About Lyn

I'm a fun-loving granny, mother of 3 and granny of 5. I have a teaching background of 30 years and having nurtured little ones, I love to nurture bigger people - helping them to grow in confidence and grow their businesses. I help raise their visibility and brand awareness with social media and out of the box thinking. I am known as the #Golivegranny as I have been live streaming on a regular basis since August 2016 when - I live-streamed the Ryde Carnival on a completely blank page on facebook. My son, Tristan taught me how and helped me to get in front of 1000 viewers on that first broadcast. I now Livestream as many Isle of Wight events as I can on https://facebook.com/isleofwight.live and I have a regularly broadcast at 10 pm on https://facebook.com/golivegranny and the audiences both are growing on an almost daily basis. The #golivegranny community has become an amazing group of people - a friendly and supportive group. I will add to the blog about what happens and what is achieved through this group. You will learn about some amazing things achieved.

Out with the old and in with the new

Out with the old and in with the new

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As I saw out 2015 with friends and welcomed in 2016, I reflected on what had been quite a difficult year. I left my church, I also left a voluntary group where I helped to feed the hungry and the homeless and I left my Rotary group. These were not things I had intended to do at the beginning of the year but sadly there are those who thought it wise to try and bully me. Having spent 30 years of my life as a teacher during which time I worked very hard to discourage all bullying, there was no way I was going to succumb to adults  who should have known better – long story short – I removed myself and took my skills with me. In my church I had been holding 6 posts (not something I wanted but posts were not being filled) including social media manager. One of those organisations had others who managed the social media, but the other two didn’t and as noone came forward – those facebook pages and twitter streams now lie dormant.

 

These situations occurred during the early part of the year and as they weren’t among my happiest memories, I will not continue further discussion as it will serve no purpose. The only reason I mention them were they happened during 2015. It is so good to see them go – out with the old and in with the new.

 

On a much happier note, my son Tristan and I have continued to build our business Allthingsnetworking.com For those who don’t know, for 5 years I ran Wightbuzz – a networking and business support group and in 2014 my son. Tristan suggested we put our skills together and create a global network group – Allthingsnetworking.com

 

 

As with all businesses it hasn’t been without it’s challenges however, we ran a very successful conference in the UK in September when Tristan flew over to join me.

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We had some glowing testimonials and have been asked to run another one. We continued to build the group both on and offline.

 

I am pleased to say we enter the new year, I am delighted to say we have a string of  new clients wanting to join us . I am having great fun learning all the new social media platforms – periscope, blab and now snapchat and my son amuses himself watching me – at the ripe old age of 65, teaching 20 and 30 years olds all the latest platforms. I love teaching others – it is in my blood! I used to teach little people now I am a business mentor and digital strategist teaching the bigger people. I look forward to 2016 with great excitement as my son and I plan for an awesome year helping our clients to grow their businesses. At a time when most people think of retiring – I can’t wait. – I am very much looking forward to out with the old and in with the new . Times they really are achanging – and very much for the better.

 

 

This is post 1 of the thirty day blogging challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time to celebrate our 5th birthday.

It’s time to celebrate our 5th birthday

5th birthday

5 years ago today I founded Wightbuzz - unable to find the right networking group when I started amy new business as I emerged from a long dark tunnel, I set up my own. Times were hard and life stressful but undaunted I grew my network- 5 years on I have helped well over 200 businesses to make good connections earning the title The Connection Queen along the way. They also called me Mummy Buzz as I nurtured new businesses as I buzzed around .

me with banner and atn small banner

 

Members have come and gone as their needs changed. Many have remained.The successes are many -Graham Reading Photography  has made many connections but one of the best was for the Mardi Gras. I was to be a VIP guest at the lunch before the Mardi Gras (I’m Chair of the Ryde Business association) and I was in front of my computer during the morning. I spotted a cry for help – The allotted photographer was unable to cover the event and there was an appeal opn social media. I knew Graham was covering the round the Island Yacht race from a boat in the solent but I contacted him to see if he could help. He thought he could but wasn’t sure he would be there right at the start. I put him in contact with the New Carnival Company and they engaged him. Things turned a little hairy as Graham was still in Cowes (having to negotiate very heavy traffic as the MArdi Gras started from the top of Ryde ) All was not lost as I kept him up to date with what was happening and he managed to come round a different way so he didn’t get stuck behind the procession. He managed to catch up with the parade and get pictures of the whole parade .Our service was much appreciated.

Another success story that has appreciated our networking is Neil Southwell of Oasis said  “And without you, I wouldn’t be working for Wightlink and Bestival.” What a lovely testimonial that was at our Let’s Leverage conference –

In 2014, my son Tristan (who lives in Australia), suggested we join forces with my networking skills and his social media skills and we have now become a global brand Allthingsnetworking.com – we are able to offer 24/7 support to our members – so today it is time to celebrate and its double celebrations as I have been shortlisted in the Venus awards. – influential woman category. I have just been to face the camera –

face the camera

making a one minute recording to support my entry (and I thank the 4 people who nominated me) Now it’s on to a public vote in January.

 

So here is to the next 5 years as we build our brand globally – helping businesses to grow and prosper – leading them through the social media minefield and helping them master all the latest platforms – Currently we are embracing livestreaming such as periscope and blab and now we are working on snapchat.

why not check us out on facebook and twitter ?

 

 

Masqueryde

Masqueryde is a member of the Ryde Business Association and I took a trip round it using the periscope app. It is marvellous to be able to share our Ryde Shops with the world. Sally and Julie have provided costumes for school plays, giggly grannies shows fancy dress parties and for Bestival – the Biggest dressing up party in the world probably.

So check it out at – Masqueryde – a real Alladin’s Cave

 

 

Be sure to pay a visit whether you want to buy or hire :)

 

 

The Ryde Slide

The Ryde Slide

Wayne Whittle, deputy chair of Ryde Business Association , introduced the idea of a Ryde Slide a long time ago having been told about the Bristol Screamer. When he saw pictures of the Screamer, he realised it looked just like Union Street in Ryde and so why shouldn’t he arrange a giant water slide to raise money for charity. The idea was born and gathered momentum until finally on July 12th 2015 the day arrived. The roads were closed, the Ryde slide was set up and much fun was had by all. Julie and I (aka the Giggly Grannies) had no intention of riding – that was for others not for us – it would be too fast and scare the living daylights out of us. However, it appeared, on the day,  that The Ryde Slide was not as fast as we feared so we set off , raised about £60 in sponsorship for the Ryde Slide Trust  there and then and took to the slide. I hadn’t bought any spare clothes – good job I was offered a lift home :) Would we do it again? You bet!

Ryde slide

 

Shipwreck Isle

Shipwreck Isle

 

poster - ship wreck isleWhat a fun weekend. As chair of the Ryde Business association, I had the opportunity to promote Shipwreck Isle in Barclays Bank in Ryde two days before the event!

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It it was a fun day but not sure I’ll be invited back after holding up the bank manager

image  And staff – held to ransom for their pieces of 8 :)

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Barclays UK responded to my son’s tweet and commented on the fun we have in Ryde!

I also promoted the pirate day after the Mardi Gras as the town was packed with happy people many of whom had not heard about Shipwreck Isle coming to Ryde. Look who I met on my travels.

Jack sparrow lookalike Graham Stevens

Sunday arrived and Ryde was awash with swashbuckling Buccaneers

lots of prates

 

 

 

providing fantastic free family entertainment on Appley Beach all day with stalls to buy pirate items and fruit both very well supported . There were many Jack Sparrow lookalikes who happily posed for all those wishing to take photographs.

imageThe girls danced and the Samba band played

 

imageLots of fun was had by all

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and there were a lot of Jack Sparrow lookalikes who were happy to pose for photographs.

Lyn with two Jack sparrows

During the day it was estimated there were between 3000 and 4000 people and here Neil Southwell of Southwell photography‘s  picture shows many  of them . The event lasted from 11 until 6 .

 

southwell photography

Members of the Ryde Business association organised a pirate spotting competition in the town

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and Rhiannon of Costa coffee executed it. They also ran pirate activities to keep thje children amused.

Thanks to Costa coffee , Quakers about crafts, Kollective Gifts for donating prizes .

The event was organised by Visit Isle of Wight who did a marvellous job. It truly was a fun family day .

Thanks to Graham Reading for all the wonderful pictures and thank you to Masqueryde for my super duper pirate outfit.

 

And finally thank you to Graham Stevens – Jack Sparrow lookalike who gave the following testimonial when he noticed how much tweeting I had done to promote the Shipwreck Isle.

 

To say I had a fun day would be an understatement. So many things happening in Ryde. Ryde rocks :)

The Pirates are coming

 The Pirates are coming

That’s right I said the pirates are coming and I am taking my role as the Chair of Ryde Business Association quite seriously as you can see.. Shipwreck Isle if on 28th June and the pirates are coming so I thought it only right that I ought to be prepared. I have been to see Sally at Masqueryde, to order my pirate costume but thought I’d pop in and see Emma and Stuart at the Tourist Information Point in their shop, Kollective Gifts to see what “pirate” goodies they had.

the pirates are comingAs we looked around the shop we found quite a few “pirate” items.  We found flags

pirate flags

we found a pirate ship

pirate ship

cutlasses and hats and pirate buckets and spades. In the absence of eye patches, Stuart got creative and cut up a black piece of rubber to do the job. We planned a pirate spotting competition around the town with the help of Laura, Julie and Rhianon (manager of Costa coffee. There will be a lot of fun as we celebrate Shipwreck Isle as the pirates gather on Appley Beach 

poster - ship wreck isle

 

 

So as the chair of Ryde Business Association, I urge you all to come and enjoy yourself. For those of you across the water  board your ship and join us for what promises to be a very fun filled swashbuckling day with music, competitions, storytelling,renactment music, fun and laughter.

You arggggggh going to have a good time !  and what’s more its FREE.

 

 

 

 

The Podcast Sisters

Many years ago, when I was selling children’s books, Gary Cheeseman of WightMedia.Co.uk  taught  Polly of the Family Directory and me all about podcasting. We used to podcast with local businesses and had great fun promoting them. Now, quite a few years later, Gary and his wife Anne and Polly and I have linked up again and are now recording all sorts of podcasts. We three girls are can be found as The Podcast Sisters

Check out the latest podcast 

selfie

 

We had a great time but got a fit of the giggles when we had to take a selfie as our photographer was not available. We meet regularly to discuss issues in the news as well as other items like “green” products and shopping!

Giggly Grannies do world book day

Some of you will know I wear many hats. Today, it is World Book day

 

WBD2015_yellow_rightup

and I will be wearing my Giggly Granny hat – well actually more like a tiara. My wonderful friend Julie Jordan and I are known as the Giggly Grannies. We put the FUN into FUNDraising and get up to all sorts of mischief in the community. At Christmas, Rhiannon, the manager of Costa Coffee in Ryde, asked if we would do some story telling in the store to children.

 

costa coffee and ohoto frame We both have a background in child care so for us this was not a problem. So today – we are working on a pirates and princess theme and will be entertaining the troops after school. I’ll let you know how we get on. Now shiver me timbers it’s time for me to get going or I’ll be late. world book day 2015Why not follow us on twitter too @gigglygrannies and see how the Giggly Grannies do World Book day.

 

 

 

 

It’s the little things that count.

Blog Post 5 30 day Blog challenge

So often, it’s the little things that count. This morning, before I had even got out of bed, I had a phone call from a friend, checking I was ok. I had, for various reasons, decided to take a sabbatical from one of the groups I go to.

Phone

That phone call made such a difference. Not only that but the caller also said others were asking after me too. In this instance it was a call, sometimes it might be a card

i hear a cuddle is required

but whatever it is, it makes a difference as it’s the little things that count.

Can you recount a small guesture of kindness towards you that made a BIG difference to your day?

 

Networking doesn’t have to be serious.

Day 4 – 30 day blogging challenge

I have been to many networking groups in my time, and I have to say that some of them have been pretty stiff and starchy. Until recently , I was known as the Networking Guru of the Isle of Wight but more recently , Veronica Pullen, The Social Marketing  Queen also living on the Isle of Wight – gave me the more attractive title of the Connection Queen.

Now anyone who knows me, knows that I like to have fun – a day without laughter is a day wasted.

costa coffee and ohoto frame

 

Many will also know me as one half of the Giggly Grannies and together we put the fun into fundraising. Well just like life, networking doesn’t have to be serious.

Tonight, I have had another very successful Wightbuzz, networking meeting and it was anything but serious. There was some of the regular crowd and also, along came Paul as a visitor and potential member. I do encourage folk to try before they buy, to make sure we are the right fit. Paul is the Rodfather. He rods drains, unblocks toilets etc! If only I had known him on Boxing day!!! My mum had a houseful and we had an unfortuate blockage. Little did I know the rodfather comes out on bank holidays – didnt even know him – only actualy got chatting last night on facebook.

Well true to form, my lovely members made Paul feel at home immediately. The fun and banter started almost immediately – when I got his business name wrong and called him the Codfather by mistake (we have a local fish and chip shop that go by this name – and the old brain does get overloaded from time to time as Brian or is it George recently found out!! Brian and Sandy recently joined and have still stayed even though  for some reason I called him George!!! I’ll just put it down to being a poor old pensioner!! Well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. But I digress – and so back to tonight. The whole evening continued with lots of laughs and a great time was had by all. I am aware that my networking group wouldn’t suit everyone but we have certainly proved that networking doesn’t have to be serious.

It was such fun I decided to make a video to share.

Do you like to have fun networking?