Networking community builds on early success

A South Tyneside business networking initiative is returning with a new programme of events aimed at creating a more supportive and practical community for women across the North East.

Not All Women Wear Capes, founded by Kaye Nicholson of GrowthZoneAI and Sinia Jaswi of Sinia’s, will host its next event, Coffee, Connection & Conversation, tomorrow (Wednesday, July 1) at Sinia’s in South Shields. 

Running from 9am to 11am, the morning is designed to encourage meaningful networking through conversation, relationship-building and shared experiences.

The initiative was established following an International Women’s Day event earlier this year, which attracted more than 40 attendees from South Tyneside, Tyneside and the wider North East and highlighted strong demand for a more open and community-focused space for women in business.

Rather than traditional networking, the sessions are intended to provide an environment where attendees can make genuine connections, exchange ideas and support one another in their professional journeys.

Kaye said: “Not All Women Wear Capes came from a real feeling that something was missing locally. 

“There are networking events, but not many that feel like a genuine community.

“We wanted to create something warmer, more practical and more real for women in business. 

“This is not about turning up, smiling politely, swapping a few business cards and going home. 

“It is about building relationships, sharing information, helping one another and creating a space where women can actually be heard.

“I have spent years networking and working in business, and I know just how many brilliant women there are across the North East. 

“What we wanted to build was something useful, welcoming and grounded in real conversation.”

Tomorrow’s event will include a breakfast buffet, with tickets still available here.

It also marks the start of a wider programme, with additional events already planned for September 2 and November 4.

September’s Bring Your Brilliance session will encourage participants to share practical advice, useful skills, business shortcuts or challenges with the wider group, creating opportunities for collaborative learning and problem-solving.

The November gathering, themed around Movember, will broaden the conversation by inviting men to take part, reflecting the organisers’ ambition to encourage wider discussions around business, community and support.

The original International Women’s Day event featured speakers from a range of organisations and charities, including the Charlie & Carter Foundation, That Cake Girl, Miss Menopause and WHiST Women’s Health in South Tyneside.

Following positive feedback from the launch, GrowthZoneAI has outlined plans to continue developing the Not All Women Wear Capes community through future events, workshops and partnerships, with the aim of strengthening connections between women in business across the region.

Kaye added: “We really do believe this is needed in South Tyneside. 

“There are so many women building businesses, working for themselves, leading organisations and trying to figure things out, often without a proper support circle around them. 

“If we can create a space where people feel supported, encouraged and connected, then that matters.”

To find out more or book your place at September's Bring Your Brilliance event, click here, or to learn more about November's Movember Special, click here.

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