We have literally had hundreds attend our business networking events!  They have been held all over the borough from monthly coffee catchups, to summer and winter affairs hosted at the Town Hall, Vestry House Museum and the Wm Morris Gallery, to name just a few.   A particularly memorable event was an amazing night of fun noisy networking at the House of Commons with Stella Creasy MP, Harriet Harman QC, MP and Baroness Oona King setting the tone of the evening.  More images here.

The network has facilitated a number of workshops over the past 10 years.  This has included those for creative businesses with Artillery (founders of the E17 Art Trail) and The Growth Series, with Enterprise Nation & THP Accountants. However by far the biggest programme was with Waltham Forest Central Library where a whopping 30 workshops were run. 

With so many creative business owners in the borough, it makes sense to make ourselves known and see how we can collaborate.  Creative Exchange has aimed to do that, bringing together creative professionals at three events so far hosted by Blackhorse Ateliers, Elbow Creative and Gnome House.​  Read more.

Nick Bertram of Stow Film Lounge and his then business partner became our very first overall Waltham Forest Small Business Competition winner.  Their business polled 234 votes our of 640 to win! There are six category winners and then one overall winner that have won prizes, publicity and a much coveted promotional banner they can include in their marketing.  Previous winners have included Build, Paul Henry Architects,   Read more here.

We've always known that there thousands of brilliant small businesses in our borough.  So when the opportunity came up to write about them, it was an opportunity we could not miss!  The Waltham Forest Echo is distributed throughout the borough and the business column showcases great businesses and their owners throughout.  See who's been featured: WF Echo Business Column

So many people have helped to make the network happen! Big thanks to Sunita Gangoo who has been there from the start, Stef Lowry, Pat Howie and Liz Fenton for encouragement, the Wm Morris Gallery for collaborating with us on Christmas events, Stella Creasy and Clare Coghill, and many, many more who have supported the network over the years.

One of the outcomes of being a well connected network has been to attract opportunities with organisations who wish to engage with SMEs in Waltham Forest.  This has given us the opportunity to work with organisations such as East London Business Place, Cavendish Consortium (now NWES) and Waltham Forest Council, Newham Council, University of East London to name a few.

Over 200 people in the Borough of Havering have been supported in the past 19 months to turn an idea into business and grow their young enterprise through the Havering StartUp support programme. The programme moves into its final three months so apply now if you'd like 2018 to be the year to become your own boss!
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In 2017 over 600,000 people started a business and benefited from the freedom and flexibility that comes with working for yourself. Is this the year you're considering getting started? If so, access free support including events, consultation calls with advisers, webinars and newsletters through the Havering StartUp support programme, delivered by Enterprise Nation with backing from Havering Borough Council.
 
In the past year the programme has supported over 200 people including former city law firm PA Kate Sunderland who now runs virtual PA firm In Harmony Virtual Assistance from a shed in her Hornchurch garden, and Upminster-based former city IT marketeer Vikki Kavanagh who gave up the rat race after discovering the benefits of yoga in her early 30s.  The mum-of-two now runs private classes across the borough via her business Heartfelt Yoga, including at The Old Chapel in Upminster, to families, children, teenagers, adults as well as classes teaching chair-based yoga techniques to those with limited mobility.
 
The programme has delivered 2,000 hours of mentoring via regular small business drop-ins at Havering Town Hall with Jo Sealy, founder of marketing firm To Market and founder of the Waltham Forest Business Network
 
It also offers participants free tickets to StartUp 2018 on January 13 at Queen Mary's University in Mile End, London. This epic day-long event features 100+ speakers across 12 zones and delivers all you need to start a business in the space of a day. Choose talks on topics from sales to PR, master facebook and instagram, be inspired by keynote entrepreneurs and meet start-ups just like you!
 
Access your free ticket and sign up to the start-up programme now at www.enterprisenation.com/havering  

We had a great turnout for the Christmas networking event at the Wm Morris gallery on Friday 24th November 2017.

Thanks to our event sponsor Estates17 and to the speakers from Link4Growth, Hive Collective and WF Connected for sharing information about their own networks.  Delicious Bellini drinks from Woodford and Warner added to the festive mood!   Also thank you Niamh and Savannah from Holy Family Sixth Form and Jodi Grier for meeting and greeting guests and generally being super helpful!       ​Images credit: Penny Dampier 

The Waltham Forest Business Network will be holding a Christmas networking event on 24th November in the gorgeous surroundings of the William Morris Gallery. 

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: Register Here
The Waltham Forest Business Network is a private business network of business owners and those with an interest in the borough and East London. We aim to increase our network of contacts, improve the way we run our businesses and network with like-minded individuals. Established for over 7 years the network has held workshops and networking events that support and connect businesses throughout the borough. 

Come for drinks, nibbles & influential speakers, meet other local businesses & creatives, then stay for the E17 Designers Christmas Market.
​Kickstart your Yuletide! 

Proposed schedule: 
5 - 5.15 - Arrivals 
5.15 - 5.30 pm - Speakers
5.30 - 6.30 - Networking
6.30 - Gallery opens for Christmas Late