April 2024
Our April meeting was our first one for 4 years since the onset of Covid and was hosted by Marks & Clerk
You will find that our patent and trade mark attorneys together with our associated firm of solicitors offer a comprehensive range of intellectual property services - covering patents, trade marks, designs and copyright. This includes obtaining protection worldwide, portfolio management, strategic and commercial advice, licensing, enforcement, due diligence and litigation.
Guest Speaker
Amy Hopper - Founder / Director TOA Group
Meet the inspirational, Amy Hopper who founded her first business at 25, was hit by a dangerous driver at 26, permanent spine damage, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain for 5 years, lost her hair at 27, Google Top 30 UK Agency at 28, Amazon Triumph over Adversity Award at 29, UK Digital Role Model of the Year at 30, Spinal fusion and wheelchair user at 31, widowed during lockdown at 32, sold her business at 33, happy, healthy, pain-free and travelled the world solo at 33, founded the performance consultancy group TOA at 34, became a sport fitness model, and now helps companies remove wellbeing barriers to produce higher-performing teams.
Business Pitches
Indi Local is an app to connect food trucks to local foodies nearby, giving small businesses better visibility to their local communities and helping to put money back into local pockets. I had a light bulb moment when I stumbled across a food truck and realised there wasn't any way to know where they were without passing them by accident. Vanessa started building the app last year, marketing it from day one (even before there was any product or MVP) through social media, business networking events and going to meet prospective clients in-person. Have already built an engaged following in Milton Keynes and Northhants. Planning the initial launch in March with a phased rollout, iterating every week to find product-market-fit. Initially the focus is on Food Trucks in MK and NN postcodes, however the app has potential to scale UK-wide and to include other pop-up events such as local artisan fairs, local pub nights and gigs etc - any pop-up event which promotes small local business.
Vanessa brings a background in enterprise software and app development, a passionate videographer, story-teller and relationship builder. Soon you will be able to find a food truck near you.
Indi Local was voted best business pitch by the attendees at the meeting
ILOH is an independent company based in London that provides sexual health and wellbeing products that have been designed by women, for women. No more pseudo male designs, no more hiding products away in a drawer and no more sleepwalking into using unhealthy intimate brands. ILOH is about empowering us all to take ownership of being a woman and to take control of our sexual wellness. It's about feeling confident and shame free using products that not only feel right but look great. At ILOH, we're redefining self-care with a curated collection of sexual wellness products from brands we love.
We believe empowering women to take charge of their sexual health and wellbeing has multiple benefits including mental, emotional and physical elevations when connecting with their body. We're supporting our community to shift their mindset by providing a shame free shopping experience, addressing the taboos often associated with browsing, buying, owning and using pleasure and menstrual products. ILOH's founder Jemma Sawyer started a journey exploring FemTech and the innovation of female design, to provide a platform that is without shame or guilt. ILOH is a community for women to explore their sexual health, confidence and pleasure. Interestingly ILOH is now competing with John Lewis among many others, who have recently launched their own range of women's sexual health and wellbeing products.
Jemma also won and holds 2 Guiness world records: The Largest Coconut Ensemble and Speed Dating at the Highest Altitude.
Bennu - Rise and Shine
A registered charity, creating hope for the future: An Arts Therapy organisation providing a team of art, dance, drama and music therapists in schools and organisations. Supporting individuals, groups, and families facing various challenges. These may be circumstances at school, work or home. People are seeking and welcome a safe and confidential space to share what is on their mind. Whether dealing with longstanding issues, new dilemmas, tribulations or trauma; it has brought them to a place where professional therapeutic help and support will give them the opportunity to self-regulate, explore strategies and begin healing.
Throughout her career, Kaz, has been deeply involved in community arts, leading innovative projects aimed at addressing the; social, emotional, and mental health needs of children, young people, and families. Her extensive work across 33 local authorities has equipped her with a profound understanding of social demographics, the impact of trauma and suffering on: learning, social development, overall mental health, wellbeing and self-care of children and young people.
Committed to promoting self-care, Kaz delivers 'Be Kind to Yourself' workshops and webinars. By combining her skills as a clinician and artist, Kaz advocates for therapeutic interventions, recognizing their potential to save lives and catalyse life-changing transformations.
