Friday interview: The woman who created a club for solo business owners to belong and to thrive

In partnership with Mint Business Club

What’s the story behind Mint Business Club?

I’ve always referred to myself as ‘the girl who doesn’t fit in’ because I’ve always struggled to work for other people. I was brought up in a culture of customer service. My parents had shops and I grew up learning how to serve people, how to help them.

When I was older, both of my parents moved into an education setting but they were still helping people for a living – that impacted on me, hugely.

I’ve worked in recruitment, sales, as a primary school teacher and have run my own businesses too, so my career has taught me all sorts (good and bad), which I now use to keep Mint relevant and helpful to our members.

My aim with Mint was to create a community of local businesses – from self-employed freelancers up to micro-business owners – that supports its members by providing training, education and an arena for entrepreneurs to bounce ideas off each other. A supportive, encouraging environment for people to feel comfortable enough to learn in. I believe in education until we die, but in my experience, people have to feel secure to be able to take new information on board and thrive.

FAQs

How much does it cost to join?

For solo business owners, we offer membership from £25 per month and for micro-businesses, it’s from £40 per month.

We’ve been looking at an online membership option for a while, but the current situation has brought that forward. An Online Learning membership is also now available at £25 per month.

How has the Coronavirus crisis changed Mint Business Club?

From delivering all training and networking sessions face to face, we’ve had to pull everything online to continue our support. I’ve been doing a daily dose of positivity every day to keep the members’ spirits up – but to tell the truth, it’s helped me just as much as them, to keep in touch on a regular basis.

The training programme we’ve established, at very short notice, has been amazing. More than 20 members of the club stepped forward to provide online training sessions when we had to scrap the usual schedule and we’re posting recordings of the sessions on the membership website so everyone can benefit.

How many training sessions can members access as part of their membership?

Before the crisis, there was one official training session per month in each area (Durham and Consett, North Tyneside, and Morpeth) with additional opportunities for one-to-ones with our team of incredible mentors. But since the crisis, we’ve run more than 30 online training sessions with loads more lined up.

Testimonials from members

Excellent training for all levels. I’ve had a business 10 years and this membership still teaches me more and more every day. Great team. Teresa Peters

There is such a great community, everyone has each other’s back and you know when you pop into the group or go along to a meeting it’s not only going to be packed full of great stuff that gets you thinking but you’re going to leave feeling better than you did when you arrived. A fantastic place for solo business owners to belong and thrive in, if you’re reading this you should definitely join! Amy Purdie

Been with this amazing group from the start, can’t recommend enough. It makes a massive difference to be part of a strong likeminded group! Join, you won’t regret it. Ian Mc