Networking for Introverted Creative Women in Business

A laid back (whisper it) networking event for introverted creative business owners who don’t really want to leave the house, but also crave connection and could probably do with some fresh air.

We reject the concept of stuffy conference rooms, name tags and elevator pitches. We just want to have a nice chat with some cool people and get out and about in our lovely city of Bristol. Also: tea and cake.

What: A short walk and café meet-up for informal networking

When: Thursday 13th July 2023, 10am - 11:30am

Where: Meet at Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, BS1 5TX

Route: A flat, wheelchair accessible loop around Bristol’s harbourside (30 minutes at a gentle pace)

Who: Introverted women creative business owners seeking community and connection

How much: £15 including one tea or coffee from Watershed café

By purchasing a ticket to this event, you agree to take full responsibility for your own safety on the walk.

What is it?

A walk around the harbourside (looking at large bodies of water is definitely good for the soul) where nobody will notice how much or little eye contact you’re giving them during your conversation, because you’re on the move!

Finishing up at Watershed for a drink (included in the ticket price) and a snack (up to you to purchase if you so choose) before heading home to lie down in a darkened room/stare into space in silence to recover from talking to actual real-life humans.

Who is it for?

Any woman who identifies as an introverted creative. You don’t need to be self-employed, although I imagine most people who attend will run their own creative business either part-time or full-time. You are more than welcome to come along if you work for a company and would like to meet new creative friends.

How many people will be there?

A maximum of 16 people plus me.

How will it be structured?

The walking route takes about 30 minutes at a gentle pace and we’ll spend an hour at Watershed, with the option to stay on longer if you’re having a great conversation, or if you want to work on your laptop after the event finishes.

As an introvert myself, I personally enjoy a bit of gentle structure to help me speak to more than one person at an event, so I will encourage you to swap around and chat to someone new about half way around the walk, then again when we reach the cafe. You can totally choose to ignore me, but the prompt will be there if you want it :)

How much does it cost?

Tickets are £15 which includes one drink from Watershed café. You are welcome to purchase additional drinks or snacks yourself.

What will I get out of it?

- Meet new people who relate to your experience of being an introverted creative

- Get away from your desk and breathe in some fresh air

- Feel inspired by the scenery and the conversations

- Connect with potential new friends, collaborators, and customers

- Enjoy a nice drink (and some food if you’d like it) in a lovely light-and-plant-filled café

Are the walk and café accessible?

I’ve planned a flat route that will be fine for all fitness levels and for anyone using a mobility aid. Watershed has a lift and disabled toilets, and they allow service dogs inside (no other dogs permitted). Please email me with your access needs and I’ll do my best to accommodate you.

Will there be more of these events in the future?

I don’t know yet! This is a trial run as I’m simply creating the thing I wish existed. If other people like it too, I’ll host more.

Can I ask you a question before I book?

Of course! If there’s anything at all you feel unsure about, or you’d like me to clarify something to help you decide whether to book onto this event, please email [email protected] and I’ll get back to you within 2 working days :)

Why I’m hosting my own networking event as an introvert (even though that word can send chills down the spine of a gal with social anxiety!) ?

Despite my resistance to leaving my house to speak to someone other than my dog, going out and meeting new people has led me to some of the most nourishing and supportive friendships with fellow small business owners ✨

However, the opportunities to meet people in an environment that I know I’d feel comfortable in are few and far between! Lots of business networking events are designed with extroverts in mind, or they just feel quite corporate, and not the right place for creatives ?

So, I wanted to create my own event that catered to those of us who would really rather stay at home, but deep down we crave the human connection and sense of community that we know can be available to us if we stretch ourselves just a little bit ?

The format I’ve chosen is “netwalking” because walking and talking with one or two people just feels so much less pressurised and anxiety-inducing for me than sitting straight down in a group. It allows me to relax and listen better because I’m not overthinking how much eye contact is the correct amount of eye contact! ?

After easing in by chatting on the move (and taking in the views on our route), we will then go to a lovely spacious cafe to continue our conversations. I imagine we’ll be there for about an hour, but there’s no pressure to stay. As we’re all introverts, everyone will get it if you say “My social battery is running low, I need to go home now.” ?

I’ve designed this event to suit people who cringe at the thought of traditional networking events, where you might have to stand up and introduce yourself to the whole room, or deliver a 60-second elevator pitch about your business ?

This event will be much more relaxed and informal, and you may only speak to a handful of people the whole time you’re there. It’ll be a chance to share stories with fellow introverted business owners, and feel seen and understood, in a judgement-free space ?

I hope you’ll join us! ?

Please message me if you’re at all unsure or nervous about booking and we can have a chat, introvert-to-introvert! ?

Host or Publisher Sophie Carefull