A Year of Connection, Confidence and Community

As the year comes to a close, it feels important to pause and reflect on what Women Owned Essex has become. Because this community exists entirely because of the women who show up.

The ones who walk into a room not knowing anyone and leave with new connections.The ones who support, recommend and collaborate.The ones who genuinely want to see other women doing well.

This year has been full of conversations, coffees, walks, laughter, honest chats about business and life, and that quiet confidence that grows when you realise you are not doing this alone and you really belong.

Whether you have been to one meet up, you are a regular face, or you have been watching from the sidelines waiting for the right moment, thank you for being part of the Women Owned Essex community.

A Look Back

This year, Women Owned Essex hosted 21 events across 11 independent venues in Essex.

That included meet ups in:

• Leigh on Sea

• Southend

• Battlesbridge

• Rayleigh

• Chelmsford

We also hosted:

• An International Women’s Day event

• Three Brand Content Days

• Our first Forest NetWalking event

• A Christmas get together to round off the year

Each event looked slightly different, but the heart of them all stayed the same. Welcoming spaces. No pressure. No selling. Just women connecting as themselves.

Supporting Local Venues

A huge part of Women Owned Essex is supporting independent venues. We are always grateful to the cafés and spaces that welcome us for nothing more than a purchase of a few coffees.

These venues play a big role in creating the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that makes our meet ups feel so different. We always encourage our community to notice and support businesses that love seeing women in business thrive.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead, we are keeping the heart of Women Owned Essex exactly the same.

More chances to connect.More welcoming spaces.More support without pressure or awkward selling.

Next year, we will continue with two meet ups a month, alongside our much loved quarterly content days.

Women Owned Essex will keep growing, but never at the expense of what makes it special. Community first. Always.