcoachingsussex/initial-chat-with-sarah?month=2022-09

t: 07714 472383

e: info@coastalcoachingsussex.co.uk

fb page: https://www.facebook.com/coastalcoachingsussex

fb biz group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebeinbusiness

web: https://www.coastalcoachingsussex.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwilsoncoach  

Matthew Priest is an accountant who likes to help save client’s money through effective tax planning and increase their profits by helping them to understand their figures.  

He began training at the Scunthorpe office in 2004 and achieved his AAT qualification and went on to qualify as a Chartered Certified Accountant in February 2009. He prides himself on service and is involved with a varied portfolio of clients with particular focus in small, family owned and start-up businesses.

Matthew uses networking meetings as opportunities to meet other people and get to know them, rather than places to directly grow his client list.

A track record of over 15 years work and achievements in management with a strong background in transportation, at a strategic and operational level. A self-confessed transport geek. Lindsay shares her experience which includes facilitating and delivering service improvement and transformation with her current team, Hunts Coaches, other businesses, and learners.

Since 2008 Lindsay has worked within the transport sector. Starting the journey in the Transport Policy Team at North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) and providing a management role for the Demand Responsive Transport Service Phone ‘n’ Ride. She was also a member of the NELC Coaching and Mentoring Network. In 2010 a ground-breaking arrangement was made between the Local Authority and Balfour Beatty forming a regeneration partnership. Lindsay transferred over to Balfour Beatty to support the areas aspirations.

In 2013, Cofely GDF Suez became the partner, later changing its name to ENGIE. Lindsay was there for all the key moments and challenges presented by cross partnership working and in 2015 became the Project Manager for the areas Total Transport Project. A pilot to explore the potential for a better mix of accessible transport services in the area. While working with different central, local government agencies and transport operators, she also became chair of the Total Transports Northern Group.

Towards the end of 2017, Lindsay joined Hunts Coaches as the Business Development and Marketing Manager. Devising, developing, and delivering a comprehensive strategic and tactical plan for business development, income generation and awareness-raising for the Lincolnshire based family travel business. Winning many awards along the way. Lindsay is passionate about Greater Lincolnshire, lives in the area and is part of many groups with the aim to contribute, communicate, champion, and promote all that is great about the place – Taking People Places.

Lindsay.Linder@hunts-coaches.co.uk

http://www.hunts-coaches.co.uk/

Nick Blanchard is the founder of ZoCo, an online and in-person networking community which came about thanks to the pandemic.

Nick has been involved with networking for many years and the lockdown gave him the impetus to start up his own network, which has gone from strength to strength ever since.

With over two decades in sales and a pioneering spirit in B2B networking, Donnie has transformed his experiences into Success Champion Networking (SCN). Here, he empowers professionals to build influential networks and businesses based on genuine connections and community support.

SCN isn’t just about networking; it's a hub for entrepreneurial growth and success, focussing on:

- B2B Networking Strategies

- Community Building

- Business Support and Coaching

- Networking Event Coordination

Discover more at https://successchampionnetworking.com/or book a chat with Donnie at https://calendly.com/successchampion/60-minutes-with-donnie-boivin-ceo-success-champion

Rachel Moore has a background in marketing and is now a trainer, consultant and speaker on the subject of social media.

She also runs the BLAH (Business Ladies Around Harrogate) network, and publishes a business e-magazine.

She is very keen on networking and using social media in conjunction with networking to grow relationships.

Maja Dethloff is originally from Germany but now lives on the South Coast of England. She is a 'singing bowl' therapist whose vision is to spread the word about the Peter Hess® Singing Bowl massage method across the UK.

Because the method is new in the UK Maja finds it very helpful to network. She has found a very supportive group and they are helping her to spread her message.

www.soundfeelings.uk

info@soundfeelings.uk

Stephen Finn is a photographer and LinkedIn devotee who not only runs a business, but also networking groups, and an online course on how to get the best out of LinkedIn.

Find him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-finn/

And check out his course here: https://www.lostonlinkedin.co.uk

Jude Wharton is one of the co-founders of Ready Steady Websites®, an off the shelf website and membership site template service. Jude and her business partner and husband, Chris launched Ready Steady Websites® in 2019 and they have been running a successful digital design company, 2nd Floor Designs Ltd since 2010. They are also the co-authors of The Website Handbook.

Website: https://readysteadywebsites.com/ 

The Website Handbook: https://readysteadywebsites.com/handbook/ 

Free Resources: https://readysteadywebsites.com/freebies/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@readysteadywebsites 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readysteadywebsites/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readysteadywebsites 

Helen Davis is a clinical hypnotherapist and teaches Bones for LifeⓇ, the movement programme that improves posture and teaches us to move with more ease, comfort and grace today, while stimulating bone strength for the decades ahead.

Inspired by her own experiences of healing from career-ending burnout and from injury, she's on a mission to teach others to become active participants in - rather than passive observers of - their own healing:  physically, mentally and emotionally.

www.onestepforward.today

https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-davis-onestepforward/

Nathan is co-founder and director of Quickfire Digital and he is leading innovation in the area of digital transformation.

Quickfire works with businesses to improve efficiency, profitability and scalability through the use of technology. Most commentators would call this 'digital transformation' and, indeed, this is how the agency has described its work.

Both on the business front and within the community, Nathan is relentless in his drive to succeed and, while doing so, help others.

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCWXoq8b45Gc0JKzas_uOu8w

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/addicted-to-business/id1498468018

Claire Hill is a self belief and businesses mentor, as well as the founder of The Vivid Business Club, a membership dedicated to supporting and uplifting business owners.

She is also the host of the No Rest for the Vivid podcast.

She's planning to start a new network in the Kent and Medway area which will be based more on making friends than doing business.

https://www.clairehill.uk

https://www.clairehill.uk/podcast

Joe Gallant is a creative guy living in Kent, England with his lovely wife, Naomi, their daughter and a little dog called Kobe. He’s a keen musician and a big sports fan following various sports both English and American. His passion is helping people and organisations to find their voice online, through effective branding and custom website design. In addition to co-founding Christian Businesses in Kent and the Gourds & Pomegranates podcast, Joe’s time is mostly spent working with churches, charities and small businesses. You can find out more at begallant.uk.

Estelle Cartlidge is the founder of two businesses - Making the Grade which matches students to tutors, and My Biz Solution which is an all in one package that helps small business owners with the day to day running of their business.

Estelle wasn't a fan of networking at first but she's a real advocate for it now. She says everyone feels daunted at first but you have to be brave and stick with it.

www.mybizsolution.uk

Have you been procrastinating since forever about launching a project such as an event or online course but keep blocking yourself as it seems such an overwhelming task? Are you lost in the rabbit hole of researching, you simply don’t know where to start or the fear of technology is holding you back? Don’t let these reasons prevent you from shining out your expertise to the world.

Completing a project like this is the hardest thing to do after starting it but Alison is here with a virtual pair of hands to support and guide you.

Alison loves creating and as an award-winning Business Consultant and Project Administrator, and with decades of experience supporting business owners and charities realise projects, she can help you break the project down into bite sized manageable pieces and create a framework to get it started.

As a born solution finder, in 2024 she helped business-savvy clients set up 42 events both virtual and in person and build out online courses on platforms such as LearnDash, Podia and MemberVault. 

She has been self-employed now for 10 years and started her business VirtuAli Business Solutions to help savvy business owners be more organised , create structures and have automations to create more time, more passive income and more head space!

She finds being organised easy but realises that isn’t the case for everyone. 

Let her take the tech overwhelm away and be a virtual pair of hands to support and guide you!

https://www.virtuali.uk/services

Follow Alison on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/virtualiadminsolutions/

Connect with Alison on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonmatthewsvirtuali/

Website: www.virtuali.uk

https://www.virtuali.uk/services 

Email: alison@virtuali.uk

Tim Noetzel is the founder of Allora Design & Marketing and he also coaches tech start-ups.

Networking has been really important to Tim, and is the main way he grew his business.

• https://freelancegps.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnoetzel/
• https://twitter.com/timnoetzel/

Dan Knowlton and his brother Lloyd run Knowlton Marketing, an agency which specialises in 'advertainment'.

Dan is on a mission to rid the world of 'crap marketing' and encourages businesses to invest in marketing that actually makes their customers feel something.

Networking is something Dan feels he got wrong at first, by going to the wrong places, but now he networks at meetings around the world, and even gets invited to speak at such events.

https://knowltonmarketing.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielknowlton1/

Erica Messer is an accomplished harpist, entrepreneur, and advocate for pet loss support. Inspired by a personal tragedy, she founded Wolfie's Wish, a renowned pet loss company that has garnered accolades, including a Best New Product Award for its remarkable grieving cards.

With a lifelong passion for music, Erica has dedicated her career to the enchanting melodies of the harp. Her performances resonate with audiences at various venues across the United States and Germany, where she weaves heartfelt songs and creates captivating atmospheres. Additionally, Erica's musical expertise extends to the realm of weddings and corporate events, where she utilizes her skills as both a harpist and a DJ to provide unforgettable experiences.

In conjunction with her music career, Erica remains committed to her mission of supporting those grieving the loss of a pet. Wolfie's Wish stands out for its innovative sympathy cards, not only providing comfort to pet owners but also offering veterinarians meaningful tools to assist their clients. Through her company, Erica has made a significant impact on the pet loss community.

Deepening her contribution, Erica has also written and illustrated a children's book on pet loss. By addressing the sensitive topic with empathy and understanding, she provides young readers with a valuable resource to navigate their emotions during difficult times.

To learn more about Erica Messer's musical endeavors and her pet loss company, you can visit www.Wolfieswish.com and ericamesser.com.

Simon Raybould started his working life as a research scientist after a PhD looking at the causes of childhood cancer. After over two and a half decades as a research scientist he became Centre Manager of what was then the UK’s largest social science research unit. That need to look at the evidence, the causes, the relationships is what makes him different from most presentation trainers and professional speakers. His style is to avoid “this works for me” in favour of “the research says this works for 85% of the population - try it this way first”.

As an introvert he's not a natural networker, so he likes to employ SAS style tactics to 'get in and get out'!

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simon-raybould-presentations

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonstorymaking/

Website: https://storymaking.business/

Martin Whiskin and Ben Bowles (collectively known as Bentin) are the founders of The Creative Collective (TCC), an online networking group for people in creative industries.

Their motto is 'collaboration not competition' and their meetings regularly attract 30+ attendees which suggests it's an approach that works!

Find out more at:

www.thecreativecollectivenetworking.co.uk

Today's episode is kindly sponsored by Sheena Whyatt of Kapow! Sheena is a fantastic coach for small business owners who has just created an online library of fantastically useful business books which can be accessed for just £5.99 a month 😊 . Visit https://heroes.kapowme.com/superchargeclub to get your library card now.

Lee Randall-Pybus is co-owner and director of Your Partnerships Ltd.

Your Partnerships is a business networking platform that has grown from just two UK counties, to being a global networking organisation.

After spending 25 years as an entertainer Lee is a true people’s person and works hard to make sure that connections are made between businesses and also helps those businesses reach out to new clients.

www.yourpartnerships.co.uk

Lu Camish is a video marketing specialist at Jellyfielder Studios.

Jellyfielders develop bespoke content marketing strategies for clients across the UK with their unique Ice Cream Model. Lu loves sharing her skills, leading the weekly Marketing Monday 4networking event and regularly running DIY video workshops teaching businesses to film and edit their own content.

Emma Briggs is the owner of the digital marketing agency EDB Digital, With over 17 years of experience in the marketing industry she has worked with start-ups to multi-national companies to build their brand and push their services and products in front of the right audience. She specialises in social media management and lead generation where she can obtain GDPR-compliant data and her award-winning telemarketing team turns prospects into customers. 

www.edbdigital.com 

www.linkedin.com/in/emma-briggs-edb-digital/

Hela Wozniak-Kay is the soul of Sister Snog, which is both a business Tribe of powerful-women, and a power-brand led by women-for-women.

Sister Snog is an ecosystem where like-minded go-getters support each other so they can continue to thrive, boost their bottom line, supercharge their business and invigorate their brand. By turning contacts into golden connections.

Members are an eclectic mix who have the same thing in common - a burning desire to get on with life-&-business. And connect with as many like-minded-like-minds to help deliver their goals.

https://www.sistersnog.com

Paul is a voice over artist, radio presenter and massive lover of business networking. In fact, it was within a networking group that his business model radically changed. People had recognised that his 60 second presentations were always well received and started seeking his advice on how they could improve their own presentations, and he was happy to help. Then, in a one-to-one meeting with a business coach, he received a piece of advice which changed his life - “If you charged people for the advice that you’re giving, I believe they would pay you,” and it turns out, he was right.

Paul now splits his time between voicing and presentation coaching. He offers group workshops and private coaching, and has adapted his business model to work well within the virtual space. Details of his coaching can be found at www.my8seconds.com and for all things voice over, check out www.pauljrose.co.uk

Jenii Lowe is a content writer, copywriter, and professional explainer who has been working with written digital media for over a decade. Through her copywriting firm, Obsidian Content Creation, she's written for all manner of organisations, from national digital marketing behemoths to scores of small businesses up and down the UK. Jenii really relishes helping IT and tech firms more meaningfully describe what they do to those that matter - their prospects.

Obsidian Content Creation can be found at https://obsidiancontent.co.uk/

Steven Mayatt is Co-Owner and Creative Director at Pocket Creatives. His experience over the past 20 years spans the delivery of creative projects in video production and photography. Pocket Creatives work with small and large brands mainly in cosmetics, food & drink and consumer goods, and that work might involve anything from taking simple pack shots right up to TV ads. Steven's role involves the wearing many hats, as with most company owners, and finding a balance between the creative and the business.

Konrad Sanders runs a charming team of strategic word-slingers, known as The Creative Copywriter. They’re a fast-growing content strategy and copywriting agency that blend art with science to help bold brands sell more stuff.

Brands like Adidas, Hyundai,TikTok, Geox, Les Benjamins, Superdrug, PTC,Thomson Reuters,VMWare and plenty more.

His mission? To break the boundaries of corporate dullness. And help companies pierce through the noise with ‘real talk’,‘word science’ and calculated creativity.

info@creative-copywriter.net

https://www.linkedin.com/in/konradsanders/ 

www.konradsanders.com

It's a solo episode from me today to tell you about a free webinar I'm running on Wednesday 15th Sept 2021. If you're a creative freelancer who would like to know more about networking I would love to see you there. Sign up here: zoh1ihnodv

Following on from this I'll be running a whole course on business networking for creative people. Find out more here: https://www.businessnetworkingknowhow.com

Nicola Auckland is a Business & Brand Photographer with a passion for the relationships formed between business owners, customer and brands. 

After her corporate career ended during Covid, she turned her profitable side-hustle into fully fledged wedding photography business. Whilst she loved this, she knew something wasn't quite right (and it had little to do with the number of Ed Sheeran songs she had to listen to!) In January 2023 she took the decision to pivot her business, completely cut off her numerous wedding leads and exclusively offer business and branding photography. 

She now offers personal branding photography to solopreneurs, branding photography to small businesses and corporate headshots to larger companies who prefer to have a photographer on-site. she also offers e-commerce product photography in a studio setting for her business customers with an online store. 

You can find out more by visiting her website and LinkedIn profile.

 https://www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaaucklandphotography/

This episode is kindly sponsored by Yeseo.

SEO is BORING - but only when you're doing it wrong! Visit https://www.yeseo.io for a free consultation.

Chris Mansfield is a professional networker!

After over 20 years of networking in and around Sussex and London, and having struggled through lockdown, Chris decided to start afresh with a business that utilises what he's good at, which is connecting businesses to the right kind of people, whether that be new customers or strategic alliances. He is retained by a variety of top quality businesses who use him as an extension to their sales team and overall business development model.

https://www.fusion-business.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mansfield-fusion/

In this very short trailer episode you'll find out a little about your host, that's me, Liz Drury, and get taste of what's to come on the Small Business Big Network podcast.

If you're a small business owner you'll know that unless people know about you and what you do - you're not going to get any work. You'll also know that marketing can be expensive, and you probably haven't got lots of cash to spend on advertising.

Well, business networking could be a very cost effective answer.

I've found that by networking consistently, not only do many more people know about my business, but so do the people they know - because now that I have built trust with my fellow networkers, they are happy to recommend and refer me.

Join me on a networking adventure as I chat to other business owners about their networking successes, and give you hints and tips on how to make the most of the networking events you attend.

Please do subscribe, rate and review 'Small Business Big Network' on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Thank you!

John has spent 3 decades in the digital trade credit space beginning when it was analogue ! He has experience with household brands like Coco-cola, MLC Life, Lend Lease and Microsoft but feels most at home in the SME [ small to medium sized ] business sector. He has led sales teams and built and sold 2 eight figure businesses including a trade sale and IPO.

He has been an industry leader with the International Reciprocal Trade Association since 1989 serving terms on the education and ethics committees . He was also founding president of the Australasian chapter and was recently awarded “ Legend “ status for services to the industry.

John is currently CEO and founder of BBXUK recognised globally as the largest player in the sector with operations in 13 counties.

He is Australian by birth and holds duel passports with the UK Interests include travel and sport and he spent 14 years on the ECB cricket umpires “ D “ list panel In addition to his many accomplishments, 

John is also a best-selling author. His book, "Business Blunders and Bloody Great Ideas," tells the fascinating story of why only 52% of businesses survive despite the owner's best efforts not to, while the rest fail! With his extensive experience in the digital trade credit space and his success in building and selling two eight-figure businesses, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing. His book is a must-read for anyone looking to start their own business or improve their chances of success. Through his book, John shares his insights into the common mistakes that business owners make and offers practical advice on how to avoid them. He also highlights the importance of having a great idea and the courage to pursue it, even in the face of failure. Overall, John's book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the business world, and it is a testament to his expertise, dedication, and passion for helping others. 

His keynotes are always hard hitting tell it as it is as only an Aussie can and promises the audience at least one take away that can be immediately implemented into any business.

https://www.nuggetstore.co.uk/products/business-blunders-and-bloody-great-ideas

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-attridge/

Max Novak is the Founder of Novacast, a revolutionary podcast booking agency that focuses on booking leaders and innovators on top-rated podcasts in their niche. Novacast helps businesses grow, increase their strategic visibility and get high-quality leads via podcast guesting.

Max is focussing on growing Novacast to be the #1 podcast booking agency in the world whilst living a happy, healthy life (and at times nomadic) life. 

Links: 

HOW TO CONNECT WITH MAX: 

Website: https://novacast.be/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-novak-/ 

Email: info@novacast.be 

Book a call: https://calendly.com/novacast/one-on-one-meeting 

SPECIAL OFFER: Get the Novacast Podcast training for Free 

https://novacast.be/podcast-training-novacast/

Matt Holmes is the World Record holder for the longest handshake between two people - you'll have to listen to the episode to find out how long it was!

His company, not surprisingly is called 'Handshaking', but what is surprising is that it has no clients and doesn't sell any services. It's a very interesting concept and it all came about through networking.

Just Great HR – Making the Complex Simple

Dawn had 18 years of working in telephony and technology/ IT businesses, as a senior PA before re-training and moving into HR full-time about 12 years ago.

She is used to running teams of people to deliver day-to-day HR support and projects.

She's also ex-Army, having spent 5 years in The Royal Signals; 3 of which were in Cyprus (very spoilt!).

Dawn is exploring ways in which she can work with Veterans and current serving personnel who are in the process of leaving the forces and transitioning back into civilian life.

Michael was born and raised in South Africa and emigrated to the UK on a business startup visa.

Michael has been involved in all types of printing and branding for the last 25 years, having owned his own printing business for the majority of that time.

His branding business in South Africa, Black Peppa, was a member of the local BNI chapter.

It was at a BNI chapter meeting one morning that a lightbulb moment happened during an unexpected random incident. This led to the creation of an industry disrupting innovation that saw him get a spot of the South African version of Dragon’s Den, The Shark Tank.

Following the great exposure of the Shark Tank, Michael was invited to become a member of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship. This was a phenomenal opportunity to be mentored and to have expert assistance in getting the new concept to market.

Michael later on pitched for finance at various pitching platforms and ended up on the pitching stage of the World Cup of start-ups where he came third in the SA finals. The winner went on to pitch in Silicone Valley in the US and win $100 000.

The new concept, The Saucy Printing Co. Which is a service that provides live printing onto plates in chocolate sauce took off in the corporate events industry and provided a niche touch to weddings as well.

Having moved to the UK, Michael is currently getting the business off the ground and gaining traction for this world first, fun and innovative product. The business is set up in Cambridge and making the most of being in a city dwarfed by the many colleges that make up the University of Cambridge.

This ideal location presents many opportunities within the 33 colleges as well the various hotels, conference centers and networking events.

Michael has once again joined BNI and belongs to the Fitzwilliam chapter in Cambridge.

The business is growing from strength to strength and it looks to be able to franchise in late 2023.

For more information, pictures and history, please visit:

www.saucyprint.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-fletcher-191aaa76/ www.instagram.com/saucyprint

This week's guest on the 'Small Business Big Network' podcast is Connor Docherty at Bell4Business.

Bell4Business specialise in outsourced office support so have many connections working with small businesses over the years. When the first lockdown happened they took the opportunity to use those connections and set up a network of their own.

Almost a year later, their ever growing networking group is continuing to attract small business owners right throughout the UK.

Connor is the youngest guest yet to appear on the podcast, in this podcast he talks about how we got the opportunity to work at Bell4Business, how the business has grown and about his thought on networking.

Richard Askam is a multi-business entrepreneur and public speaker. He has worked with some big-name multinational companies and has some fascinating stories to share about networking, marketing and why speaking in public is not the same as public speaking.

Karen is a veteran of the Live chat sector, previously spending 15 years at Which? The Consumer Rights Organisation, where her passion for digital customer service developed. Highlights have been Project Managing implementation of live chat as another channel for Which? members. Driving forward the training, managing, and developing customer service and live chat teams.

 Finishing a project at WENTA in Feb 2020 led to a natural progression for her to launch her own company offering a one stop live chat solution for businesses. Aimed at supporting SME’s by providing simple efficient solutions with customer experience.

It has not always been an easy journey, setting up a business on her own, it has not been without its challenges, however in her words “it has been exciting, and I could not have done it without meeting some great people along the way, who have supported me with knowledge, introductions, and shown some trust and belief by hiring Live Chat Factory” 

The Factory's first ever client Lustalux, has grown their service offering, and attributes their growth to Karen and her teams-support. They remain a valued client of the Factory.

Focussing on digital customer service excellence within the customer service technology arena, Karen has also developed a training programme called “Live Chat Excellence” this is aimed at Senior Managers and Business Owners who are looking to develop a highly skilled multi-channel customer service team.

Twitter - @LiveChatFactor1

FB - https://www.facebook.com/Live-Chat-Factory-108426960836164/

Insta – livechat52

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-levett-4782982a/

Tel no – 01707 246583

Mobile – 07504 512287

Email – info@livechatfactory.live

www.livechatfactory.live

Victoria Ajoku, is the founder and visionary of 'Fan The Glory With Tori'. As the craft of Fan Making is 'critically endangered' in the UK, her unique business aims to 'revive' the concept of 'the fan' through fun, engaging, therapeutic and team-bonding' workshops as memorable 'experiences'. Check out her online boutique where you can find a range of handmade items all pertaining to 'the fan'.

Victoria likes to network with fellow artisans and crafts people and to develop collaborations.

https://fantheglorywithtori.com/

https://www.instagram.com/fantheglorywithtori/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa2I0akvDB4V4sf0cCFZVzg

https://www.facebook.com/FanTGloryWTori

https://twitter.com/fantheglorywit1

Alison Carter is a life coach who helps people who are dealing with change in their lives - often a career change in midlife.

Her background is in retail as a buyer for Selfridges and later John Lewis. When she used to network for her employer she found it something of a chore, but now she's doing it for herself she finds it inspiring and energising!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoncartercoaching/

As well as running a successful telemarking company, Felicity Francis is also the founder of Talk Networking.

Talk Networking started in the real world and has now moved into the virtual space, with four different styles of networking event offered.

In this episode Felicity talks about how different styles of business networking suit different people, why you should take the initiative and follow up with people after meetings, and how it's important not to get sucked into so many meetings and 121's that you don't leave time to work!

Justin is a business Growth Specialist who works with business owners to help them to achieve their goals.  Whether that means more time with their family, a bigger income, more choices or a more profitable business. His passion is working with business owners to create the business and life they were looking for when they first started their business.    

He is an experienced business leader and public speaker who has successfully led and grown 4 businesses as well as UK-based divisions within international companies. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, helping them to grow their businesses, as well as with many smaller companies.  

He has first-hand knowledge of the challenges that business owners experience every day and has led all the key areas of a business including Marketing and Sales, Operations, Finance and HR through the different phases of their growth. 

Elizabeth Pearson is the founder of Simple Successful Stocks.  As a financial educator she helps women who want to understand money and get it working for them by investing, yet struggle to know where to start and who to trust.  She gives them the knowledge and confidence to invest in the stock market themselves and take charge of their financial future. Making is all simple, sparkly and sustainable!

Elizabeth gives talks, runs investing taster classes and offers training to individuals and groups to become successful investors themselves.

Please click HERE for a FREE guide:

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUNDS! 7 Simple and Sparkly Steps to Start Investing

https://www.simplesuccessfulstocks.co.uk/complimentary-investing-guide/

Find Elizabeth on: https://www.simplesuccessfulstocks.co.uk/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elizabeth--pearson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplesuccessfulstocks/

or by email:  elizabeth@simplesuccessfulstocks.co.uk

Steve Sweeney is the Owner and Head Trainer of ARTA, the Australian Referral Training Academy. His business sees him regularly training SMEs and their sales teams in the art and science of attracting and generating referrals.

Over the last year, ARTA’s global presence has increased dramatically with grouptraining and personal coaching sessions being held via the internet on 4 continents.

Networking organisations, private businesses, co-working spaces and government business agencies call on his expertise to teach their members, sales teams and clients the art and science of generating and attracting referrals.

Steve is also the –

• Host of The Referral Guy on IBGR.Network
• Former BNI Training Director

Find Steve here:

• https://referralacademy.com.au/referral-network/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sweeney-learnhowtobuildareferralnetwork/
• info@referralacademy.com.au

Do you struggle with ongoing physical pain or sight loss?

How would it feel to overcome your challenges and rediscover the fun in life?

Call Sarah Bryan today to change your life and create a new reality!

Sarah is an avid networker despite the challenges that being blind brings, and she's found it a great way to get to know people when moving to a new town.

www.drsarahbryan.com

Phil Parker is the owner of Lycosa web services - a website design company based in Driffield.

Phil is a member of a couple of very different networking groups, and he never refuses a 121 with anybody.

Jayne Anne O'Flynn is a Director of Driver Hire Grimsby and the founder of the O'Flynn charitable foundation.

The primary purpose of the O’Flynn Foundation is to focus on mental health, supporting those in the community whose mental health has been affected by Covid and other causes, but who are unable to pay for the professional therapy and support they need.  O’Flynn Foundation will work with professionals to deliver therapy and support to those who need it most.  The Foundation will provide funds to support individuals to successfully rebuild their lives so they can get their lives ‘back on track’.

If you would like to donate to the O’Flynn Foundation to help improve the lives of our communities in Northern Lincolnshire, please donate to:

O’Flynn Foundation, Sort Code: 20 98 98 Account Number 13613585 or email Jayne O’Flynn at jayne@oflynnfoundation.org

Registered Charity number: 1198858

Sophie Kirk is on a mission to revolutionise the way we perceive and approach mental health. Her dedication stems not only from a deep passion for helping people but also from her extensive experience in assessing, treating, and genuinely improving the lives of individuals grappling with mental health conditions.

Her journey began in private practice, where she honed her skills. Over the years, she transitioned to preventative programs, working with businesses and schools through Melp Co to instigate positive change. And developing the Melp App in recent years, harnessing ‘tech for good’ and moving forward through tech to create accessible and affordable tech based solutions. Sophie is passionate about harnessing tech and AI as a solution for the global mental health challenges faced, understanding that driving forward in this way will enable Melp Co to have a huge impact on the world.

Links – 

• Website, https://melp.org.uk
• Melp app (Google Play Store), https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.melp.findingyoursolution&gl=GB
• Melp App (Apple App Store), https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/melp/id6444534703
• Linked In, www.linkedin.com/in/sophiekirk-holistic
• Instagram, @sophie_melpco