The beginning of any new year can be quiet for businesses. The Christmas/New Year hype has calmed down, the presents have been opened, the resolutions have been made and January just feels like the longest month ever! The start of 2023 has been particularly quiet for us and many of our neighbouring businesses, so I’m sure I speak for many when I say that we look forward to the Spring when everything is a little brighter and things start to feel a little bit more positive.
When I received an email from Small Business Britain about their new initiative of NetWalking I jumped all over it. A nationwide effort sponsored by BT, it hosts an outdoor walk for groups of small business owners where they can reap the benefits of excercise and fresh air whilst chatting and getting to know one another and their respective businesses. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to join the London NetWalk as it is on our doorstep right here in Walthamstow. We have had a fantastic host from Small Business Britain who has taken us around the stunning Walthamstow Wetlands and I have met lots of lovely small business owners. During the walks we have shared our stories, challenges, ideas and the all important social media handles so we can support each other. Each NetWalk culminates with coffee and cake (thank you, BT!) and the chats continue…
I’ve used these NetWalks as an opportunity to roadtest and showcase some of our catalogue products too as I’ve had to dress comfortably for the outdoors rather than wearing typical office attire. I can confidently say that product numbers TR308, JH001 and BC486 are definitely suitable for walking in nature 😉 Type those codes into the search bar on the top of this page and you’ll be able to see them for yourselves!
The benefits of actually getting out of the office are huge. Spending time in fresh air and meeting new people in a more casual networking environment (lots of Networking events I’ve been to are far more formal and not as friendly) has been so enlightening. I really hope these NetWalking events continue in some shape or form so that more businesses can experience the benefits.
Find out more on the Small Business Britain website and check out our NetWalking updates on our Instagram Stories!