Sonia Brown

I am a businesswoman, entrepreneur and social networker, and founded theNational Black Women’s Network (NBWN) in 1999 as a non-profit organisation, dedicated to raising the status and position of black women in all walks of life.

From its humble beginnings of three members, it now has over 20,000 people connected. The network manages business and leadership meetings in partnership with high- profile organisations and Ministers which have in- cluded the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Regional Development Agencies, and Lloyds TSB Bank, to name a few. When I was younger I did a lot of volunteering. I used to accompany my mother, who was a proba- tion officer, on prison and client visits. As an adult, I volunteered in residential children’s homes and hostels and sat on committees of organisations who wanted to uplift the black community.

I started the network out of frustration. I was working for a big company with an autocratic boss who didn’t like me and I could see I was never going to be promoted. Baroness Howells was a patron of a company I used to work for and I noticed that everyone deferred to and treated her with a respect I had never seen for a Black woman. I approached her and asked if she would come to my little flat in New Cross. She did and we had dinner and talked and talked. She unofficially became my mentor. When things got tough at my last job, she told me to design my perfect job. I knew I wanted to work with black women because I enjoyed being with them. I knew whatever I did would have a training element and that was the basis of my new career plan. In the end, I received invaluable sup- port from the company, which helped to shape my vision and plan for the future. At the same time, I also went back to college and did a degree in Business and Communication and then a Masters in Marketing and Communication.

When I set up the women’s network, we had four meetings a year run by three of us. It wasn’t easy because at the same time, a number of other established networks were doing the same thing as me and it was difficult as the new girl on the block. But I knew what I wanted for the network and kept my focus. Today there are many more networks working collaboratively, which makes it easier. In the beginning the NBWN was set up to help women who were in a position similar to the one I was in. We were ambitious and intelligent but got unhelpful advice at school; so ended up in jobs where we were not realising our potential and even- tually had no option but to leave our jobs to set up our own businesses. The NBWN wanted to teach women how to network strategically for success.

In the UK we have to create networks and or- ganisations that have clout – both economically and politically. We show women that to be in business means more than just delivering a service, you have to make a profit! In businesss, ‘people buy people’. you have to be the person that everyone wants to do business with. Ask yourself: are you the person who walks into the room and lights it up, or are you the person who lights up the room when you walk out?

Over the years I have seen the network give courage to women to live their lives with passion and on-purpose. It’s simple! If you enjoy making cakes, doing hair or leading organisations; we can help you make a living from it. We signpost you to the best areas to get help – the banks, organisations or individuals. We connect people to make it hap- pen. It’s all about taking responsibility for your fu- ture success.

We now have a growing number of young women within the network who are hungry for suc- cess and are very good at using the social media platform to raise their brand in the business and the corporate world. young people have access to a wider range of information and tools for success than we ever had when we started out. It’s great that we can share inter-generational experience and knowledge which keeps the network relevant. At the same time, I also went back to college and did a degree in Business and Communication and then a Masters in Marketing and Communication.

When I set up the women’s network, we had four meetings a year run by three of us. It wasn’t easy because at the same time, a number of other established networks were doing the same thing as me and it was difficult as the new girl on the block. But I knew what I wanted for the network and kept my focus. Today there are many more networks working collaboratively, which makes it easier.

In the beginning the NBWN was set up to help women who were in a position similar to the one I was in. We were ambitious and intelligent but got unhelpful advice at school; so ended up in jobs where we were not realising our potential and even- tually had no option but to leave our jobs to set up our own businesses. The NBWN wanted to teach women how to network strategically for success.

In the UK we have to create networks and organisations that have clout – both economically and politically. We show women that to be in business means more than just delivering a service, you have to make a profit! In businesss, ‘people buy people’. you have to be the person that everyone wants to do business with. Ask yourself: are you the person who walks into the room and lights it up, or are you the person who lights up the room when you walk out?

Over the years I have seen the network give courage to women to live their lives with passion and on-purpose. It’s simple! If you enjoy making cakes, doing hair or leading organisations; we can help you make a living from it. We signpost you to the best areas to get help – the banks, organisations or individuals. We connect people to make it hap- pen. It’s all about taking responsibility for your fu- ture success. We now have a growing number of young women within the network who are hungry for suc- cess and are very good at using the social media platform to raise their brand in the business and the corporate world. young people have access to a wider range of information and tools for success than we ever had when we started out. It’s great that we can share inter-generational experience and knowledge which keeps the network relevant.

I want to see more systems in place that rewards and makes it easier for young people who are tal- ented or doing well, going to university and wanting to set up a business. young people need to under- stand that aspiration and education is connected so they can reach their goals faster. We need to show- case and support the positive aspects of our com- munity more, and showcase the numerous s/heroes who are doing constructive work. I’m inspired by the work I do and I’m open to all the possibilities and opportunities open to me both personally and professionally. I do the work I do because it needs to be done. At the end of the day, I must be able to say to myself, “I know the world will be a different place because I lived in it”.

The network also runs an online social media platform entitled Sistatalk aimed at women (and enlightened men) who are looking to connect with other entrepreneurs, professionals, specialists and organisations looking to take their career and business to the next level. This platform has over 2800 members from across 27 countries.