Hi, Emily here, I’m the founder of the Far West Business Network and run a web design business from the middle of St Just. I’ve recorded this video because I wanted to talk about something a bit difficult and thought that seeing me talk honestly in this way would help get the message across.
First the positive stuff. I’ve been running the network for two years now and I can’t tell you how proud I am of the group. I love that we get a mix of businesses come along and support each other. The fact that it is an inclusive and welcoming group is massively important to me, and the fact that we’re all doing something different but find common ground in how we run our businesses gives me a great deal of joy.
And I’m very lucky to have two wonderful women helping me with the organising – Trudi and Ann are endlessly supportive and very generous with their time. The group wouldn’t be what it is without them.
My vision for the group is to bring together the business community and provide an opportunity to get to know each other and provide support. I want our members to find that bit of connection with others that makes you feel less isolated. I want you to take away ideas from the meetings that help you in your business, and I want you to feel like you are contributing by helping others in sharing your experiences.
On the whole I believe we are achieving this but something happened in the meetup this week that left me feeling very uncomfortable and has been playing on my mind.
Let me start by setting the scene a little and sharing a bit about myself. As I mentioned I’m a web designer. My happy place is at my computer tinkering with websites. And I am an unapologetic geek. If you look behind me you might get a glimpse of my Wonder Woman shelf in pride of place.
My principles are very important to me and have led me to hold views and make lifestyle choices that others can find challenging. I’m vegan, I’m childfree by choice, I lean very much to the left in my political views, I’m a feminist, I’m a proud trans ally, and I care deeply about the environment. These are all things that make me who I am but in the interests of creating an inclusive space I don’t spend the meetings asserting my views. They are my own personal views and I don’t expect everyone to think the same way as me.
So this week I found myself in the middle of a conversation about “The Hunt” and slaughtering animals. And I was ignored when I quietly pointed out that I wasn’t comfortable having a conversation about hunting. This upset me because I don’t think a business networking event is the place for that conversation. I want my meetings to be supportive and a safe place, and for me this wasn’t a safe conversation.
I would like us to agree that the focus of the Far West Business Network is on supporting each other running our businesses, not controversial conversations. Let’s be respectful of others’ views. We don’t all believe the same things, which is as it should be, and I would like us to remember to be sensitive about that.
So please let’s avoid subjects which we know people find difficult and are divisive. Let’s continue to make our group the safe, supportive place that it should be.
Thanks everyone, see you at the next meeting.