Meet Our Hosts

We have an amazing team of hosts – female entrepreneurs just like you, who make our events a success.

Check out each host below, then visit our Host Spotlight where we go into more detail on a different host each month.

Claire Baker

Online & SBV On Tour Meetings

Hi, I’m Claire. Together with Colette Bratton, I co-founded Small Business Vibes networking back in September 2023 when we opened the Lichfield meeting together. We run the online meetings, plus I run the Worthing meeting and the new SBV On Tour Pop Up meetings around the country.

I’m a Licensed DISC Behavioural & Communications Trainer and an accredited Personal Performance Coach for life and business. I'm also a certified journal therapist and a professional trainer for the NHS MPFT Wellbeing and recovery college.

My business is Claire Baker Coaching, incorporating Bright Rainbows (coaching and communications training for small businesses) and The Journal Vibe (for all things journaling).

I train small business owners in DISC, a behaviour model designed to help understand your preferred communication style, as well as those of your clients, helping you to build trust, rapport and ultimately attract and retain clients.

Visit my website to find out more about DISC - https://www.clairebakercoaching.co.uk/atasteofdisc

Colette Bratton

Online, Lichfield & Mere Green, Staffordshire

Hi, I’m Colette. Together with Claire Baker, I co-founded Small Business Vibes networking back in September 2023. We run the online meetings together and I also host the Lichfield meeting solo now Claire is touring the country with SBV On Tour.

When not working on Small Business Vibes, I run Small Business Equaliser, to help make marketing simpler for female solo entrepreneurs, offering affordable marketing strategy, support and training.

Visit www.smallbusinessequaliser.com for all the details.

I also run a Marketing Training Academy, plus has published a Marketing Planner and a To-Do Log, to help entrepreneurs get more organised and less overwhelmed which are sold on Amazon.

Sophie Dyer

Leicester West, Leicestershire

Hi I’m Sophie Dyer. I’m proud and excited to be your Small Business Vibes networking host for Leicester West, Leicestershire.

I host meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10am – 12.30pm. Schedule a little more time to stay for lunch and a chat after the meeting ends!

When I’m not wearing my hosting hat, I’m Sophie Dyer – Thinking Partner. I remind business owners of the value of stopping work and stepping back for an hour to think more strategically about a challenge or situation or taking half a day to do a deep dive into planning and strategy. My sessions are led by your needs in the moment and structured and prompted with tarot cards for clarity, idea generation, disrupting old thought patterns and finding solutions and your next steps. They are playful and fun and can be fluid enough to work through new ideas that come up. It’s exciting stuff. Find out more at www.sophiedyer-thinkingpartner.com

Helen Emery

Winchester, Hampshire

Hi, I’m Helen. I’m your host for Winchester, and I run meetings every fourth Thursday at The King Charles in Kings Worthy from 9.30am – midday.

I’m also the owner of The Painted Dragonfly, a mobile pottery painting business allowing you to create beautiful, bespoke pottery from the comfort of your own home.

I live just outside Winchester with my husband and my young son. Prior to running my own business, I was a Chartered Engineer, and spent the last twelve years of employment working as a civilian for the MoD. I hung up my hard hat and steel toe caps in April 2021 to concentrate on growing my business.

You can find out more at https://thepainteddragonfly.co.uk

Ruth Lane

Stafford & Cannock, Staffordshire

Hello, I’m Ruth Lane and I’m your Small Business Vibes Host for Stafford and Cannock, Staffordshire.

Our Cannock meetings are held at The Plough & Harrow, Hilltop and are on the second Monday of the month, 9:30am-12:00pm.

Our Stafford meetings are held at the Knot & Plough Pub on Weston Road and are on the third Monday of every month from 10am until 12.30pm.

Outside of Small Business Vibes, I run two businesses.

Ruth Lane Confidence Coach; where I help men and women step into the person you were born to be. Helping you regain your confidence, shift limiting beliefs and just move forward happier with trust in yourself.

I am also a Bio Sculpture Nail Technician within my salon, Salon 21, and I am here to work with clients to ensure your nail health is as tip top as it should be. And, let’s not forget your feet! They work super hard for us every day so why not treat them to a bit if pampering too. The products I use can also be purchased from my salon and make lovely gifts.

Rie Pearson

Whitley Bay, North Tyneside

Hello. I’m Rie (pronounced Reee) and I’m delighted to be your Small Business Vibes co-host in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside.

Outside of hosting SBV meetings, I’m founder of Be Kind. No Excuses, a domestic abuse prevention community interest company where we work with teenagers to help them understand red flag behaviours in relationships.

I run two courses. ABC – Self Awareness, Self Belief, and Self Confidence for teenage girls, and Find your Voice in Relationships – for survivors of abuse.

I’m also co-founder of WOW! Women Only Wellness Ltd where we host wellbeing events to help people connect and understand what their self-care looks like.

I live in Whitley Bay with my husband and little dog, Pablo. Prior to running my own business, I was a police officer for 27 years and I specialised in domestic abuse and safeguarding.

You can find out more at riepearson.com and
womenonlywellness.com

Lisa Hibberd

Loughborough, Leicestershire

Hello. I’m Lisa and I’m very excited to be your Small Business Vibes host at Loughborough, Leicestershire.

Outside of hosting SBV meetings, I am a Mortgage and Protection advisor and also a Utility Warehouse distributor. I get such a pleasure from helping people to get the best deals and ensure they have the best financial wellbeing.

I live in Barrow upon Soar, with my husband, two wonderful kids, who give me the motivation every day to continue to strive forward and show them that there are other ways than being employed to succeed in life and am very proud to advocate the benefits of working for yourself. I love the freedom it allows me and have never missed an assembly, sports day or important moment – I will forever be thankful for this. Also, at home we have a cat called Marnie and rabbits, Midnight and Oreo.

I have been running my Utility Warehouse business since January 2019 alongside family life, I worked part time as a Finance Director, and it was thanks to the additional income I earnt from UW that I was able to leave my employed role in September 2023 and retrain as a Mortgage and Protection Advisor. I love how the two work so well with each other and that I can offer such a helpful service to my clients.

You can find out more at uw.partners/lisa.hibberd or
vickersyoung.co.uk

Beckie Whitehouse

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

As a coach and hypnotherapist, I’m passionate about supporting women—especially mums of teenagers—through the empty nest phase. Having been through this myself, I understand how overwhelming it can feel.

I specialise in:

Anxiety – Helping you find calm and balance.
Confidence – Guiding you to step into this new chapter with self-assurance.
Sleep – Supporting you in improving rest and relaxation.

Here’s how I help:
Reconnection – Helping you rediscover yourself and your identity.
Resilience building – Equipping you with tools to navigate challenges.
Confidence boost – Encouraging optimism and self-belief.
Family harmony – Strengthening relationships during this transition.
Rediscovery – Helping you find joy and purpose in life again.

My services include:
1:1 coaching
Hypnotherapy sessions
Supportive Self Care Circle Membership

I also run a FB group Mostly Mums, a supportive group for women to connect, share, and grow.

Let’s rediscover your joy and purpose together.

You can find out more at cloudlessskycoaching.co.uk

Rebecca Clark

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Hi I'm Rebecca and I'm one of your co-hosts for Small Business Vibes Cambridge. We meet every second Monday 9:30am-12pm.

My business is Powered Up Content. I write blogs, emails, social media posts, web copy and more that build relationships with the kind of people you want to work with.

I do that by taking your unique genius and turning it into content your people want to read and sounds like you, the wonderful human being that you are!

Content is crucial in making sure the people who need you can find you. It's not something you have to do yourself as you juggle the many hats of running your own business.

My background is a degree in Creative Writing and I can read a whole book in a day if I put my mind to it. Basically, I'm obsessed with words and making them work for you!

Helen Bowman

Whitley Bay, North Tyneside

Hello, I’m Helen and I’m your Small Business Vibes co-host in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside.

When I’m not networking with SBV, I run In The Detail, where I help small business owners stop hiding on social media and start showing up with confidence and without it taking over their life. I’m also the creator of The One Where You Learn Instagram, a programme designed to teach business owners how to conquer Instagram themselves. The programme makes Instagram feel simple, doable, and even a little bit fun.

I’m a podcaster, former copywriter, and general content geek who loves helping people find their voice online. Over the years, I’ve worked with business owners of all shapes and sizes to turn ‘I don’t know what to post’ into content that actually connects with their audience.

Outside of work I’m mum to two brilliant kids, and dog-mum to Arwen, who makes frequent appearances in my content. I’m also a big fan of the theatre, a good cup of tea, and a barbecue in the garden when the North East weather allows.

You can find me at in-the-detail.co.uk and on Instagram @heleninthedetail.

Jill Whitehouse

Newcastle, Tyne and Wear

Hi, I’m Jill and I am very pleased to be your Small Business Vibes host in Newcastle upon Tyne. I run meetings at the Wheatsheaf Farm in Woolsington on the 4^th Tuesday of every month from 9:30am to 12pm. We would love to see you there and you can always be sure of a warm welcome from myself and the rest of the group.

When I’m not hosting, I am a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist at Inspired to Change Newcastle upon Tyne. This is a modern, scientifically-backed talk therapy designed to support you to understand your own brain and allow you to achieve the positive change you deserve. I work individually with clients for a range of issues linked to stress and anxiety, but I also deliver interactive talks and workshops to schools, workplaces, clubs and groups focused on developing a positive approach to mental health and wellbeing.

To find out more, or to download my free audio to encourage and support you getting a restful night’s sleep, visit the website at:

https://inspiredtochange.biz/hypnotherapists/newcastle-upon-tyne/