On Monday, April 29th, Downtown in Business Cheshire hosted an exclusive lunchtime networking event at The Townhouse and Secret Garden in Chester. From 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM, business leaders from across Chester, the Cheshire region, and beyond gathered to connect and network at this fantastic atmospheric venue!
Excello Law and Chester BID sponsored the event, bringing together a diverse group of professionals.
Downtown Chief Executive Frank McKenna chaired the event, interviewing four leading entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound companies over the past decade, navigating challenges such as Brexit, a pandemic, and shifting political landscapes.
The esteemed speakers included Jane Entwistle of Entyce Creative, Steven Hesketh the Hospitality Hero, and David O’Hearns from Dawn Creative. Each speaker shared their insights into the key ingredients for succeeding in business, the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way, and their views on various issues shaping the business landscape, truly delving into the highs, lows, and rollercoaster ride of building a business!
Steven Hesketh, CEO/Founder of The Hospitality Hero, Savvy Hotel Group, and Savvy Collection, brought over 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector to the table. As Chair of the Chester Hospitality Association and Vice-Chair of Liverpool Hospitality Association, Steven emphasized the importance of learning from your mistakes, having the resilience to bounce back after failure and redefining what success looks like for yourself.
He said: “My biggest learning curve? Three years after I started my business, I sank. And it was the best thing that ever happened to me! What success looked like to me 8 years ago is different to what success looks like now- it’s a work life balance and to build relationships”
Jane Entwistle, Co-Founder and Director of Entyce Creative, highlighted the agency’s philosophy of building long-lasting relationships with clients. With expertise in digital marketing, branding, and user experience, Jane’s insights proved particularly useful for attendees seeking to enhance their brand presence in the digital sphere.
She spoke about the importance of being fearless when it comes to starting out in business, saying “One of the advantages of starting out, no opportunities were off the table. You need a fearless edge!”
David O’Hearns, Managing Director of Dawn Creative, emphasized the importance of values-driven branding and communication. With 26 years in the industry, David’s mission to rid the world of bad design resonated with attendees striving for excellence in branding and looking to reimagine and reinvent their brand.
He explained how it’s important not to lose sight of yourself and what’s important when starting out, reminding attendees that “The Creative part of shaping a Creative Business, is creativity itself!”
Attendees certainly benefitted from insights from industry experts and had the opportunity to network with key figures in various fields. This Northern Power Towns event aimed to foster meaningful connections and collaborations, providing valuable inspiration and guidance for established business owners and newcomers alike.
Downtown Chief Executive Frank McKenna expressed his delight at the event’s success, emphasizing the importance of such gatherings in sparking dialogue and shaping the future of business in the region.
He said: “We’re delighted to be able to hold events like this that bring together business leaders from across the Chesire area for important discussions and some really valuable insights.
At Downtown, we truly believe that with the right support, all businesses can thrive and really contribute to their local community, but whether you’ve been in business for years or you’re just starting out, sometimes it’s important to take a step back and get different perspectives from experts in your field or those who’ve done it before you and that’s what we hope to do with events like this one”
We really hope that particularly new comers to the business world who are just starting out in their journeys will be inspired by today’s event.”
For more information about future Downtown events, contact alice.evans@downtowninbusiness.com.
