About This Event

Informal networking event for Sussex women business leaders. When: First Friday in the month. Where: Lyona, 46 High St, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks BN6 9RG, UK What: Our multi-award-winning networking community, Co-Women, welcomes you to Chai and Chatter: our regular networking event designed to be relaxed, welcoming, non-judgemental and, most importantly, a genuinely beneficial use of your time. No awkward pitching. No cliques. No collecting a pile of business cards from people you’ll never speak to again. Just good conversation, useful connections, shared expertise and a room full of women who understand that the best networking happens when we stop asking, “What can I sell you?” and start asking, “How can we help each other?” How it works Arrival, cuppa and chatter: Grab a drink, order some food if you fancy it, find yourself a seat and settle into relaxed conversation with your peers. Come alone or come with someone you know. Either way, we’ll make sure you’re welcomed into the room. Your 60 seconds: Ask + Give. Forget the pressured elevator pitch. You don’t need to perform, impress or memorise a speech. Instead, you’ll have 60 seconds to tell the room who you are, what you do, what you need right now and what you can offer in return. Perhaps you need an introduction, a recommendation, some advice, a collaborator or simply another pair of eyes on something. Equally, what knowledge, skill, contact or opportunity could you offer someone else? This is where many an epic Co-Women collaboration, referral, introduction and skill swap has begun. And because inclusive networking means giving people choice, your 60 seconds are always optional. If speaking to the room isn’t for you that day, for whatever reason, simply pass. No explanation needed, no awkwardness, and absolutely no pressure. You’re just as welcome to listen, connect and contribute in the ways that work for you. Swap, share and connect. Then it’s back to chatting. Swap seats, exchange social media handles, hand out your flyers or business cards and follow up on anything you heard during Ask + Give. Basically, the bit where “Ooh, I need to talk to you!” starts happening around the room. Ten-minute Top Tips: Each month, one woman takes the floor to share five genuinely useful tips from her area of expertise. No lengthy sales presentation required; this is about sharing knowledge and letting people experience what you know. Could you be one of our ten-minute speakers? Email jo@co-women.org to request a slot. Your accountability task: Before you leave, we’ll ask you to name one thing you’re going to do next. Send the email. Make the call. Update the website. Follow up with the person you just met. Finally do the thing that has been sitting on your to-do list glaring at you for three weeks. We’ll make a note of it and, if you join us again the following month, we’ll ask how you got on. Consider us your friendly accountability department. Chai and Chatter Loyalty Cards: Planning to become a regular? Ask us for a loyalty card and get it stamped each time you attend. Complete your first ten Chai and Chatter meetings, and you’ll officially earn the title of Co-Women Ambassador, along with a little reward for becoming part of the furniture. The good kind of furniture. Come as you are You don’t need a polished pitch. You don’t need to be naturally confident. You don’t need to know anybody before you arrive. You just need to be willing to talk, listen, contribute and connect. Because at Co-Women, networking isn’t about working the room. It’s about building one. Our ethos You’re welcome here whether you arrive in a bright red power suit ready to take over the world, or ten minutes late with last night’s knickers wedged inside your jeans leg because the school run went feral. We care far more about who you are than your turnover, job title or highlight reel. We take business seriously, but ourselves considerably less so. Co-Women is proudly inclusive across race, culture, disability, neurodivergence, sexuality and gender identity; LGBTQ+ inclusive, trans inclusive and sex-worker friendly. No cliques. No hierarchy. No judgement. We prioritise joy, wellbeing, psychological safety and sustainable success, because we don’t believe women should have to sacrifice themselves at the altar of growth. We champion one another, we make room for one another and, when necessary, we stand guard for one another. Because when one woman succeeds, we all do.

Staying overnight?

Hotels within walking distance of Lyona.

Frequently asked questions