For 17 years I had a very successful career as an optometrist, but I felt something was missing. In 2008, after my son was born, I embarked on a journey of personal development, health, wellbeing, and fitness. It was a process, but I finally became a much more confident woman and in doing so I realised that I was so much more than just my career. It was a real struggle at times as I didn’t have my close family around me, I realised that I needed to find like-minded people who really understood where I was and what I was facing.

I tried a lot of networking events, but they weren’t attracting the people I needed to meet and connect with. They were more often than not, male-dominated and very sales-focused. I realised that being an entrepreneur can be a lonely existence, even in a room full of people. I remember sitting in my tiny dark optometry practice room one Friday afternoon contemplating the too often encounters with ‘dodgy salesman’ types at those networking events. I wondered if I would ever find fun, relaxed, supportive networking events where I could build valuable relationships with people who understood me. It was then that I decided to create my own community and go searching for others like me – WiNE was born. Women in Networking Edinburgh was going to be a place for like-minded women who were interested in supporting and encouraging each other.

Here we are three years later, I am on a mission to create a real impact. My why is my family, my beautiful Son. I feel like I finally have a purpose in my life, it only took 40 years, but I am so grateful to be here and doing what I am so passionate about. I want to pass that passion forwards and help as many people as possible change their lives and become more successful. WiNE and WiNG are for like-minded women who are as passionate as me in supporting and encouraging each other – come join us and see for yourself.