“I met so many interesting people,” said one business owner on today’s Natural Netwalk – the antidote to Zoom overload created by Jackie Jarvis and Dawn Lillington.
“Uplifting,” said another walker.
“There is so much energy in this group,” said a third. “But that is what you would expect of owners who want to grow their businesses. Lots of enthusiasm and passion.”
The Sonning Walk, led by David Woodward and Nick Shanagher, is aimed at small business owners, solopreneurs and professionals.
“I don’t usually get to meet so many interesting people from different industries,” said a professional adviser.
Unusually, the Sonning walk always includes a pit stop when David shares a captivating piece of history or his interaction with local celebrities. Starting from the French Horn on the Oxfordshire side of the river, we wander through the pretty village streets and then along a quiet country lane back down to the river.
Everyone pairs off for a 15-minute conversation, and after 90 minutes, we return for coffees and a card exchange. Today, we viewed the latest art installation on the bridge (an emergency telephone in case of floods) and formed a circle for feedback and goodbyes.
“It is 25 to 12,” I advised everyone. The group blinked. Time had flown. New contacts made, business ideas shaped. Energy added.
This was written on 16 July 2021