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 ?

 

 

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 :)

4 home based businesses – who said it couldn’t be done?

Once upon a time – a business was for life – not so anymore!. Having worked hard in my 30 year teaching career – during which I ran my own nursery for 21 years – I turned to becoming a book lady – selling children’s books via stalls at local events and book parties. When the book company moved the goal posts after I had built my business for 7 years, I decided to leave and then at the age of 58 I had to look for new ways of earning an income. I found other home based businesses and set up several. I decided to spread my eggs into several baskets. There was criticism but at the end of the day – it’s my life and I have to do what’s right for me. What is right for me is not necessarily right for others.

Read more

A Picture of a Poem – a Poetry and Photography exhibition with a difference.

Last night, I was delighted to be invited to attend The Picture of a Poem, an exhibition out on at Dimbola lodge, which is part of my Wightbuzz network. What a treat we had in store. We met two very talented young men who presented their poetry and photography.

I would like to introduce you to Sam Scadgell & Harrison Wavell

 

It was an absolute delight to be part of this preview evening.