Six Years at Bromley Business Network – And So Much More Than Business

It’s been nearly six years since I first joined Bromley Business Network (BBN). When I attended my first online meeting, I was simply looking for ways to grow our newly established web design and digital marketing business.I certainly wasn’t expecting that six years later, I’d be writing about the friendships, opportunities, support and experiences that have come from being part of this network.

So I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a little about my journey, thank some of the people who have made a difference along the way and explain why, even on a cold, dark winter morning, I still get up at 5am to attend BBN!

How it all started

When we first started Newgence, my business partner and I already had a couple of clients in the bag from the freelance work we’d been doing. We were keen to build on that and grow the business.

Having spent pretty much all my working life in the corporate world, I was reasonably well equipped when it came to sales, marketing and the basics of running a business. But building a small business from scratch? That was a different story altogether.

Business networking was something that kept coming up, so I decided to give it a go.

My first couple of networking meetings were actually online with a group based in Birmingham. They were good experiences, but it soon became obvious that I needed to find something a little closer to home.

A bit of searching online led me to Bromley Business Network, or BBN as we all know it, and I booked myself onto one of their online meetings.

Little did I know how much that decision would mean to us over the next six years.

A little bit of imposter syndrome!

One of the interesting things about BBN is that it’s a non-exclusive network. You can have more than one business from the same industry attending, and everyone gets the opportunity to introduce and promote their business.

Now, imagine being fairly new to running your own web design and digital marketing agency and finding yourself alongside a couple of other web designers and digital marketers who seemed absolutely brilliant at pitching their businesses.

I remember thinking how well they presented themselves, how confidently they spoke and how they seemed to capture everyone’s attention.

And there I was, with all my years of corporate experience, experiencing a bit of imposter syndrome!

Looking back, it was probably one of the best things for me. It made me think about how we presented ourselves, what made us different and, importantly, how to become more comfortable talking about our business.

Over time, I also realised something very important about networking.

People do business with people.

And that’s really what BBN has been about for me.

The people who have made a difference

Six years is a long time, and there are quite a few people who have played a part in our journey. I wanted to take this opportunity to mention some of them.

Nick Foreman was one of our earliest customers from the network. Nick has been incredibly supportive of Newgence over the years, recommending us to others and regularly singing our praises within the group. Having someone speak so positively about your work, particularly when you are still establishing your business, means a great deal.

Mark Perkins gave us the opportunity to build the Connected London website. But he also planted an idea that we hadn’t really considered at the time – offering customers the option to pay for their websites in instalments.

Chandra Sharma, the man who wears many hats! Chandra has introduced us to numerous businesses over the years and also connected us with Start Up Bromley. He’s one of those people who always seems to know someone who can help someone else.

Adam Powter of All4 Electrical has been with us for a couple of years now. Another business relationship that has grown through BBN and one that we really appreciate.

Marc Hooper gave us the opportunity to work on Your Mortgage Mate, which helped us build our portfolio in the mortgage advice sector. It also gave us further experience of something that comes with building websites for financial services businesses – having your work scrutinised by compliance teams! A valuable experience for us.

Mercedes Yearley gave our creative team the opportunity to work on Quest Soul Theatre. It was a lovely chance for us to step into a more creative space and expand the type of work we were doing.

Leigh Bennett of EJJB IT deserves a special mention for two reasons. Firstly, he installed a brilliant Deco mesh Wi-Fi system in my home, which still works flawlessly today. I can now work pretty much anywhere in the house without worrying about losing the Wi-Fi signal!
Secondly, Leigh has trusted us with his website and has gone on to recommend us to many of his own clients. That kind of trust between businesses is exactly what networking should be about.

Bayo Igoh of BiGOH Coaching has been another wonderful person to work with. Bayo regularly sends us his monthly blogs to publish, and we’ve recently given his website a complete revamp, with a new look and clearer direction around his executive business coaching. It’s a privilege to work with and support someone with Bayo’s experience and knowledge.

Then there’s Andy Carter of Frameation. Starting and growing a small business is difficult enough, but doing it while still holding down another job is something else altogether. That’s exactly what Andy has been doing.

It’s been fantastic watching his business develop – investing in new machinery, moving into premises and getting increasingly busy with his bespoke framing work.

Last, but certainly not least, James Broomfield of Our Technician.
James , our fundraising and charity superstar, and someone who seems to have an endless amount of energy when it comes to helping others.

James has brought us on board as his web design partners, opening up new opportunities and introducing us to businesses we may never have come across otherwise.

Sometimes it’s not even about business

Lauretta Wright gave my son, Ishan, a work experience opportunity.

As a parent, you always hope your children will do well when given an opportunity. But hearing Lauretta praise Ishan in front of the entire networking group was a particularly proud moment for me as a dad.

And I think that story sums up what makesBBN different. It’s not just about exchanging business cards, referrals or getting your next customer. It’s about the relationships you build and how people support one another beyond business.

And there’s free business coaching too!

Another benefit of being part of BBN, and one that’s definitely worth mentioning, is the opportunity to receive three free business coaching sessions.

These sessions are generously offered by four experienced coaches from the network – Bayo Igoh, Sonya Dilova, Ayesha Murray and Amanda McCarthy.

Now, when you’re running a small business, it’s not often that you get the opportunity to sit down with a professional coach, step away from the day-to-day running of the business and spend some time thinking about where you’re going and what you could be doing differently.

I’ve personally had coaching sessions with Sonya Dilova , and I want to take this opportunity to thank her.

It’s another example of how the network is about much more than simply finding your next customer.

The people who make BBN happen

I can’t write about six years of BBN without mentioning the people behind it.

BBN is a not-for-profit business networking group with no membership fees, no long-term commitments and no restrictions on competing businesses attending.

It’s run by three wonderful people – Chas Jordan, Susan Wright and David Spragg – who put in a huge amount of time and effort to make it all happen.

If you ever attend BBN, make sure you ask Chas how it all started. You’ll quickly appreciate his dedication to the network and the support he gives its members.

Chas has also been very supportive of me personally. In fact, it was his nudge that got me to submit a nomination for the ABBBAs . Sometimes we all need someone to give us that little push.

Susan has been incredibly supportive too, recommending us to her VA clients and helping open doors for us. And David, or Dave, has also been sending people our way.

The three of them also gave Newgence the opportunity to build a new website for BBN, which we continue to manage today.

There’s something really satisfying about hearing a new visitor say they found BBN through the website. And even better when they add that it’s a good website!

And of course, there are others who work behind the scenes to keep BBN going. Lesley Morrissey, who helps members with blog writing and looks after social media, along with Lauretta Wright , Faye Cox, Paul Spencer, Jayne Redgrave and others who help put together the newsletters, keep everyone informed and support the network in different ways.

Pete Bresser has been taking some great photographs of our meetings, many of which are used on the BBN website and social media, with Ally Whitlock and Andrew Dunsmore now getting involved with the photography too.

There’s more to BBN than networking

BBN started online for me, during the days when online meetings had become the norm. Once things opened up again after Covid, BBN moved back to in-person meetings while continuing to offer an online option.

Today, that combination works really well. You have the opportunity to meet people face to face, but also the flexibility of joining online.

One thing I particularly like about BBN is the 10-minute member presentations.

Yes, you get to hear about someone’s business, but more often than not, you get to know something about the person behind it. Their background, their journey, their interests and sometimes things you would never have guessed.

That’s when you start to understand the person, rather than just the business they represent.

BBN also supports some wonderful charities and community organisations, including the Chartwell Cancer Trust, ABC Book Club and Quest Soul Theatre.

And there are social occasions too.

BBN’s association with Bromley Football Club has meant I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy a football match and some good socials along the way.

And if you’re part of the network throughout the year, you might even find yourself enjoying a free drink or two at the Christmas party!

Speaking of Christmas, make sure you ask Chas about it. It’s his favourite time of year!

Six years on, would I recommend BBN?
Absolutely.

When I first joined, my main motivation was simple. We wanted to grow Newgence and find more customers.

And yes, BBN has certainly helped us do that.

But looking back, it’s given me far more than I originally expected.

It’s given us customers who have stayed with us for years, people who actively recommend our work, opportunities to expand our services and portfolio, partnerships with other businesses and plenty of advice along the way.

More importantly, it’s given me friendships, confidence and a sense of being part of a local business community.

I’ve learned that you don’t always have to be the best person in the room at delivering a 45-second pitch. You just need to be yourself, take an interest in others, do what you say you’re going to do and build trust over time.

And perhaps that’s one of the biggest lessons these six years have taught me.
To everyone I’ve mentioned, and the many others I haven’t managed to mention, thank you for being part of our journey.

And to Chas, Susan and Dave – thank you for making BBN what it is.

So, why do I get up at 5am on a wednesday?

Well, now you know.

Even on those cold, dark winter mornings when the alarm goes off and you wonder why on earth you’re getting out of bed so early, there’s always a good reason to head to BBN.

Good people, good conversations, plenty of laughs and, of course, the possibility of some business too.

If you’ve been thinking about giving BBN a try, I’d encourage you to come along.

Just one bit of advice – book early! These days the meetings fill up pretty quickly.

You can find out more and book your place at bromleybusinessnetwork.co.uk.
See you at breakfast!