A COUPLE of years ago, Christine Browning was looking for a new way to connect with other Ballarat women in business, so she could discuss work challenges, seek support and socialise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all have stressful jobs and need to express that stress in an environment that is confidential and helpful,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In her role as a Real Estate Consultant, Ms Browning already associated with a broad range of professional women, so decided to bring a few together, forming the Sphere of Influence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not like a networking organisation, and we don\u2019t want to have a huge organisation, it\u2019s more for us and our benefit, that we can talk about things that are troubling us in a trusted environment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted it to be an intimate group that we do trust and we like, we help each other and talk freely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now established, the safe, noncompetitive group features quite diverse professionals, including a conveyancer, a corporate lawyer, a property stylist, and finance and mortgage brokers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really people that own a business or are business orientated that would be interested in what we\u2019re putting out,\u201d Ms Browning said.<\/p>\n
Member, Ink Digital\u2019s Sandy McKinnon, works in printing and marketing.<\/p>\n
She said it\u2019s not always easy to find other women who understand the trials and conflicts involved with heading a brand.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard for people who aren\u2019t running their own business to understand the challenges of people who are running their own business,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes it is a bit lonely running your own shops, particularly if you work on your own. You\u2019re so busy and so focused. It\u2019s tough.<\/p>\n
Sphere of Influence is like a support network for decision makers.<\/p>\n
Finance Broker, Barb Berndt appreciates the group\u2019s intimate feel.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we have a small group, you can talk to each other, share things, run things past each other. You just can\u2019t do that once it gets bigger, it\u2019s no longer a trusted network,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Once a month, the group meets for an hour at a different caf\u00e9 or restaurant around Ballarat to support local hospitality business owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s super important,\u201d Ms Browning said. \u201cWe get seen at different places and we\u2019re supporting our community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are professional and people see us in a place and can associate that we\u2019re making an effort to come to their venue.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A COUPLE of years ago, Christine Browning was looking for a new way to connect with other Ballarat women in business, so she could discuss work challenges, seek support and socialise. \u201cWe all have stressful jobs and need to express that stress in an environment that is confidential and helpful,\u201d she said. In her role […]<\/p>\n