The Managing Director of Sharp Minds Communications, Siobhan Stirling, chaired her last Make It Your Business event for female business owners in June, handing over the role of Tunbridge Wells champion of the national organisation to Debbie Waite, founder of Stronger Inside and Out.  

Siobhan has chaired 16 events and interviewed more than 60 leading Tunbridge Wells businesswomen since being asked to launch Make It Your Business in the town in 2019 by the founder, Alison Cork, who received an MBE for her services to women in business.  

“It’s been a privilege to get to know such dynamic business leaders,” commented Siobhan, “and incredibly rewarding seeing how inspired the audience is from hearing their business stories.”

“With the enthusiastic organisation of our Operations Manager, Alison Dry, we’ve grown Make It Your Business Tunbridge Wells to three events a year, often with a waiting list. ”

“But with the opportunities presented by our new, bigger venue at The Town Hall powered by TownSq, it seemed the perfect time to hand over to someone who can bring fresh energy to take the events to a new level – and I know that Debbie, with her infectious energy, humour, drive and strategic vision is the right person.” 

“There’s something truly powerful that happens when women come together to support, inspire, and empower one another,” said Debbie. “We can move forward in business AND life, achieving bigger and better things – together.”

“That’s why I’m beyond excited to be involved with Make it Your Business (MIYB), a community where successful women share their journeys in a safe, supportive space. Whether you’re just starting out, scaling up, or contemplating stepping out on your own, MIYB offers a judgment-free zone: with no egos, no competition, and no expectations. “

“This is where the true power lies. This is where women become stronger on the inside and out.” 

More than 40 female entrepreneurs and women wanting to set up their own businesses came to hear the speakers share their business stories at the meeting on 25th of June. 

The dominant themes to emerge from the panellists’ business stories were the importance of positive cultures and aligned values, as well as a willingness to think and do things differently. 

Keynote speaker Victoria Symons, Head of corporate law at Cripps, shared how at every stage of her life she has listened to the advice of others – but trodden her own path when the counsel she received was not the right advice for her. She encouraged the audience to listen to their own inner voices. 

Jessica Bunce, co-founder and chief operations officer of Sapio Research, a multi award-winning, full-service market research agency that numbers Visa, Mailchimp and Cisco among its clients, recalled how she left a steady job while pregnant to found her own business because the culture of her previous company no longer aligned with her values following a takeover. 

Leanne Terry, co-founder of Clic Accounting, revealed that she turned down partnership to become her own boss because she was convinced they were alternative ways to run a successful accountancy practise that would create more opportunities for staff and a better experience for clients. She explained that Clic’s flexible employment terms, including no annual leave limit, had enabled her and her cofounders to build a loyal, reliable team. 

Katie Whittingham explained how her role as Chief Executive Officer of The Glasshouse, a charity which provides training and employment for women in prison, brought together all her previous experiences in alignment with her personal motivations and values. 

She shared a moving story of an abused, illiterate woman from the travellers’ community, who had previously never had a job or lived anywhere other than a caravan, who had had several spells in prison. Supported by The Glasshouse, she has learnt to read and write, and grown in personal confidence and interpersonal skills as she has trained to become a plant technician. After leaving prison recently, she was able to move into her first ever apartment with the security of her new job maintaining plants in offices across London for The Glasshouse’s corporate clients. 

A prize draw was held for local mental health and wellbeing charity, West Kent Mind, which raised £185 – which will be doubled to £370 through the Big Give philanthropic scheme.  

1. We’re lucky to be women – but it can be super overwhelming! As women, we are fortunate to live in a time when we have choices. We can run businesses, be financially independent, and pursue our passions. But having so many options can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when we feel pressured to excel in every area (business, family, health, and appearance). That’s a ‘Hard’ we don’t talk about enough. MIYB provides a safe space where we can be vulnerable, share our challenges, and know we’re not alone in our stressy struggles. It’s a place where we can breathe and know that others get it. 
2. The Gender Gap: There’s a big gap in the way men and women approach opportunities. Men often think, “I’ll go for it, and see what happens.” Meanwhile, women tend to hold themselves back, thinking they need more training, experience, or time before they step into something new. But this hesitation leads to missed opportunities. MIYB creates an environment where women can smash that self-doubt, step into their power, and feel confident to take action. It’s a space that breeds a “can-do” attitude, where women support each other in pushing boundaries and taking bold steps forward. 
3. Corporates have messed up! More women than ever are leaving corporate roles,and while that’s a loss for big businesses, it’s good news for the business world because women are starting their own businesses in record numbers- yay! But let’s be real: entrepreneurship is tough and can feel lonely.  

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Based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Sharp Minds Communications offers brand development, digital marketing, offline marketing, and public relations to businesses across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and Greater London.