Poole-based business networking group celebrates second year

Goldfinch Gatherings was established by Christina Stone, founder of Goldfinch Marketing, and runs monthly in Poole for business owners looking for opportunities to expand their network and make new connections.  

More than 100 business owners have attended the gatherings over the past two years and has seen its expansion to new venues offering greater networking opportunities. 

Christina said what started to be an event for the area has “thrived beyond its initial scope to include new areas and lots more business owners than I could have imagined”. 

SUCCESS: Goldfinch Gatherings was established by Christina Stone, who founded Goldfinch Marketing (Image: PR)

She added: “When I was thinking of creating Goldfinch Gatherings, I knew that there would be people like me in the community who were feeling disconnected and who wanted to make some friends in the business community. 

“I knew that there was immense value in networking generally, but I also felt that there was room for some more fun in the process. 

“There’s been a huge amount of value in the networking that has taken place at Goldfinch Gatherings, people have really enjoyed the mix of professional and personable, finding that the events are both useful for their businesses and a great way of breaking up the sometimes lonely nature of home working. I 

“t’s not just been about expanding networks, it’s been about making friends and supporting one another as much as it’s been about sharing resources.” 

She added that networking has been “incredibly valuable” to her business over the years as it has helped build a support system, make new friends and become part of a shared resource network. 

Goldfinch Gatherings will host a Celebrate and Elevate event on September 24 to celebrate its second business anniversary, hosted by The Canford in Poole. 

Christina added: “Our Celebrate and Elevate event was organised with Q4 in mind. As we approach the winter months and begin to head towards the end of the year it’s difficult to feel motivated which is why I wanted to host a celebration, to get business owners fired up and inspired for the coming quarter. 

“Not only will there be an opportunity for informal networking, there will also be mini workshops on a variety of topics that will cover essential topics to help business owners thrive in the final quarter of the year. 

“Booking is essential and can be done via the Goldfinch Gatherings website, I look forward to seeing lots of like-minded business owners there.”