A Sheffield woman has started ‘‘Women mean business’’, a networking event which will be running once every month.
Sophie Scott, a financial advisor, started the discussion group with a friend Claire Crane, when the two met at another networking event and felt there wasn’t anything similar in the Sheffield and Chesterfield area catered to women.
The 27-year-old said: “Some networking groups, there are so many people and sometimes if there are men in suits, they can be intimidating. We wanted it to be more inviting for women.
“It’s about supporting women and helping them grow, especially people who are just starting.”
The group of women meet at Dronsdale Barn to help give each other advice and support on how best to advance their business, as well as setting goals for what they want to achieve by the next month.
The event is open to anyone who wishes to network and either has a business or is interested in creating one.
Leanne Brocklehurst was previously let go from her job as a chocolatier last Christmas as her employer could no longer afford to keep her on.
She has now been inspired to open her own chocolatier, “Hot chocolaterie” in Buxton, Derbyshire this month, and has been attending the networking events.
She said: ‘‘When anyone says business to me it sounds cold and masculine, so to turn up to all these lovely ladies who are all so forthcoming and offer so much help with no expectation for anything in return, it’s a really good boost for me.
“People seem shocked when I say I’m starting a business in this climate with the cost of living, but life has to go on.”
The event invites women of all ages, regardless of their level of experience, for a discussion about their business, to learn new skills and to meet new people.
Leanne described the importance of finding a networking event that was aimed just at women.
She said: ‘‘If it was a lot of men I wouldn’t have bothered, I feel like I often get spoken down to by business men. This is being able to talk about whatever you want, in a space you feel comfortable in.’’
Each week has a different theme, which aims to help participants with their business.
The next event theme is ‘Business Tips from a Business consultant’ and the session is running on Thursday 8th June, from 10am onwards.