A NEW ladies networking group, to support women in business, has arrived in Bridport.

The launch event was hosted by Lisa Eastwood from Lyme Bay Ladies and Emma Conway-Hyde from The Umbrella Tree and saw over 30 business-savvy ladies in West Dorset come together.

Lyme Bay Ladies was established two years ago as an alternative to more formal networking and Emma recognised a need for a regular event in Bridport, hence the partnership was born.

Lisa began Lyme Bay Ladies in October 2015 to try and bring ladies together for friendship, support and business networking.

The network now has more than 1,500 women supporting each other online and at regular events.

Lisa said: “The incredible impact of the kindness, honesty and professionalism of like minded, inspirational women networking together has been the key to our success. I know many ladies, myself included, have benefitted from being part of Lyme Bay Ladies and my wish is to help and support many more.”

The Umbrella Tree was founded in May 2016. Emma who has over 20 years of experience as an administrator and PA now provides business support to time poor busy entrepreneurs, solopreneurs and small business owners on a virtual level, cutting down on costly overheads.

The company now offers PA and business support, email marketing, social media support and event and project coordination and web design.

Emma said: “Since working for myself I have received so much support from other inspirational women. I wanted to be able to bring a women’s only networking event to Bridport so that other business women could visit, network, promote their businesses and find the same sort of support that I have received from others in the last 18 months. So, after approaching Lisa and collaborating with Lyme Bay Ladies here we are”.

The network is designed to provide a safe place where women can feel comfortable to talk about what they do and hand over as many business cards as they can.

The group will meet on the third Friday of every month between 9:30am and 11:30am at A G Down at 66 South Street, Bridport. The next meeting will be on Friday, November 17.

Tickets include refreshments and cost £3 for Lyme Bay Ladies members and £5 for members. All profits will go to charity The Project who support young people's struggling with their mental health.

For more information contact emma@theumbrellatree.co.uk or lisa@lymebayladies.co.uk.

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e: caroline.lewis@dorsetecho.co.uk

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