Meet Our Hosts
We have an amazing team of hosts – female entrepreneurs just like you, who make our events a success.
Claire Baker
Online & Lichfield, Staffordshire
Hi, I’m Claire. Together with Colette Bratton, I co-founded Small Business Vibes networking back in September 2023. We run the online and Lichfield meetings. There is a lunchtime and an evening online meeting. The lunchtime meeting is on the first Thursday lunchtime of the month, and the evening meeting is on the second Wednesday evening of the month – and both are run on Zoom.
I’m an accredited Personal Performance Coach for life and business, a certified journal therapist and a professional trainer for the NHS MPFT Wellbeing and recovery college.
My business is The Journal Vibe and I combine the power of coaching with the power of journaling to help raise self-awareness to a level that my clients have described as “mind-blowing”. Through The Journal Vibe, I provide one-to-one coaching, group workshops, self-paced courses and have two memberships The Journal Vibe Club andFind Your Vibe Business Club.
Colette Bratton
Online & Lichfield, Staffordshire
Hi, I’m Colette. Together with Claire Baker, I co-founded Small Business Vibes networking back in September 2023. We run the online and Lichfield meetings. There is a day and an evening networking event in Lichfield. The morning meeting (9.30am – midday) is every third Tuesday of the month, and the evening meeting is on the fourth Tuesday on the month (6.30pm-9pm) at The Brewhouse & Kitchen in Lichfield,
When not working on Small Business Vibes, I run Small Business Equaliser, to help make marketing simpler for female solo entrepreneurs, offering affordable marketing strategy, support and training. Visit www.smallbusinessequaliser.com for all the details.
I also run a Marketing Training Academy, plus has published a Marketing Planner and a To-Do Log, to help entrepreneurs get more organised and less overwhelmed which are sold on Amazon.
Sophie Dyer
Groby, Leicestershire
Hi I’m Sophie Dyer. I’m proud and excited to be your Small Business Vibes networking host in Groby, Leicestershire.
I host meetings at The Stamford Arms in Groby on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10am – 12.30pm. Schedule a little more time to stay for lunch and a chat after the meeting ends because the food is lush!
When I’m not wearing my hosting hat, I’m networking as Sophie Dyer – Thinking Partner. I remind business owners of the value of stopping work and stepping back for an hour to think more strategically about a challenge or situation or taking half a day to do a deep dive into planning and strategy. My sessions are led by your needs in the moment and structured and prompted with tarot cards for clarity, idea generation, disrupting old thought patterns and finding solutions and your next steps. They are playful and fun and can be fluid enough to work through new ideas that come up. It’s exciting stuff. Find out more at www.sophiedyer-thinkingpartner.com
Sophie Shelley
Mere Green, Birmingham
Hi, I’m Sophie Shelley and I am your Small Business Vibes host in Mere Green. I run meetings at The Four Oaks in Mere Green on the first Monday of every month from 10am-12.30pm (unless it’s a bank holiday week then we shift the meeting back to the week after!). If you’re local, I hope to see you soon.
When I’m not hosting, I’m an Image Consultant with House of Colour, covering the Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield area. I provide both colour and style analysis and also wardrobe edits and personal shopping.
I can help you to discover your own unique style, so you confidently know what clothes and colours work for you, so you can effortlessly build a wardrobe that works for you every day. I help you to look and feel amazing, leaving you empowered to dress confidently and feel inspired. Find out more at www.houseofcolour.co.uk/stylist-profile/sophie-shelley
Tina Hart Prieto
Cannock, Staffordshire
Hi, I’m Tina Hart Prieto and I’m your host for Small Business Vibes Networking in Cannock, Staffordshire, holding meetings at the Shoal Tavern every second Thursday of the month 10am-12,30pm.
I’m also a personal brand photographer, I specialise in capturing the essence of your brand with passion, creativity and a sprinkle of fun! I’m all about crafting captivating visual stories that speak directly to your brand’s unique vibe and values. From campaign photography that stops the scroll to headshots that radiate confidence, I’m here to ensure your business shines bright in every frame. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas over a cup of coffee or getting snap-happy at your next event, I can help you elevate your brand with stunning, on-brand imagery and I have a list of packages, from headshots to mini sessions to one offs and seasonal packages. Find out more at https://capture24.co.uk
Helen Emery
Winchester, Hampshire
Hi, I’m Helen. I’m your host for Winchester, and I run meetings every fourth Thursday at The King Charles in Kings Worthy from 9.30am – midday.
I’m also the owner of The Painted Dragonfly, a mobile pottery painting business allowing you to create beautiful, bespoke pottery from the comfort of your own home.
I live just outside Winchester with my husband and my young son. Prior to running my own business, I was a Chartered Engineer, and spent the last twelve years of employment working as a civilian for the MoD. I hung up my hard hat and steel toe caps in April 2021 to concentrate on growing my business.
You can find out more at https://thepainteddragonfly.co.uk
Emma Sails
Glossop, Peak District
Hi! I’m Emma, and I’m an accredited health and life coach working with neurodivergent adults and parents of neurodivergent children, to help them achieve what they want in their lives and feel confident and happy. I work with clients through 1:1 or group coaching, and have some On Demand resources around the topic of Exploring Neurodiversity available through my website.
Emma Sidney
Exmouth, Devon, East Sussex
Hi, I’m Emma Sidney and I run the Exmouth Small Business Vibes networking meeting, which runs every third Thursday of the month.
I’m also a business designer, and founder of the Sparkle Society. I moved from the Midlands down to Exmouth, Devon to enjoy coastal living with my husband and toddler. I am an enthusiast of alpacas, cake, Christmas, and Masterchef, and I bring my vibrant passions into my work.
At Sparkle Society, I empower solopreneurs and small business owners to excel in email marketing and crafting captivating offerings. With a mission to dismantle barriers of tech and time, I champion feel-good funnels that resonate with authenticity.
My goal is to ensure service-based women in business can thrive, balancing impact and lifestyle effortlessly. Find out more at www.emmasidney.co.uk
Wendy Jones
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire
My meeting runs every 1st Tuesday of the month at the Rose Cottage Tearooms from 9:30 – 12:00. The tearoom serves breakfast and lunch, and I can personally vouch for the carrot cake – it’s fabulous!
I met Claire and Colette at my first-ever in-person networking event! To say I was nervous was an understatement — but that only lasted about 5 seconds. Everyone was so welcoming! It was great fun and I made a ton of amazing new contacts. So good in fact, that here I am hosting my very own meeting!
When I’m not hosting and networking, you’ll find me buried behind my keyboard. My business is copywriting — helping you find the words you need to attract and nurture your dream clients. You can find out more at my website www.wendyannjones.com
Hope to see you soon!
Ruth Lane
Stafford, Staffordshire
Hello, I’m Ruth Lane and I’m your Small Business Vibes Host for Stafford, Staffordshire.
Our Stafford meetings are held at the Knot & Plough Pub on Weston Road and are on the third Monday of every month from 10am until 12.30pm.
Outside of Small Business Vibes, I am a Bio Sculpture Nail Technician and I am here to work with clients to ensure your nail health is as tip top as it should be. And, let’s not forget your feet! They work super hard for us every day so I treat them to a bit if pampering too.
When I’m not doing that, I am also an Independent Scentsy Consultant. With kids, cats and dogs, I needed a safer way to fragrance my home and Scentsy is it! And now I help others fragrance their home.
Helen Haslam
Whitehaven, West Cumbria
Hi there, I’m Helen Haslam and I am your Small Business Vibes host in West Cumbria. I run meetings at Moresby Hall, just outside Whitehaven on the second Thursday of every month from 9:30am-12pm.
I stumbled upon Small Business Vibes after searching for a friendly networking group following a couple of bad and non-inclusive experiences at other groups. Networking was something I was always apprehensive of, and I felt there must be more people like me who fear networking and just want to find a friendly group, so I thought, why not create one; this led me to a call with Claire and Colette where I completely related to their values, and the rest is history!
Outside of Small Business Vibes, I run a freelance PA service, working remotely for clients all over the world. Having 20 years of experience working as a high-level Executive Assistant, I took the decision to work as a Remote PA/Virtual Assistant over three years ago, and since then have worked for clients such as the NHS, a healthcare company, start up entrepreneurs, celebrity sportsman, High Net Worth Individuals and a famous artist to name a few, but my main focus is working with small businesses or individuals who really need help with their admin, but just don’t have the budget for a full time PA. Many of my clients say “if I could just buy an extra hour in the day, but you can’t buy time” I believe you can, you can buy my time! I know how stressful it is running a business and working in your business, so I love to help win back business owners time to allow them to spend that as they wish. More information about me can be found on the links below.
Based in the Lake District, my first passion is of course walking, and when not working I can often be found exploring the Lake District mountains, along with my two spaniels. I’m also very passionate about learning, and am always taking on courses, both to improve my knowledge personally, and career related.
Rie Pearson
Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
Hello. I’m Rie (pronounced Reee) and I’m delighted to be your Small Business Vibes host in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside.
Our meetings are in the Dil and the Bear, Metro Station, Whitley Bay on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 9.30am – 12pm. Please schedule a little more time to stay for lunch and a chat because the food is fabulous!
Outside of hosting SBV meetings, I’m founder of Be Kind. No Excuses, a domestic abuse prevention community interest company where we work with teenagers to help them understand red flag behaviours in relationships.
I run two courses. ABC – Self Awareness, Self Belief, and Self Confidence for teenage girls, and Find your Voice in Relationships – for survivors of abuse.
I’m also co-founder of WOW! Women Only Wellness Ltd where we host wellbeing events to help people connect and understand what their self-care looks like.
I live in Whitley Bay with my husband and little dog, Pablo. Prior to running my own business, I was a police officer for 27 years and I specialised in domestic abuse and safeguarding.
You can find out more at riepearson.com and womenonlywellness.com
Lisa Hibberd
Charnwood, Leicestershire
Hello. I’m Lisa and I’m very excited to be your Small Business Vibes host at Six Hills in Charnwood, Leicestershire.
Our meetings are in the The Flying Goose Coffee Shop, on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 9.30am – 12pm. The Flying Goose is set beside an open water swimming lake, with homemade cakes and a delicious lunch menu, you may want to plan a little more time to stay for lunch and a chat because the food and view are stunning!
Outside of hosting SBV meetings, I am a Mortgage and Protection advisor and also a Utility Warehouse distributor. I get such a pleasure from helping people to get the best deals and ensure they have the best financial wellbeing.
I live in Barrow upon Soar, with my husband, two wonderful kids, who give me the motivation every day to continue to strive forward and show them that there are other ways than being employed to succeed in life and am very proud to advocate the benefits of working for yourself. I love the freedom it allows me and have never missed an assembly, sports day or important moment – I will forever be thankful for this. Also, at home we have a cat called Marnie and rabbits, Midnight and Oreo.
I have been running my Utility Warehouse business since January 2019 alongside family life, I worked part time as a Finance Director, and it was thanks to the additional income I earnt from UW that I was able to leave my employed role in September 2023 and retrain as a Mortgage and Protection Advisor. I love how the two work so well with each other and that I can offer such a helpful service to my clients.
You can find out more at uw.partners/lisa.hibberd or vickersyoung.co.uk
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