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Consultant turned fashion entrepreneur set to bring women’s network to Leeds

Paula Grizzard is the Leeds-based fashion entrepreneur behind Really Me Runway, bringing fashion to busy people with little time for shopping, and who is now setting up a women’s business network in Leeds and Harrogate.

For 20 years Paula was an economic development consultant before realising it was time for a change, mixing her love of fashion and the practicalities of working life in her new venture,

Sensing a fatigue with the high street, with almost every shop offering the same styles and aware that people cannot always afford high end designer wear, the pop-up concept of RMR seemed ideal to Paula.

Paula said: “Buying lovely clothes should be a great experience but all too often it’s more about unpleasant fitting rooms, and limited choice. Buying on line is convenient but impersonal. I wanted to bring back personal service matching that with quality and affordability.

“RMR is unique in the way we operate. Busy customers appreciate the concept of fashion brought to them they are able to buy on the spot not wait for items to be ordered and then delivered.

“The RMR concept is about bringing beautiful clothes that you would not see on the high street direct to our customers at home or work.”

She said the venture “has been a risk which is now paying off – but if you are not prepared to take a risk there is no point being in business!”

Now, having established her business and with big plans to expand UK wide, Paula has turned her attention to developing the Women in Business Network in her area.

Here Paula speaks to Bdaily about women’s networks and the benefits of networking effectively to develop your business.

Why did you want to start the network in Harrogate and Leeds specifically, is there was an appetite and a market for it?

I love networking I have always believed it’s the most productive way to do business, I even deliver networking training as so many people don’t know how to network effectively.

It happened through a business colleague to attend a Women in Business Network meeting near Northampton promoting RMR. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the organisation, their approach to creating an atmosphere for people to collaborate, get referrals and leads and generally support one another. It’s a bit like a business club so because it is single sector or profession there is no competition. I got 3 pieces of business as a result of attending the meeting.

There is definitely a market for WIBN in Yorkshire. Although there are many networks WIBN is different because its building and growing business through collaboration and strategic networking.

If people want to hear an inspiration speaker they will find one amongst the members of the group. I love the fact that WIBN recognises the skills, talents and expertise of their members rather than being reliant on outside speakers. The aim is for each group to have about 30 business women who will build trust, in depth knowledge about one another’s business and ultimately will be able to recommend, refer and support each other. It will also be a sounding board for new ideas a bit like the alternative board!

There has been a great deal of business growth recently particularly in the development of small businesses, women have played a part in this and WIBN members will create further business opportunities. Leeds and Harrogate are vibrant places to do business and so great places to introduce WIBN to Yorkshire.

What would you say to critics of women’s business networks in general, have you come across any of them?

In fact I haven’t, there has been a great deal of positive interest in WIBN particularly when people take a look at the website and understand what a great offer being a member is – there are 90 groups with over 1000 members. Members can visit any group to promote their products or services and can talk virtually to other members and advertise on the website too!

I think it’s often recognised that women do business differently from men and there are a number of joint networking organisations as well as others that target women. I believe the market is big enough for a new business focussed network for women, but because WIBN is about the businesses in each group collaborating there is a better chance of creating more business.

What makes WIBN different to other networks?

Businesses that want to invest in themselves and in collaborating strategically will be attracted to WIBN. There is an annual subscription and we meet monthly over lunch. There is a structured format which means we don’t go off track. At the end of the day this is business focussed and the style of meetings reflect this.

If you were attempting to convince someone who wasn’t sure about joining, what would you say?

If you want to grow your business, network strategically, gain contacts and make an investment in your business or profession, WIBN is for you!

We invite any women in business or in a strategic business role to book a place at our Leeds launch at Leeds Seventeen on the 18th September 12 – 2.30pm, and Harrogate on the 2nd Oct at the Restaurant Bar and Grill 12 – 2.30pm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .