Rotary Connect

15/05/2026

Really proud to see the Litter Station Initiative featured in the North Somerset Times this week!

What started as a simple conversation about reducing loose litter in Portishead has now become a genuine community collaboration involving local organisations, businesses, volunteers and residents.

The first “Grab It, Bag It, Bin It” station is now officially installed on the Lake Grounds, and hopefully it’s just the beginning.

It’s a reminder that small, practical ideas backed by good people can make a real difference locally. 💙

Hopefully this will help cut litter in our streets 🚮

29/04/2026

What a morning. 👏

Our latest Rotary Connect: Clevedon session was all about one thing every business owner feels…

👉 Where is your time actually going?

A huge thank you to Paul Sharpe for delivering a practical, no-nonsense session on automation, showing how small changes can save hours each week.

From enquiry handling to follow-ups and admin, the message was clear:

➡️ If you’re repeating it… you can probably simplify it
➡️ If you’re relying on memory… something needs a system
➡️ If it’s frustrating… it’s worth fixing

But what really stood out wasn’t just the talk…

It was the conversations after.

People sharing real challenges.
People realising others in the room had answers.
People connecting with purpose.

That’s exactly what Rotary Connect is about.

☕ Relaxed
💬 Honest conversations
🚀 Real growth

If you’re a local business owner and haven’t joined us yet…

👉 Come and experience it for yourself next time.

Follow our page to keep up to date with the latest news and events!

25/03/2026

This week at Rotary Connect: Clevedon, we hosted a powerful session on Backing Women in Business.

A huge thanks goes to Nicky & Grace for sharing both the data and the lived reality of female entrepreneurship.

Some of the insights that stood out:

- Only 2p in every £1 of equity funding goes to women-led businesses
- 1 in 4 women turn down promotions due to family life
- 41% of working mothers report facing workplace discrimination

And perhaps the most important takeaway:

👉 This isn’t a women’s issue; it’s an economic and community issue.

If women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men, it could add £250 billion to the UK economy!

But beyond the data, what made the session special was the room itself:

- Honest conversations.
- Shared experiences.
- People reflecting on what they can do differently.

Because backing women in business isn’t just about policy, it’s about individual action, support, and opportunity.

That’s what Rotary Connect is about: Creating a space where conversations like this don’t just happen, they lead somewhere.

25/02/2026

Another strong morning at Rotary Connect: Clevedon.

Great conversations. Honest discussion. Real business challenges being unpacked in a supportive room.

A big thank you to Nicholas Szymanski for leading a thoughtful session on Turning Ideas Into Impact. The discussion around story, clarity, and why “being good” isn’t always enough really resonated.

What I love most about these mornings is this:
People walk in as individuals running their own businesses. They leave having realised they’re not doing it alone.

Coffee, pastries, and proper conversation; the right ingredients.

If you’re a local business owner, freelancer, or start-up founder and you’re looking for connection without pressure, Rotary Connect might be for you.

Next meeting details coming soon.

27/01/2026

☕ Slides are ready. Coffee is ready. Tomorrow’s looking good.

I’ve just finished putting together the slides for our very first Rotary Connect: Clevedon meeting tomorrow morning, and I’m genuinely looking forward to it.

This first session, From Solo to Supported, is about something many business owners experience quietly:
building something on your own can feel challenging and isolating, and it doesn’t have to be.

If you’ve marked yourself as Interested, this is your friendly nudge 👇
👉 If you can make it tomorrow, please switch your status to “Going” so we know to expect you.
It really helps us plan and make everyone feel welcome.

📅 Tomorrow – Wednesday 28 January
⏰ 8:00–10:00am
📍 Clevedon

Expect good coffee, thoughtful conversation, and a relaxed space to connect with other local business owners; no pressure, no hard selling.

If you’re building a business locally and fancy starting the day a little more connected, we’d love to see you there.

Rotary Connect: Where business meets community. 💛💙

26/01/2026

🚀 This is happening THIS WEEK… and it’s shaping up to be something special.

Our very first Rotary Connect: Clevedon meeting is coming up this Wednesday, and the response so far has been really encouraging. Lots of local business owners have marked themselves as Interested. Thank you.

If you’re one of them, this is your nudge 👇

👉 If you can make it, please click “Going” so we know to expect you.

📅 Wednesday 28 January
⏰ 8:00–10:00am
📍 Clevedon

This first session, From Solo to Supported, is about something many business owners quietly experience:

Running a business can feel lonely, and it doesn’t have to.

Expect:
☕ Good coffee
🤝 Genuine conversation
💬 Real stories, not sales pitches
🌱 A chance to be part of something new from the very beginning

If you’re a solopreneur, freelancer, or small business owner building something locally, we’d love to have you in the room.

👉 Please mark yourself as “Going” if you’re coming, it really helps us plan.

And if you’re still unsure, feel free to drop a comment or message us with any questions.

See you on Wednesday. 💛💙
Rotary Connect: Where business meets community.

17/01/2026

Saturday morning. Coffee. A bit of reading. A bit of thinking.

Running a business often means your mind never really switches off, even at the weekend. Ideas, challenges, next steps… they tend to follow you around.

That’s exactly why Rotary Connect exists.

It’s a space for people building something of their own to slow down, connect with others who get it, and realise they don’t have to do everything alone.

If you’re a solopreneur or small business owner, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is pause, reflect, and then reconnect with the right people.

Enjoy that coffee. Enjoy the weekend. ☕💬

11/01/2026

From Solo to Supported

Running a business can feel isolating, especially in the early stages. Challenges are part of the journey, but they’re easier to navigate when you don’t have to do it alone.

That’s why I’m launching Rotary Connect: Clevedon, starting with our first meeting, 'From Solo to Supported', a relaxed coffee morning meet-up for solopreneurs, start-ups, and small business owners.

We’ll explore how shared experiences, connection, and support can help overcome common business challenges, without hard selling or formality.

📅 Wednesday 28th
⏰ 8:00–10:00am
📍 Clevedon

If you’re building a business locally and would value a connection with others on the same journey, you’d be very welcome. If you plan to attend, please declare your interest on the event webpage: https://fb.me/e/3usYpxrVD