The Power of Networking - Jen & Linda Talk About Their Networking Group 'The Village'

The Jen Lister Podcast

I am joined by Linda McNeil, who is my partner in crime as founder of The Village networking group, that we now run together!
The Village is a sparky, supportive and super friendly networking group for people running small businesses.
Running your own business can be a lonely affair at times and being in a group like The Village gives you 'colleagues' to bounce your ideas off in a safe environment with others who totally 'get it'.
Our aim is to give our members the tools to grow a thriving business sustainably while still prioritising your own health and wellbeing.
The Village is a monthly online networking group, with in person meets throughout the year too. We are based around the Chelmsford area in Essex, England.
In this episode of the podcast we cover everything you need to know about The Village:
Linda talks about why she set up The Village in the middle of Covid to help with loneliness.
We talk about how we have run The Village together since the start of 2022 and what the journey has been like so far.
We share about the format of The Village and about our members.
We share about our meetings on the first Thursday of the month and some of the incredible speakers we’ve had so far.
We talk about the in person events we’ve help this year, including brand photography and our upcoming event - the re-TREAT (July 2022).
We also vulnerably share some of the challenges and successes we’ve had along the journey so far!
We hope this episode will inspire you to find out more about The Village and get in touch if you are interested in joining.
Find out more about The Village:
Website: www.jenlister.com/the-village
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/thevillagenetworking
Tickets for our event the re-TREAT - 10th July 2022 in Chelmsford, Essex:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-village-re-treat-tickets-334545333097
With workshops from the amazing Steph Grainger
https://stephgrainger.co.uk/
…And Holly Radford
www.Instagram.com/jeangenie_denim
…With food from Elite scones
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057515376523
Our brand photography events have offered our members mini photo shoots with these incredible photographers:
Hiral Jethwa:
https://hj-photography.co.uk/
www.Instagram.com/hjbrandingstories
Kika Mitchell:
https://kikamitchellphotography.co.uk/
www.Instagram.com/kikamitchellphotography
At our last brand photography event we had Lauren and Steph record their podcast ‘Life Unpacked’ live:
Podcast link:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1906295
The Village Live Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1906295/10212373
The Village book club is a bonus for our members and we are currently reading Daring Greatly by Brene Brown:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1592408419/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=0a23bf83-b249-40b4-aabe-8a0369c01bdf
Some of the amazing speakers we have had so far:
Olivia Simmons - Social Media Manager and TikTok expert from OLS Marketing
www.OLSmarketing.com
www.Instagram.com/olsmarketing
Abi Hugo - Social Media Influencer from The White Thistle
https://thewhitethistle.com/
www.Instagram.com/thewhitethistle
Julia Leech-Howlett at Two Hoots Digital - website and digital marketing agency
https://m.facebook.com/TwoHootsDigitalAgency/
Linda McNeil runs a hypnobirthing business - check her out here:
Website: www.bunintheovenbirthing.co.uk/
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/bunintheoven.positivebirthprep