The event challenged the traditional idea of networking.
One hundred entrepreneurs, freelancers and business owners from across Staffordshire (and beyond) came together in Lichfield towards the end of June for an evening dedicated to something often overlooked in business – genuine human connection.
Hosted at Blackbrook Barns, The Business Besties Club Live welcomed business owners from a wide range of industries for an evening of inspiring conversations, honest stories and meaningful relationships, challenging the traditional idea of networking.
Created by Lichfield marketing consultant Katie Clayton, The Business Besties Club was founded on the belief that running a business shouldn’t have to feel lonely. What began as a podcast and growing online community has now evolved into a live event designed to help business owners build not only valuable business relationships, but genuine friendships too.
Tickets sold out ahead of the event, with 100 business owners filling the venue for an evening that celebrated collaboration over competition and proved that, sometimes, the most valuable thing you can gain from running a business isn’t another client – it’s finding people who truly understand the journey.
The evening featured inspiring conversations with Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd, women’s wellbeing coach Florence Moore, education leader Andy Davison, entrepreneur Kelly Riddington, the Sorrelle Sisters – Danielle, Katie and Nicole – and stylist Nat Walker of The Style Chapter. Together, they shared honest insights into their personal and professional journeys, the challenges they’d overcome and the importance of community, resilience and supporting one another in business.
Katie Clayton explains that The Business Besties Club “was born from something I think so many business owners experience but rarely talk about – loneliness”.
Running a business can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel incredibly isolating.
I didn’t want to create another networking event. I wanted to create a space where people could come exactly as they are, have real conversations and leave feeling like they’d found their people.
Looking around the room and seeing 100 business owners laughing, connecting and supporting one another was one of the proudest moments of my career.
The Business Besties Club was built on one simple belief: business is better together. If people left with one new friendship, one new opportunity or simply the reassurance that they’re not doing this alone, then we’ve achieved exactly what we set out to do.
The impact of the evening was felt immediately, with many attendees describing it as unlike any business event they had experienced before.
One described Katie as an “inspiration”, adding that the night was “incredible, and that is completely down to you”.
What you’re creating is something so impressive, and I just hope you keep going from strength to strength because you really do deserve it.
Thank you for letting me be part of something so special.
Another attendee commented:
A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating this event. I had the best time and met so many amazing people.
I feel so grateful to have been part of something so inspiring. I’ve already started collaborating with people I met on the night, and doors have already opened that I could never have dreamed of.
I have you to thank for that.
Following the success of its inaugural event, The Business Besties Club continues to grow as a community built around encouragement, collaboration and authentic connection.
Plans are already underway for future events as the movement continues to bring business owners together across the region.
For more information about The Business Besties Club, follow Katie Clayton on social media, @katieclaytonmarketing.