A few posts ago, I told you about the speech Petra Mackin Bell gave at Forum Communicators, Cleveland. Proudly, here it is ...
THE KITCHEN TABLE NETWORK
Today I’m going to tell you a little story. It starts
like this...
A woman in her youth begins her career with enthusiasm
and motivation. She is focused and confident. She is educated and can conquer
the world. Right at the height of her career she falls in love and gets married
which of course adds even more to her self esteem, sense of achievement and
personal success.
She is powerful!
She is effervescent!
Bursting with life, love and happiness
Then when life couldn’t get much
better
She becomes pregnant!
Oh… the jubilation, the expectation, the
miracle
A
child is born.
The focus shifts from career to
family.
The baby becomes priority and life is about
nurturing.Career takes a back seat and soon another child, another
miracle and so on, and on. Life is still wonderful but in a completely different
holistic way.
Soon the lack of sleep, the physical and emotional
demands on her body take their toll and the young woman, once beaming with self
confidence and self esteem has become a stay at home mum. And in her eyes and in
the eyes of society, Just a mum.
That sense of professional worth has diminished because
the appraisals have stopped. The feeling of job satisfaction has gone because;
seemingly no one appreciates her any more. The lack of adult conversation, of
interaction on a grown up level leaves her pushing her groceries back and forth
in Woolies.
Amazingly, this woman is not alone! There are thousands
of other women out there in the same playground!
These women have the same conversations around their
kitchen table with a luke warm cup of coffee.
What can we do to raise our self esteem, feel like we
belong in the professional community again, bring in a little money and most of
all still be available for our children?
What? Is the question.
The answer lies within The Kitchen
Table Network.
It is for women
in our community, who need a little motivation, a support network and a truly
positive atmosphere.
Two fabulous, intelligent, motivated young ladies formed
the Kitchen table Network only 2.5 months ago. May I Introduce to
you ~ Kerry Stewart Haynes and our newest forum member Jackie
Price.
Kerry is from a background of travel and tourism. Now a single Mum, her
priority is the stability of her three little men. With one child with special
needs and all still young, her aim has been to retain the flexibility which
allows her to be available after school; to attend the special events in the
boy’s lives; to care for them when they're sick.
Jackieis from a background in sales and marketing. Now
happily married with two girls and also wanting flexibility as well as a desire
to help other women.
The Kitchen Table Network was named so because all great
women’s businesses are generally formulated around the kitchen table. Take for
instance NADS waxing products. NADS wax started out in the humble kitchen
and were decanted into tubs upon the kitchen table. Look where the dream
and passion lead Sue Ismiel. Now an Australian icon and not to mention a multi millionairess with global
notoriety!
Kerry’s dream is to help other women to realize their
talents, strengths and potential. Her great friend Jackie offered her
support. Kerry suggested that a morning tea would be a great way
to get like-minded ladies together in an informal setting. She and Jackie booked
the gazebo for 10 people at the lighthouse. Well … Within a couple of weeks these ladies had more than 80 enquiries and had to cap the morning tea at 60! They did an
amazing job. Jackie became the MC and Kerry’s role was to organize and manage
the aesthetics. The program was inspirational and the atmosphere vibrant and positive. I
think they have a great target market!
Kerry and Jackie were never quite sure how or where the
road would take them, they just had the faith and belief that it would
happen.
I met Kerry and Jackie at a seminar. The seminar was about a new book called The
Secret. The last time I spoke to you was about the idea of
positive thought processes and that believing is
seeing. A series of “coincidental” events led me to meet these
two wonderful ladies and for them to meet you. Kerry and Jackie’s mission statement is
this:
Thinking outside the
square.
In the crazy
struggle to juggle family, career and personal passions, women often forget to
breathe. We forget about sunsets; sand
between our toes; lazy Sundays in bed and the importance of being
still.
Through effective
networking and referrals amongst our expanding Membership; inspirational,
motivational and educational guest speakers; and a constantly evolving growth
platform, The Kitchen Table Network seeks to offer opportunity, support and
encouragement in a nurturing and positive environment. Whether individual needs are to spread the
message of an established business; fire and grow a concept; or simply to enjoy
like-minded company, we are committed to building a dynamic and vibrant
community of women.This is such a valuable asset to the women in our
community.
For ladies who have great ideas, but don’t know where to
start.
Ladies who are just starting out in business can be
given support and fellowship in a warm, nurturing
environment.
Ladies who are in business can exchange great ideas and
provide mentorship for others.
This is not a new concept of networking but I believe
that Kerry and Jackie have found a way of helping women feel valuable and
dynamic just by investing their personalities into The Kitchen Table
Network.
The results speak for themselves and I wish them
continued growth and happiness.
Kerry sums it up perfectly ~ 'We
became passionate about our mission and it's been an exhilarating trip so far.
We are now expanding and branching into new facets. We have a Membership
approaching 60 and are constantly learning and evolving and, best of all, are
still there to pick up the kids!'
The Kitchen Table Network meets once
a month. The cost per meeting is $15 which
includes of course a sumptuous Devonshire tea and, as Jackie would say, 'sc.oh.nz'. There is also a fabulous web site to
visit where members businesses are listed for
networking.
We hope to see you there
sometime!
