Paulette West

G.A.P (Growing Aspiring Peoples) Network prides itself on keeping the networking sessions very simple, easy to understand and above all fun, we also make sure that we have at least 2 giveaway prizes at every event. Our unique selling point is that we have Barclays Bank working alongside us in partnership. I thought I’d ask some of our members as to what they thought made our network special or different and they said that ‘we keep it real’ with ‘real’ people that our members can identify with and relate to. They also said that they found the network very Aspirational, Inspirational, and Motivational and if you look at the first three letters of those words, that is our AIM. I always strive to ensure our speakers are enthusiastic, energetic, passionate people with lots of personality to deliver the talks. We use case studies of our successes (g.a.p members that have used our services) and they are only too happy to go on stage and share their story and successes with others.

After winning an award in 2004 for most outstanding individual fundraiser within the community, I was headhunted to be a Regional London Leader and sit on the Central Committee for the Cultural Diversity Network. I accepted and started to support a lot of projects within the Black Minority Ethnic community and as a result came across a lot of people from that ethnic background who faced similar challenges … primarily funding and lack of information as to how to set up their own company, social enterprise etc.. I realised there was a ‘gap’ in the market whereby people did not have access or knowledge (or did not know where to go) to find out the relevant information they needed. Hence G.a.p. network was formed.

At a function in October 2005 I met the then Editor of Pride Magazine while I was giving an inspirational talk to a group of young people about role models. As a result of that meeting I was profiled as a ‘Power Player’ in Pride Magazine in August 2006 and have been introduced to a lot of media and high profile people within the BME community.

Ensure that you have ‘charismatic’ speakers who you know can deliver the information required for the event with passion, energy, enthusiasm and humour Have a few surprises up your sleeve and make it fun – e.g. free giveaways Make sure the location is ‘easy to find’ If you are hosting the event, try and personally speak to as many people who have turned up to your event as you can – this will add the ‘personal touch’ and make people want to come back as you have made a connection with them Remember – people buy people

Business Link for London – businesslink4london.com – Events and workshop page

National Black Womens Network – www.nbwn.org - Events

Engage Magazine - www.engagemagazine.co.uk – News and events

The women In Business Network ltd – www.wwim.co.uk

Networking website for Female Entrepreneurs – everywoman.co.uk [HTML_REMOVED]

The local Chamber of Commerce is also a very useful source of information.