We’re delighted to announce that Make It Your Business Tunbridge Wells, the popular networking event for female entrepreneurs and female business owners in Kent, is entering an exciting new phase – and a new venue. From Friday 27^th June, our popular female entrepreneurship event will be hosted at The Chambers at Town Hall, powered by TownSq, in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells. 

Designed to support women starting or growing their businesses, Make It Your Business provides valuable networking opportunities, practical insights, and inspirational advice from experienced business leaders. The move to Town Hall is a reflection of the event’s growing popularity—and its commitment to supporting more women across Kent’s business community. 

“We’re thrilled to take Make It Your Business to a venue that champions innovation and entrepreneurship,” says Siobhan Stirling, Managing Director of Sharp Minds Communications and Chair of the Tunbridge Wells event. “Town Hall and TownSq share our values of collaboration, business growth and community support. With this move, we can welcome even more women into a space that empowers them to succeed.” 

A partnership built on shared values

Lucie Merkl, Hub Manager at TownSq, explains the significance of this new partnership: 

A powerful speaker line-up for female business owners

The 27 June event features an outstanding line-up of female leaders and entrepreneurs who will be sharing their expertise, personal stories, and practical business insights. Highlights include: 

Victoria Symons is Head of the Corporate Group at Cripps, where she advises high-net-worth individuals and family offices on complex business issues. As a passionate advocate for gender parity, Victoria has also led Cripps’ research into female leadership in mid-market firms. Her keynote will explore how women can drive strategic growth and overcome systemic barriers in business. 

Jessica Bunce co-founded Sapio Research, an award-winning market research agency delivering insights for PR, marketing and tech-led B2B companies. Jessica will share how insight-driven strategy, ethical leadership, and values-based growth can help businesses of all sizes scale and succeed. 

Leanne Terry and Katie Clarke are two of the co-founders behind Clic Accounting, the UK’s first Climate Neutral certified accountancy practice. With over 20 years of experience in financial strategy, Leanne will discuss the challenges and rewards of running a purpose-led, tech-powered business. The duo will also share how Clic Accounting is supporting SMEs with smarter systems and more sustainable practices. 

A Thank You to The Finance Hub

As the event expands, Sharp Minds would like to thank Gillian Palmer for her generous support in hosting Make It Your Business at The Finance Hub since lockdown. Her enthusiasm and modern space on The Pantiles have played a key role in the event’s growth.

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.

The power of failure, being open to opportunities when they come along and the importance of aligning yourself with people who share your values and vision were key themes to emerge at January’s Make It Your Business, Tunbridge Wells. Hosted by Sharp Minds’ Managing Director, Siobhan Stirling, the audience of the sell-out event took inspiration and encouragement from the personal business stories shared by the panellists.

The latest Make It Your Business Tunbridge Wells event brought together local businesswomen from around Kent at The Finance Hub for an inspiring morning of networking and learning. While many women already run their own businesses, countless others are held back by a lack of networking opportunities and mentoring. Make It Your Business aims to change that with regular events that foster connections and empower women.

January’s Tunbridge Wells event featured an impressive line-up of speakers: keynote speaker Julia Elliot Brown—a serial entrepreneur, advisor, and founder of Enter the Arena; Jodie Claridge, founder of Dentalbox; Danielle Friend and Jane Hodge of Create Balance; and Nell Mellerick of Arty Farty Retreat.

Failure is something to embrace

Julia Elliot Brown discussed the power of reframing failure. She shared her experience with Upper Street Shoes, a venture where women could design their own shoes. Despite raising capital and attracting celebrity clients, the business ultimately collapsed. For a while afterwards, Julia said she felt like a failure. She was devastated and needed time to lick her wounds and consider her options. Which she did. Looking back now, instead of viewing this experience as a failure, Julia sees it as a pivotal moment. 

Her three tips for bouncing back after failure. 

1. Take time off: Julia needed time to reflect; she took time off to give her brain time to unravel itself and work out where things went wrong.
2. Look out for problems that need solving: During her time out, Julia thought about her own struggles to raise investment. She had many women coming to her to ask for advice during her time running the business and this helped her formulate the idea for Enter the Arena. “When you’re stuck, look at the problems you see around you,” says Julia. “Very often those are the sparks for a great business idea.”
3. Don’t listen to the naysayers: Because there will be many. For Julia, it was mostly men saying her idea was too niche. However, she went for it anyway. “Don’t let others define your limits.”

Ultimately, Julia’s advice to other business women was not to be disheartened if it’s hard. Failure doesn’t define you, see it as a stepping stone and don’t be afraid of it.

Be curious and observant

Jodie Claridge is the founder and owner of Dentalbox, but her journey to being a successful business owner wasn’t an easy one. Forced to leave home at 17, Jodie’s career path was shaped by curiosity and keen observation. She stressed the importance of learning from one’s surroundings and using every experience as a springboard for growth.

In just two years, Jodie has taken The Dental Box from a standing start to a turnover of £350,000. Her work ethic centers on sticking to one’s values, continual learning, and maintaining a clear vision.

Have the right people around you 

Create Balance burst onto the Tunbridge Wells business scene a year ago – but it’s a business that was 12 years in the making. Business partners Danielle Friend and Jane Hodge highlighted the significance of surrounding yourself with the right team. Their business, 12 years in the making, flourished once they found the right partnership dynamic. 

They advised entrepreneurs to be careful about who they choose for their inner circle, emphasising the need for people who can challenge and spur you onward, rather than simply agreeing with everything.

The importance of community 

Nell Mellerick of Arty Farty Retreat discussed how community involvement contributed to her business growth. After running art classes at charities Peppenbury and Hospice in the Weald, Nell was inspired to make art accessible to everyone through her retreat.

Nell not only runs the Arty Farty Retreat but also manages Southborough Street Community social pages and organises large annual events. She emphasised that being a trusted figure in the local community significantly helps in growing a business.

Key points from the morning:

Be a part of your community and build connections

Be curious and observant in your early career

The importance of keeping yourself open to new opportunities

Find the right team that shares your values 

If you are a brand looking for support with your marketing and PR campaigns, please get in touch.

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.