Established in 2003, we offer the opportunity for you to meet other business women in the local westside Brisbane to Ipswich area and form and build on those relationships.
Our regular monthly meetings are enjoyable and informative sessions, with regular guest speakers, member forums (check out our events page to see up-and-coming topics), time to mingle and a light breakfast!
Meetings take place at The BOTTLE TREE Garden Centre on the last Wednesday of every month. Starting time is 7.00am. We ask everyone to be seated by 7.30am so that the monthly topic can begin on time. We usually disburse by 8.45am.
Membership is only $24 per annum and the breakfast is $15 per person ($20 per person for non-members). Non-members are also welcome to attend breakfast. Tax invoices are issued for all costs.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Westside Business Women Management Committee
Read on for the interview with Cecelia Snuggs (founder)…
What inspired you to create Westside Business Women?
Solo and small business operators find their time is consumed with working in their business rather than on their business (I did) and I felt there was something missing. That ‘something’ was the opportunity to interact with other business owners. I searched for a local group thinking there must be other women in the area in a similar position however, there were none available, so I decided to start a networking group myself.
What do you most enjoy about the group?
The group consists of a great mix of people and businesses and it’s terrific to see networking in action. A number of business partnerships have formed since the group’s inception and it’s a great way to promote and market your business to locals and the wider community.
What would you like the group to achieve in the next 12 months?
There are a few goals I have in mind: One is that our website becomes an effective and relatively inexpensive conduit or tool if you like, for members to advertise, promote and market their business thereby supporting the local community.Secondly that through our Guest Speakers there is an educational aspect for members to learn about current business practices, regulations and technology – all necessary topics to help with the success and growth of a business.Finally, recommendation is the best form of advertising and through networking at our breakfast meetings, members learn about the services and facilities offered locally. They try them out and word spreads – great isn’t it!
What activity do you feel adds the most value for members?
Interaction with like-minded business people is encouraging, motivating, educational and informative on many levels. There’s a kind of mentoring that occurs because members meet on a regular basis.
How long have you been in business?
My husband and I have owned a few businesses over the past 20 years or so. We began with a Milk run in Toowoomba; a Mobile Pie Van; a Real Estate franchise; Managed a Student Accommodation facility and so the list goes on. One of the businesses ‘went to the wall’ and we learned a lot about people in business through that experience.
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not working?
There are a few: besides catching up with family I love to play tennis, travel, read, and listen to music (hope to refresh my skills on the piano – chopsticks is about all I remember from my school days!), oh and I love candle-lit dinners.
