Community, growth, and brownies! What happens when women network in Somerset
Networking doesn’t have to be formal, feared, or far away. We spoke to Freelance Mum member and MomBoss Coach and Business Strategist, Jen Maynard about the power of local networking and why women in Somerset choose Freelance Mum.
Be your ‘whole self’
“What struck me when I attended my first Freelance Mum Mega Meet-Up at Somerset’s Tractors and Cream, was the beauty of the venue—in a place like that, it’s easy to leave the world behind and immerse yourself in the day.
“Inside the glamping pod, surrounded by FMs and other guests, I felt a tremendous sense of community and togetherness. There were no formalised business cards or forced business chat, and no ulterior motives. Coming from the corporate world, that was so refreshing—it was one of the first events I attended where I could be my whole self.”
A safe space: ‘Pretty damn magical’
“Since becoming a member, I have loved attending the netwalks. Being able to just be in nature, surrounded by people who get you, who will be your sounding board, and who will celebrate your wins, is pretty damn magical.
“At Freelance Mum events I feel 100% comfortable chatting and sharing because it’s a safe space. I’ve created beautiful friendships that are wider than business—we vent, share the highs and lows, and ride out the freelance journey together.
A lifeline to the Somerset business community
“In rural Somerset, it’s difficult to find networking opportunities that are local, accessible, approachable, and friendly, but still have that element of business. If I want to go to any other female networking groups, I’ve got to travel nearly an hour to Bristol or Exeter. They are also often in the evenings, which doesn’t work so well for many mums.
“If Freelance Mum wasn’t present in Somerset, I’d be really isolated. I can go to the Somerset Hub, and it doesn’t take up my whole day. It’s amazing to have a morning out in the fields with fellow FMs, sharing wins, and ideas, and of course, eating brownies! It doesn’t get much better than that. The Freelance Mum Somerset Hub is a lifeline to this community.”
Business growth
“Freelance Mum was the spark for me deciding to specialise in mums in business. I felt this was the space I wanted to be in, and the people I wanted around me. I wanted others to feel that, and that inspired the direction and growth of my business.
“I recently heard a great statistic: Word-of-mouth recommendations are five times more impactful than traditional advertising. And that is the power of Freelance Mum. You’ve got one person in front of you, but that person has 200 contacts. Freelance Mum has helped me build relationships and utilise the networks of my fellow FMs. And them mine, of course!
“Freelance Mum has not only been my community, but it’s where many of my clients, or contacts of clients, have come from.”
Purposefully different
“I meet many women who have avoided networking because of confidence, or because they perceive networking to be a more traditional, corporate experience with formal elevator pitches and prescribed introductions. But the networking game has changed, especially in the women’s space. Freelance Mum is purposefully different. And the main difference is that you can turn up as yourself. That is the essence of Freelance Mum.
“Freelance Mum is also one of the only networking communities where you can take your kids to events. I loved going to netwalks without mine but having the option to take them if you don’t have childcare is rare.”
Somerset and beyond
“My local hub is Somerset, but the joy of Freelance Mum is that it’s an established network across the Southwest, and once you’re a member you can go to any of the hubs. I’ve been to all of them, and the culture and ethos are always the same: You will feel welcomed and at ease at every event.
The power of networking
“Networking is an essential part of business on several levels. It builds confidence and gives us a safe space to practise how we’re positioning our business. Businesses constantly evolve, so we need to talk about what we offer and how we add value. Doing that on a social post is so one-dimensional in comparison to being able to talk through your value face-to-face.
“What sticks in people’s minds is how you make them feel. That’s why networking needs to be a fundamental strand of your attraction strategy. When you’re face-to-face, having a real conversation and sharing your reality, you can really connect and start to build trust and lasting relationships. That human connection makes people remember and talk about you when you’re not in the room. It will pay dividends, both personally and in your business.
“If you’re just starting in business and feeling unsure about networking, my advice is to embrace the new way of networking and find the courage to do it for the first time. If you’re feeling nervous, contact a few other people who are going to an event and arrange a 1:1 or a coffee beforehand.
“We all need business friends who get it. Networking gives you that community of people who can help you in your business life: People modelling how to do it, and people encouraging you. I’ve got that from Freelance Mum and the Somerset Hub.”
Freelance Mum’s approach to networking is about more than finding new business. We are a safe space to give and get support, offload, feel a sense of community and raise each other up.
Find out more about Freelance Mum in-person networking for mums in Somerset and across the Southwest.
