The new Athena group for women in business is being started in Weybridge by local business partners Robyn Hatley and Tricia Taylor, regional directors for the North Surrey region. Robyn already runs five groups in Kew, Richmond, Hampton, Teddington and Twickenham.

Running from 12 noon to 2pm, the business lunch meetings provide informal networking time, a sit-down lunch and the opportunity for women to promote their own business. The aim of Athena is to help women grow their businesses by sharing experiences, exchanging skills and giving and receiving referrals in a non-pressured environment.

At the meeting, local entrepreneur Karen Skidmore’s talk “Roller Coasters, Roundabouts and Dead End Streets” will tell Karen’s journey of creating a business on her own terms. Karen spent the majority of her career as a director with a FTSE 100 recruitment group, but became disillusioned with her corporate career after returning to work after her second child. She started up as a life coach, but five months later reached an all time low. “I realised that starting a business from scratch was far harder than I imagined,” she says. “Without any marketing budget, little cash flow and minimal clients, I decided enough was enough. I had to go out and learn how to market myself effectively.” She founded CanDoCanBe (www.CanDoCanBe.com) in 2004, which helps self-employed professionals create successful and profitable home businesses.

For bookings (places are £25 including lunch) and further membership information, please call Robyn Hatley 01932 422573 or Tricia Taylor 01932 882 340, or e-mail robyn@theathenanetwork.com