EVENT REVIEW: Stylist : "Confidence. The Final Frontier."
The night before last Anastasia Scott and I (both Client Service Directors at Kindred) went to the second Stylist (http://www.stylist.co.uk/) networking event; Confidence: The Final Frontier.
As well as a fine selection of canapés (well it was hosted at Claridges (http://www.claridges.co.uk) !), there was a great line up of entrepreneurial speakers: Sara Murray – Buddi (http://www.buddi.co.uk), Lisa Stickley - Lisa Stickley, London (http://www.lisastickleylondon.com/) and Jo Newton - Newton Network (http://www.newtonnetwork.com/), Jessica Huie - JH Public Relations (http://www.jhpr.co.uk/) & Colour Blind Cards (http://www.colorblindcards.com/), Kanya King MBE, MOBO Awards (http://www.mobo.com/awards) and Lisa Merrick-Lawless, Stylist. (http://www.stylist.co.uk/)
One thing that really stood out was how many obstacles these incredibly successful women had overcome. Two were single teenage mums, most had overcome initial failure in their business, all had been told they’d never make it. What they had in common, was not (they claimed!) any amazing talent, or a unique idea; it was simply hard work. Words like “persistence”, “stamina”, “passion”, “dedication” and “strength” came up again and again. As Kanya King said; “if you do what it takes for as long as it takes, success is inevitable.” I found that very inspiring.
Another thing that came across was the power of networks – Jessica Huie had started her career at Max Clifford Associates, and so had a fantastic network and Kanya King had built networks through sheer persistence – calling Tony Blair’s office repeatedly until he eventually agreed to attend her first event. She also advised of the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive, likeminded people. And Lisa Merrick-Lawless demonstrated a technique overlaying a mind-map of everyone you know onto a mind-map of your business, to see who could help you.
Inspired and motivated; we set about networking. I was once advised to go to networking events seeking what you can give rather than what you can get, and by this measure, we did quite well! I met a lady who wanted to know more about media buying / selling and invited her along to a lunch with one of our media partners, we gave some PR ideas to a lady setting up a dating site for Northeners, and we hooked up a wedding cake designer with a wedding stationery designer.
Fingers crossed for some good karma!
- Katie Treggiden
