Over two days, 110 small business owners, freelancers, side hustlers and business students attended Jersey’s first ever small business conference, Greenhouse 2021.
During the conference, attendees were treated to presentations, workshops, and Q&A sessions by leading business experts from Jersey and further afield as well as the opportunity to re-connect and network with the small business community.
Over the course of two days, the conference heard from expert speakers, including: small business finance 101 with Greg Layzell of Layzell and Co; building a community with Change Management Consultant Nancy Thomas; an in-depth strategic planning session for 2022 with May James of Strategy10; tech and small business with Andy Delaney of Club AF; entrepreneurial resilience with Yolanda Saez Castello of Tap it Better; diversity & inclusion with Kate Wright of Arbre Consulting and marketing top tips from Jacqui Patton Managing Director of Ink Blot Creative and founder of Greenhouse Jersey
In addition to this line-up of expert speakers, Greenhouse Jersey also welcomed two extra special headliners to its inaugural conference. On day one, TV star and entrepreneur Jamie Laing shared the highs and lows of his journey to build the fastest growing confectionary brand in the UK, Candy Kittens. And day two was headlined by luxury travel trailblazer Tamara Lohan MBE partnership with Visit Jersey, inspiring attendees with the story of how she and her husband built the global travel brand, Mr & Mrs Smith over the last 17 years.
VIP attendees also heard from local business owners Kit Chamier of True Food, Harriet Rouse of Harriet & Rose, and Kristen Morris at a lunchtime Q&A panel about overcoming obstacles in life and business. This panel was kindly sponsored by Arbre Consulting.
Every ticketholder was invited to the Greenhouse 2021 After Party as a chance to kick back with their newly made connections and let their hair down after a gruelling couple of years. Attendees were treated to music by Radio One Super Star DJ, Hannah Jacques and enjoyed drinks from Awabi and Club AF and pizzas from Pizza Box Jersey.
The organisers of Greenhouse are passionate about supporting local enterprises; 11 local suppliers were employed to help make the event a success and showcase their products and services. The catering from local food trucks, bars, audio-visual support, videography, and photography were all provided by local small businesses. The food court was kindly sponsored by True Food Sport Nutrition.
Greenhouse could not have been possible without the support of its headline sponsor NatWest International.
Commenting on the event, Greenhouse Founder Jacqui Patton said: “Greenhouse started as a tiny idea. During the pandemic, I noticed how the small business community were all looking for support with the same things and I wondered if we could hold an afternoon workshop to support them. But as they say, from tiny acorns mighty oaks grow, and the idea escalated into Jersey’s first small business conference. Since the event, I have been inundated with messages from attendees who are already collaborating with each other and sharing their skills and resources. Here’s to Greenhouse 2022!”
Greenhouse Jersey hopes to become a valuable resource for small business owners, freelancers and side hustlers in Jersey going forward. For more information about the initiative, click here.
Photos by Andy Le Gresley.
