Newsletter June 2026
Connecting, Inspiring and Empowering Women in Business
Welcome to our June newsletter. As summer arrives, we’re delighted to share highlights from recent meetings, celebrate our newest members, and let you know what’s coming up over the next few months.
Over the next 3 months our Members Networking programme includes:
30th July – Members meeting featuring mini-training session from Alison Pollecut of Excel Confident.
27th August – Summer Social – with Coffee & Cake
24th September – Wendy Murphy of wmmsilver.co.uk
You can find our full meeting schedule here
Thoughts from SBN Chair Sue Eskins...
Stroud Business Women Network Summer Newsletter
Summer Reflections and New Growth
Summer is a wonderful time in business—a season to celebrate flourishing enterprises, enjoy longer days, and embrace the energy that sunshine (hopefully) and holidays bring.
It is a season of growth, vibrancy, abundance and brightness; a time when the seeds planted earlier in the year begin to bear fruit and create opportunities for the future.
At Stroud Business Women Network, we are delighted to see our community beginning to bloom with fresh energy. New members, inspiring speakers and an evolving programme are helping us continue our mission of connecting, inspiring and empowering women in business across our region.
AGM Highlights
Our Annual General Meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the relaunch of SBN.
It was encouraging to review the achievements of the past year, including welcoming new members, launching our new website, and introducing a refreshed format for events and networking.
A huge congratulations and thank you to the committee for their dedication and hard work in delivering such a successful relaunch.
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to all our new members and offer heartfelt thanks to our longstanding members for their continued support and commitment to the network.
Each of these women demonstrates the core values of Stroud Business Women Network through their commitment to connection, inspiration and empowerment.
Looking Ahead
As we move through the summer months, we encourage everyone to take time to enjoy the season.
While business growth is important, so too is making space for rest, relaxation and renewal.
Take time to recharge your batteries, spend time with family and friends, enjoy the sunshine, and celebrate everything you have achieved so far this year.
We look forward to continuing to grow and support one another as we head into the second half of the year with inspiring speakers, connecting through networking and empowering you to achieve your goals.
Wishing all our members a happy, successful and relaxing summer.
Sue Eskins
Chair, Stroud Business Women Network Committee
Welcome New Members
Faye Ingram
CoMotion
"I am Faye and I am driven to help individuals unlock their true potential and align to their values and purpose.
I cofounded CoMotion Communities CIC (a not for profit) - a Gloucestershire based learning and development consultancy supporting purpose-led SMEs, charities and growing teams across the South West to build confident leaders, stronger teams and healthy workplace cultures."
Contact Faye to find out more
Claire Koenig
Coach & Trainee Health Psychologist
"I offer coaching for both adults and teens, specialising in supporting those managing a physical health condition.
With over 20 years experience as a teacher, I am happy to liaise with schools when supporting teens to balance the demands of education with their health needs. I have also worked with many girls who have ADHD."
Contact Claire to find out more
Rachel Tolhurst
Winchcombe Communications
"Communications consultant specialising in change, engagement and growth. Helping companies navigate complexity with strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
Restructures, rapid growth, acquisitions, new technology, or simply too much on everyone's plate? If you need senior support without the permanent headcount, let's talk."
Contact Rachel to find out more
Next Meeting Dates:
Member Meetings:
July Members Networking Meeting
Date: Thursday 30th July
Time: 9.30 – 11.00 am
Location: Minchinhampton Golf Club Stroud GL6 9BE
Members meeting featuring mini-training session from Alison Pollecut of Excel Confident.
Think you know Excel? Think again.
If you’re still battling clunky spreadsheets, endless manual tasks, and the odd “mystery error,” this session is for you. Alison will share clever quick wins to speed up what you already do—plus some surprisingly powerful features that most people don’t even realise Excel can handle.
Expect plenty of “why didn’t I know that?!” moments, and come away with smarter, faster ways to work—letting Excel do the heavy lifting while you take the credit.
👉 Come along and join us
August Members Casual Summer Walk & Talk
Date: Thursday 27th August April Time: TBC Location: TBA
Theme: Summer Coffee & Cake Meet-Up
Join us for a relaxed summer get-together with good company, great conversation, and plenty of opportunities to connect.
We’ll be enjoying a casual walk, coffee, and cake, giving members the chance to catch up, get to know one another better, and enjoy networking in a more informal setting.
Whether you’re a long-standing member or new to SBN, come along and join us for a friendly summer social.
👉 Join us for what promises to be an inspiring and energising morning.
September Members Networking Meeting
Date: Thursday 24 September Time: 9.30 – 11.00 am Location: Minchinhampton Golf Club Stroud GL6 9BE
Speaker: Wendy Murphy of WMM Silver
Join us for an inspiring and interactive session with local jeweller Wendy Murphy of WMM Silver.
Wendy will share her business journey, how networking has supported her success, and what it’s like to run jewellery-making workshops. You’ll also discover some fascinating facts about silver and gold and the craft behind creating beautiful handmade jewellery.
The highlight of the session will be a live demonstration, where one lucky raffle winner will help Wendy create a bespoke silver wrap-around ring in front of the audience.
After the meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to browse Wendy’s jewellery and learn more about her workshops, with an exclusive 10% discount available on purchases and workshop bookings.
👉 Network, enjoy this silver jewellery making demonstration and enter the raffle to win a silver ring!
Curio Meetings
Date: First Thursday each month (but check our calendar for dates) Time: 9.30 – 11.00 am Location: Curio Lounge, 9-11 King St, Stroud GL5 3BX
9th July
13th August
10th September
Using the SBN CRM
An article by Jean Wolf, SBN Committee
Do you want a “colouring-in” CRM* system?!
It has got to at the top of every business woman’s wish list!
We have created a simple checklist so you can record your conversations with SBN members. We hope this will be fun to use and help us all give and receive more business and referrals. So when you have a conversation at an SBN event you colour in the appropriate box in green. and when you have a follow up meeting you colour in the next box on the right in orange. The box at the end of the line is for when Action takes place! So it is a fiery red! Business Action means a referral to a person or company who could become a customer. And of course business given or received.
If you haven’t got one collect yours at either of our meetings. Business should be fun as well as serious and the colouring in will be enjoyable!
(A CRM* system organises your Customer Relationship Management).
Why is a CRM system useful?
It is said that people now need to hear your message 12 times before they buy. The big bonus of joining a networking group like SBN is that there is a regular chance of potential clients hearing what you do.
And just as important – even if the people in the room are not your ideal client – they may know someone who is!
So even a simple CRM system helps you track your actions which is a great incentive to keep going. And to help your conversations it is good to explain who you can help. And at what stage , of their experience is it is best to work with you. For example one accountant could help people get started with digital accounting while another specialises in larger companies. Many businesswomen are happy to do an introductory chat so it is worth making this clear if you provide this.
Know, like and trust. People need to know you, ideally like you, and most importantly trust you in order to buy a meaningful service that will make a real difference to them. And that can take time to build. The conversations, interactions and ways that you are visible contribute to a flow of the right clients further down the road.
Let us know if the CRM checklist helps you have more conversations!
Jean Wolfe https://sparkintomarketing.com
SBN Committee member for social media.
News & Offers
Feel Good About getting stuff Done
Article by SBN Member Alison Randle
Do you know any purpose-inspired business people who could do with getting more done in less time, without the risk of burning out? That’s what I help people do!
And it’s neuroinclusive.
How? I run virtual coworking on Tuesday mornings, 9.00am–12.00pm. People get really clear on their tasks, and then they do them—and they feel energised afterwards. Writing books, or doing dull admin? All doable in the “DO to BE” sessions. You can choose PAYG single sessions or subscribe to the “DO to BE” membership, which includes monthly code clutter sessions.
Got a project and want to get your head down to get a huge amount done? My next retreat (four days in a 4★ spa hotel in the Lake District) is 17–20 November.
If you are feeling a bit off about something in your work or business, I offer coaching. I also run the ‘Business Planning without Spreadsheets’ workshops you might have seen on flyers around town.
Want something helpful? Here’s an article I wrote earlier this year about starting your day, which I hope gives food for thought.
Website: https://www.smartprospects.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-randle-msc-02a5771a/
Alison Randle MSc alison@smartprospects.co.uk 07910 300 246
Clarity In Action
Article by SBN Member Camilla Barnes
We’d like to invite you to the following upcoming activities related to social and environmental business responsibility in Gloucestershire:
- What Purpose-led Businesses Need to Know About B Corp and the New Standards – Randall & Payne, 1 July, 1.00–3.00pm
- Webinar – Not for Profit in Gloucestershire 101 – 17 July, 12.30–1.30pm
- Early Bird Stand at Circle2Success Youth Outreach Show – Cheltenham Racecourse, 25 November
- Festival of Commoning – Tickets now available for 2–3 October
What Purpose-led Businesses Need to Know About B Corp and the New Standards
Randall & Payne | 1 July | 1.00–3.00pm
Cheltenham-based B Corp Randall & Payne are hosting an event for businesses interested in formalising their positive purpose.
You’ll learn about the new B Corp standards, hear from existing B Corps, ask questions, and enjoy a networking lunch with like-minded businesses.
B Corp consultants Camilla Barnes (Gloucestershire B Local Co-chair) and Fran Page will explain what B Corp is, outline the updated standards, and share what businesses need to know if they are considering certification or becoming more purpose-led.
Whether you’re already a B Corp or just starting your journey, you’re warmly invited to attend.
Webinar – Not for Profit in Gloucestershire 101
17 July | 12.30–1.30pm
Gloucestershire B Local is hosting a best practice webinar exploring the not-for-profit landscape in Gloucestershire.
What exactly is the Voluntary Sector?
The role, scale and impact of the VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) sector are often underestimated, yet it plays a critical role in the fabric of services across our county.
This webinar will explore:
- What the VCSE sector is
- How it works
- Why it matters
- Its role in supporting the NHS and delivering community services
- Skills, employment and prevention
- Tackling inequalities at a local level
Presenter
Matt Lennard, CEO of the Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance, an independent charity supporting community groups and not-for-profit organisations throughout the county.
Early Bird Stand at Circle2Success Youth Outreach Show
Cheltenham Racecourse | 25 November
In December 2025, Gloucestershire B Local identified Youth Engagement as one of its strategic priorities for collective action.
Circle2Success hosts an annual Educational Outreach event at Cheltenham Racecourse, bringing together more than 1,800 students from Year 10 upwards, along with schools, colleges and universities from across the county.
By taking a stand, you’ll not only showcase your organisation but also help inspire young people, raise aspirations and connect them with opportunities available here in Gloucestershire.
This year we’d like to create a Gloucestershire B Corp Corner. Exhibiting is open to both Circle2Success members and non-members.
Early bird stand bookings are now open.
Please let the Gloucestershire B Local Co-chairs know if you plan to attend, so we can coordinate the Gloucestershire B Corp Corner with Circle2Success.
Festival of Commoning
2–3 October
Tickets are now available for the Festival of Commoning.
The festival is for doers, organisers and people interested in commoning—bringing land, housing, energy and community assets into shared community ownership to ensure they remain available for future generations.
Held annually in Stroud, this year’s festival will explore how commoning can support belonging, mutual care, resilience and shared power in the face of societal division, inequality, isolation and exclusion.
Gloucestershire B local co-chairs [Camilla Barnes, Katharina Child, Victoria Petkovic-Short, Kay Geoghegan]
In other news...
When Life Changes Everything: The Beautiful Chaos of Midlife - an update from former member Trish Tucker-May
Midlife doesn’t always arrive with a neat plan. Sometimes it arrives with suitcases, grief, big decisions and a whole new chapter we didn’t expect.
Relocating to Australia, navigating the loss of what was familiar, caring for my mum, supporting family, and trying to keep my business alive has been a journey of highs and lows. I miss you all dearly. Some days I feel incredibly grateful for this season of life. The new beginnings. The lessons. The moments that remind me how strong and adaptable we really are.
Other days, the weight of being part of the “sandwich generation” feels heavy. Holding space for those we love while trying not to lose ourselves in the process.
Midlife is messy. It’s full of change, uncertainty, growth and unexpected beauty.
I’m learning that success isn’t always about doing more. Sometimes it’s about slowing down, accepting the season we’re in, and finding purpose in the middle of the chaos.
Here’s to all of us ladies navigating our own version of this journey.
With love and best wishes, Trish
PS tips on staying cool from a well-seasoned Aussie, drink plenty of water and find shade, wear a hat and swim often.
Growth Hub Events
The Growth Hub Cirencester The Growth Hub Cheltenham The Growth Hub Tewkesbury The Growth Hub Stroud Selling your products online: Where to start The Growth Hub Stroud |
Ready to experience SBN for yourself?
Join us for a free trial meeting and discover what makes SBN different.
- Two meetings every month
- Supportive local network
- Business promotion opportunities
- Inspirational speakers
- Annual membership £85
Need more information or have an article to share?
Our newsletter is sent out quarterly to keep you connected with our SBN community and is sent to around 250 local businesswomen.
If you’re an SBN member and have news, tips, or updates you’d like to share in a future issue, just send a short article (less than 200 words in a Word document) to news@stroudbusinesswomen.org.uk. We may also feature your content on our Facebook Page.
Members – Looking to get your business in front of more people? Complete our Spotlight Questions for us to feature your business and return it to enquiries@stroudbusinesswomen.org.uk with a photo.
Not a member yet? We offer one free meeting before you join! Drop us an email before you come along.
New visitors always welcome
Stroud Businesswomen’s Network is a welcoming and supportive network for women in business across Stroud and Gloucestershire.
If you’d like to meet other local businesswomen, come along and try your first meeting.
Find out more about SBN meetings
Thanks for being part of the SBN community—we hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to seeing you soon!
Warm wishes,
SBN COMMITTEE
news submissions: news@stroudbusinesswomen.org.uk
