Regional Director, South East Hertfordshire and Enfield
Rosy Holt runs “Networking the Athena Way” groups for pro-active business women meeting monthly at lunchtime in Potters Bar, (second Tuesday of the month) in Enfield (third Thursday of the month), Botany Bay – Enfield (fourth Tuesday of the month) with a fourth group in Radlett (meeting on the fourth Wednesday of the month).
Rosy joined Athena in 2008, when she was looking at networking opportunities to promote her business. She wanted something that was convenient enough to fit in with her other commitments and that could slot without too much trouble into her life style, she didn’t want anything too pressurised, but didn’t want to be classed as “a lady who lunched” either, she also wanted to benefit from regular structured networking at a time that suited her, not the early morning breakfasts or in the evenings. Although The Athena Network fitted the bill she did not join a group, she bought the franchise!
Rosy believes that there are many business ladies out there who benefit both personally and professionally from the support and inspiring opportunities that Athena offer to those that actively seek them. It is very important that the groups Rosy runs are pro-active, friendly and welcoming, enabling ladies from various professions to join together to share business knowledge, contacts and expertise in order to increase their businesses without feeling overpowered and just as importantly, while enjoying themselves.
Following a long career in both in Italy and in London on her way to work one morning Rosy decided she wanted more much more from life and went about turning her life round and now is involved with a few carefully chosen businesses As well as running her Athena Network groups Rosy is also involved in other small businesses which provide a lot of variation and are the total opposite to the focused career she followed for many years in the travel and tourism industry.
In September 2010 Rosy went to Tanzania to help renovate a primary school located at the foot of Kilimanjaro, she is on the committee of her local Toastmasters group and has just been asked to become an Ambassador for World Vision.
One of the great rewards of running Athena groups is for Rosy standing back and watching the results, whether that is strategic alliances being formed, new business being passed, or friendship and support being offered, or simply watching ladies reaching out from their comfort zone and finding they quite enjoy the experience.
Rosy Holt
Regional Director – The Athena Network
Telephone: 01707 271466
Mobile: 07711 361368
Email: Click Here To Email Rosy
Have you seen the South East Herts and Enfield Facebook page? http://www.facebook.com/#!/NetworkingtheAthenaWayinSouthEastHertsandEnfield
I have been a member of Radlett and Borehamwood Athena since its inception and have to say that Rosy is one of the most dedicated directors in the business. She really cares about making your business a success. I have met members of her other groups which are also dynamic and flourishing. A great way to promote your business and be encouraged by other members. Join us!
Joining Athena is a fantastic opportunity to meet other local business women and learn more about each others businesses. Rosy is extremely enthusiastic and welcoming to everyone, and it really has made an impact on my business and how many new local contacts l have made.
Our monthly Athena meetings in Enfield give us the perfect opportunity to mix with like-minded business ladies – all of whom want to generate business for themselves and for each other. I have made some great contacts and new friends through the Athena Network and take real pleasure in seeing new members coming on board. The Athena Network is a wonderful and enjoyable way forward if you are trying to grow your business.
Being a member of the Borehamwood and Radlett Athena group has done wonders for my sanity in the business world. Every month I know that I will be lunching with like-minded professional business ladies who all have the same goal in mind: to make a business a success. Rosy is our secret weapon keeping us motivated and challenged with the topics of discussion and guest speakers she organises. The women of Borehamwood and Radlett Athena care about each other’s success and are fantastic at encouraging and applauding each success. We would love new members to join us and experience the fabulousness of Rosy who really is a dynamic leader we are lucky to have. Thank you Rosy and the ladies of Borehamwood and Radlett Athena
I have been networking since I started my business 6 years ago, and not only have I gained new business, moreover I have met some really inspirational women. It is a chance to gather new ideas and gives you a chance to reflect on what you are doing in yours. I will always network – it is key to any business large or small.
I have been on the networking scene for quite few years now (yes probably a few more than I care to admit to!) but truly find Athena to be one of the more pleasurable and refreshing forms of networking I do! I look forward to our monthly meetings and Cappuccino Connections and come away not only with new business opportunities but also having received a great deal of inspiration from my fellow members. Women are natural networkers and Athena offers the perfect setting to facilitate this, so come along and lets talk business together!
Having joined the Enfield Athena group at the end of 2009 with a fledgling business, I can safely say as novice networker that I have been made very welcome and gain in confidence at every meeting. Congratulations to Rosy in building such a strong and succesful group.
The meetings organised by Rosy at the Enfield group are really well structured but with a relaxed atmosphere. New to the business world with a lot to learn, I couldn’t have asked for a better learning environment, the talks are always interesting, often entertaining and give valuable advice. Networking has opened up so many opportunities and I have met many interesting people, made new friends and business contacts. This group is really supportive and friendly and Rosy is committed to seeing it thrive and bringing in visitors and guests on a regular basis. I have no hesitation in recommending it.
It didn’t take me long to decide whether to join Athena or not. The ladies were welcoming and friendly and Rosy runs the meetings professionally with lots of tips on how to get the most out of networking. This is my first networking group and I have found the meetings and training days informative, fun and very motivating. I have only been a member for 2 months and have already recouped my costs for Athena from referals!! Athena is a fantastic way of meeting new contacts and really fantastic ladies!
Rosy is a wonderful regional director and runs a fantastic group. She is truly motivated and works extremely hard always striving to have a good mix of people from different businesses. The speakers are always interesting at the meetings. This is a great group and the place to be if you are serious about growing your business. Well done Rosy.
I am an Enfield Athena Member and really do enjoy both our scheduled monthly meetings and more informal coffee mornings. I urge anyone reading this to come along and visit us and see what it’s all about. We have a fantastic group of business ladies with diverse skills and trades and together we work well in referring business to each other. I would like to say a big thank-you to Rosy for all her hard work and making our group so successful.
I was a network virgin when I went to my 1st Athena meeting. However, from the 1st moment I stepped into the room I was hooked! It became apparent very quickly that although I had a lot to learn about “What makes a good networker”, the Enfield group were willing to share and teach me the ropes. Friendly,supportive,inspiring…the list goes on.
Rosy is a wonderful director and Enfield is a fantastic group with everyone bringing business to the table. After 1 yr as a member, well over half of my business has come through Athena members and their contacts, and the trend is ongoing.
Come join us!!
I have been a member of Athena Enfield since January 2010 and I can truly say that every single month, I am looking forward to the Athena meeting (not only because it is lunch in a pub!). Today was no exception. The meeting was absolutely fantastic. Thank you to Rosy, and to Deborah, for holding such powerful meetings. I feel that the energy of the group is very balanced. We have very strong personalities and quieter ones, which is the reason why this group is so successful. So, thank you ladies and keep networking!
Over the past 6 months our Potters Bar group has grown solidly due to Rosy’s care, enthusiasm and commitment as well as her obvious networking expertise. I know that everyone speaks positively about their own group but I think we have a group of fabulous business women who are truly inspirational! We all understand the highs and lows of being in business and there is a real willingness to help and support each other. This is essentially because we all share a belief in the importance of building good relationships with each other which, as well as creating a great friendly atmosphere, inspires a real trust in each other and inevitably will result in good business opportunities. I think this is a real strength of Athena and an ethos that Rosy consistently promotes well.
Wow what a lady! So professional, so styled, so together, so co-ordinated and so damm nice. It is a pleasure to have Nalan in the group she is the visitor co-ordinator for Potters Bar and does an excellent job. She doesn’t ask you to throw away your wardrobe and start again but offers good sound advice to try and make you look as good as she does. Nalan was one of the organisers of the Fashion Frolic and Fun fundraiser for the Tanzania project and everything she did, and she did a lot was done with such style and ease. Thank you most sincerely you really are a star!
I have been a member of the Athena Borehamwood & Radlett group since January 2009 and I have been amazed at the level of support and encouragement from Rosy and from the members of the group. I am also grateful for the relationships I have started to build. The environment is safe and motivating, thanks to Rosy’s leadership. In addition to the monthly meetings which run between 12 and 2pm, we also have the Cappuccino Connections. These are a fantastic opportunity to meet with other ladies in business. Again, I have met really lovely people and great connections. Networking through the Athena group has become a significant part of promoting my business and I wish I had joined sooner!
I asked Beauty to become our visitor co-ordinator soon after she joined our group as it was obvious from the beginning she had what it takes to be tell our visitors the truth: “networking won’t work overnight” but if you stick at it and learn as you go along, get the support of your fellow members do the 1 2 1’s you will get success! I have asked Beauty to present at some of my other groups and if you thought accountancy was dull arrange a 1 2 1 with Beauty and see why the “more” in her company name is justified.
As a serial networker, I have been going to different groups and events for many years. As I still need to be in the office spending time doing the work as well as bringing it in I have to chose very carefully what are the right networking groups to attend as you need to be committed to attend regualrly. I chose Athena because I felt it was avery professionally run organization and Rosy Holt the Regional Director for the Borehamwood group has neen extremely pro-active in helping the members to grow their business. Communication is very important when it comes to networking and Rosy always keeps the group informed of what is going on. I look forward to going to the meeting once a month.
Deanne shares the chair with Colleen Oakley for our Borehamwood and Radlett meetings. I have also had the pleasure of networking with Deanne in her breakfast groups Key Connectors and we have become friends even sharing the stage in the Amanda Jones and Penelope Ponsonby Smythe sketches. If you know of someone who wants to join a weekly breakfast networking group I do recommend Key Connectors and really do enjoy going out before the crack of dawn to meet my breakfast buddies!!
I have been a member of the Barnet group since its start and i was also new to networking. The idea of afternoon meetings and regular coffee mornings appealed to me and Rosy made me so welcome. I did not feel ‘out of it’ and soon realised not only the potential for new business but also the new freindships that would be formed. In fact i am now the ‘chair person’ in our meetings and i would never have thought that a year ago. I have gained confidence not only in business but in myself and would recommend Athena to any lady wanting to bond business and friendships, and this is all down to the hard work and professionalism of Rosy and the huge effort she puts in. We love you
I attended the new member training given by Rosy yeaterday in Potters Bar and would highly recommend it!
I am fairly new to networking (having joined the Potters Bar group two months ago) and Rosy’s training certainly made me take a closer look at my own business goals and where to focus my search for new business.
It was particularly useful to meet new members from other Athena groups and Rosy reinforced the importance of making best use of all Athena connections – there are several strategic alliances I am now keen to pursue! Rosy’s advice also helped me consider ways to make future meetings work for me, in terms of planning the monthly minute and thinking about potential new members or visitors.
I have just joined Athena in Enfield and am really enjoying the businesslike but friendly atmosphere. I am meeting lots of like- minded women and look forward to our lunches and cappuccino connections with relish, unlike other networking groups, particularly the early morning ones. Rosy is great and creates a brilliant environment, whilst making it all look really easy.
I’ve been a member of the Potters Bar group since April 2010, and I must say, it’s been an absolute pleasure to meet Rosy and the other members of the group. I attended the new member training a few days ago that Rosy was running, and it was truly an informative, interactive and fun training! It was a supportive environment and Rosy delivered it with great humour too and we all had alot of fun. I found it really helpful and I’ve even got a new strapline for my business because of it! Thank you Rosy!!!
I have been a member of Athena Radlett and Borehamwood since Dec 2009. Having worked in large Co-orporate organisations for over 20 years, it was lonely setting up my own business. Joining Athena has provided the opportunity to network with like minded professional business ladies and forge new relationships, both who I can help, and they can help me.
Rosy is a highly professional leader, providing the motivation and stimulus for the group. She is extremely enthusiastic, leads and directs from the front. A pleasure to be associated with. Thank you Rosy.
I belong to Enfield Athena where Rosy has been instrumental in building our thriving group. It is because of her input that we have such a relaxed and enjoyable group with a diverse mix of business opportunities. Yet she brings more than that. She has been hugely supportive and encouraging to those of us who have encountered difficulties along the way. I for one regard her not only as a top business director but also as a friend. So if you’re looking for a networking group that will grow your business as well as care about it, this is it!
When I joined the Potters Bar group at the beginning of the year I was completely new to networking and running my own business. I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every single meeting and always learn something new or just feel inspired by talking to other women who are going through similar business issues.
Rosy herself is very supportive and made me feel welcome from the very first email she replied to. I really recommend Athena networking to all business women.
Thank you to all the wonderful members of my groups who over the past six months have been involved in Fashion Shows and Garden Parties, to raise money to renovate the primary school in Mawanda in Tanzania. We are nearly there ladies so thank you all for your support, hard work, raffle prizes and all sorts of things that only you (and perhaps me) know you did, you were amazing!! I really do have some fantastic ladies in my groups, thank you.
I recently joined the Athena Networking group in Enfield after visiting as a visitor in July and upon entering I was overwhelmed with such a warm and supportive feeling from other members of the group. I am totatlly new to networking and did not know what to expect, however the group are very friendly and instantly make you feel at ease. I thought what a great way of getting to learn about other businesses in the area and start to form and build long lasting relationships.
Rosy is an absolute gem in organising these events and making sure everyone feels included as well as sharing useful tips and always being there if ever needed. I would highly recommend other businesses to join the Athena Networking group you will meet a great bunch of people.
I was totally new to networking when I joined The Athena Network, and was very nervous about presenting. I needn’t have worried, everyone at the Enfield group made me feel so welcome. I always look forward to the monthly meetings. I have met some wonderful like minded ladies, the atmosphere is relaxed but businesslike, and there’s always a touch of humour. Rosy has been instrumental in improving the way I conduct my business through networking, I only have to suggest that ‘I would like to meet…’ and before the day is over, Rosy’s sent me the link I’ve requested, the ultimate networker and a true inspiration; thank you Rosy and thank you to the Enfield Athena Network members, I’ve learned so much from you.
Wow – it really works! Rosy encouraged me to join the Athena in Potters Bar earlier this year (approx April 2011) and after visiting just one meeting, I had no hesitation in joining. I have attended many networking organisations in the past but the difference with this one, was that the people in the room were not trying to sell to the people in the room! It can be really frustrating to visit a group and feel like you are being sold to, that is not what networking is about. The difference with this meeting was that the members actually understood its about trying to sell to the people in the room’s family, friends and contacts, which expands your audience tenfold.
Once you have educated the people in the room about what you do, by having 1-2-1′s they can then sell your services for you. So for the small joining fee and cost of lunch each month (which is always scrumptious), you end up with about 15 other people encouraging their hundreds of contacts to use your services.
The other biggest and most important factors in my opinion with networking and especially with the Potters Bar group is the welcome feeling you have whenever you arrive, the support you receive from the members of the group and the motivation you are given to carry on doing what your doing to reach your goals.
When you compare the cost of Athena to other marketing tools or services, there really is no contest. Women like to network with other women, the members all want to help each other and if nothing else, what a great opportunity to share ideas with other businesses and members and learn how they are bringing in their clients and customers.
Being new to Networking I was not sure what to expect when I went along to my first Athena meeting, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how incredibly friendly and welcoming all the business ladies were. I left feeling completely motivated and with far more confidence than when I went in. Since then I look forward to each and every meeting knowing that I will learn something new about running a business and feeling empowered to strive for more! On top of this I have found that through Athena I have received many orders, increasing my customer base and spreading the word about my business. What more could I possibly hope for? Thank you Rosy for always making me feel welcome and for the referrels you have sent my way!
I first met Rosy a year ago when I came to the Radlett Athena group to Hot Seat for another member. Rosy was warm, welcoming and down to earth, an absolute blessing for someone that hadn’t been networking very long. Since then, I have joined the group, been inspired & motivated by it’s members and Rosy, so much so I have now taken on the roll of Chair of the group. I doubt I could have done that without the encouragement and confidence boosting from Rosy and in turn I now feel able to pass that on to other members. All Rosy’s groups are full of business minded women who are supportive and friendly, share a sense of humour [hugely important I feel, given some of the obstacles women in business find in their paths] and have time and again proved how well networking actually works. Thank you Rosy and all the Athena SE Herts members.
I am the newest member of Rosy’s Radlett group. The Radlett ladies made me feel at ease and really comfortable especially for someone who this happened to be a 2nd networking meeting ever! I was umming and aahhhing about what to do about joining due to childcare issues but I just felt so right in the group that I could not let the opportunity of the seat going to someone else. I wish I had known about networking a long time ago because I am sure I would have been far ahead than I am now but I now have that opportunity to let my business progress greatly having a great team of ladies to be supported by.
I still remember Rosy’s words to date ‘I have never had a situation where I have had a visitor wanting to become a member before I have met them’ – Rosy was absent the day I attended the Radlett meeting.
She must have great faith in me because I am now the membership secretary of Radlett.
A big thanks to Rosy for allowing me to be a member of Athena Radlett and thanks to the Radlett ladies for making me feel really welcomed in the group.