What Actually Happened at Our Small Guildford Meetup
A recent Guildford meetup was smaller than usual due to a few last-minute cancellations. I’ll be honest, at first I felt a bit bummed. You know that moment where you think, “Great… now the new visitors are going to think this is it?”
But after giving myself a head wobble, I remembered exactly why I love small meetups. And why I started Pink Coral in the first place.
It turned out to be such a lovely morning.
No pressure. No loud rooms. No fighting for attention.
Just actual connection.
We chatted about our businesses, of course, but also real-life stuff – who we are, what we love, what our days look like (we had a fair few dog mums there). It felt human. And if you’ve ever been to the more corporate-style networking events, you’ll know how much that tends to be missing.
For service providers, especially the quietly ambitious women who prefer cosy chats over the big, performative stuff, this style of meetup is perfect. When you’re relaxed, people actually get a feel for you. Your vibe. Whether they’d want to work with you. Whether you’re their kind of human.
One of our members messaged me afterwards to say a visitor had already reached out to her. That visitor had listened as she spoke about what she does and who she helps, and something just clicked. She realised she needed exactly that in her business. And that spark came from one honest conversation in a small circle where no one had to perform or pitch.
Those moments are the reason Pink Coral exists.
A little reality check
As Pink Coral has grown this year, some of our events have been busier than usual. It’s a great problem to have, but it also made me look around the room and think… have we started to look a bit like every other pay-as-you-go networking event?
Filling a room is easy.
Building genuine community isn’t.
And that’s not who we are.
We’re not here for one-off visits or business-card swaps.
We want to actually know you. See you again. Have those proper, deep chats we Corals love.
So let’s get back to what Pink Coral is all about
We’re a community first.
Our monthly meetups are primarily for our members – a chance to connect with each other, feel supported, and find opportunities in a way that feels natural, not forced. Visitors are always welcome too (especially if you want to get a feel for the Coral vibe), but pay-as-you-go visits will be limited to two in total.
Not because we’re trying to be super exclusive, but because Pink Coral isn’t a drop-in networking company. We’re not trying to fill every seat in the room. We’re building something long-lasting – a group of local women who actually know each other and look out for each other.
We don’t want to meet you once and wave you off forever.
We want you to become a Coral and grow your business alongside us.
Small can be mighty
There’s a lesson here for your own business too…
Sometimes you need to pause and check in with yourself. Where you’re at. How far you’ve come. What’s working – and what absolutely isn’t.
And if you’ve fallen a bit off track lately, that’s ok too. It happens to all of us. Just make sure the direction you’re moving in is actually the one that feels right for you, not the one everyone else says you “should” be taking.
You do you.
Nikki 🪸
Want to join us?
If you’re craving real connection with local businesswomen who get it, Pink Coral might be your new fave place to be.
Find your people.
Grow your business.
Feel less alone.
