NICE COMMENTS

I have not only enjoyed your lunches, but also, and more importantly so, the people attending and the ensuing projects. I have had two projects as a direct result from lunching at the Punter for photography and interior design. Helena g Anderson

I really enjoyed the lunch meeting today. It was exactly what I've been looking for, something informal and interesting and was a great opportunity to meet some really nice people and learn more about their businesses. Rachel Willis

The lunch club is an integral part of my working life; all the meetings for the rest of the year are in my diary (not least because I enjoy helping out 'on the door'). What's more, I network regularly (in terms of work and socially) with a number of the women I have met since Cambridge Women began in 2005. What I get out of the meetings is a great deal of energy and motivation; I always feel enthusiastic after a CW lunch, and seek to tweak my own business based on the positive experiences of others. Sandra Stafford

The best women's network event I have been to in Cambridge. Mary Munley

I go to the lunch whenever I can as I find it hugely enjoyable. For many people who work from home, sitting at a computer all day can feel quite isolating, so a chance to chat and network, learn from others, see friends and take a break over a nice lunch is very welcome. Many thanks to Jane and Sandra for organising it all! Joanna Holding

Since going along to Jane's lunches I've met so many interesting and inspiring women in business. Jane manages to bring in both new and existing women to her lunches which are always an outstanding success. Long may they continue. Liza Moore

I have been coming to the lunches for over two years now and really appreciate meeting old friends and new. I often feel 'stuck' at home and it's just great to talk to others. Through the lunches I met Sarah Short, who runs Virtual Assistance for You (www.virtualassist4you.co.uk) who gave me a secretarial 'Spring-clean' last year. I found this ever so helpful. She set me off on the right track, and it didn't cost too much as she was really efficient. I feel confident to recommend her to anybody who needs some secretarial, administrative help.Margaret Somner

What makes this networking venture worthwhile is that it is partly social but also partly a business networking opportunity (with a decent lunch thrown in for good measure). Being self employed it's been refreshing to meet other like minded people in the same boat and I've made a couple of really great friends through the network. From a business perspective I've developed a good range of contacts, in particular a web designer to create my own website. It's the simplist of ideas when all is said and done and I've met some genuinely interesting and friendly women, who from day one, made me feel very welcome. Long may it continue and flourish. Pamela Pfrommer

The one thing I say to everyone when discussing the lunches is this - I felt really nervous the first time I attended as I didn't know anyone. However, I walked away that first time with a real buzz. Everyone was so friendly and it's great to feel a part of such a fantastic group of people. Stephanie Clark

When I first went along to the lunches I felt a little daunted as I felt that as I was so new to business people might not take me seriously. However, I was greatly surprised and encouraged by the amount of genuine help support I received from other members some of whom were also new to running their own businesses and others who had more experience. One of the greatest strengths of the Lunch Club is that it offers members a chance to share both the highs and lows of running your own business. Caroline Biggs

The Cambridge Women's lunches are an excellent networking opportunity. I happily recommend them to our clients at the Enterprise Agency as the events are very informal and relaxed and perfect for those who are new to networking. Lisa Collins

The Cambridge Women's Lunch Club has provided us with several new customers, and the Company I work for, Cambridge Matrix, is delighted with the return on investment. This has been in real terms the most successful networking organisation we have participated in, in the years 2005/2006. Rend Shakir

I don't feel alone anymore. I know there are other women out there getting on with their businesses and being successful. The other members were friendly and welcoming but not cloying and over-eager. In other words they were real people. We laughed a lot. I really enjoyed meeting the women at my table and I enjoyed being met!
Lulu Agate

I have only just discovered the group but after one lunch my business is already going in new directions. I feel more motivated and inspired by the people I met. Karen Halls

The lunches have hugely expanded my group of contacts and the unexpected gems of information I pick up. I find the variety of diverse experiences extremely stimulating... the only problem is trying to get to sleep the night after due to my mind racing with ideas! Jayne Alexander

The atmosphere is a fantastic balance of professional whilst being sociable and relaxed. Everyone is there to find out about the other members - everyone shows genuine interest in each other - everyone is pleasant and welcoming. I imagine that most people are there, in one way or another, to develop their business but there is no "heavy sell" from anyone - merely a lot of business related chat - allowing us to discover what people do. Kaye Nightingale

An unusually informal networking group. The organisers take great care to ensure that newcomers are welcomed and not left standing around especially important if you are a little unsure of yourself. Intimidation is removed as the whole group is encouraged to mix and move around, formalities kept strictly to a minimum. A special group run by people who have genuine concerns for the integration and comfort of their members. Suzanne Mitchell

One lunch - one new piece of work from a pleasant, sociable stress-free environment with good food and company, need I say more? Virginia Mark

This is a valuable network of support for female entrepreneurs in the Eastern region - and Cambridge - attracting both local women and those from way out of it's Cambridge remit. It's a wonderful indulgence, and a far cry from sometime rigidly formal networking events - it's atmosphere encouraging natural connections, new relationships and support. Ruthie Collins

I have made some excellent business contacts , and have been given opportunities to elevate my profile as a result, both as a speaker at other events and by the website facility which has great value for money advertising and had the effect of increasing my own website optimisation. Well worth while. Nicki Glen