After introducing what their individual businesses do, Danielle and Steve talk about how their two businesses, both in the creative sector, support each other rather than being competitive. Each of their businesses offer what the other doesn’t, so if someone is starting out, they can ensure that people are working with two other businesses that can work together and collaborate on their project.

They both share how Businesswise works for them, agreeing that it’s not only about business, but also meeting up with like-minded people who you can collaborate and work with. Steve left the group for a while, having a break from networking, but when he returned, he was pleased to be back, and says it’s all about the people in the room.

Both Danielle and Steve talk about the importance of trust in the room at a Businesswise meeting, and how having that confidence in someone’s ability, knowing they’ll do a job to a good standard means you are happy to recommend them to your friends. Also, when it comes to collaboration with people in the Businesswise group, they’re people they know; they’ve probably used their service, or bought their products, so know who they’re working with.

Being in the creative industries, sometimes misconceptions are around the cost of products or services, and they both talk about this, within their own sectors.

If you’d like to know more about Danielle, Steve and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ 

Her business came about when Sabrina was out of work. Having always been crafty, she did a jewellery course and some workshops, then started making sterling silver jewellery, and absolutely loved it.

Sabrina has only been an official member of Businesswise for around a month. She came along at the very beginning of her self-employed business journey, which is quite unusual. Having worked in the corporate world for 20 years, she was used to being able to bounce ideas off the people around her. Working on her own, she found it much harder.

She shares how generally she doesn’t like having to talk in front of people, or in fact talk about herself much, but after being welcomed into the room and group on her first visit, she decided to join.

Sabrina talks about loving the fact that because there are so many different personalities and businesses, many of whom have experience of being self-employed, they are happy to help and make suggestions about business-related things.

One of the things that she loves about Businesswise is the way that people ask about what you’re doing; share your posts on social media and genuinely take an interest in what you’re doing in your business.

Businesswise are quite a lively bunch of people, and although Sabrina finds it difficult to talk about herself the group have made it very easy for her, hence her joining!  She’d encourage anyone else who is nervous about networking to just try it!

If you’d like to know more about Sabrina and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/

Ali is the Operations Manager for MoovaHome selling houses, renting and managing HMOs. Jess works for Howden Insurance, local insurance brokers offering commercial and personal insurance. They both talk about the passion they each have for their businesses.

Ali and Jess talk about how collaboration is something that works well for them in both of their businesses, and they feel it helps make business flow better. There is a great synergy between the two businesses. They also both agree that there’s a lot of collaboration with many other members of Businesswise too when it comes to referring people. The more you talk with people the more likely it is that those opportunities appear. The people in the group are the most important part of belonging and the reason to keep coming back.

Joe, Ali and Jess talk about how supportive the group is, and how they even support each other online making recommendations on social media, and it doesn’t feel like a chore because of the genuine connection.

Both Ali and Jess talk about their plans for 2025.

If you’d like to know more about Ali, Jess and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ 

Fi talks about starting Revolution Performing Arts in 2007, and how it went from her working with her own children because there was nothing available for them, then gradually growing until it has ended up a full-time business providing after school performing arts clubs and other activities. She talks about how the business started off as Drama Babes, where all she had was a piece of rolled up carpet which would become a magic flying carpet for the children in the group to have amazing, imaginary adventures.

Within a year of starting with just one class, they had 13 classes. What is unique about Revolution is that the performing arts provision is led by the young people. Something being completely led by children and which is also completely inclusive is very special.

Fi has been a member of Businesswise since June 2023. Initially she didn’t think it would be something that would work for her, but when she came along she felt very comfortable and happy and loved the support from the group.

She loves the relationships that are formed in the group, and has collaborated with Barbara Leatham, our photographer, who has been teaching photography to some of the young people that Revolution work with.

Fi talks about some of the upcoming projects and performances that Revolution Performing Arts are going to be undertaking in 2025.

If you’d like to know more about Fi and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ 

Claire explains why when she has a business that has clients country wide, she decided to join Businesswise. She has only been a member for a few months but is already enjoying it and reaping the benefits.

She has run her business for around 20 years and shares her first experiences of networking. Also, because of family responsibilities, she talks about how over the years she has tried networking at many different times. Now as her children are older she is able to attend the early morning meetings. 

Claire talks about how she loves the atmosphere of Businesswise, in comparison to some of the previous networking groups she’s attended. She’d recommend the group to others because of their friendly manner and the way they welcome you when you first join, even though it’s obvious that everyone knows each other.

Many people don’t understand or even realise that they may need a telephone answering service, so Claire talks about how her business helps businesses. She also talks about the wide range of businesses that her 20 year old business supports, which now includes members of Businesswise too.

Also, during the conversation Hannah and Claire talk about the huge advantages of being a member of Businesswise.

If you’d like to know more about Claire and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ 

Lou talks about her business, how she is a Reiki practitioner and also a meditation facilitator.  She talks about how she has overcome her own struggles and now she wants to help other people to reconnect with themselves.

She explains what Reiki is, and she and Joe talk about people’s perceptions of what it is and Lou spells out exactly what it is and how it works.  She also talks about her love of crystals and her recent venture, Coffee and Crystal where she shares the different properties that they all have. 

Joining Businesswise completely changed Lou’s perception of what networking is. Prior to visiting, she had been told, wrongly, that networking is all about sales, but having visited and now joined the group, she fully understands it is all about making connections. She knows she has a host of people who have her back.

Lou has also introduced her sister, Sabrina to the group, who runs her own silver jewellery business, and as someone who is normally very shy, she has become very comfortable talking in front of a room of strangers – which shows the embracing environment that the group creates.

She also feels that Businesswise has helped her to gain the belief and confidence that she can do what she wants to do.

If you’d like to know more about Lou and Businesswise visit https://businesswise.org.uk/

Lis talks about how long she’s been in Businesswise; why the group came about and the changes and the opportunities that have opened up during that time. The main reason she has stayed in the group is because of the wonderful ethos of the group, which is down to the individuals in the group. 

Working alone, from home can be solitary, and having the opportunity to meet up with other business people every two weeks is important; they are her business family.

She briefly shares how she embraced being an author after closing her previous business during lockdown. And talks about her process of writing novels; how she comes up with ideas and what she likes writing about in particular and why. 

Lis also shares a little about mentoring other writers and what a privilege it is.

She talks about how she has collaborated with people in the group – some in terms of them helping her with research, and others in terms of using their business for her business – such as having her bookmarks, fliers and business banners done by Steve Munson, who has the design and print chair in the group. 

If you’d like to know more about Lis and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ 

Dawn, who has been a member of the group for 10 years, talks about how the networking group has supported her over the years. Initially, her subs were paid for by a previous member, and then she joined.

When she joined the group she had set up Gateway Furniture and ran that between 2009 and 2017, when it was handed over to someone else. She joined the Night Shelter a couple days a week as the food manager, and also started the Renew Swindon project, which is a community centre in Penhill. She is now full-time at the Night Shelter too.

Dawn explains how both Renew and the Night Shelter support people, and how both charities have developed over time. She also explains the difference between a CIC (Community Interest Company) and a charity, and therefore Renew is a CIC.

We also talk about some of the reasons that people end up homeless, and how for both the people in the Night Shelter and those visiting Renew, having the opportunity to mix with other people is vital for their mental well-being.

She also shares how members of Businesswise have supported the charities over the years – from rewiring a whole shop, helping with electrics in the Renew workshop, plumbing, photographs to, as a team transforming a porter cabin into emergency accommodation. Different members often give a day of their time to work as a team to support the charity. They also often donate ticket sales from open networking evenings.

If you’d like to know more about Dawn and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/

After sharing a little about their individual businesses, Andrew and Laura talk about how they started to collaborate after meeting at our Businesswise networking group.

Laura talks about how she first got to know Andrew and learnt more about his business and how it could support her business before considering working with him. For her, doing research first was important as she’s worked with other supplies in the past and things haven’t worked out.  Now they’re collaborating and things work very well, because they get on, and also both support each other’s business.

Andrew enjoys working with Laura, because of her work ethic, and the support she receives from his business is perfect. She knows that her clients also benefit from Andrew's company’s input.

Having the biohazard cleaning is something that Laura has to ensure is safe, and Andrew, who hasn’t worked in this field previously has ensured he is up to date with all of the latest legislation. They both give examples of how the collaboration works so well, including Andrew impressing Laura with his quick responses to emails and also the fact he promptly sends information to her clients when asked.

Both Andrew and Laura give their tips about why networking works – and especially Business Wise. Here are just 3 of their tips.

• Even if you’re scared of networking – just do it!
• Don’t go along with preconceived ideas about what people expect.
• Whereas family and friends may try to help with problems, they often don’t know how to run a business – our group does.

If you’d like to know more about Andrew, Laura and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk   – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list

John is the chairperson for the group, and Hannah is the group secretary – roles they both talk about with passion! 

Our first podcast was launched earlier this year, when our then chair, Dave, talked about his reasons for stepping down and John talked about stepping up into the role.

John, who has loved being chair, explains the logistics of what goes on behind the scenes to organise the meetings, which is quite a task when you have 32 members.  And it’s not just the practical planning, the committee also have a lot of extra work in between the meetings. 

Hannah and John talk about how, because the group is run like a business too, they have to ensure members get the best value for their money. There are a huge number of events and opportunities that the committee have overseen during this last year. Being in the secretary role, Hannah doesn’t only work in the week leading up to the meetings – but most of the time between.

They talk about the wonderful characters that make up the group; 32 members all with different opinions and ideas and experienced businesspeople in their own right. Over time, the group has come together to create a culture where everyone opens up honestly about both business and personal things and knows they’re in a safe place.

Both Hannah and John are looking forward to March, when the committee are planning another open networking evening, following the successful one the group had in February this year.  

If you’d like to know more about John, Hannah and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk   – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list

Liza talks about what it is like being a female in a very male dominated industry, and why she finds it easy and is very comfortable in her working environment and she is not alone, as there is another female plumber working in Swindon too.

She shares her passion for her business, and also how she likes to ensure she supports her elderly clients, particularly in winter.

Liza also talks about growing up in South Africa, before leaving to work in Holland and then joining the British Army for eight years prior to starting her business.

She has been a member of Businesswise for 5 years, and initially was sceptical about the whole idea, as it wasn’t an environment she’d been in before. Her first visit to a networking group was everything negative that she had expected the experience to be, and didn’t go back. However, when she visited Businesswise, she enjoyed it, and recognising that she’d found the right group for her, joined.

The healthy environment where everyone can communicate with each other freely, whether to celebrate or to commiserate over some negatives – we’re all business people sharing the same types of problems. She also enjoys the other opportunities that Businesswise offers too, which not all networking groups do.

If you’d like to know more about Liza and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ 

She talks about how many more people are recognising the benefits of different therapy techniques, and also understanding the advantages of maintenance sessions. Yvonne also shares how hypnotherapy can help with so many issues, from confidence and low esteem to helping people with eating disorders and even pain.

Yvonne talks about why she became a therapist after previously being an accountant, and the journey that she went on to become who she is today.

She has been a member of Businesswise for two years and loves it. She loves the people and the support she has gained whilst being a member.Originally, she came as a sub for another member then decided to join herself. Yvonne understands the importance of referrals for her business but also how important it is to get to know people well and build relationships.

Yvonne also talks about how she and another member in Businesswise who has a similar business swap session and support each other – something that wouldn’t have happened, had she not joined the group. Plus, she knows that there are people within the group who she could turn to for support if it was needed.

If you’d like to know more about Yvonne and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ 

They were A Plan for over 60 years, so it’s not so easy for people to remember the change.

Jess talks about how she got into insurance, because it wasn’t always the thing she wanted to do. She shares a secret not many people know – that she was planning to go to music college, but in the end that didn’t happen. 

She loves working in the industry, which is good, because she knows that many people find it really boring, and it’s not something they want to deal with. There’s too much jargon too but the more she learns, the more she loves it. Jess particularly loves working with clients who visit when they need their insurance sorting out. She enjoys helping people who feel completely baffled by it all.

She also explains the difference between advised and non-advised companies, which is interesting to learn about.

Jess does a lot of networking, including Businesswise. On her first visit she was subbing for someone else from her office who couldn’t make it, and straight away she felt welcomed when she walked into the room. She knows that if she needs business advice, or even personal advice, she could ask her Businesswise friends.

Although networking for many people is scary, Jess’s advice is that it is one of the best things you can do for your business, in terms of confidence and self esteem.

If you’d like to know more about Jess and Businesswise, visit: https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you can be put on the waiting list. 

Dawn runs Orangestripe Outsourcing and Accountancy – a business which is all about helping business owners to understand their own finances and also gives them advice about tax. You may not like numbers, but Dawn does.

Dawn has been in Businesswise for quite some time, although she doesn’t always come to the meetings personally, but sends one of her young employees.

When she first joined, Dawn held the bookkeeping seat, and much of her huge client base has come from networking, and initially from Businesswise. She has had many clients introduced from people within a network group, and several of those clients continue to provide her with thousands of pounds worth of business each year.

She doesn’t just go along to one group, but many, because she believes networking is an important thing for any business owner to do. 

With Businesswise particularly, Dawn talks about loving the fact that it is ‘not for profit’ – and all the benefits that members gain because of that.

Dawn talks about her career before Orangestripe, how her entrepreneurial side developed, and how the workplace has changed over the years for the better in terms of misogyny. She remembers a time when there were very few female accounts, and the profession was male dominated.

If you’d like to know more about Dawn and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ where you’ll find details of our members. If you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

Sophia who has only been in her business for one year, explains what an independent celebrant does, compared to what a registrar does, when leading a service or celebration. 

Despite only being in business for such a short time, since her first funeral last May she has now done nearly 100.  

She talks about how she works with clients, be it weddings, funerals, or christenings - spending a lot of time with them to get the right information, particularly when talking to a bereaved family about their loved one. She then prepares a eulogy based on what she has learnt. Sophia also talks about how emotional the job is, and how she manages to cope with that herself. 

She also explains how the skills from her previous career as a policewoman, having to write factual statements, help her to write and create the words she uses for her services –though, obviously they are more creative and gentler in style.  

Although she has only been in business a year, and only joined Businesswise at the start of setting up her business, she is now vice chair. Having set up her business, she wanted to do it well, and decided that to do that, she had to get out and about to be seen and meet people.  After joining a few groups, she was invited to Businesswise, came along and eventually joined. She loves the different levels of experience in the group and knowing that starting business was going to be difficult, she wanted to be able to tap into the knowledge in the room and ask questions.; there’s always someone there to help. 

If you’d like to know more about Sophia and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list.  

 
If you’d like to contact Sophia visit https://businesswise.org.uk/members/sophia-best/  

Ed talks about how Luniq came from the defence sector which historically has large enterprises, but now, Luniq have moved to a space where they offer more to more people. They take a solution agnostic and vendor agnostic approach, and Ed’s role in the company is to help move the company more into a private sector space. 

However, Ed is fairly new to the IT trade, but has always been in sales, and he talks about how after working in the motor trade for many years helped him with his sales skills.

Ed also talks about moving away from the motor trade has helped him to enjoy more work-life balance. He has three little girls, and only working from Monday to Friday gives him far more time with them.  Plus, he also fronts a band, as the lead singer – another escape from work-life.

Before joining Businesswise, earlier this year, Ed had not done any networking, because in the motor trade people come to you – you don’t have to find your customer base. Visiting Business wise was a baptism of fire – but he says a fun place to be, where business is taken seriously first and foremost.

Since joining, he has also joined other business networks, and is looking to find other networking events to attend, because he recognises the effect it has on business. But also, in Businesswise particularly, he is enjoying the long lasting relationships that can be built, when meeting with like-minded people.

If you’d like to know more about Ed and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/members/ed-le-coyte/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

Danielle runs the business with her husband, Kyle, who she says is the brains. Kyle is the one who understands all of the IT stuff, and Danielle, over the last nine years has learned about how things work in terms of managing domains, emails, websites etc.  She now sells the company so that Kyle and their team of 5 can do the work.

Before working with her husband, Danielle had several different jobs, but the last one in accounts and credit control is extremely helpful to make sure that Black Nova’s cashflow is correct and she keeps an eye on profit and loss.

When Danielle was first invited to visit Business Wise as a guest, she wasn’t that keen when she found out about the 7 am start, but after visiting she was surprised how much she enjoyed it, and how welcoming everyone in the room was.

According to Danielle, Business Wise is the reason that Black Nova has got to where we are today – partly because of the networking she now does.  She found being able to communicate in person invaluable. Plus, during that time, she has made many good friends too. And she has found that there are many different businesses there that complement their business. And people genuinely do buy from other people in the room.

Danielle also talks about how she and Kyle, through the business sponsoring several events, including Event Horse of the Year for Horse and Hound.  They also take stands at the Badminton Horse Trials, and are the only IT company there, which is also great for building their branding.

She also talks about the importance of having your own website, rather than just relying on social media.

If you’d like to know more about Danielle and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

If you’d like to contact Danielle directly:

https://businesswise.org.uk/members/danielle-holmes/

Hannah has been a member of the group for several years, and after initially joining as her own business, holding the virtual assistant seat, her seat now is social media, and she is representing her client, Scott Media. And at the beginning of the year, she took over the role of secretary of the group. 

Hannah shares how her business has grown and changed over the last seven years, talking about how as a younger person, you often leap into business, without considering what it actually takes to be a business owner! She shares the things that she has learnt from Fiona Scott, her long-term client, and owner of Scott Media. 

Hannah loves how supportive people are in the group towards everyone’s achievements and says it’s almost like being a family member- there’s always someone there at the end of the phone. 

The three main things she thinks about being part of the group are: 

• You only get out what you put in. 
• You need to take up any advantages and opportunities offered. 
• You learn how to help others run their business. 

If you’d like to know more about Hannah, or more about Businesswise, then come along and visit us, or look at Hannah’s profile on https://businesswise.org.uk/ 

Matt started in business as an electrician, after a parting of ways from the company he was working for. He set up on his own in 2010, and hearing how he has built up his own business is fascinating and inspiring. His business is now in its 15th year and now employs between 30 and 40 people.  

From a man with a van, his company now has a contract with the local authority; they offer a turnkey package for anything construction. They do extensions, they project manage and where they don’t have the people, they work with a team of subcontractors. 

Chris and Matt discuss the negative impact of COVID and Brexit on the building industry, and how much harder and more expensive it is still making things. Everything has had a huge knock-on effect, because a lot of products come in from Germany. 

When it comes to charity, Matt works closely with Renew Men's Shed and the Swindon Night Shelter, and he likes to be able to ‘give back’ to the local area. He talks about how he’s been fortunate in his life, and he recognises that not everyone has, so wants to continue to support local charity. 

He has been a member of Business Wise for 4 or 5 years and before this tried a few groups, before finding the one that worked for him.  Matt has a unique way of looking at networking. For him it is more about growing his team and resources rather than looking for work. By that he means, he is interested in finding people in the group who he could use in his own business, due to their skills and expertise. 

Matt also shares his future plans to develop a renewable side of his business. 

If you’d like to know more about Matt and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list.  

Ali is Operations Manager for Moova Home, an estate agent and letting agents in Swindon. The business was started up over 20 years ago by Ashley Kane, the owner. Over the years the focus of the business has shifted from just being lettings to now also having sales too.

Although new to Business Wise, Ali talks about the value of joining the group and how much she gets from it. She talks about how she loves being part of the business family that the group creates, and that for her it is exactly the group that is right for her and the business. Ali also shares how already, she is getting referrals for their business, even though she didn’t expect that so soon. And more importantly, her boss, Ashley has also noticed the changes too.

Ali shares the back story of Moova Home and her varied career journey before she ended up working there, around 6 years ago.

She also shares the shocking story of how her life nearly ended at a young age and how it has impacted on her life leaving her with a very positive outlook on life.

This is one lively story …

If you’d like to know more about Ali and Business Wise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

If you’d like to contact Ali directly:

Website: https://www.moovahome.co.uk

Email: hello@moovahome.co.uk

Phone: 01793 512345

His business is predominantly about encouraging people to recognise the importance of having a will, and powers of attorney for both health and wealth. Many people don’t want to talk about what happens after their death, and he wants to help people be prepared, rather than coming up against lots of problems when things haven’t been put in place.  

Martin joined us during COVID, when the meetings were online, which he found a bit strange.  Apart from having to get up early on a Friday morning, he loves meeting everyone every other week and enjoys the friendships he’s made.  

Networking is a fairly new thing, but he values how it has worked for him. It is something he would encourage other people to do too. So much so, he has invited some friends to our groups open networking event in February. 

Martin says networking is similar to children saying they don’t like cabbage - you need to at least try it once to have an opinion about it. 

If you’d like to know more about Martin and Business Wise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/  and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list.  

Shreeve Care Services is a couple of months away from their second anniversary. However, Janet has been working in care for around 19 years, and prior to that worked as an Italian teacher. For the last couple of months, she has been in Italy.

Janet talks about being a more mature business woman and how she embraces her age rather than letting it define her, and how over the next few years rather than slow down, she is hoping to grow her business. 

Despite being a B2C business, Janet talks about the importance of networking to her – how we do it all the time yet don’t think about it as networking. Also, how important people are to you if you live alone – without networking, you’d have no one to bounce ideas off.  She loves Businesswise; the fact that it’s quite informal and the obvious way people support each other. Even being in sunny Italy and unable to attend for a few months, she’s missing the group!

Janet also talks about the interesting differences she found when networking in Italy.

If you’d like to know more about Janet and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

If you’d like to contact Janet directly:

Website: www.shreevecareservices.co.uk

Email: jane.shreeve@shreevecareservices.co.uk

Starting his business about a year and a half ago, Dave works with small to medium businesses on a one to one basis to help them to understand how to get the best from online ads.

Previously, he worked with a larger marketing agency who were looking to grow their business with much larger businesses who have huge budgets to spend. Dave wanted to be able to support smaller businesses to help them make things work with smaller budgets.

He talked about how the Pandemic changed his thinking, as it has for many people, and he made the decision to go it alone. On leaving his previous business, he was able to take four clients with him, who he is still working with.

Dave hasn’t found networking so easy in his part of the county, and ended up coming to a Businesswise meeting in Swindon. He loved the friendly atmosphere, and although initially he didn’t have the budget to join, as soon as he did, he knew that networking was something he had to do to help grow his business.

He also enjoys meeting up with other business people, because working from home, alone can be quite lonely. You don’t have anyone to chat to when you have problems, which is another thing he has found useful in joining our group. 

If you’d like to know more about Dave and Business Wise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

 If you’d like to contact Dave directly:

Website: https://red-wizard.digital/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-steinhausen-ad-wizard/

Barbara shares the story of how she got into photography from her first interest on a school trip when she was 12 years old through to studying graphic design at college, and then joining the Royal Air Force as a photographer to now.

She also shares how being in the RAF gave her great skills – particularly when it comes to having to deal with different situations, and just get on with things. Those skills help her to manipulate people and the environment, which is important when you are photographing people who perhaps don’t want to be photographed.

Still, after 30 years, she gets a huge kick from photography. Barbara shares how much she enjoys working with people, and the fact that every job is different, and you have to think on your feet.  

She tells us about her new venture – to help businesses to capture some of their own photographs.

Barbara has belonged to a couple of different network groups, but has come to realise that is about quality and not quantity. It’s about being introduced to the right people. After moving around as many military families do, now she has made roots, she recognises the importance of a good network group. She has only been in Businesswise since Christmas, but she already knew many of the members, so felt at home very quickly.

Her main advice for photography, not surprisingly – is to get a decent headshot!

If you’d like to know more about Barbara and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/   and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

Fiona holds the PR seat in the group, plus another member of her team has the social media seat. Increasingly she has found that social media engagement and traditional media engagement are closely linked as part of the PR mix for any business or organisation.  

She shares her experience of being a long-term member of Businesswise, and why after trying several other groups she chose to join our group. 

Building relationships with the small business owners within her community and hometown of Swindon, has been an important reason for her to network. And, also, because she understands how networking is an important part of growing and keeping your business visible. 

She talks about ‘subbing’ at Businesswise for a while until, one day, someone else who did PR turned up at the group and was so unfriendly and cold that she joined immediately to protect fellow members from being exposed to such a character! 

Fiona also talks about how after initially training to be a teacher in her early 20s, she then followed the career of her dreams – to become a journalist – which unexpectedly led to her building her business in her 40s.  

If you’d like to know more about Fiona and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list.  

If you’d like to contact Fiona directly: 

Website: https://scottmedia.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/162841034317598
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefionascott/ 

If you’d like to contact Phil directly:

Website: https://www.randplanningconsultancy.co.uk/

She has worked in the weight-loss industry since 2012, when she originally joined one of the UK’s biggest weight loss organizations as a consultant.  In 2023, she was diagnosed with binge eating disorder by her GP, which caused her to step back and look at her life.  

Her business started because she recognised that binge eating disorder is not spoken about as much as anorexia and bulimia. She wanted to help others, and specifically people in Wilshire, hence the name of her own business. Louise talks about how she deals with this disorder, and how she can help other’s experiencing the same problems. 

She shares her top tips about getting help if you are suffering from an eating disorder, and her first is to speak to a healthcare professional before doing anything else. 

Louise also explains what Reiki is – a spiritual healing. This is something she discovered over 22 years ago. Her biggest aim is to help people feel better, and she strongly believes in the ideal of ‘paying it forward’.   

Louise attended the Businesswise fundraiser back in February and joined after that event.  A massive believer that your best recommendation will always be word of mouth, she understands the importance of networking, and getting to know the other people in the group.  

She has visited network events in the past but didn’t always feel she was making genuine connections with people. At Businesswise, she was made to feel incredibly welcome straight away, and she hasn’t experienced support like it before in a networking situation. 

If you’d like to know more about Louise and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list.  

 
If you’d like to contact Louise directly: 

Website: https://wellnesswiltshire.co.uk/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088357794153 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-muir-sage-69856a270/ 

Andrew’s business, which he describes as a soft of ‘one stop shop’ for health and safety, was set up at the end of 2019, just before COVID kicked in. However, he talks about how he was able to diversify during that time.

He shares his journey from working as a security manager at Heathrow, to starting his own health and safety business.

He talks about how often it is prevention rather than cure because people don’t get their documentation or their processes in place until after something has happened. And he iterates that it isn’t all about documentation alone – if that isn’t what's happening day to day in practice, then the paperwork is pointless.

Andrew also shares a great story about an example where AI was used to write the documents, and they were totally wrong for the type of business that was using them.

Before joining Businesswise, Andrew tried several different networking groups, and talks about how daunting it can be as a single business owner. He particularly enjoys being a member of a single seat networking group, because working alone, you have to make all of the decisions alone. You don’t have anyone to bounce ideas off, but when you network, the group you meet with support you and help you out with questions and queries. 

He loves the fact that at each meeting the other members of group share little titbits of information that you may not have heard about and jog you to delve a little further into that information if it affects your business.

If you’d like to know more about Andrew and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/   and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

Andrew’s website is: www.securesafetysolutions.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swindon-safety-solutions/

Rachel, who started her business three years ago, works with businesses who don’t have the capacity for a full time or part time person in their business. She helps them with all of their employment issues, challenges, opportunities, and helps them know how to avoid the problems. 

She talks about even though there is a huge number of HR documents out there, she can help businesses to recognise that they probably don’t need them all. She will ensure you keep compliant. 

We discover that Rachel’s background isn’t in HR – it is something she ended up in.  She now works with a range of companies including, manufacturing, performing arts, cleaning companies, property companies and loves every minute of it. 

Her key advice is – make sure that from an HR perspective, your contracts are watertight. We talk about this in more detail. 

We also talked about the future of face2face HR – which includes expanding the business and running workshops about making business more inclusive. 

Rachel joined Businesswise about a year ago after starting networking to raise her profile in the area.  One of the things she noticed after going self-employed was the fact that when she was in an office space, there is always someone you can have a quick chat with, which disappears when you work alone. So, networking has given her back her ‘office family’. 

Her advice about networking is, however nervous you are, ‘just do it’. 

If you’d like to know more about Rachel and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/   and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list.  

Rachel’s website is: https://face2facehr.com/consultants/hr-consultant-swindon/ 

Joe and his wife, Claire, have run their Utility Warehouse business together for the last 12 years. Both previously worked in the police and when their first child came along, Claire decided that she wanted to be at home with the children. Eventually, they both left the police force, leaving behind shift work, and they are now able to spend more time together and with their three children. Together they are building their team and introducing others to the business.

He shares how working together as a married team, they are able to draw on their different skills and strengths. Joe also talks about the positive effect the business has had on their lifestyle.

Joe is fairly new to Businesswise, having joined in January this year. He already knew some of the members, socially and through networking in different circles. Having seen Businesswise on social media and hearing about the different events that take place, it was something he wanted to be involved in.

Despite liking structure in his previous career as a police officer, what he particularly likes about Businesswise is the informal, yet formal nature of the group and that there is light heartedness in the meetings but with a good balance of business taking place. He’s even had some positive results from joining the group.

If you’d like to know more about Joe, you can find him at http://www.earnwithuw.com 

Find out more about Fiona Da Silva Adams and Revolution Performing Arts by visiting https://revolutionpa.co.uk/  

To learn more about Business Wise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

Caroline has been running her business for 15 years now, and even during COVID she was able to continue to work with clients on Zoom, as her business is not a hands-on type of therapy.

She has belonged to Businesswise for just over a year, and loves having the chance to meet up with other like-minded people every other week, to bounce ideas off of.  You can’t know everything yourself, and belonging to the group, you learn that others have had the same issues as you. Something she really loves about Businesswise is that although we’re a referral group, we don’t purely focus on sales, as some of the other networking groups she’s visited do.

Caroline is passionate about helping people with their health, and not only works on a one to one basis with clients, she also regularly talks to corporate groups. She has recently been sharing some new research about the link between the gut and the brain. And she has run ladies’ retreats, and this year is going to run a mixed retreat.

She also shares how she managed to study for a degree whilst still working in her previous job at BT, and bringing up 5 year-old twin girls. 

If you’d like to know more about Caroline and Businesswise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list. 

If you’d like to contact Caroline directly:

Website: https://www.peytonprinciples.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepeyton/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peytonprinciples

Laura and her husband, Neil run their cleaning business together. They started about 12 years ago with Neil doing carpet cleaning, and the business has grown, from just the two of them to now having about 10 members of staff.  

Laura talks about the pros and cons of working with her husband, and how they have learnt to cope being together at home and work. 

Since Covid19, their business has broadened in what they offer. They still do carpet cleaning, but also, commercial cleaning, specialist /biohazard cleaning and particularly since the pandemic, mental health crisis cleaning. This work is an area Laura finds very rewarding. 

Laura joined Business Wise, two years ago, having done no networking prior to joining the group.  

Before going networking, she had heard both bad and good things about networking, so was pushing herself out of her comfort zone to come along. However, she loves the fact that she feels comfortable enough to ask the like-minded people in the group for help and advice. 

If you’d like to know more about Laura and Business Wise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/ and if you’d like to visit email secretary@businesswise.org.uk – we do have to check first that your seat is vacant. If it’s not you will be put on a waiting list.  

 
If you’d like to contact Laura directly: 

Website: https://sofreshandsoclean.org.uk/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoFreshandSoCleanUKLtd 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/so-fresh-&-so-clean-uk-ltd/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofreshandsocleanukltd/ 

Welcome to our new podcast, where over the coming weeks, we will be introducing members of BusinessWise,– and we are now officially the ‘voice of business networking in Swindon’.  

We launch this podcast in our 10th anniversary year. BusinessWise first began life as another group in 2011 however in 2014 the then members decided to break away from that national brand and become independent. BusinessWise as a brand and a group was born.  

In this our first podcast episode, current chairperson John Lewis interviews our first Dave Southby.  

Dave talks about how he joined Business Wise, and how belonging to a one-seat networking group has taken him from someone who was terrified of networking, to someone who has only recently stepped down from being the Chair. 

Dave also gives us some background to his career in the motor trade before moving into financial planning, and how that previous background prepared him and helped him develop the skills required for running his business. 

Despite having only been in his business for three years, he also mentors young financial advisors coming into the profession, sharing his experiences of both work, and marketing themselves, networking. 

If you’d like to know more about Dave or BusinessWise, visit https://businesswise.org.uk/  

If you’d like to visit us for free – we need to check that your seat is vacant – please email secretary@businesswise.org.uk