Ambitious Women in Essex: Key Lessons from Chelmsford’s Female Founder Meet-Up
By Shannon Kate Murray, Founder & Editor of High Flying DesignOn 10 December, Ambitious Women in Essex hosted its Christmas meet-up at City Space in Chelmsford - a relaxed, festive networking event designed to help women connect without pressure or formality. Seasonal treats handmade by Luca’s Cakes, a warm atmosphere and open conversation set the tone, with a panel featuring four Essex-based business owners:
Natalie Scarsbrook, co-founder of Blatella Films, an award-winning film production company currently developing Witchcraft & Stilettos, a project reframing the Essex Girl narrative.
Preen Chakadonha, founder of Black And Being Essex, a community platform and directory supporting Black people across Essex.
Aimee O’Connell, founder of The Cupid Collective, specialising in social media, storytelling and content creation for small businesses.
Michelle Passfield, founder of Marketing withMichelle, helping small business owners gain clarity, confidence and connection with strategic marketing.
Photo Credit: Fountain Fotos, City Space.
Across an hour of discussion, the panel shared clear, practical insights into networking, community-building and the mindset shifts women in business will need heading into 2026.
Networking: “Enjoy it. Have fun with it.”
Michelle opened the conversation by reminding us that networking doesn’t need to feel formal or forced.
“Enjoy it. Have some fun. Don’t let one bad experience put you off.”
Her advice emphasised the basics done well: prepare ahead of time, read the room, approach people who are standing alone and always follow up afterwards. Most importantly: attend consistently - even when you’re busy with client work.
Michelle also shared a small but powerful etiquette tip rarely mentioned:
“Let the host know if you can’t attend. It shows respect and helps maintain relationships.”
Eve Calderbank, founder of Ambitious Women in Essex, explained that much of the community’s growth has come through consistent visibility on LinkedIn - proving that showing up online strengthens offline connection.
Natalie reframed networking in a way that resonated throughout the room:
“Networking is relationship-building for the long term. You don’t know how you might work together one day.”
Women-only spaces, she added, often create more open, relaxed conversations - the kind that allow genuine connection rather than performative pitching.
Community as a Foundation, Not an Add-On
Preen spoke candidly about building Black And Being Essex - a community that thrives across Instagram, WhatsApp groups, in-person events and a growing online directory.
Her advice was simple:
“Ask for feedback. Understand what your community needs. When you see a gap, fill the gap.”
She highlighted collaboration - partnering with others who can do what you can’t - and reminded attendees that no one builds meaningful community alone.
Michelle echoed this sentiment:
“Celebrate referrals more. And make thoughtful introductions. Community is built on that.”
She also encouraged founders to celebrate each other's wins - something women often skip in the rush of running a business.
Natalie highlighted how community reduces the isolation many freelancers experience. Her “hang-out days” for creatives started casually but evolved into real collaborations, shared projects and friendships.
She shared a story that captured the room’s attention:
“I supported another filmmaker up for the same award. It wasn’t competition - it meant we were both doing something right.”
Aimee closed the section with a mindset shift many founders needed:
“Don’t feed the scarcity mindset. Helping someone helps you. There’s enough work to go around.”
Michelle added that community isn’t just about meeting new people - it’s also about nurturing existing relationships:
“Spend time talking to the people you already know. Relationships deepen with time, not just new contact.”
From left to right: Caroline Mercieca, Shannon Kate Murray, Dawn Andrikopoulos, Michelle Passfield, Ella Duggan and Eden Waite
Heading Into 2026: What Ambitious Women Are Prioritising
As the panel wrapped, each founder shared what they’re prioritising for the year ahead. Though their answers differed, one theme stood out:
Ambition in 2026 is less about scale and more about sustainability.
Growth that feels supported, not solitary. Progress that fits a life, not overwhelms it.
That sentiment echoed throughout the room - a collective exhale from women who are building businesses on their own terms.
Why Ambitious Women in Essex Continues to Grow
Created through Essex County Council, Ambitious Women in Essex has become one of the county’s most supportive women’s business communities because it removes the pressure from networking. There are no required intros, no pitching circles and no expectation to perform. You turn up as you are.
City Space - thanks to founder Hedi Fountain - created the perfect backdrop for conversations that were open, encouraging and genuinely useful. Attendees left with new contacts, new collaborations and renewed confidence heading into the new year.
If you’re a female entrepreneur based in Essex (like me), you can register for future Ambitious Women meet-ups via Eventbrite.
Ambition becomes easier - and far more joyful - when you’re surrounded by women who just get it.
