A new ladies-only Wimbledon business network had its first get-together lunch last Thursday.
by Maxim McDonald
A new ladies-only Wimbledon business network had its first get-together lunch last Thursday and plans are already underway for the next meeting in June.
The Women’s Company (TWC) Wimbledon group’s inaugural meeting took place in Wimbledon Hill Road where networking, opportunities and Merton-related business were discussed.
1230 TWC Wimbledon was started by Maaike Vlam, owner of www.letsjustcreate.com, who had the idea after attending a similar meeting in nearby Sutton.
“Being an entrepreneur can be quite a solitary existence,” Ms Vlam said.
“Being a jewellery designer I hide a lot behind my work table, while I should be out there doing more business!”
Local designers, restaurant-owners, accountants and wedding / events planners are among those interested in the new group.
Wimbledon’s Piccolino Restaurant event manager Nicola Williams said: “I had a really great time and felt it was extremely beneficial for me, especially long term!”
Dutch-born Ms Vlam moved to England two years ago to be with her partner, who is also an entrepreneur and runs his own IT company.
When asked if women are stills tackling sexism in business, Ms Vlam said: “Quite a few women have their own business and don’t have to do that much with men.
“Saying that, we all agree that a network group for women is something we prefer because men do approach business in a different way to women.”
The next TWC Wimbledon meeting takes place on Thursday, 24th June, 12:30pm at San Lorenzo Fuoriporta, a Wimbledon Hill Road restaurant.
Issues up for discussion include social media (Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin etc.) and ways of promoting businesses online.
For more information on 1230 TWC or to book a place for the next meeting go to www.1230.co.uk or contact Ms Vlam on [email protected] or 0208 3953811.
