Single Mums Business Network [SMBN] [CIC]

My initial plan when I set up the SMBN was to host all meetings in person, and drive to various locations throughout the UK to meet all of my members, but I realised that this wouldn’t be viable long-term and so I decided to take on County Coordinators to host meetings for me, and for the SMBN, in their County.

I am pleased that we have zoom and that I get to see all members throughout the UK in our quarterly members only meetings.  Meanwhile, if you are in my local counties of Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, or Gloucestershire you can join me at my monthly meetings, as a member or non-member, at The Old Court Hotel in Whitchurch, Ross-on-Wye (in feature image).  I will also be covering Yorkshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

You can join the County Coordinators in other areas of the UK, (currently Liverpool, Northumberland, Surrey, Somerset, Bristol, Kent, Worcester, Cardiff, Leicester, Dorset and Bucks); some meetings will be on zoom for a while, some will be in person. All details are on the Eventbrite page which is linked below. Meeting days and times vary depending on Coordinator, but crucially I trust them all to look after you and give you an opportunity to network whilst learning more about SMBN membership.  You will not be put under any pressure to join as a member, as it does not make any difference to our income, but as a member you are included in PR such as advertising in this brochure and on the website so it does make sense to join us!

You are welcome to attend meetings if you are single or married, but you do need to be female, this is for many reasons but please see the main SMBN website if you would like signposting to male only or mixed networking groups.

What to expect in a Single Mums Business Network Meeting

If you join a meeting on zoom – it’s very relaxed! like THIS VIDEO HERE – but here is the general format:

If we are at a location we try to find a venue that offers ‘board room psychology’ so that we can quickly sit and focus on discussing business, rather than a general mingle and chat over coffee atmosphere.

When you are seated (at your computer if zoom!) the host will introduce herself and tell you what she does and a little about the SMBN, she will then invite each of you to introduce who you are, what you do, who you do it for and where you do it! This is to help you get this clear in your own head as well as give clarity to others! once we have given every attendee the opportunity to speak we will either let our speaker take the floor, or we will jump straight to ‘turtle time’

Turtle time is simply identifying who in the group has a particular challenge (sometimes this is emotional or practical and not always a business challenge), and the other ladies can then take an opportunity to offer some advice / feedback, or simply support by listening. The host will try to help attendees with any challenges, if she cannot she will send me a summary after the meeting and if I or a member of my wider network can help or advise we will.

Make sure you keep your coffee flowing! Purchase one on arrival and don’t be afraid to point out if an hour has passed and you are parched, but your host should prompt a top-up!

If a speaker attends they will likely have ten or twenty minutes to tell you about their product or service. We generally offer this spot to members or friends of the SMBN first before we give the stage to our wider networks.

Please engage in meetings, listen to others in the room, bring business cards if you have them, or be ready to use the ‘find nearby’ app on LinkedIn to connect easily with others.  Networking works best when you build relationships over time, so you should diarise your local meetings as a regular monthly get together to develop relationships with those you have already met and look forward to meeting new attendees.

Please relax! Networking is a really safe space to talk to others about what you are doing, it doesn’t matter if you wear high heels or trainers or turn over six figures or £6! this is about sharing your journey and enjoying support, or supporting others along the way.

Our Eventbrite page to keep up to date with all meetings near you is:

Jules – Single Mums Business Network SMBN Events | Eventbrite

Meetings will be in person where possible but zoom if needed – we will trust the venues to suitable monitor and advise capacity.

As a member you will enjoy continued exposure throughout the year via our paid channels.  You will also be offered free or discounted tickets to our events and potentially special offers from selected partners.  Your membership is not so that you can sit idle on our database – your membership is a small investment to contribute to much higher value exposure.

As a member you will enjoy continued exposure throughout the year via our paid channels.  You will also be offered free or discounted tickets to our events and potentially special offers from selected partners.  Your membership is not so that you can sit idle on our database – your membership is a small investment to contribute to much higher value exposure.

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