About SBN
Proving that business and pleasure do mix!

Stroud Businesswomen's Network is one of the oldest-established networks in Gloucestershire, set up by a small group of local businesswomen in the early 2000s, initially as an informal gathering over coffee. Over time, the network grew, moving to larger and larger venues, and growing its membership and reputation.

We are a not-for-profit business group, run by a small volunteer committee.

We pride ourselves on creating an inspirational and supportive place for women in business to learn from each other, building confidence - and customers - while networking.

Everyone who attends an SBN meeting for the first time (whether in ‘real life’ or on Zoom) will tell you how amazed they are at the sheer range of businesses represented.

From solicitors, counsellors and therapists to HR specialists, web designers, accountants and artists; from photographers to professional chefs and from coppice workers to yoga instructors, between us we have a myriad of experiences and knowledge which we are happy to share.

Membership

SBN meets twice a month
The Annual Membership fee of just £75 covers ALL the twice monthly networking meetings as well as a monthly newsletter emailed out to more than 220 businesswomen, which you can use to promote your business and events.

Our Meetings

Our newsletter

On social media

Our committee

Our aims, objectives and constitution

Our Meetings

We have a rolling programme of different styles of meetings

Meeting style 1: Inspirational businesswomen: one keynote business speaker, usually a successful and inspirational businesswoman from in and around the Stroud district, sharing ideas and aspirations. Previous examples are Emily Gravestock from the UK Space Agency and extreme ocean rower Roz Savage MBE, Melissa Briggs of Bee Solar, Anna Bonallack of Creative Sustainability, Sarah Edghill Author, Penny Newton-Hurley - Commpassion Ltd, Rachel Austin Architect designer. Members also have opportunities to make brief presentations about their businesses.

Meeting style 2: Local interest speaker: speakers have included David Fisk of Leaf & Ground, Chris Mitford-Slade from Cotswold canal trust, Alison Tarbuck Federation of Small businesses.

Meeting style 3: Networking: helping members meet each other using structured and informal networking techniques, so people get to know each other better, and gain more confidence in networking generally.

Meeting style 4: Skills & training sessions: these meetings will focus on sharing and developing new skills with our members and includes mini training sessions.

Shout Outs - Within these meetings we offer member 'shout outs' when members get the chance to tell everyone about their business and, hopefully, share some tips and useful information.

Our monthly newsletter

This is distributed to a database of around 200 Members and Friends. Members are invited to submit articles to raise their business profile.

Social media

We are active on Facebook and Twitter and support a friendly What’s App Group.

Our Committee

SBN is organised by a small (but perfectly-formed!) team of volunteers, all local business women:

From left to right - Sue Eskins (our new Chair for 2025), Karen Blaylock (website FB & Instagram), Carolyn Williams (treasurer), and Alison Tarbuck & Nicola Banning (networking/training).

Our volunteer committee meets regularly and each member has a specific roles. The committee organises speakers as well as running and promoting our meetings and social and training events for the benefit of all SBN members and guests. In return, committee members receive free SBN membership and free tickets for up to two SBN event meals and one training session a year. SBN also pays a part-time administrator to assist with members’ and guests’ queries, maintain the database and process members and guests before and after meetings.

SBN Aims, objectives and constitution

The Stroud Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is an award-winning membership organisation supporting businesswomen who run their own business or work for others, at whatever stage of their business or career. Its purpose is to provide opportunities for members to network, share information, ideas and expertise, and to do business with each other in a supportive environment. SBN welcomes members from across Gloucestershire and beyond to our meetings in Stroud and Gloucester.

Our main objectives are to:

Help members to gain more business through networking and development activities

Support members’ personal development as professionals

Provide a nurturing and supportive network for our members

Support and raise the profile of our members

Represent the views and needs of members in the Gloucestershire business community.

Find full details of our Constitution here.

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Disclaimer: Stroud Businesswomen’s Network (“SBN”) accepts no responsibility or liability with regard to the information provided on this website. The views and opinions expressed in articles / features are those of the individual contributing members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SBN or its committee members. Information is intended to be of a general nature only and is not necessarily comprehensive. Where there are links to external websites, SBN assumes no responsibility for the information contained in those entries or on those websites.

About SBNProving that business and pleasure do mix!