Carlisle life coach Colette McQueen is inviting business people to join her for breakfast.

The owner of Bespoke Minds runs morning network events the last Thursday of the month where ideas can be exchanged over coffee and pastries.

Business@Breakfast was launched so business people – particularly the self-employed – can meet and collaborate with like-minded people.

Meetings are held at The Guild work space in Abbey Street, Carlisle with proceeds of the £10-a-head event going to charity.

In June, money went to Carlisle Ambassadors Give a Day scheme while last month's event supported Carlisle Mencap.

She said: “I like to engage with other business owners and think it is important for others to do likewise.

"Being self-employed can be quite lonely and it is good to get together.

“I get larger businesses to come along and speak so the self-employed can hear their ideas and build their confidence. It is all about collaboration.

“My heart is always in the community which is why I am giving cash back from the events to charities in the city.”

Colette, 46, worked in accountancy for 20 years before setting up Bespoke Minds in December 2015 in the aftermath of Storm Desmond.

She used her experience as a hypnotherapist and life-coach to help families and businesses devastated by the floods.

She said: “I helped some very stressed families. I was involved in co-ordinating accommodation for families and others torn apart by the storms and was also there to give mental and emotional support.”

Trained in hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), today Colette is a member of Carlisle Ambassadors and is on the organising committee of the city's Community Health Mela wellbeing festival and the Carlisle Unity Festival.

She is planning to launch an event to celebrate the diversity of business in Carlisle next year.

Her next Business@Breakfast is on September 27 at 8am at The Guild.