Celebrating two years of networking in Epsom Surrey with the Small Business Co-Llab

founder of the Small Business Co-Llab Meetings - Charlie of Charlotte Webb Photography

Next Friday, 17 May, I will be celebrating two years of the Small Business Co-Llab, the networking group I set up to help local businesses connect, collaborate and build a small community.

 It started with the PTFA!

 The initiative developed from my time as Chair of the PTFA at my children's primary school. During that three-year tenure, I met so many wonderful parents who ran their own businesses from home. I found it so fascinating - the depth and breadth of their knowledge and their expertise, as well as the variety of businesses they ran.

At first attendees were contacts from school…

I was keenly aware that so many of them ran businesses that would be useful to other parents and business owners in the school and my first idea was to build a directory. But, as a business owner myself, running CHARLOTTE WEBB Photography, time was of the essence, and the easiest and simplest way I decided to connect them all, was to set up a networking group.

 I’d never networked!

I, myself, had never done any networking! But I knew that the work I had gotten over the years was from the physical connections I had made. I also knew that, when my children left the school and my role as PTFA Chair would end, that the touch-points I’d had during my day and week would be gone.

I felt it was important to build a sustained local community, both for my well-being and for the well-being of the many others who were working from home, plodding on each day without much interaction with others.

Networkers at the Small Business Co-Llab

 My local Caballo Lounge on Epsom High Street was the ideal venue, with a large upstairs and a friendly staff that welcomed the opportunity to host our networking. The restaurant has been so welcoming and supportive over the past two years – and the coffees are excellent!

Listening to a talk at the Small Business Co-Llab networking group

 Over time, my little group expanded from parents at the school, to the wider community and some travel a distance to attend the meetings. Everyone is supportive and generous with their advice, contacts, and expertise. There are no egos here and everyone is keen to help, connect and champion each other.

But we quickly grew…

Fantastic Speakers

From the beginning I wanted to host speakers that could inspire and give advice to the community and I have been so lucky in finding some great speakers including: Sarah Collins, Kelly Chandler, Cate Butler Ross, Leanne Davies, Tanya Anear, Jen Tibbits, Rebecca Newenham, Emily Win, Hannah Estelle, Natalie Plange, Rebecca Price, Beth Lavin, Lucy Hoddinott, Mel Booth, Kalli Pasqualucci, Anna Pearson, Michael Fairweather, Juliette Rivett and Jennie Powell.

Speaker Leanne Davies

My group has learnt everything from how to write a great newsletter; to accounting advice; to Instagram tricks and many more fabulous speeches besides.

 I am so grateful to everyone who has attended, supported and cared for our group. To all my fabulous speakers. To everyone who has recommended it.

 Becoming a LinkedIN Local

Attendees with our speaker Jen Tibbits (right)

In 2025, the group began hosting the LinkedIn local for Epsom and Ewell, which I have now expanded to Wimbledon, Wandsworth & Putney with Sarah Collins. This aims to help connect people online and offline and was about expanding our reach on LinkedIn, a platform I’d never used til then.

Launching LinkedIN Local Wimbledon Wandsworth & Putney With Sarah Collins

 Sarah and I planned to make it this group purely about networking for now, but, like my Epsom group, it’s low-key and relaxed. If you want the chance to talk about your business to the group, there is that opportunity.

Photography

As a photographer, I take photos at all my events, which are then available to purchase. If you are a business owner looking for headshots or personal branding, then check out my services here

Find out more

 Join our mailing list - just email me here and find out about all events straight to your inbox

 Join our Facebook group - connect with other attendees and promote your business for free on a Friday with the hashtag #promoFriday

 Follow our Instagram Page

 Check out all upcoming events on eventbrite