One of networking’s finest returns to the Costa del Sol for International Women’s Day

QUEEN OF NETWORKING: Jackie Groundsell

ENTREPENEUR and friend of Euro Weekly News, Jackie Groundsell returns to the Costa del Sol next week to take part in International Women’s Day Make It Happen Conference 2020 (March 11-13).

The co-founder of the hugely successful UK-based women’s networking business, 1230 The Women’s Company Ltd will be hosting a speed networking workshop during the ‘biggest celebration of IWD’ in Marbella.

Mother-of-three Jackie, who will welcome her sixth grandchild in May, spent two days with staff at the EWN head office in Fuengirola last year, at the invite of CEO Michel Euesden, having struck up a friendship through their business contacts.

She said: “I am so excited to be coming back to the Costa del Sol, I had such an amazing time the last time I was there. It really is the highlight of my year, and this will be my sixth year taking part in the International Women’s Day event with the Costa Women in Spain.”

Jackie launched her own leading business women’s network in 2002 to provide on and off-line trading and business growth opportunities across the UK and overseas.

1230 The Women’s Company Ltd helps businesswomen make the connections and find the support they need in their business lives; to meet locally in the Business High Street, share experiences and work together to grow their companies through regular 12.30pm networking meetings.

The business also provides training and learning through workshops and guest speakers, an annual conference and charity supporting events.  And the 1230 Business School provides business essential training for all business owners and decision-makers.

It’s all a long way away from Jackie’s first reluctant taste of networking having been dragged to her first all women’s meeting 18 years ago. “I was teaching businesses in computer skills at the time and never thought about networking. I knew I didn’t like coffee mornings and that sort of thing, but I went along to a meeting in London with a friend Penny who I had met through a business course. What an amazing eye opener it was.”

But the seed was sewn and Jackie was soon hooked, going on to organise her own meeting, which attended by 54 women.

“I soon realised we had to have a more organised approach and the business was born. Given that many business women are squeezed at either end of the day with family commitments, lunch-time meetings proved to be the most convenient time of day for many, hence the name 12.30,” explained Jackie, adding: “Being able to see the synergies and connect businesswomen, to see the ‘eureka!’ moment that 1230 TWC training and networking provides as their businesses grow, is so rewarding; I am exceptionally fortunate to be in a business that I just love.”

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Tara Rippin

Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region.
She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990.
Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.

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