On Independent Women’s Day 2025, 120 inspiring women gathered for a significant event, The Great Women in Business Meet Up (GWIB). This collaboration brought together four influential business networks: Socially Shared, Woman Who, Women’s Business Network, and High Vibe Tribe. The event was a tribute to the power of community, collaboration, and the incredible impact women have in business.
A Powerful Opening
The day began with a warm welcome from Sandra Godley OBE, who set the tone by inviting attendees to reflect on the women and girls across the world who are not as fortunate as we are.
Following Sandra’s welcome, Karen Heap, founder of Socially Shared, took the stage to share the story behind the event’s inception. She explained how the idea for this historic collaboration came together with the support of Sandra Garlick from Woman Who, Sharon Louca from Women’s Business Network, and Dawn Owen, joking that she hadn’t even finished her pitch before the other ladies chimed in with, “We’re in!”
Karen’s enthusiasm was infectious as she welcomed the attendees, noting, “Women that behave rarely make history.”
Sandra Godley reinforced this sentiment, urging attendees to fully embrace the experience: “You’ll get out of this what you want and what you came for, so enjoy your day.”
Acknowledging Our Sponsors
A key part of the event’s success was the support from its headline sponsors.
Anne Wordsworth from Cube Accounting reflected on her own journey, sharing how she joined Socially Shared at the start of her business and has since flourished thanks to the support of her network.
Zoe Roddis from ZHR Marketing brought a touch of humour and warmth, expressing her delight at seeing online connections in real life. She remarked, “People have got legs and you can hug them!” She also highlighted the role of events like GWiB in strengthening relationships, which is essential for visibility in marketing.
Gareth Keyte from Oak Tree Shutters, the only male sponsor, proudly stated, “Why wouldn’t I support this event? My wife and my daughter are part of this movement.” He credited female business owners with giving him some of the best advice he’s ever received.
Sarah Sarkies from Mulberry Design rounded off the sponsor introductions, stating, “I love working with women.”
Meaningful Connections and Conversations
With the opening remarks finished, the event moved into the first 60-second Cafe Conversation session. This structured networking opportunity ensured every attendee could connect with multiple women throughout the day. Each participant had four numbers on their name tag, guiding them to different tables where they could introduce themselves, share their business pitch, and receive valuable feedback.
This format created a lively and engaging atmosphere, promoting new connections and strengthening existing ones. The energy in the room was electric, as women supported one another, exchanged ideas, and celebrated each other’s successes.
Insightful Lessons from Sandra Garlick
The first speaker of the day, Sandra Garlick, took to the stage to discuss what happens before you attend a networking event. She shared valuable tips and strategies for building a plan of action, starting with her own personal and vulnerable journey into networking.
Sandra recounted, “I sat in the car at my first networking event because I was so scared. I never got out and drove home instead. I’ve booked events and then never shown up. When I did go, I would stay in the toilets.” Her honesty resonated with many attendees, sparking laughter as several women admitted they had met fellow networkers in the bathroom, a safe space for many!
She stressed the importance of mindset when it comes to networking and encouraged attendees to consider the events they attend. She posed a few thought-provoking questions:
- Are the networking events helping your business grow?
- Are they aligned with your business goals?
- Are they connecting you with the right people?
- Are they worth your time and investment?
To help attendees reflect on their networking choices, Sandra asked them to jot down three recent networking events they had attended. She then challenged them to choose just one event that had been the most beneficial and explain why. She reinforced the idea that less is more when it comes to networking, stating, “Once upon a time, I would have gone to the opening of an envelope until I understood that less is more. Be strategic with your networking events, and they’ll benefit you more.”
Developing a Networking Strategy
Sandra encouraged attendees to identify their networking objectives. Was it to gain knowledge, support others, share skills, increase visibility, or simply enjoy coffee and cake? She stressed that networking should serve a purpose beyond obligation or expectation.
She then shared practical tips for making the most of networking events:
- Do your research – Know who will be in the room.
- Connect with speakers and share event logos – Engage on social media.
- Set an intention – What do you want to achieve at the event?
- Plan your 60-second pitch – Be prepared with a clear and engaging introduction.
- Join the event group – Participate in pre-event conversations.
- Evaluate your choices – Consider if any current events are no longer serving your business.
Sandra’s key takeaway was that networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about being strategic and purposeful. She left the audience with a powerful message: “Doors start to open when you step into events with purpose. Be seen, be heard, be visible, and be remembered in the rooms that matter.”
To close the session, Sandra Godley thanked Sandra for her insightful talk and added, “You can miss your moment by being too shy.”
Audience member, Wendy Garcarz, then asked a question about trying to feel relaxed at events. Sandra Garlick’s advice was simple: “Don’t stress about pitching. Talk about shoes, weather, or something else to help people relax.” She also shared a personal approach: “I always look for people who are standing on their own and introduce myself with a cheery ‘hello, how are you?’”
Sandra Godley concluded this session by saying, “Behind every face is a story.”
With those words, the session wrapped up, leading into a well-earned break.
Building Trust and Opportunities with Sharon Louca
After the break, Sandra Godley welcomed attendees back and invited feedback. Sharon Roberts shared that she “loved the vibe”, while Lauren Keyte, a new entrepreneur, said, “I love meeting new people and learning as I’m just starting out in business. This day has been inspiring so far.”
Following another round of Cafe Conversations, the second speaker, Sharon Louca, took to the stage. She opened with a powerful statement: “The biggest opportunities don’t come from marketing but from the conversations you have in the room.”
Sharon highlighted that networking is about connection and building trust. Many people give up too soon because they don’t see immediate returns, but networking isn’t about instant transactions. It’s about cultivating relationships. She urged attendees to use networking to maximise opportunities and collaborate with others, referring to the GWIB team as an example of the power of partnership.
She shared a compelling story about Pete, a long-term connection who gave her a referral that secured ten years’ worth of business revenue. Why did Pete choose Sharon? Because she was memorable and clear about what she offered. They had built a relationship based on trust.
Sharon encouraged attendees to listen actively, look for opportunities, and recognise the learning potential in networking. She highlighted how networking allows entrepreneurs to meet industry experts, explore personal development, and gain insights from others. She also spoke about the power of awards, stating that self-nomination is a valuable tool. She recommended connecting with Emma Hewitt, an awards advisor, for guidance.
Bringing her talk to a close, Sharon also mentioned the benefits of writing a business book, referring to a collaborative title she and twenty of her members created to share their expertise. Not only did this project bring her members together to share their knowledge and expertise, but they also reached the finalist stage of the Business Book Awards.
With her inspiring talk wrapped up, attendees broke for lunch, energised and ready for more opportunities.
The Importance of Follow-Up with Karen Heap
After lunch, feedback from the headline sponsors set the stage for the next session. Anne described the “great vibe” of the event, while Zoe shared that she had brought her niece, Molly, along, describing it as a wonderful first step on the networking ladder. Gareth humorously commented on getting his steps in while running between attendees with the microphone, but he also made a heartfelt remark about being proud of the women in his life. Sarah noted the importance of future discussions on neurodiversity based on conversations she had over lunch.
Sandra Godley then invited the audience to share their thoughts on the event so far. Some of the responses included:
“So many unique talents in the room. I’m in awe of everyone, especially Sarah Gray!” – Dee (need to check this name), Family Celebrant.
This comment led Sandra to invite Sarah Gray to the stage to share her experience of appearing on Sky TV. Sarah advised, “Be ready when these moments come along,” to which Sandra playfully added, “Have a bag ready!”
The positive feedback continued:
“I found this event by accident,” said Tina, “but it was worth the effort to get here.”
“I’ve had a light bulb moment!” said Jo, “Instead of slogging my guts out on consistent networking, I understand the benefits and impact of bigger events.”
Following another 60-second Cafe Conversation session, the third speaker of the day, Karen Heap, delivered an insightful talk on ‘It’s all in the follow-up’. She stressed that networking doesn’t end when the event does and following up is key.
Karen asked attendees to reflect on their last networking event and whether they had followed up. She acknowledged that life and business often get in the way while the intention is there. Some events might result in diligent follow-up, while others get forgotten. There’s always room for improvement.
She explained why follow-up is essential: “In an ideal world, everyone you spoke to would be your ideal client and want to book to work with you. Sadly, that’s not the reality.” She asked, ‘Why don’t people work with you?’ Possible reasons included:
- They don’t fully understand what you do.
- They can’t afford your services.
- It’s not the right time.
- It’s a want, not a need.
Karen mentioned that it’s up to business owners to address these barriers without resorting to a sales pitch. People may genuinely want to work with you but forget to follow up due to their busy lives. That’s why you need to take the initiative.
She shared creative follow-up strategies, including:
- Sending a DM or email.
- Connecting on LinkedIn.
- Inviting them for a coffee and a chat.
- Sending a handwritten note.
- Inviting them to an upcoming event as your guest.
- Sharing a relevant podcast or blog post, or inviting them as guests.
Karen advised setting aside an hour after every networking event specifically for follow-up.
She also shared a simple follow-up message structure:
Personalised – Warm welcome.
Understand – What is it they need or are looking for.
Value – What can you offer, how can you help?
Call to Action – The next step.
Karen wrapped up with an inspiring takeaway: “There’s only a one-letter difference between networking and not working, so make your networking count!”
With that, Sandra Godley thanked Karen and announced the final break of the day.
Turning Connections into Clients with Dawn Owen
Dawn Owen, the final speaker of the day, shared her insights on turning connections into clients, or rather, cash! Drawing from her thirteen-year networking journey, she emphasised that ACTION is the most critical tool for success.
Dawn reiterated Karen Heap’s earlier point about setting aside dedicated time for follow-up, highlighting one of her key coaching golden nuggets: “The bigger the gap between the thought and the action, the less you’ll do.” She then asked the audience a few thought-provoking questions: “Who came here today to buy?” The room remained silent. “Who came here today to sell?” While selling is often a goal at networking events, attending ALL the events without a strategy rarely leads to sales. Instead, Dawn encouraged attendees to consider their networking strategy and referral sources.
The Power of Referrals
Dawn shared key tips on how to build a strong referral network:
- Plan for what you’re looking for. Think about past and current clients. People often get busy and forget to give referrals; sometimes, they just need a nudge. She encouraged attendees to ask, “Did I do a good job for you? Can you refer me?” and had them jot down a client to follow up with.
- Understand the true cost of networking. Beyond monetary costs, networking also requires time, mental and physical energy, travel, and even outfits! (Because, as Dawn joked, “everyone needs a new outfit for an event like GWIB!”)
- See networking groups as referral sources. Are fellow members educated enough to refer you? Are you clear on what you do and who you help?
- Track your referrals. She asked attendees to make a list: Who have you referred in the last 12 months? Who has referred you?
- Leverage your existing network. Friends, family, and even casual connections in places like the school playground, the gym, or local groups could be valuable referral sources.
- Find complementary businesses. Who benefits from your work? She shared an example of her makeup artist, Danielle, who brought a group of friends to one of her High Vibe Live events, demonstrating the power of strategic referrals.
Dawn finished with, “Action is a missing piece for lots of people. Promise yourself you’ll do the follow-up.” Her talk ended with a powerful call to action: “Your move, ladies!”
Sandra Godley opened the floor for questions. Karen Heap asked, “What if you’ve never worked with someone before. Do you still refer them?” Dawn’s response was clear: “No. With referrals, there are three people in that relationship, and you’re giving away a piece of your reputation when you refer someone. I only refer people I know personally or have worked with.”
Closing Reflections & Looking Ahead
To wrap up the day, Sandra Godley invited Karen Heap, Sandra Garlick, Sharon Louca, and Dawn Owen back to the stage for final reflections.
Karen expressed her gratitude to:
The headline sponsors.
The refreshment and lunch sponsors: Clare Roberts-Molloy, Joy Friday, Jane Brook and Sarah Gray, Leisa Pickles, and Rachel Davis.
The dedicated helpers who arrived early to set up the event.
The media crew: John Cleary, Sally Crane, and Sarah Day.
The venue and staff at The National Convention Centre, Birmingham
Most importantly, the attendees who purchased tickets contributed to making the event such a success.
Before closing, Karen shared an exciting announcement, the date for the next Great Women in Business Meet Up: Monday 9th March 2026.
With that, the event ended on a high note, leaving attendees inspired, empowered, and ready to take action on everything they had learned.