I recently became a member of a local networking group, Business Networking South Leicestershire (BNSL for short). Every Thursday morning at 7am, we gather for a mix of business chat and breakfast – including a 60-second pitch from each of us, a short thank-you and testimonial round, and a longer 10-minute presentation from one member. But let’s be honest – the coffee and breakfast might just be the highlight. It is the best meal of the day, after all!
My introduction to BNSL came courtesy of Simon from Beyond Beige, who asked me to step in for him while he was away. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but everyone was warm and welcoming – and yes, the breakfast was top-notch. I also recognised a familiar face in the group: Martin from Helios Web Design, the mastermind behind this brilliant website. He spoke highly of the group and encouraged me to consider joining.
Over the following year, I covered for a few more members, including Louisa from Bright Owl Copywriting. Each time, I was made to feel like part of the team. Eventually, after much deliberation (and a fair bit of umm’ing and ahh’ing), I decided to make it official and become a full member.
There was one particular Thursday morning that clinched it for me. As many business owners will understand, running your own company can be a bit isolating. I’m lucky to have the support of my wife, family, and friends – they’re wonderful – but it’s not quite the same as speaking with people who truly get the pressures of self-employment. That week had been especially tough. I didn’t say a word about it, but the group picked up on it straight away and offered me the kind of support that’s hard to explain, but deeply appreciated. Oh – and the breakfast was especially good that day too.
Lately, I’ve also been pushing myself outside of my comfort zone by creating videos for our YouTube channel. Public speaking isn’t something that comes naturally to me, but it’s a skill I’m determined to improve. I want to produce a solid library of video content to help both new and existing clients get a real feel for what we do at JFW Ltd, and how we work. It’s also a way of reaching more people – both locally and overseas. But to do that well, I need to build confidence. Weekly presentations at BNSL have already made a difference, and as Arnold Schwarzenegger says: “Do the reps.”
Since joining, I’ve even delivered my own 10-minute presentation on myself and JFW Ltd – and to my surprise, I actually enjoyed it! The support and encouragement from the group has been fantastic, and I hope I can give back as much as I’ve already received.
Wishing you all a great weekend!
