By Ellis Butcher

Last updated at 12:47, Wednesday, 01 August 2012

A networking group for Carlisle businesswomen re-launches next week.

The get-together becomes the Cumbrian Women In Enterprise after its previous incarnation, Cumbrian Weddings and Events, was seen as too narrow a market for some members.

It is for women in business in the Carlisle area or those considering setting up their own firms and those returning to work after maternity leave.

First guest speakers include Emma Barnes and Joanna Coleman of newly-created Carlisle firm, Blonde Marketing & Events. They are best known for their enterprises of BabyCakes and Picture U Studio, of London Road.

Heading up the group is Carlisle businesswoman Helen Mackenzie, 38, who runs Matrix 1 Solution, better known as CandyPrint, which creates marketing materials like logos, leaflets, flyers and brochures for clients such as Trinity School, the Cumberland Pencil Museum, Keswick and Brampton Skips.

Helen, a homeworking graphic designer, trained at the former Cumbria College of Art and Design and set up her business in 2004, having worked for Cumbria County Council, Prontaprint in the city and Creative Solutions in Penrith.

Helen was quick to scotch suggestions there’s too many networking groups.

She said: “There’s no such thing as too much networking.

“Most of my business now is word of mouth and referrals. Networking is one of the cheapest ways to build business so it can really help.”

She added: “Lots of ladies leave work to have children and some lose confidence so if they are returning to work, the meetings are a happy, safe environment to get back in the swing of things.”

Of the new group, she said: “There’s no annual fee of £25 like before, we’re non-profit-making and we just ask £3 per meeting.”

First published at 11:29, Wednesday, 01 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk