The Women in Business Regional Network provides connection, training, support, promotion and advocacy for women in business in regional areas of South Australia.
Formed in October 2017, the network currently has regular functions in Victor Harbor (dinners and lunches), Strathalbyn (dinners), Murray Bridge (lunches), Yorke Peninsula (dinners), McLaren Vale (dinners and lunches), Riverland, Port Pirie, Adelaide Hills as well as online networking and training opportunities.
In a nutshell, this is what it’s about:
- We do not have any committees or fundraising;
- You don’t need to be a financial member to attend our functions;
- A core belief is that every person who attends our functions has something to offer someone else; they just might not realise it yet;
- We don’t talk a different language or use hip terms or abbreviations; we are about providing practical solutions we can each use in our day to day lives and businesses;
- We recognise that being a woman in business creates additional challenges most men in business don’t face;
- We celebrate the fact that women are different from men, and don’t transform women into men to succeed;
- We embrace the fact that many women in business also have personal commitments and demands which they juggle on a day to day basis alongside their business life;
- We recognise that not everyone has a loud voice, but everyone has a need to have their concerns and views heard;
- We celebrate the fact that women contribute to businesses in a variety of ways and welcome business owners, managers, staff and those dreaming of owning their own business;
- We encourage collaboration among women in business in regional areas because it is often through collaboration that businesses can flourish, but pave the way for good, strong and positive friendships.
Our events focus on networking, but usually include a learning component, or an inspirational speaker, with active participation from attendees. Topics are focused on business as well as staying healthy for your business and personal life too. Speakers are often drawn from within the network itself.
The network was started by SA Woman Australia Community Award winner Carolyn Jeffrey as a social enterprise because she recognised a need for regional women in business to break the isolation and to be able to access practical learning experiences and meaningful connections on a cost-effective basis.
“I have lived and worked in regions across Australia for almost all of my life, so can relate to the challenges they face,” Carolyn says.
“I was mindful that women in business are often too busy to take on yet another committee role alongside their business, community and family commitments.
“I love watching women in regional areas in business flourish, and I particularly enjoy being able to help them to have their voice heard.”
