Flock Here Networking Event for Women in business

Well, the first Networking Event of the year last night here in Berkhamsted was FLOCKING FANTASTIC! Organised by Flock Here the room was filled with females running their own businesses and busy working mum’s juggling families and careers, most of which were also running their own businesses. 

The event was hosted by Lussman’s and organised by Danielle, Founder of Flock Here. Danielle is trying to create a platform and network for working women who predominately are working for themselves, from home. She is creating a space for women to source venues easily where women can work remotely together, and the face-to-face networking provides opportunities for women to make friends, relate to each other, and help each other in the busy world of work. 

This was truly one of the best Networking Events I’ve been too where I could relate to people on so many levels. A community of women who are isolated working for themselves bought together, busy working Mum’s juggling families & careers who understand the juggle is real but we push on and make it work, working Mum’s who sadly were mistreated after having children which pushed them to work for themselves, working women who are trying to find the work and life balance in a time where we can because society has changed and we don’t need to run ourselves into the ground to do it all. Work smarter not harder!  

Evie – Mother of All Jobs 

I had a great chat with Evie, owner of Mother of All Jobs. Mother of All Jobs is a Recruitment Agency focused on connecting working parents to inclusive job opportunities. Evie was sadly made redundant on her very first day back at work following maternity leave so she decided to set up the business less than a year ago and it’s great to see she’s doing so well juggling the business and her two toddlers. I really love the concept of what Evie’s trying to do because as we know in the industry I work within (Construction) flexible working opportunities are few and far between but it’s something I would love to work more closely with my clients on, especially as although it’s a male dominated industry the lastest figures show women in construction on the rise. But I have to say, sadly this still remains a bit of a taboo subject amongst some of the industry. 

Michelle – Graze Life 

Michelle from Graze Life also did an interesting talk. Those that know me know I’m already a huge fan of Michelle’s business but her talk last night was very eye opening. To summarise the best I can Michelle started a Grazing company from home shortly before lockdown. Lockdown hit, she decided rather than ceasing operations she would do home deliveries which went from strength to strength (she didn’t give up!). Things eventually went back to normal and then she opened The Lounge by Graze Life here in Berkhamsted (where we first met!) and for the past few years she had a highly successful High Street business loved by many. The business was thriving and highly successful, but Michelle was burning out working days, evenings, weekends, the overheads were mounting up and an opportunity arose as someone offered to buy out her lease so she took the opportunity to close the Lounge and take a step back. Today Michelle continues to run her highly successful business from home but she’s also living! She’s bought a house with her partner which they are renovating (queue brand new kitchen island ready for Graze prep!), and invests time and effort into looking after no1! 

I think something we are both in agreement on is success is whatever you make of it. You don’t have to run yourself into the ground to be successful. Success means different things to different people. Personally for me I take great success in working but also being present with Josie, never missing nursery events or meetings, slow morning’s, random walks at 2pm in the afternoon, nursery drop offs and pick ups, unlimited holiday to make memories with my family, being anxiety free when Josie’s poorly and I can’t work. It doesn’t mean that I don’t work hard and I’m not successful, if anything I work harder when I am working to fit more in! 

I know the recruiter in me loves a back story because the part of the job I love the most is building relationships and getting to know people on a deeper level than just being a ‘candidate’ but I really do find these stories inspiring. 

It was an absolute pleasure meeting these wonderful women, some of which are below but for anyone I didn’t manage to catch up with I look forward to seeing you all at another event in the near future! 

· Helen – Breathe.in.sound (Health & Wellness) 

· Lisa – Gomm Gomm Design (Branding & Design) 

· Michelle – Graze Life (Event, Wedding & Corporate Grazing) 

· Kelly – KLR Photography (Photographer) 

· Michaela – The Thomas Connection ( Clinical Psychologist, Perfectionist and ADHD) 

· Regents Park Aesthetics (Award Winning Aesthetic Clinic) 

· Abbey Booth – Stories with Clothes (Award Winning Personal Stylist) 

· Evie - Mother of All Jobs (Recruitment) 

Until next time….!