Manchester Marriott
As part of our ethos of supporting women’s empowerment, I was fortunate enough to be invited to an event at the Manchester Marriott (Victoria and Albert) Hotel in Manchester City Centre.
The event was presented by Susie Sprigg, Founder of Women in Business North (WiBN) and entitled “Show your Light”.
On Friday, 27 June 2025 at 9am sharp there was a packed room ready to watch a full programme of inspirational speakers, mixed with networking opportunities with other entrepreneurial business women from Manchester and Cheshire, who came together to support and learn from some of Manchester’s visionary females.
The day lasted officially until 4pm, but there was an opportunity for further 1-2-1s in the room next door later.
Sarah Stephens of Tree Communications Ltd
Empowered Women
Susie Sprigg’s event had been 9 months in the making and her ethos is “You have the power to be anything you want to be, all you have to do is use your story, use your voice and re-invent yourself.”She commenced networking in Cheshire at the Women in Business Network (WiBN) and quickly realised that the3 key elements that hold women back in our life and business, are…
- Our stories, what has happened to us, good or bad
- Our Voice, how many people don’t like the sound of their own voice?
- Not knowing that YOU can decide who you want to be and take action to become her
The event was both a personal and professional development opportunity as we all had a chance to network, listen and talk about our own personal experiences as women and in business, providing both education, fun and interactive discussions at the Q&A sessions.The 3 Fantastic Workshop Leaders wereSue Wright – Reinvent Yourself
Louisa Herridge – Your Story
Cathy Beech – Your Voice
I sat near Sarah Stephens who has previously shared her story on stage and has provided templates for Press Releases to help small businesses. She also specialises in providing PR services to small business owners, so if that’s you, give her a message @TreeCommunications Ltd. Another string to her bow is she is a luxury travel agent!
Inspirational Speaker
This was the first time I had heard or met Sue Wright from The Harrogate Group, with her topic for the day which was “Re-invent Yourself”.
Her deeply personal story was that she had been in an abusive family and put into care at a young age and separated from her only brother.
At 14 she was put in a shared flat with another girl, who was 17 year old who had complex trauma experiences and self-harmed. The unlikely pair quickly learned to pool their resources of £25 per week for food. She was forced to become independent at such a young age and literally door knocked on businesses in the local area of Southport to get a job. She had the good fortune of knocking on the door of a woman who had a care home and who became her second mum and invited her to her already full table with the ethos “there’s always room at the table”. This was my take-away message for the day!
She went on to get involved in many charities such as saving horses from a fire by taking on a fast-acting leadership role! She connected on a visceral level and had the room gripped by hearing her story and most of the room in tears.
Her story was ultimately about how you can achieve success no matter what you are given in life and to be kind to those in need. What a woman!
Set Your Intentions for the Day
This was an ask for the day to keep us focussed.
Kerry Boland, CEO and Sales Strategist of The Growth Coaching Collective presented her sales model for converting leads to high earning sales.
She said that this would be achieved through time and follow up, so she demonstrated her sales funnel technology which was a tool to help achieve high earning sales.
From her vast experience as a Sales Woman, she told us that when pitching for a client, not only preparation but confidence is key as when meeting customers, 55% of your message is relayed via your body language, so act confidently! Kerry is certainly a go-getter, so thanks for the hot tips!!
As you can see in the photograph, we are all taking notes and pictures!!
Mid Life Body Coach
I was lucky enough to bump into Catherine Pearson of @themidlifebodycoach and was immediately drawn to her high energy!
And no wonder, she is a personal trainer, certified health and nutrition coach and trained CPCAB counsellor and oozed health and energy with her zesty colour choices.
She convinced me that her science backed health coaching was necessary for middle aged and menopausal women who had unique nutritional needs and noted they often came to see her as they lack energy and motivation, are fed up with their body, their clothes, ageing and are often overwhelmed by the changes they are experiencing through their menopause journey.
I know exactly what you mean Catherine, as am well and truly on the menopause journey – thanks for all your patience Gerard 😉
Women Using their Voices
Louisa Herridge
Your Story is Your Super Power reminded us about her technique of using your unique story as your super power to ensure that you are memorable. So says Story Telling for Success Coach, Louisa Herridge.We were then given 10 minutes where we all had to think deeply and write about our own unique story and how we could re-write it as a story of empowerment despite adverse circumstances, which was truly positive and empowering!Questions such as How has it shaped who you are today?What impact has it made in your life?What good can be found from this experience?She told us to be brave as this is where the magic happens in business, books and beyond.
Cathy Beech
prompted us to use our singing voice with a rousing talk. She assured us that we could all sing, even though some of us believed we couldn’t!Her Voice Coaching business @AngelVoiceUK definitely stood out, especially as she stood on a chair at one point! She coached us to sing “Sisters are Doing it For Themselves” and the day ended on a high! Please see below to see if you feature in the photos:-Top Middle – Katy @CheshirePaperFlowers, thank you for my beautiful gerbera display with Deb @NotJustTravel thanks for planning our fab holidau to ItalyHelen Shah @thepharmacistnutritionist Bottom Row:Maria @the_smiley_coach – Confidence and Courage Coach with host @SusieSpriggLouisa Herridge in purple sharing her workshop tips.
