Part of my Business Basics series
Running your own business can be lonely. There’s no team to bounce ideas off, no one to celebrate the small wins with, and it’s easy to go days without talking to another grown-up about work.
That’s why networking is one of the best things I’ve done for my business. And no, it doesn’t have to mean stiff name badges and rehearsed elevator pitches. The groups I go to are friendly, relaxed and full of people who genuinely want to help each other.
Whether you’re just starting out and wondering if networking is worth it, or you already go to a group and fancy trying somewhere new, here’s my honest round-up of the East Sussex groups I go to, what they’re like, and why I keep going back.
The groups I go to
Most of my networking happens on a Friday morning, with the odd early start or evening event thrown in. Here’s where you’ll find me…
Sussex Business Club
- Who it’s for: any business owner – everyone’s welcome
- When: 1st Friday of the month, 9:30am
- Where: around East Sussex, alternating brunches and walks
- Cost: free, just pay for what you order (optional charity donations are coming in 2027)
- Who you might meet: brand photographer, grief coach, copywriter, caterer, data protection consultant, leadership coach, sound practitioner, PR and communications, vintage china hire…
- Find out more: Sussex Business Club
This is the group I founded, so I’m a little biased! SBC is informal and supportive, somewhere to bounce ideas around, connect and get out and about locally with people who get it. Our brunches support local independents, and after our walks we head to Duddleswell Cafe & Lifestyle for coffee and cake. Dogs are welcome on the walks too.
Uckfield & District Chamber of Commerce
- Who it’s for: businesses in and around Uckfield
- When: monthly member meetings, alternating between breakfast networking (usually a Friday morning at 7:30am) and evening events (usually Wed or Thurs at 6pm)
- Cost: tickets around £10, yearly membership £120
- Who you might meet: solicitors, accountants, financial advisers, architects, surveyors, HR consultants, printers, web designers, a local vineyard, care homes and charities
- Find out more: Uckfield Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is the place to meet lots of local business people and get involved in the community. The talks are informative, the food is great, and I help out as the official photographer of the breakfast meetings, so you’ll often spot me with my camera.
Henry’s networking walks
- Who it’s for: business owners who like to get outside
- When: 2nd Friday of the month, meet at 10:15am for a 10:30am start
- Where: Ashdown Park Hotel, walking in Ashdown Forest for about 60-90 minutes
- Cost: free, with optional donations to West Kent Mind
- Who you might meet: fitness trainer, chamber directors, vineyard manager, property manager, marketers.
- Find out more: Revive Health & Fitness net-walking experience
Henry from Revive Health & Fitness runs these walks, followed by free refreshments (the cookies are good!). I love the mix of exercise and chat with amazing views and it’s dog friendly. I always leave feeling reinvigorated, sometimes muddy, and I often meet someone new.
Herizon
- Who it’s for: women in business – women supporting women
- When: weekly on Wednesdays, 7:30am for an hour
- Where: usually The Coffee House in Nutley, but currently at Pots of Love in Uckfield while the Nutley shop is repaired (a truck drove into it!)
- Cost: free, just pay for what you order
- Who you might meet: estate agent, nutritionist, yoga teacher, counsellor, hypnotherapist, brand photographers, pottery painting studio, travel agent, graphic designer, social media manager
Herizon is the early bird of my week, and I go whenever I’m not in dentist mode (I usually start at 8am on Wednesdays). We share our highs and lows, swap advice and offer genuine support, and the accountability carries on in the WhatsApp group between meetings. There’s something lovely about starting the day with a coffee and a room full of women cheering each other on.
Lydfords networking
- Who it’s for: local business owners
- When: 3rd Friday of the month, 9:30-11:30am
- Where: Lydfords Care Home, East Hoathly
- Cost: free
- Who you might meet: healthcare workers, woodworker, business mentor, cattery owner, dance educator, pottery painting studio
Run by Gary King, this one comes with great cake and pastries, which is always a winner in my book.
Tips for your first visit
Walking into a room (or a car park) full of strangers can feel daunting, so here’s what I’ve learned:
- Go more than once. Relationships build over time, and the second visit is always easier than the first.
- Don’t go to sell. Go to listen, be curious and help where you can. The work tends to follow.
- Have a simple answer to “what do you do?” One friendly sentence is plenty.
- Follow up. Connect on LinkedIn or Instagram afterwards, or suggest a coffee.
- Try a few groups. Each one has its own feel, so find the ones that suit you and your diary (and appetite!).
A few of the friendly faces you’ll meet
The best thing about networking is the people. Here are just a few of the regulars you might bump into.
Jo Martin – The Grammar Mamma
Jo is a copywriter who helps business owners with their web copy, blogs, social posts and emails. You’ll find her at SBC, the Chamber, Herizon, Henry’s walks and Lydfords, so she’s a great person to say hello to wherever you start!
Margaret Dode-Angel – Sussex Support Service CIC and Little Pancake Place
Sussex Support Service provides a range of support services for people living with long-term conditions and their carers, plus community services that foster connection and reduce isolation. Little Pancake Place is a gluten-free and dairy-free festival food business that helps people with allergies enjoy food at festivals with its delicious little pancakes. You’ll find her at SBC and the Chamber.
Julianne Green – JXG Data Protection
After 27 years in banking, Julianne now takes the boring task of GDPR compliance off your plate. You’ll find her on Henry’s walks, at SBC and at the Chamber.
Ian Noble – Uckfield & District Chamber of Commerce
Ian has been Chamber Director at Uckfield Chamber of Commerce since 2017, following 37 years in banking! You’ll find him at the Chamber (of course!), SBC, Henry’s walks and Lydfords.
Sue Lee – Sue Lee Hypnotherapy
Sue is a Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist and Holistic Wellness Coach, helping people overcome stress, anxiety, fears and limiting beliefs so they can feel calmer, more confident and back in control of their lives. You’ll find her at Herizon.
Wendy – Yoga Fusion with Wendy
Wendy runs Yoga Fusion with Wendy. You’ll find her at Herizon.
(I’ll keep updating this list as I get approval from various members!)
You can also read about more of our regular Sussex Business Club members in The Contact Sheet directory.
Come and say hello
If you’re on the fence, my advice is to just pick one and come along. Everyone was new once, and you’ll be amazed how quickly a room of strangers becomes a room of friends. And if you spot me, please come and say hi – I’d love to meet you.
For more help setting up your business, from branding to tools and the legal bits, head back to my Get the Basics Right guide.
And if you’d like to join us at Sussex Business Club, you can sign up here.
