Sussex Exclusive Commissioning Editor, Dee Blick, talks to five women about their approach to networking and discovers that Sussex is the place for businesses to thrive through conversations, conviviality and collaboration.
Crawley-based Kate Fuller is an award-winning mortgage adviser. In fact, just as we were going to press, she told me she had won the Mortgage Introducer Award for Best Broker. Kate has used networking to boost her career, even establishing her own networking group online. As Kate explains:
“For me, networking is simply about meeting new people with an open mind. Sometimes this leads to inspiration that can help me and my business, sometimes I can give some of my experience to help others, and sometimes it leads to amazing connections and collaborations. It’s about being open and willing to listen, talk and learn. Although networking in and outside your own industry is equally important, I wanted a networking space for women working in mortgages, an industry still heavily male-dominated. I couldn’t find one, so I created it; a thriving online Facebook community of 2,000 members called Women in Mortgages UK. We share, encourage, support and learn together. I’ve really benefited personally and professionally from networking and recommend anyone new to networking to go for it, have a few prepared questions to quell nerves and be open to new experiences!”
Networking Laid Bear
An inveterate networker and networking group founder, Alice Chambers is renowned in the Horsham District for her networking skills with her latest group, Networking Laid Bear, a monthly meet up at The Bear pub, with no strings attached. As Alice says, “I’ve always loved bringing people together. For ten years, I ran Women in Business networking group and absolutely love it. When in business, building connections is essential for that ripple effect! Most people with their own business work on their own. Networking brings them together, which is great for sharing ideas, knowledge and helping with challenges. There’s always an expert in the room. If I meet someone in business and I know they’ll click with someone else, I introduce them. I’ve met so many people over the years in so many professions. I’m the ultimate connector! I reconnected with Ben Hewson at his new pub, the Bear. It turned out to be the perfect venue for a warm, relaxed networking group. Morning meetings at 10 am with hot drinks and croissants.
The group continues to grow month on month. So much business has taken place, I am thrilled! Networking Laid Bear is about networking without pressure, building real contacts and relationships, being caring, supportive, and open with a focus on people, not simply selling.”
WDR Speed Networking
Katie Wellman is the founder of decluttering service, Make Room to Breathe. She started her business just over a year ago. As she explains, networking continues to play a vital role in her business. “I started Make Room to Breathe, six months after moving to Horsham. We knew no one when we arrived, so I could see the importance of business networking both personally and professionally. To meet like-minded people, connect, make friends and support one another. I regularly attend Horsham Rugby Club’s monthly event – a great format with delegate list and name badges which makes it easier to find the right people to connect with. WDR Speed Networking is excellent for taking that awkward hovering and interrupting conversations out of the equation. Networking Laid Bear – who doesn’t want to hang out in front of the pub’s cosy fire with a croissant in the morning… and Horsham Parents in Business. So many opportunities simply wouldn’t have happened, if I hadn’t met the right people through local business networking groups.”
Natural Partnerships
Paula Seager is the co-director of Natural Partnerships CIC, which champions high-quality, locally produced food and drink across Sussex, building a thriving community of businesses from farm to plate. “Sussex makes a wonderful range of produce, and we help strengthen the circle by getting more locally made food and drink onto shelves and menus across the county,” said Paula.
“We hold business networking workshops as part of the ‘Sussex Six’ initiative, bringing together food and drink producers plus the hospitality and retail businesses which serve and sell local produce. The events are held at relevant and intriguing locations and always feature interesting speakers discussing a topic useful to the industry. This has ranged from bringing Gatwick Airport buyers to meet the food and drink artisans, to the basics of taking on an apprentice, getting useful accreditations, social media, distribution challenges and other subjects which help businesses to develop. Lively conversation and networking often result in business deals and new collaborations. Some of our best feedback about the Sussex Six Campaign has been about the huge value that these networking workshops bring. Sometimes we include a meet the buyer element, where artisans bring their products for potential buyers to discover, and sometimes we divide into groups to iron out tricky problems the sector is facing.”
Business Bees
Finally, Utility Warehouse Partner and beauty therapist, Hollie James, shows that when it comes to networking, amazing things can happen when good friends collaborate.
“Business Bees began as a small group of women I’ve known for years. We would meet up at a little tea shop and support one another. It reached a crossroads, where it could have easily folded. So, I asked my two close friends Serina Marett and Abbie Armstrong, also UW partners, to help turn it into a strong networking group with each one of us committed to making it a success. They said yes and the rest is history! In 2024, our meetings were at The Roundabout Hotel in West Chiltington. Our first event we had around 10 attendees. Two years later and we invite so many more local businesses to network with us. We help each other through tough times, pass valuable business leads and we have fun. We have recently started meeting on a Thursday evening so more businesses can attend. Networking enables you to build strong friendships which lead to strong business relationships. Know, like and trust is important. I believe we have mastered the balance between informal networking and passing business to one another. It’s not what you say that makes a difference, it’s how you make people feel and I love seeing so many happy faces at our group, every month!”
About Dee Blick FCIM
Dee has just written her fifth marketing book, which debuted at No 1 in six categories on Amazon. With You’re the Best! How to Build an Authentic and Magnetic Personal Brand, Dee shows you step by step how you can move from The Seeker to The Sought After. Chapters include Why being authentic is the ace up your sleeve, building your business brand alongside your personal brand, overcoming fear of failure, how to create a powerful brand plan and how to secure content that underpins your influence and expertise. Dee shares many examples of her award-winning templates in her usual conversational style. You can buy Dee’s book on Amazon and contact her at dee@themarketinggym.org
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