Build a Supportive Network That Grows With You

WIBN is open to a wide range of professional women in business — not just business owners. Members include freelancers, consultants, senior managers, and decision-makers from all sectors. Whether you're self-employed, run your own company, or work in a leadership role within a business, WIBN is designed to help you grow your professional network, increase your visibility, and generate meaningful referrals.

What makes WIBN special is its structured, inclusive approach. Each local group has a warm and welcoming atmosphere where every member is encouraged to contribute and connect. We only allow one representative per profession in each group, meaning there’s no competition — just support, collaboration, and plenty of opportunity to grow.

If you’re based in Essex and looking for a way to meet other professional women who genuinely want to see each other succeed, WIBN could be exactly what you need. Many of our members join because they’re tired of generic, salesy networking and want to build long-term relationships that benefit both their business and their confidence.

Searches like business networking for women, women business networking events, or women in business events in Essex are becoming more popular — because women are actively seeking community-driven ways to grow their business. If that sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you to one of our groups.

WIBN isn’t your typical networking event. It’s designed specifically for women in business who are serious about building long-term professional relationships, gaining visibility, and generating quality referrals — all within a supportive and non-salesy environment. Each meeting is structured but relaxed, giving members space to share their business goals, learn from each other, and pass meaningful referrals.

Whether you’re a small business owner, self-employed professional, or in a key leadership role, WIBN gives you access to a trusted community of like-minded women in business. And with over a decade of experience in business and mentoring, Vicky ensures that every group runs smoothly, stays welcoming, and delivers real value.

Joining WIBN is ideal if you’re looking for networking opportunities for women in business, local networking in Essex, or female-led business communities. It’s a powerful way to grow your business — not just by who you know, but by who knows you.

The Women in Business Network stands out because it’s built on relationships, not just transactions. While many networking groups focus on sales pitches or rapid-fire connections, WIBN is all about creating a trusted, long-term support system that genuinely helps women in business grow.

Each WIBN meeting is structured but relaxed, giving every member the space to share, be heard, and develop meaningful connections. You’re not pressured to sell - instead, you’re encouraged to build relationships that naturally lead to referrals and business opportunities. It’s a professional space, but one where people show up as their full selves.

As a WIBN franchisee, I’m personally involved in making sure each group runs smoothly and that every member gets value from their experience. I take time to learn about you and your goals, and I help match you with the right group for your business type and personality.

If you’ve tried networking before and felt it wasn’t for you, WIBN offers something refreshingly different — especially if you're looking for networking for women in business, relationship-based business referrals, or supportive professional communities.

Joining WIBN can have a powerful impact on your business — especially if you’re looking to grow through relationships and referrals. Many members credit the network with not only helping them increase revenue, but also giving them the confidence and support they needed to show up more consistently and professionally in their business.

When you’re part of a WIBN group, you’re regularly in front of a trusted circle of professionals who get to know you, your business, and your ideal clients. As trust builds, referrals happen naturally — and unlike cold leads, they’re warm, qualified, and often ready to buy. You’re also held accountable to your goals, and supported by like-minded women in business who understand the ups and downs of running a business.

Beyond direct referrals, WIBN gives you the chance to practice your pitch, gain visibility, improve your communication, and collaborate with women in business across different sectors. For many members, the biggest benefit is the sense of belonging and motivation that comes from being part of a group of supportive, ambitious professionals.

If you're looking for effective business networking for women in business, referral-based networking groups in Essex, or how to grow your business through community, WIBN offers all of that — and more.

Joining a WIBN group with me is easy, and I’ll help you find the group that best fits your business goals, location, and personality. With over 10 groups running across Essex - including areas like Southend, Chelmsford, Brentwood, and Basildon - there's a space for everyone.

The first step is to attend a meeting as a guest. This gives you a chance to see how WIBN works, meet other members, and get a feel for the group dynamic. If it feels like the right fit, you can then apply to become a member. We only allow one person per profession per group, which helps keep things collaborative rather than competitive.

Once you’re a member, you’ll be invited to monthly meetings and become part of a wider network of professional women across the UK. You’ll also have access to training, development opportunities, and other exclusive events run by WIBN.

If you’ve been Googling how to join WIBN, women’s networking groups near me, or business networking for women, this is the perfect starting point.

Click the link below to find a local group or get in touch with me directly - I’d love to help you find the right network to grow in.

There’s no awkward icebreaker, no hard selling, and no pressure, just a friendly, structured meeting where every woman has the chance to share what she does and who she helps.

Each member and visitor introduces their business in what we call the monthly minute (don’t worry, there’s no bell or stopwatch!). One member also gives a 10-minute spotlight presentation with time for questions.

Over lunch, you’ll enjoy relaxed conversation and genuine connection. The meeting usually finishes with our “Let’s Talk Business” round where members share referrals, testimonials, and wins from the past month. Visitors can simply listen or mention any connections they’d like to follow up with.

WIBN groups are made up of local women in local business, from accountants and web designers to estate agents, coaches, photographers, and more.

Each group only allows one business per category, meaning there’s no competition in the room, just collaboration.

Meeting sizes range from 10-20 depending on the group.

You’ll get all of the contact details for members and visitors the day before the meeting, so you’ll know who is planned to attend.

Nope! You can stay seated if that’s more comfortable. Everyone gets one minute to talk about their business, but there’s no pressure to be perfect.

If you’re unsure how to put your minute together, we’ve got templates and guidance to help. The idea is simply to help others understand how they can support you.

Each WIBN meeting lasts two hours, including lunch. Meetings start at 12 noon, and you can arrive from 11:45 to grab a coffee and settle in.

If you need to leave early or take a call, just let the group leader know, it’s all very relaxed and understanding.

Note: Throughout 2026 we are launching WIBN After Dark meetings which run from 6.30-8.30pm. Drop a comment to get more information, or head over to our social media. Search @wibnessex.

Absolutely. Many of our members started out nervous about walking into a room full of strangers.

Before your first meeting, you’ll receive all the details, including a lead sheet showing who will be attending. When you arrive, the group leader will greet you, help you find your seat, and introduce you to people who might be good connections for your business.

You’ll never be left standing alone, and there’s zero pressure to join.

That’s completely normal and it’s exactly why you’re coming! Many visitors discover familiar faces in the room once they start chatting. But even if you don’t, you’ll quickly feel part of the group thanks to our warm welcome and supportive members.

Of course! It’s always nice to walk in together. Just make sure you both register in advance to check that your business categories don’t clash. The current cost to visit is £35 + VAT per person.

Not at all. Whether you’ve been running your business for years or are just getting started, networking is about building relationships, and it’s never too early for that.

WIBN offers encouragement, honest feedback, and plenty of inspiration. You’ll grow your confidence alongside your business.

Our members find clients, collaborators, mentors, and friends. But more than that, they find confidence. When you spend time around women who genuinely cheer you on, everything changes.