The ‘Babes’ of the business world

Creator of Boss Babe Brunch Rebecca Ryan.

Forget handshakes and swapping business cards – instead, try making connections in a laid back environment.

Boss Babe Brunch is a networking event for young women entrepreneurs to talk business, but more importantly socialise.

Creator of Boss Babe Brunch, 28-year-old Rebecca Ryan, says that while Tauranga is bustling with young women in business, she found there wasn't any networking events for women just starting out or in niche industries.

'There are lots of networking events, but they seem to be for older women and are a bit more serious,” says Rebecca.

'I wanted to create something a bit more fun that's about women networking, meeting other women who have local businesses and supporting local businesses.

'It's for any women in business, from women who do childcare to women who do makeup and hair and make cool little candles or clothing.”

Rebecca says she came up with the concept of the event when she signed up to a Facebook Page called Girls in Business.

'I own a local fitness company, so I put up a post on the Facebook Page about doing a collaboration for a Mother's Day prize,” she says. 'I found there was heaps of local women commenting.

'So I put another post up to do a get together and that went even wilder. I wanted to do it a bit differently, so I decided to do it for a charity.”

Rebecca says she put up another post up about organising a networking event, where the proceeds would go to charity, and she got lots of positive feedback.

She says although there are many charities, she thought Mental Health Foundation NZ was most fitting as health and fitness often go hand-in-hand.

'Mental health is a major issue in New Zealand, especially with young women, so I want to do my part by bringing awareness.

'Exercise helps a lot with mental health, by just getting out of the house and taking little steps.”

There will be two speakers - Tasha Meys and Vivien Conway from Ace the Gram - who will discuss their experiences on starting up a business and how social media plays an important role in a business's success.

There will also be acoustic music, as well as food provided by Olive Tree Cottage.

'My goal is to have 200 guests, because that way a significant chunk will go to Mental Health Foundation NZ.”

The Boss Babe Brunch will be held on Sunday, June 10 from 10.30am at Olive Tree Cottage on 247 Joyce Road, Tauranga.

Tickets are $47, with proceeds going towards Mental Health Foundation NZ. Every ticket will also go into a draw for a range of goodies, such as a wellness package, hair and beauty package and vouchers.

For more information, go to the Boss Babes Brunch Eventfinda page or Facebook page.

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