May Round-Up: Juggling, Judging, and Joy (with a few dodgy dance moves thrown in! 💃)

Does anyone else feel like May has been a massive juggle to fit everything in? Honestly, it’s been one of those months where the calendar’s been bursting 📆 - but somehow, it’s all happened (just about)!

I kicked off the month not quite as I meant to go on... at the Blackburn Beer Festival 🍻 (thanks for the invite, Laura Hartley!). Laughed loads 😂 and behaved myself, because the next morning involved three Wainwrights ⛰️ and yes, I was feeling very smug in the sunshine ☀️! Managed to squeeze in a few more hikes too - and with the gorgeous weather, even Peroni and Eli 🐾 enjoyed getting out and about.

I also caught up with the brilliant Sam White, our EVAS2022 Business Woman of the Year 🏆. We had an unfiltered conversation about the challenges of sourcing funding as a female founder 💼 still frustrating, even with a proven track record. The landscape has to shift.

Catching up with our EVAS charity partner Karen Morris to discuss all our plans for the ceremony and the EVAS Raffle 🎁!

Another standout moment? The 12-hour Danceathon for Prevent Breast Cancer 💗. Thirty-three women, most of whom I’d never met, came together, gave it their all, and danced their socks off 👟 myself included (complete with dodgy moves and lots of laughs). Massive thanks to Louise Stephenson (Associate CIPD) and the team for organising it. Safe to say, lunch at The Ivy the next day was a welcome reward 🥂!

We also officially launched Pink Link Penrith 🌸 huge well done to Mary Ballard! Next up is Pink Link Blackburn in June. If you’re passionate about bringing women in business together and fancy running your own network, let’s have a chat. We’re growing!

Thanks to Paula Davies and Ged Mills at Coastal DAB Radio for the invitation to the Local Business Awards at the Tower 🏰 it was heart-warming to see so many local businesses being celebrated and thriving 🌟.

I also had the pleasure of attending the opening of the Altitude enterprise centre, and took along our EVAS sponsor Michael Dugdale, Trident Utilities.. Innovation and collaboration were front and centre, and I was fascinated to hear about the drone and data projects happening right here in the region 🤖. Thanks to Martin Blunt MBA and the team for the invite.

Now… the buzz is building because EVAS2025 Finalists are being announced tomorrow! 🥳 Each year the standard gets higher, the entries more powerful - and our Judging Panel are going to have a tough job on their hands 👀!

On a more personal note, it’s been a tough one at home 💔. Dad has been back in hospital, and watching someone who was once so strong become increasingly frail really hits home. He’s back now - keeping us on our toes (and the nurses, too! 🏥). To everyone working in healthcare - you truly are heroes 🙌.

Here’s to June - hopefully more sunshine ☀️, more celebrations 🎉, and hopefully a few quieter days (but let’s be honest… probably not!) 😉

Pink Link Member Spotlight

Vivienne Pike runs Just Company, offering companionship for elderly people who are lonely or in need of mental stimulation, living on their own or in a care support environment in the Morecambe Bay area. Just Company arranges regular outings to places their clients enjoy but can no longer visit alone, like trips for coffee , cake , or a stroll to Marks and Spencer’s.

Want to know more about the benefits of being a Pink Link Member? Let's have a chat!

Best wishes,

Coral

Coral Horn, Managing Director

P.S. Running a business is hard - and you don’t have to do it alone. This is where real talk meets real support. Connect with me on LinkedIn

Networking is the secret sauce for empowerment, collaboration, and uplifting our entire community. Join us at Pink Link, where your success story is waiting to unfold!