When Tracey Wood and Frances Miles first set up the Poole Business Women’s Lunch Club twelve years ago, it was the first of its kind in the area. Back then, not only were there no networking groups specifically aimed at local business women, those women that attended the general networking meetings were few and far between.

“We saw a gap in the market,” explained Tracey Wood. “And we wanted to create a group where like-minded business women could come to meet, inspire and support each other in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Networking has changed so much over the last decade, and we have always looked to our members to help guide us as to how they want the PBWLC to develop and suit their business needs. Our presentations are always topical and we try to choose subjects which will be of benefit to both the sole trader and the business woman working as part of a multi-national organisation.”

The Poole Business Women’s meetings have always been held at Storm Fish Restaurant, which itself is owned by Frances and her husband, Pete Miles, and enables its members to network in a relaxing atmosphere with the bonus of a delicious lunch.

“In the current economic climate, people are looking closely at which networking events they choose, the costs involved and what they are going to get out of them,” explains Frances, who together with Tracey is also director of recruitment specialists, Jobshop UK. “We feel that we offer our members fantastic value and an all round networking experience, with a chance to formally introduce yourself and your business, make new connections, listen to professional advice and enjoy an excellent meal. Our members tell us they have made invaluable contacts through our meetings - both on a professional and personal level. If you are new to networking, it can be a very daunting prospect, but never has networking been so essential to the woman in business as it is now, when many are struggling to keep their businesses running through these difficult times. Networking, is investing in your businesses future. You meet people with the same problems, with the same business conundrums and people who have found a solution to those issues whose advice and experience you can benefit from.”

2012 saw the Club launch a new updated website – www.businesswomenslunchclub.co.uk – and kick start the year with a new twist on the original networking format.
“We are always open to trying out new ideas and suggestions from our members,” enthused Tracey. “And so the January meeting was solely aimed at having a good networking session and a chance to tell everyone there what it is you do and what advice and ideas you are looking for to help your business. Feedback was excellent, and so be will be implementing this as a regular part of all our future meetings.”

‘Approachable, friendly and professional,’ are words that come up time and time again from the PBWLC attendees. One newly networking attendee, Zoe, who runs an e-commerce business, illustrated just why it’s so important to her. “As a woman who is relatively new to the business world, I felt rather overwhelmed with the idea of networking, but knew it was important to get out there and make contacts. The PBWLC has enabled me to meet a consolidated group of successful business women who thrive off of supporting and inspiring each other. I feel I’ve joined a support network that has become invaluable to me and my business.”

The next PBWLC will held be on February 9th, when Paul Stalker, a motivational speaker from Extra Mile Partnership, will be taking the helm.

The rest of the 2012 is filled with interesting and enlightening speakers including Natasha Jones on March 8th who is the founder of Leaf Charity and winner of the Langtry Manor Special Woman Award 2011. April 19th brings us Poole businessman, Mark Constantine of LUSH cosmetics and on May 17th we bring you a presentation from Lara Morgan, a business woman who sold her company for 20 million and now advises other businesses on achieving their goals. On June 14th, Sue Cowell of the Cobweb Company and winner of the Langtry Manor PR Initiative Award 2011, joins us, and in November we have Erica Dent from Enjoy Discovering Wine as our main speaker on the 8th. We end 2012 with the highly popular Christmas cookery demonstration on the 6th December, when Storm chef, Paolo Alleva, will be showing us how to cook up some mouth watering delights!

Membership subscription is not required for the PBWLC, and so anyone wishing to attend can contact Lucy on 01202 674488 or mail@businesswomenslunchclub.co.uk