Athena boosts businesses
CAROLINE Snowdon took over as the regional director at The Athena Network women’s networking organisation in West Berkshire in October and has welcomed a range of new businesses to the three groups.
The businesses that have joined the network include accountancy firms, a photographer, a mental first aid trainer, a Tropic representative and an expert on forest bathing.
Deborah Sheppard is a trainer in mental health first aid and set up her business Mindful Butterfly in the first lockdown.
She helps clients to recognise signs and symptoms of mental ill health and how to have conversations around the subject.
She said: “Working for myself, I thought it important to widen my support network and I’ve already made many new connections.”
Sonya Dibbin from Adore Your Outdoors is a ShinrinYoku, or forest bathing guide, which is a practice that connects participants to their natural surroundings using sensory experiences.
She said: “I had been looking for a networking group for a while and I liked the way Athena is structured but relaxed.
“Because forest bathing is so new here, it’s also a great way for me to get the word out there.”
Karen Bennett, a professional equine and pet photographer, joined the Hungerford group to spread the word about her relaxed photoshoots for pets.
She said: “It is wonderful to be a part of a group of ladies who are as equally passionate of their business as I am mine. Already I have made collaborations and I am hoping to attract a wider audience for my business.
“It is very important for me to use local businesses for any work I may need help with or to help them by means of recommendation to others.”
Sarah Edwards is an independent ambassador for Tropic Skincare and Beauty.
She said: “I joined the Hungerford group during lockdown as it was not possible to promote the Tropic brand through pamper parties, so I thought this would be a good way to reach out to new customers to spread the word.
“Everyone is very supportive and it’s nice to be able to bounce ideas around and to find out what other businesses are doing.
For more details on Athena meetings, currently being held online, visit https://theathenanetwork.com/carolinesnowdon/