A ST NEOTS artist, who started her own business, is launching a networking group to support other female entrepreneurs.

A ST NEOTS artist, who started her own business, is launching a networking group to support other female entrepreneurs.

Hunts Post Business Award finalist, Chrissy Brown, opened the Crafty Monkey ceramics design workshop in 2010.

Following its success, she met other local business women and soon realised there were few support opportunities for like-minded people.

With this in mind she and three fellow business owners formed the Likeminded Network to enable small business operators to exchange ideas, make contacts and learn from others.

She told The Hunts Post: “There are over 1,000 small businesses in the St Neots area and counting.

“This is partly due to more and more women choosing to set up their own business.

“The network is aimed at women who have created their own business and so face similar issues, but also share an ambition for their business and a keenness to tackle issues through sharing skills and creativity.”

The group plans to hold monthly meetings to include speaker sessions, social events and an opportunity to discuss everything from commonly held problems to best practice advice.

Committee member, Penny Norton, added: “Social networking is changing the lives of small business owners.

“As both a time and cost-efficient means of sourcing new business it’s become integral to most marketing strategies.

“But for the small business owner, perhaps working from home, it’s also a great way to keep in touch with what’s going on, make contacts, discuss common issues, and of course, to find out about organisations and events such as ours.”

INFORMATION: The Likeminded Network is launching on Tuesday, January 24 at the Crafty Monkey studio, 12 Moores Walk, St Neots. Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start. For details and to register visit www.meetup.com/TheLikeMindedNetwork