Invite to ‘non-pressurised’ business network event

Networking: Get Connected will be held monthly at The Belgian Arms

Small business owners can make fresh contacts in a ‘non-pressurised’ environment at a new monthly networking event in Holyport.

Get Connected is the brainchild of We Are

Tabono co-founders Anna Verghese and Chloe Leibowitz, who wanted to provide a space where people can exchange ideas on business and mental wellbeing.

The events will be hosted by The Belgian Arms, in Holyport Street, with the first one taking place on Wednesday, January 29.

Anna, from Furze Platt, said: “We thought for quite a long time about how it could work because there are a lot of events where people turn up and do an elevated pitch, but we wanted to create a non-pressurised

Chloe Leibowitz and Anna Verghese. Picture: Stephanie Cronin at

Summers Photography. environment.”

If there are specific contacts that people want to meet to improve their business, guests can notify the pair in advance and they will try to make it happen.

A guest speaker will also feature each month with Mike Bourton, chief executive of Right Stone Consulting, due to give a speech on how businesses can build resilience at the first event.

Anna added: “From the wellbeing perspective, there’s such a high rate of burnout with entrepreneurs that providing people with the right tools and awareness to know how to look after themselves can make a huge difference.”

We Are Tabono launched in March last year and offered business people the chance to enrol in an online programme covering topics such as improving self-confidence, business planning and how to use technology effectively.

Tickets for Get Connected can be purchased from www.eventbrite.co.uk for £12.50.