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The Small Business Co-Llab - networking in Epsom Surrey
Networking at the small business co-Llab
‘People buy from people’ is the well-known phrase and in today’s world of prolific small businesses and online competition, this has never been truer.
The internet has meant that everyone with an internet connection can have a business. Great, but how do you meet your clients? There is so much noise on the internet and across social media, how do you reach out and stand out?
In-person networking has never been more important for business.
That’s where the Small Business Co-Llab comes in.
Attendees from across Surrey and Greater London to the Small Business Co-Llab
I have been running my business, CHARLOTTE WEBB PHOTOGRAPHY since January 2018. But juggling business set up with raising three children solo meant that word-of-mouth referrals were all I could handle.
Plus, I took on the voluntary role of Chairperson for my children’s school’s PTA and bam, that’s three years of my life gone!
But, in the process I met so many lovely parents, with unique and interesting skills and businesses: artists; fashion designers; accountants; travel experts; marketing experts; therapists; lawyers; landscape gardeners; well-being gurus; coaches; scientists; IT experts; designers; writers, you name it - and I couldn’t help thinking that they all needed to be in touch with each other, but weren’t.
So I used my connections to set up a forum for them all to meet each other and then expanded it into the local community and beyond.
I found a wonderful venue in the Caballo Lounge in Epsom, who couldn’t be more accommodating and supportive, and set up free networking, roughly one Friday a month, after school drop off so everyone could get to know each other.
Charlie celebrating the Small Business Co-Llab’s first Birthday in May 2025
My aim for the meetings was for them to be a no-pressure, relaxed space for business owners to connect. Not necessarily selling themselves (although that has happened organically); but to share the joys and woes of small business ownership, glean tips and advice; find kindred spirits; garner support and to generally build a community with other local businesses.
And collaboration was key to my principles. I wanted similar businesses to feel they were all welcome, to not see themselves as competition but colleagues.
In fact, I welcomed three other photographers into the group, and then suggested we give a talk together about photography and visibility in business.
Because I honestly believe it’s not about competition but collaboration. How can we help each other? How can we lift each other up?
Making friendships; collaborations and connections in the local business world
The Small Business Co-Llab has now celebrated its first birthday and along the way it has helped many people with advice, tips, friendships and yes, work. I have had so many lovely comments on how the group has given them confidence, or been a motivator for their business, to get out there, or take things to another level.
And though we welcome new people all the time, everyone says how friendly and kind everyone is.
Kelly Chandler of Kelly Chandler consulting speaks on feeling the fear and doing it anyway at our Inaugural meeting
From the beginning, I wanted attendees to come away inspired and with something useful they could apply to their businesses.
Every month we have speakers that give short talks on one element of business. Everything from mindset to raising your instagram profile, learning how to navigate LinkedIn, accountancy tips, the story you need to tell and so on.
If you think you have something to offer the group, then please get in touch at smallbusinesscolab@gmail.com.
LinkedIn Local - Epsom and Ewell - LinkedIn based in person networking in Surrey
In January 2025, I decided to expand our reach and made us into a LinkedIn Local for Epsom & Ewell.
I was a newbie on LinkedIn at the time and really didn’t get how it could work for small businesses having last looked at it back in its corporate-world heyday.
But how wrong was I? Since becoming the LinkedIN Local, I have realised how important it is to have a physical community offline, to actually meet the people you connect with online.
And how, when you meet them for the first time in person, learning more about them through their LinkedIn postings, gives you many more conversation points when you meet them again. Plus, you get to know them more and more.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how supportive and friendly the LinkedIn community is. It’s been a really fabulous way to expand my community.
Sharing details - getting on LinkedIn!
The good news is, there is no monthly membership. You don’t even need to book (though it’s helpful). And you don’t need to commit (though try to commit for your own sake).
Sign up to the email newsletter below. Then you will get the updates, attendees list, and news of next dates.
Follow us on LinkedIn at these pages:
LinkedIn Local - Epsom & Ewell|
Small Business Co-Llab
Charlie Webb
And on Eventbrite where all the latest dates are published.
But failing that just come along roughly one Friday a month 9-11am at the Caballo Lounge, Epsom.
Plus we are trialling some evening meets in July, August and September.
All this and there is no charge, though as the Caballo Lounge kindly hosts us, we ask you buy a drink at the bar.
Hope to see you next time.
For latest updates you can also join our Facebook group here.
