Why I Attended the Cheshire Life Women in Business Spring Lunch (And Actually Enjoyed It)

Last week, I went to the Cheshire Life Women in Business Spring Lunch, held at Define Food and Wine in Sandiway.

Now, if you know me, you’ll know this isn’t my usual scene.

Networking has never been my thing.

I’m the type of person who would rather get my head down, do the work, and let results speak for themselves. I’ve always found a lot of networking events a bit… forced. Too many surface-level conversations, too much posturing, and not enough realness. I used to leave those events feeling drained, slightly cringed out, and wondering why I’d bothered.

So why did I go to this one?

Simple. Cheshire Life.

I’ve been a long-time supporter of Cheshire Life magazine, not just because of the publication itself, but because of the people behind it. In particular, Joanne Goodwin, the editor, who has built something quite different.

And you can feel that difference the moment you walk into one of her events.

The Venue and Food

The lunch was held at Define Food and Wine in Sandiway, Cheshire, and it did not disappoint.

The food was excellent, proper quality, beautifully presented, and clearly thought through. I don’t drink alcohol anymore, but from what I heard around the table, the wine pairing was spot on too.

My Honest Take on Networking

Here’s the truth.

Even though I’m a confident speaker, I’ve never enjoyed networking.

I’m quite a deep person. I see through people quickly, and I’ve always struggled with conversations that feel transactional or insincere. In the past, that’s exactly how most networking events felt to me. You leave with a handful of business cards but very little energy, and even less connection.

That’s why I tend to avoid them.

But this was different.

We laughed. A lot.

I didn’t feel like I had to be someone I wasn’t. There was no putting on a front, no trying to impress, just real conversations with real people.

I met some genuinely lovely women, including Sam Newey from TEDx Northwich and Layered Treats, and actually found myself enjoying getting to know new people, which, for me, is saying something.

Letting My Guard Down (Slightly)

One moment that stuck with me was something really simple.

Ashley Costello from The Resilient Kid bought me a coffee.

Now, that might sound like nothing. It’s just a coffee.

But for me, it’s not.

I’m one of those stubborn women who leans more into her masculine energy. I’m used to doing everything myself, paying my own way, and not relying on anyone. Letting someone else buy me something, even something small, doesn’t come naturally to me.

But I let her.

And actually, it felt… nice.

A small moment, but one that probably says more about growth than any big statement ever could.

What Makes These Events Work

Joanne has built a network of women who are strong, grounded, and, importantly, real.

A lot of them come from humble backgrounds. There’s no ego in the room, no need to impress, and no pressure to perform. It’s just good people, having proper conversations.

And that changes everything.

I don’t know if it’s age, experience, or just a shift in perspective, but I’ve definitely become more empathetic over time. I appreciate people’s stories more. I listen differently. And maybe because of that, I now find myself actually enjoying the events Joanne puts together.

Which, if you’d told me that a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you.

The Icing on the Cake

And then, the icing on the cake.

My mum was there.

Watching her in that room, in that environment, was something else. She’s becoming a Cheshire businesswoman in her own right, building her Delamere Furniture business and doing it her way.

There’s something very grounding about seeing that.

It brings you back to what actually matters, hard work, consistency, and just getting on with it.

Final Thoughts

I still won’t be signing up to every networking event going, let’s not get carried away.

But this one?

I’d go again.

Because when you strip away the fluff and put the right people in the room, networking doesn’t feel like networking at all. It just feels like a group of people who get it, sharing space, stories, a few laughs, and a really good meal.

And that’s something I can get behind.