Entreprenuers share inspiring journeys at networking lunch

More than 100 women joined North West editor Shelina Begum at TheBusinessDesk.com Women in Business Networking Lunch this week.

The event at Manchester Hall heard the inspiring and insightful journeys of Jennie Johnson MBE, founder of My First Five Years, Beckie Taylor, founder of Tech Returners and Rachel Coxon, Chief People Officer at MusicMagpie.

Jennie Johnson spoke about how the need for childcare led her to launch her own nursery chain, Kids Allowed, which she grew to eight sites before selling it to Kids Planet two years ago.

Having decided to ‘retire’ she came out of retirement soon after to launch edtech business, My First Five Years, which helps parents navigate the first five years of their child/children’s lives.

Beckie Taylor also spoke about her own journey of returning to work after having her first child and experiencing the challenges of returning to a fast-paced environment where technology had moved on while also experiencing a loss of confidence while having a career break.

She wanted to help other women who were also experiencing the same challenges which led her to launch Tech Returners.

Rachel Coxon spoke about navigating plenty of challenges in her career in HR before finally finding a ‘home’ at MusicMagpie where she has been instrumental in creating a people led strategy.

The Networking Lunch was held in partnership with law firm JMW and Be the Business.

Women in Business Lunch with TheBusinessDesk.com at Manchester Hall, Manchester.

Shelina said: “These events are a chance to not only network with other amazing women, but to feel inspired by some of the region’s brilliant entrepreneurs and business figures.

“We heard honest stories that were inspiring and energising and with more than 100 women at the event showed us that there is a massive appetite for these networking lunches and I’m looking forward to hosting many more this year.”