A BUSINESSWOMEN’S networking group is planning to open franchises around the country after successfully starting 16 new groups across the North-west.
“I would like to see a Unique Ladies’ group in every town and city across the UK,” stated founder Suzy Orr from Chorley.
She set up the group in 2015 after a lengthy career in telecoms introduced her to networking. Unhappy with high membership fees and formal structures, she wanted to establish a pay-as-you-go network that offered a more relaxed networking experience.
Unique Ladies’ monthly meetings began in Wigan with 55 women attending and a group in neighbouring Bolton soon followed.
The format involves inspirational speakers, small groups table networking and more informal contact. Speakers have ranged from ex-MP Edwina Currie to Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Helen Newlove.
The franchise was launched in Year 2 with three immediately taken to establish new groups. The organisation doubled in size by the end of Year 3 and by Year 4, it doubled again to 16 groups in major towns and cities in and around Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Liverpool, Cumbria and Yorkshire.
Dawn Roberts was one of the first franchisees, establishing a group in Hyndburn near Blackburn. “I was looking for something to complement my current business (personal training),” she explained.
“Not only has the Unique Ladies’ franchise enabled me to make new contacts and establish positive relationships but, for a reasonable financial investment, I now have a second income stream without negative impact on the time spent on my main business.”
Thousands of pounds worth of business have been exchanged annually year by attendees. Franchisees were also encouraged to get involved with local charities and have raised around £100,000 so far.
Even Covid-19 has not stopped the success story of Unique Ladies. Meetings have been regularly held by Zoom, moving from being free to paid for in recent months “and generally still maintaining the numbers attending.”
“Women supporting women makes a huge difference to the journey of individual businesses,” added Suzy. “Networking is such a powerful tool that I want to get the message out there to as many new audiences as possible in 2021.”
