Hello Fabulous People
It’s nice to start with something joyous. Here is a testimonial about this event.
‘Just want to say a big THANK YOU @Zoe White for inviting me to speak yesterday at the Dugdale. You created an incredible event with an amazing turn out. The other speakers were great and the conversations and interactions were flowing. Such a lovely day.’
How
When someone wants to start a business, CIC, charity etc, they attend some sort of business course. If like me, you attend many. Whether you consider these courses or workshops good or bad, they all cover the same things; How to actually start a business.
This is great, but what happens when you are actually living in your business? There are no courses or workshops on how to help you live in or live with a business.
I love being a BIPC Enfield Ambassador. In my volunteer work I help business who are start-ups, pre-start-ups and well established. I use my over 20 years of being in business to help in real ways. Whether it’s organising networks, speakers, workshops and help sessions.
I was at a BIPC Ambassador’s meeting, where all London BIPC Ambassadors get to catch up with each other, and the BIPC from British Library. I was telling them how I was thinking of bringing on a selection of speakers over several months to come in to talk about an unusual set of subjects. One of the British Library BIPC staff said that 2026 was the 20th anniversary and would I consider running one big event instead of months of little talks.
I love a challenge. So off I went to organise an event.
Where
Venue are just as important as any speaker or subject. The venue needed to be in Enfield. Libraries are the most obvious option but I was told they were all due to be renovated from February.
I wanted to venue to feel safe, welcoming, friendly, be fully accessible and easy to get to by public transport and car. The Dugdale Arts Centre (also known as DAC and The Dugdale) seemed to be the perfect answer. I often use the venue for teaching and meetings. It had all I wanted plus a café, toilets and reception.
Why
I wanted this event to be fun, friendly and informative. I wanted to have speakers that really knew there subject and subjects that were really helpful. I wanted the theme to be all the things you wish you had known when you stated your business.
I chose to run the event at the Rake in the Dugdale. It’s a fun space that could be curtained off and had brilliant stacked step seating. This was also a smaller space. I wanted this to be a smaller event so people could really network and not get lost in the crowd. I felt a max of about 40 guests would be the right number.
So, what are the subjects that business owners really need help with. I’m a huge fan and advocate of networking to support, connect and meet other businesses. Good networking events that offer conversations introductions and communal problem solving are the style of network I choose to go to.
I realised that the same problems and complaints came up again and again when speaking with colleagues. The first is taking care of yourself; as business owner we abuse and neglect ourselves on a regular basis. The second was how not to waist your time on things that don’t work. Lastly, the thing that I see going wrong more than any other, was giving a good and impactful introduction / 1 minute pitch.
Who
So now I know where the event is going to be. I know how many spaces. Make sure there were refreshments. I knew I wanted networking and a fun prize draw. I knew I wanted subjects that covered, healthy snacking, how to avoid neck and back train at the computer or desk, how to be happy in your business (as business owners are their own worst critics), how to give a great pitch and how to do email marketing without pi***ng people off.
Now speakers had to be chosen. I wanted those who really knew what they were talking about, who knew how to communicate, kind and generally great businesses. It was not hard to choose:
Speakers
Zeenat Ahmed-Peto
Business Name: Zeenat Ahmed-Peto Cognitive Hypnotherapy
Subject – How to Be a Happy Business Owner and Create Success without Burnout. Running a business can be all-consuming and taking care of ourselves can be our last priority. This can lead to stress, which left unchecked can end in burnout. Zeenat will talk you through simple ways to be a happier and healthier boss.
Email: zeenat@zeenatahmedpeto.com
Web: https://zeenatahmedpeto.com/
About: Zeenat is an experienced holistic cognitive hypnotherapist and has run her Enfield business for 15 years. Alongside her one-to-one therapy work, she offers sound baths with Reiki and meditation for groups, to provide a truly holistic service. Zeenat is the author of ‘Too Kind: A Survival Guide for Sensitive Souls’. She has earned multiple national awards including being named as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain in 2025.
Saira
Business Name: Saira Nutrition
Subject: Snacking for Success – Eating Well as a Busy Business Owner Skipping lunch, relying on caffeine and grabbing whatever’s convenient – sound familiar?Saira will share why healthy eating matters for business performance and how smart snacking can boost your energy, focus and productivity, with practical ideas you can use straight away.
About: Saira is a two-time award-winning Registered Associate Nutritionist, specialising in weight loss and behaviour change, with a First Class Honours BSc in Health Sciences (Nutrition) from King’s College London and clinical experience supporting hundreds of clients across community and corporate settings. She has delivered bespoke workplace wellbeing sessions for organisations including British Airways and is the founder of Saira Nutrition.
Sarah Stiffin
Business Name: Sarah Stiffin Online
Subject: Effective Email Marketing without Annoying People – We are all bombarded with email marketing that comes to often, says nothing and we press ‘Delete’ as soon as we see it. Sarah will explain exactly what annoys people and how to send emails that people actually want to read.
Email: sarah@sarahstiffin.com Web: https://www.sarahstiffin.com
About Sarah Stiffin is an award winning Email Marketing Strategist specialising in helping ecommerce and product-based businesses turn email marketing into a revenue-driving channel. With 18 years’ experience, she combines strategy, analytics, accessibility and customer psychology to create high-performing email marketing that builds stronger customer relationships and long-term business growth.
Marie Barberi
Business Name: Holistic Wellbwing
Subject: Healthy Desk Sitters – Many of us spend long hours sitting at a desk or in front of a computer, which can place strain on the neck, shoulders, back and overall posture. Over time, this may also affect the joints, ligaments and tendons.To help restore balance, it’s important to develop strength, mobility, and flexibility. Marie will guide you through movements and exercises designed to support better posture, ease tension, and enhance your overall wellbeing.
Email: holisticenergy80@gmail.com
Web: https://www.instagram.com/holistic_well_being_/
About. Marie is a Movement & Holistic Practitioner supporting others with their fitness and wellbeing through yoga, strength training, core stability and overall wellness through mindfulness, somatic healing and holistic practises, bringing balance to the mind and body
Name: Akshay Gajria
Business Name: Your Story LABs
Subject: Introduce Yourself with a Bang! Be sharp, clear and most importantly, on time. Everything starts with your introduction. Pitches, networking events and the dreaded ‘About Me’s you have to fill out everywhere. Akshay explains the craft of writing your own introduction as a script that you can be performed when needed.
Email: akshay.gajria@outlook.com Web: https://akshaygajria.com
About you a business: Akshay Gajria is a London-based storyteller, writer and writing coach who has spent over a decade performing personal stories on some of the world’s most respected stages, including The Moth, The Story Collider and True Story London. He has designed and delivered communication and storytelling programmes for organisations ranging from the International Economy Conference in Bahrain to corporate and educational institutions in London and Mumbai. His debut novel is longlisted for Faber’s Action! Prize 2026. As the founder of Your Story LABs, he brings the tools of narrative craft and live performance to help professionals communicate with more clarity, confidence and impact.
I was asked multiple times after this event when will I run another because it was so loved. I politely smiled and said maybe. Not telling anyone the HUGE amount work and time that this one event took me. However, never say never.
A Little Advice
For those who want to organise events. Here is my advice to you. As well as my advice above on a getting a good venue and speakers, you need to think about flow. How do the speakers speak? Are they interactive? Mix up the styles to keep the audience interested. Make sure you have brakes and good coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cold water and biscuits as they help the conversation flow. Also have a compère that can think of their feet as things always go wrong, especially with technology. I’m comfortable talking with people so happy to do it. But if your compère can only do rehearsed and planned stuff, then you are going to get some long silences. Write everything down on a Do TO / Completed List, no matter how small, it all needs to be covered. Make sure people can find out about your event several ways, we don’t all gain information in the same way. Lastly, have fun with it. Life can be hard, so a little joy in day a day can go a long way.