Three self-employed businesswomen working from their respective homes in Bristol are using International Women’s Day tomorrow to highlight the informal skill-sharing support network they have developed.
Friends, graphic designer and illustrator Ruth Burger of TinCat Design, Marion Gillet of Marion Gillet_Design Management, and Liz Mitchell of Movementor, began sporadically bartering their skills when they shared an office in the city centre.
But when they started working from their homes near each other in Easton, and as their respective businesses grew, the frequency and nature of requests developed into a multifaceted to-ing and fro-ing of skill swaps, idea exchanges, time trades and collaborations.
And what started out as an informal arrangement has now grown organically, with the friends recognising it as a crucial part of their businesses. Also, with budgets under pressure, they can cut costs by sharing their skills.
When Marion became a mum to little Arlette, running her business became more difficult, so knowing that Liz and Ruth were on hand for occasional babysitting duties was reassuring.
Ruth said: “We share our successes and lend support during more difficult times. We often attend events together or share information we’ve learnt at seminars and workshops that we can’t all get to. Also, because we all have very different skills, working together and sharing those skills really helps us to motivate each other and drive our businesses forward.”
Marion added: “Being a mum and self-employed means there’s less you can control and I often need to deal with last-minute situations. For instance, when Arlette was ill and couldn’t go to her childminder, Liz came to work at my house so we could take turns looking after her.”
As the network is based on friendship, trust and mutual support, personal challenges are shared and overcome. For instance, the three women work alongside each other when motivation is running low, especially when the tax deadline is looming. They share practical business tips – such as how to win more clients or get to grips with social media – but the real value lies in the combination of practical, emotional and social support needed when running a small business.
Ruth said: “It’s really about keeping each other going and having a laugh when the pressure gets the better of you.”
The three are not sure if the concept is unique – but it is certainly unusual. Liz said: “I think it’s a really interesting model – and one that many freelancers who feel isolated could benefit from. It’s about understanding each other on many levels, professionally and personally, acknowledging when I might need a bit of help and being generous with my time and skills in return.”
“I’ve found it empowering to acknowledge my own strengths and fascinating to learn more about what Ruth and Marion can offer. I would actively encourage anyone to develop their own network and give it a go.”
Marion, Ruth and Liz will be on a mission to find women who work in a similar way at the Bristol100 event tomorrow when they will join other businesswomen and female entrepreneurs at the Avon Gorge Hotel, Clifton.
