Our first event! By Sarah

Our first event was held on Thursday 22nd November 2012 - the night of the South Wales Monsoon.  There was a moment, at about 6 o'clock, when we considered absolutely nobody turning up at all.  And that we'd have to eat all the nibbles ourselves...

We obviously shouldn't have underestimated our brave ladies!  23 of you turned up, ready for some FUN!  Our first speaker was Sue Smart of Positively Smart who had us all absorbed with her 'Trial By Handbag'.  So what handbag type are you?  Classic, Natural, Dramatic, Creative or Romantic?  Annie definitely had the best Dramatic bag of the night...

Although Anna's fantastic zebra stripe bag ran it a close second!

We had our 'Needs Met Mingling' where we were able to help with questions such as 'I need help with my Mac' and 'I need a new website' and there was our short talk by Sarah Bowden of 'Got-a-Sec?' who had an innovative way to look at your business with fresh eyes...

We reckoned the night was a success when we had to gently ask the last attendees to leave at about 9pm.  

Well, actually, we suggested they came to the pub for a drink!

Serendipity - by Debbie

Serendipity n. the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.

Serendipity brought the FUN networking team together, and maximising serendipitous opportunities, aka networking, is what inspires me in life!

It was at the Hopkins Law Cowbridge event for Cowbridge Fashion Week 2012, organised by Lianne,  that I was prompted to take up the useful invitation to find out what colours best suited me, with the fabulous image consultant Sue Smart. Lovely friendly atmosphere in the room and I turned to one of the glamorous assistants to ask who had done the creative copywriting for the event, and for Hopkins Law in general – as I’d always been impressed by their leaflets and posters – to find myself in conversation with the creative herself - Sarah Bowden. A bit of group chat, laughs and few glasses of Prosecco later  we germinated the seed of an idea to form a networking group for women that took the best of what we liked from networking events we attend, and  then added our own wishlist. The main intention being to create opportunities for women in life and in business to come together in a way that was useful, valued our time, was sociable, made us feel good about ourselves and provided a supportive learning environment. Our uniquely individual skills, expertise, experience, personality (as was revealed in our own Trial by Handbag) have been brought to the table and here we are on the cusp of our first event, when we’ll see if our ideas work!

 But that great old cliché of it all being about the journey is so true. All of our planning meetings and preparation have been a joy – humorous, warm, professional. If that’s all it ever becomes I’ll have met some lovely women – and will have no regrets!

Who says image doesn't matter?

Ok so going to the dentist is never a pleasant trip - but over the years I've got used to the place. Fish tank in the waiting room, up to date mags to browse, white coats, efficient reception, bright smiles etc - but lately the fish tank has been replaced by a heap of dirty second-hand children's toys, very grubby mags (and I'm not talking here about the content matter), threadbare carpet, no white coats, overspilling bins, grim reception and handmade peeling laminated signs. So guess what - I've moved to another dentist - because the outward signs put doubt in my mind about the efficiency/cleanliness/skills of the actual dentist. Who's to say that the instruments being put in my mouth were not being equally neglected?
So to all of you thinking of going into business for yourselves - make sure the outward signs are consistent with the great skills/service you are selling. It is so easy to lose a client and almost impossible to win them back!
Sue x