Women of Plymouth Business Network

The Plymouth Business Network has been meeting every week for almost five years. We meet the women who make use of the network to help their business flourish.

The Plymouth Business Network invites business owners and managers to come together once a week over breakfast. Members share their tips, ideas and concerns, and they often give presentations to the group to inspire others and promote themselves.

But this is more than just coffee and a catch-up. The friendly and welcoming group has built up a fantastic network of professionals during its five years, offering the benefits of new friendships and support when it’s needed.

Members come from varied backgrounds and industries, with very different stories about how they got to where they are today. From printers to chimney sweeping to finance and even hypnosis, networking can benefit many business owners.

The aim of anyone joining the network is to put their name and brand out there to be heard. While new clients may not come directly from the group, members actively promote each other, hence, they’re keen to include people from all industries.

And if you’re having a bad week at work, or losing your way, PBN is the best place to be for positivity and an energising boost when you need it. You cannot put a price on the support they offer.

We got chatting to five women whose businesses have thrived since joining Plymouth Business Network. They share their entrepreneurial stories and discuss how the group has been so useful for them.

Julie Mazzoni – QuickStore UK

Julie’s background is in import/export in manufacturing, something she had 20 years experience in before she was made redundant. She went on to work for a shopfitting company which had clients all over the world. “It was a very busy business which required dedication, integrity, patience and grit.”

Eventually the business ceased trading, but there was a new venture and Julie’s MD wanted her to be part of it. She became the Centre Manager of QuickStore Business Centre/Self Storage Saltash. Her centre is a franchise of QuickStore UK, which has its head office based in Plymouth. The QuickStore Business Centre has serviced offices, meeting rooms and self storage. Quickstore also offers shredding, scanning and packaging amongst other services.

Julie finds PBN incredibly useful. “Networking makes it possible for all of us to engage with each other, sharing trends, advice and business. I have met amazing people and those relationships have turned into tangible, valued business partnerships.

“It’s there to support you, cheer on your accomplishments and, most of all, it is a key part of relationship building for you and your business.”

Visit: www.quickstore.co.uk & www.quickstore-businesscentre.co.uk

Call: 0800 907 9079 (Quickstore) & 01752 841900 (Business Centre)

Find us: (Quickstore Business Centre) Eden House, Forge Lane, Saltash, PL12 6LX

Carol Moulding  – Moorprint

Carol did not plan to start her own business but an opportunity presented itself and she grabbed it. Started in 1982 just after the birth of her second daughter, it had its challenges.

Over time a client base was formed and a lot of these customers are still with Moorprint today. Both old and new clients are always welcome and everyone gets treated with the same personal friendly service which sets Moorprint apart from their on line competitors. Many customers arrive via word of mouth which is a great credit to the friendly professionalism offered during consultations and meetings.

Moorprint offer stationery and promotional printing. They offer a value for money product where quality is not compromised. Enquires welcome. They offer both short run digital printing and longer run full colour offset printing.

Carol has been attending PBN for four years. “I am very grateful for the support received from the members of the group, not only for placing orders with us but for their invaluable support and advice when needed. It is a joy to see everyone each week to chat and see how things are with them in their world. Nothing gives me greater pleasure in recommending other people in our group to my clients knowing they will be treated with the same personal honest service as given by ourselves”.

Visit: www.moorprintplymouth.co.uk

Call: 01752 606026

Find us: Units 65 & 67 City Business Park, Somerset Place, Stoke, Plymouth, PL3 4BB

Thashna Ainley – Reverence Chiropractic Care

Thashna grew up in Jamaica where she was a runner up in the Miss Jamaica World competition and runway supermodel, She then met her now ex-husband, fell in love, and moved to England to study.

After finishing her Bachelors in Biochemistry and Physiology, Thashna wanted to become a cardiac surgeon, however after becoming pregnant she changed career interest to Chiropractic.

When she graduated she started working in Plymouth, but after a few set-backs in both her personal and professional life, she took a year out. Several of her past patients kept asking when she planned to start practicing again and after one too many requests, she went back to it in her own business, Reverence Chiropractic Care.

“Two and a half years into my own business, and I’m really enjoying it as it also allows me to be close to my daughter through her teenage years.”

Thashna gives regular health talks in the community and the other ladies at PBN agree that she is incredibly inspiring. “I’m not a sales person so I find networking allows me to be inspired and also allows others to be inspired by me, which is really fantastic.”

Visit: www.reverencecc.com

Call: 07709582847

Find us: Cromwell Road, Plymouth, PL4 9QP

Joan Rowlands-Stewart – People People HR

Joan worked in the marine industry for eight years before spotting a gap in the market for an HR managed services provider. She was regularly approached by small businesses for HR advice, as many could not justify a full time HR professional. In addition to her HR knowledge, Joan completed her Masters Degree and opened her own company, People People HR, just over a year ago.

A number of her clients come from either networking or a personal recommendation. “That’s one of the most important aspects of professional networking – the girls all know me, recommend me and I then get the opportunity with potential clients to develop and gain their trust.”

Joan has been a member of the network for six months and has been busy working on developing her business and the launch of a new website.

“Five years from now I would like to have built a business that includes a number of associates who specialise in different areas of HR, as currently I deal with all aspects and look forward to handing over a job to a member of my team who can apply their expertise. Currently I have an established network of qualified and experienced individuals who are HR experts in their specific discipline whom I can call for advice, but it would be nice to have that capability in-house.”

Visit: www.peoplepeoplehr.co.uk

Call: 0330 223 31 91

Catherine Everett – Flower Fayre

Catherine took over management of Flower Fayre three years ago when a new owner bought the building. It made a lot of sense for Catherine to get stuck in – she’d been helping out at the florists since the age of 11, sweeping the floors for her aunt.

Catherine once tried to head away from floristry – “I did have a two year gap after a mad moment when I was 18 and wanted to explore what else was out there, and I worked a few temporary jobs.” Her friends and family were convinced that her skills were wasted, and she headed back to Flower Fayre when the management opportunity arose. Shortly after taking over she arranged a complete re-brand. “We had a complete new and fresh look which I believe was an important step to take the business to where it is now.”

Her wedding sales hit the roof last year, and PBN helps her to continue growing the business. “PBN has worked fantastically, I joined three years ago and I would never look back. If you’re not always getting business you’re always going to get support from PBN.”

Catherine is currently seven months pregnant and has been working hard to ensure her team are ready to help with the running of the business while she dedicates some time to her new child.

Visit: www.flowerfayre-plymouth.co.uk

Call: 01752 562664

Find us: 57 Devonport Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL3 4DL

See this feature in the magazine here