Women can face unique challenges when starting and growing their businesses, but collaboration can help lead them to greater success.
That's the idea behind the longstanding group Women in Networking, which is set for an event on Tuesday.
Women who live and work in Centre Wellington are invited to a group session intended for for women who manage or own their own business and who would like to collaborate by sharing goals, achievements, challenges and ideas.
On Tuesday, March 28, at 9:30 a.m., Knight will host the event at the Keller Williams Home Group office at 131 Metcalfe St. in Elora.
“Women need to support each other. I think that sometimes there is a lot of stress on women, specifically in business, and then they are also running households and kids. It can be very challenging,” said Claire Knight from Claire & Greg Real Estate Group in Fergus.
“We are not in competition. I think it’s important to know that we can lean on each other and learn from each other."
When women work together they can create networks, break down barriers and pave the way for more female entrepreneurship in the future.
“This month’s topic is prospecting and how to gain more clients, as sometimes this can be hard,” Knight said.
“This might not apply to everyone’s business. For some, this might come naturally or through direct referral. Sometimes its all about retention, which too can be difficult for some businesses.”
The Women in Networking group first came together about 18 years ago in Centre Wellington.
“This group has been around for a long time. They’ve come and gone, depending on who was willing to work together to coordinate it,” Knight said.
“Back then, women would take turns getting together in their homes.”
But due to the pandemic, meetings were halted.
“During COVID-19, for myself in real estate and for many other businesses, it was hard. It was very difficult to physically get in front of people and to be in person. Everything was over Zoom, and in the business that we are in, it was tough,” Knight said.
“Many of us have gotten into that pandemic comfort level where it's difficult to get in front of people again because that’s not been our go to for the last few years. We’ve gotten comfortable with begin behind a screen and being inside.”
But last summer, Knight says, a few women got together, ready to restart Women in Networking in person again.
"A bunch of women, who either own their own businesses or work in businesses in Centre Wellington, take turns facilitating at their location,” Knight said.
Women in Networking welcomes all existing and new members and is open to new suggestions, new hosts, and fresh ideas for future topics of discussion.
“There’s no cost. It’s solely to support other women within Centre Wellington who either work, run or own a business. And there really are so many different types of businesses. It is so amazing to see all of these women come together,” Knight said.
“And you learn about so many different things that you maybe didn’t know about before, or businesses that you didn’t know existed within the community.”
Knight says participants have an opportunity to learn about each other’s businesses, have great conversations, and build relationships with other like-minded women.
“We don’t have to be in competition with other women. Women naturally tend to judge themselves based on others. I think what we really need to do is support each other, lift each other up, and help each other, rather than judge ourselves,” Knight said.
“This will bring that positive energy and support that I think, we as women, all need in our businesses.”
For more information, contact [email protected].
