Are you a graduate or school leaver looking for real-life opportunities across North Wales?
Join us at Big Business North Wales on Friday 5th June – a fantastic opportunity to explore what’s out there and take your next step.
Discover apprenticeships, work experience, and job opportunities from employers across the region. Meet businesses face-to-face, learn what they’re looking for, and make valuable connections that could shape your future.
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There’ll also be:
• CV support and advice
• Access to live job opportunities via the jobs portal
• Insights into training options, courses, and pathways from local colleges and universities
This is a free event, and we encourage both businesses and future talent to attend. Booking is essential - BOOK TODAY
Mmunic Email Marketing partners Digital, Data and AI zone
Big Business North Wales is proud to announce that Mmunic Email Marketing will be the official partner of the Digital, Data & AI Zone at this year’s event.
As one of the region’s most innovative and forward-thinking platforms, Mmunic brings a powerful combination of cutting-edge email marketing technology and hands-on expert support—making them a natural fit for a zone dedicated to digital transformation, data intelligence, and the future of AI in business.
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The Digital, Data & AI Zone will shine a spotlight on the tools, insights, and strategies that are shaping the modern business landscape. With Mmunic at the helm, visitors can expect valuable conversations around how businesses can harness data more effectively, improve customer engagement, and leverage automation to drive growth.
Mmunic’s approach goes beyond software. Their team is known for working closely with businesses to ensure they maximise the impact of their communications—combining powerful functionality with real human expertise. This aligns perfectly with the ethos of Big Business North Wales: bringing together innovation and meaningful connection.
Speaking about the partnership, organisers highlighted the importance of having industry leaders driving each zone:
“The Digital, Data & AI Zone is all about helping businesses understand and embrace the opportunities in an ever-evolving digital world. Mmunic’s expertise and hands-on approach make them the ideal partner to lead this space.”
This partnership further strengthens the event’s commitment to delivering high-value experiences across every sector, ensuring attendees leave with practical insights as well as new connections.
Taking place on 5th June 2026, Big Business North Wales continues to position itself as a flagship event for the region—bringing together ambitious businesses, industry leaders, and innovators under one roof.
Limited Stand Space - Finance, Investment & Growth zone
Big Business North Wales #Finance, #Investment & #Growth Zone – Limited Availability
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Only five exhibition spaces remain:
• Four stands – 4m x 2m
• One stand – 3m x 2m
This zone is designed for #financial #services, #investors, #funding #specialists, and #growth #advisors looking to connect with ambitious businesses from across #North #Wales and beyond.
Secure your place today before the zone sells out.
📩 Get in touch now to book your stand.
nina@f2n.co.uk
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those businesses who want to be part of this iconic regional event.
Big Business North Wales is taking place on Friday June 5th at Venue Cymru, Llandudno
10,000 square meters of floor space hosting 270 exhibitors, across 10 high growth zones.
The regions largest business event - an event fuelling business growth across the region.
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Exhibitor stand space now limited nina@f2n.co.uk if you want full details and to find out if there is availability in your preferred zone.
Attendance is free but booking is essential - Book now:
https://lnkd.in/eHx527tK
What’s really stopping you from starting your business?
For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the idea of launching a business feels exciting… and terrifying at the same time. Yet, most of the barriers are mental rather than financial. Here’s what I see holding people back—and how to overcome it:
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1. Fear of Failure – Worrying that it might not work, or that you’ll lose money.
Fix: Start small. Test your idea with minimal investment. Every “failure” is a step closer to success.
2. Lack of Capital – Feeling you don’t have enough funds to launch.
Fix: Lean start-up approach. Use grants, small loans, or start from home. Many successful businesses began with very little.
3. Uncertainty About the Idea – Not knowing if anyone will buy.
Fix: Validate your concept. Talk to potential customers, run a pilot, or create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
4. Lack of Skills or Knowledge – Feeling unprepared to handle marketing, finance, or operations. Fix: Learn fast. Take courses, join networking groups, find a mentor. Outsource areas you’re unsure of—don’t let it stop you.
5. Overwhelm & Time Constraints – Life is busy; where will you find the time?
Fix: Break your plan into small steps. Prioritize revenue-generating activities first. Use productivity tools to focus.
6. Fear of Criticism – Worrying about what others will think.
Fix: Focus on your customers, not the critics. Test ideas with trusted peers first. Remember, every successful entrepreneur faced skepticism.
The truth? The hardest part is taking the first step. Once you do, momentum builds, confidence grows, and the path forward becomes clear.
If you’ve been thinking about starting your business but haven’t yet… maybe today is the day to move past the fear, take one small action, and see where it leads.
Action tip: Write down one concrete thing you can do this week toward your business idea—then do it. Tell someone, be accountable!
Be first in the queue….please join our membership waiting list
Multi-Award-Winning Business Network Reaches Capacity as Membership Demand Soars
f2n Business Network, the multi award-winning organisation at the heart of the local business community, has officially become oversubscribed as demand for membership reaches an all-time high.
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Known for its dynamic meetings, supportive culture, and proven track record of helping businesses grow, F2N has established itself as one of the most trusted and forward-thinking networks in the region. Members consistently praise the organisation for its fresh approach to networking, which prioritises meaningful connections, collaboration, and results.
Founder Nina Sardar said:
“The response has been phenomenal. When I started f2n Business Network, the goal was to create a network where businesses could come together, support one another, and genuinely thrive. To now be in a position where we are oversubscribed is both humbling and a testament to the incredible community that has formed.”
F2N’s rise reflects a growing appetite for in-person networking experiences that go beyond exchanging business cards. With meetings hosted in prestigious venues and a strong emphasis on professional development, the network has attracted entrepreneurs, SMEs, and corporate leaders alike.
Due to the high level of interest, f2n Business Network is now operating a waiting list for prospective members, ensuring that new businesses joining will continue to benefit from the close-knit, collaborative culture that has made the network so successful.
For more information or to join the waiting list, via the link below.
“Networking with Nina” episode six ...a controversial topic
“Networking with Nina” episode six
This is going to be a controversial topic…
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Today we’re going to explore the term “Freezing out your competition” in business networking, which happens when people intentionally exclude or block others from conversations, opportunities, or collaborations—usually because they see them as rivals rather than peers. In some networks they only allow one representative from a particular sector, this is promoted as a benefit.
Here’s a breakdown of what that looks like and why it can backfire:
What “Freezing Out Your Competition” Looks Like…
* Excluding someone from attending events
* Not introducing a competitor to contacts, even if it would benefit all parties
* Withholding opportunities or referrals out of fear they might “steal business.”
* Creating cliques within a network that make others feel unwelcome.
The Negatives of This Approach
* Damages Your Reputation
Networking is built on trust and generosity. If people notice you’re shutting others out, they may see you as insecure, uncollaborative, or even unkind.
* Limits Your Own Opportunities
The more you give in networking, the more you receive. By freezing people out, you block potential introductions, partnerships, and referrals that could come back to you in unexpected ways.
* Creates a Toxic Atmosphere
People can sense tension or competitiveness in a room. If a network feels cliquey or hostile, members may disengage or leave altogether.
* Short-Term Win, Long-Term Loss
You might keep one opportunity to yourself today, but in the long run, you lose goodwill and connections that could have led to bigger wins.
* Missed Learning & Growth
Competitors can be allies. They understand your challenges, and collaborating with them can lead to innovation, shared resources, or even joint ventures.
A Better Alternative:
Instead of freezing out competition, embrace the mindset that there’s enough business to go around. Position yourself by:
* Sharing value openly
* Collaborating where interests align
* Building reputation as someone generous, approachable, and respected
Which network would you like to be associated with?
…Happy Networking!
Nina
Nina Sardar, Founder f2n Business Network named Finalist Business Mum of the Year 2025
Local businesswoman selected as Finalist for global Women’s Business Award.
This December businesswomen from across the globe are coming together for the annual Women’s Business Awards. The event features over 25 categories including Businesswoman of the Year, Employer of the Year, and Diversity & Inclusion Award.
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Local businesswoman, Nina Sardar of f2n Business Network from Llandudno has been nominated for the Business Mum of the Year award. Nina says,
“I’m truly honoured to be named a finalist for the Business Mum of the Year award. Building a business while raising a family has been a journey of resilience, passion, and purpose. This recognition means so much - not just for me, but for every parent striving to create something meaningful while juggling it all.”
Nina goes on to say…
“Being a mum of four amazing sons has been my greatest achievement, and being a finalist for Business Mum of the Year proves that motherhood and entrepreneurship can grow side by side — with love, resilience and determination at the heart of both.”
The awards are hosted by Women’s Business Club, a movement that empowers women to succeed in business and are judged by a panel of distinguished business leaders from across the country.
Angela De Souza, CEO and founder of Women’s Business Club, the event organiser, says,
“There is nothing quite like celebrating the accomplishments of our businesswomen. This year we saw some incredible entries which made the judge’s decision really tough. Although only one woman could win in each category, we feel that every single woman who entered is a winner - she is still standing, she is still determined to succeed and she still has hope for the future, a winning attitude indeed. I am so proud of all the businesswomen who have entered this year.”
The Women’s Business Awards take place globally online each December where women are celebrated and recognised for their outstanding contributions and achievements.
Nina Sardar is a Social Entrepreneur and Founder of f2n Business Network, a pioneering networking community supporting business owners and professionals across North Wales and Cheshire. Originally established in 2010 while raising her five-year-old son, Nina launched f2n Business Network to create a welcoming and supportive space where local businesses could grow through genuine connections, shared knowledge, and collaborative opportunities — a fresh alternative to the pressure-driven networking environments that often excluded smaller businesses or individuals.
A former multi-award-winning leader, Nina’s vision and commitment have always been grounded in people and place. She built a trusted, inclusive platform known for its warmth, integrity, and fairness — where every attendee was guaranteed a voice at every meeting, long before this was the norm. Her attention to creating a safe, welcoming, and authentic space helped hundreds of members gain confidence, build referrals, and create long-term partnerships. F2N grew organically from word-of-mouth, not marketing, which speaks volumes about its positive community impact.
As part of its community-centred mission, F2N also champions charitable giving through its Charity of the Year initiative, raising over £20,000 through the network for local charities to date. This embedded culture of giving back reinforces F2N’s belief that thriving businesses and thriving communities go hand in hand.
However, Nina’s personal journey has been anything but linear. In 2017, after the birth of her second son, she experienced the devastating loss of twins. This led her to close F2N temporarily and step back from business leadership — a courageous decision made to prioritise her emotional wellbeing and her young family. She later faced an incredibly anxious pregnancy during the COVID-19 lockdowns, navigating the pressures of isolation, uncertainty, and past grief — an experience many working parents and women in business will relate to deeply.
In 2021, Nina gave birth to her fourth son, born prematurely weighing just over 4lbs. During the same pregnancy, doctors discovered a benign growth in her ear, known as cholesteatoma. While still pregnant, she underwent a procedure under local anaesthetic to remove what could safely be accessed in the outer ear canal. Just six months after giving birth, she underwent a second operation to remove as much of the growth as possible. As a result of the condition and treatment, Nina now has limited hearing in her left ear and wears a hearing device.
Despite these deeply personal and physical challenges, Nina’s strength and determination never waivered. Now, with her youngest child a thriving three-year-old, she is relaunching f2n Business Network as a social enterprise — with an evolved mission to place community, wellbeing, and purpose at the centre of business networking.
Uniquely, f2n Business Network is structured to fully integrate physical, mental, financial, social, and emotional health and wellbeing into a single strategic approach. Nina’s lived experiences have shaped a business model where members don’t just grow their enterprises — they are supported holistically as individuals. Whether through mental health awareness sessions, stress-free environments, flexible access for parents and carers, financial literacy workshops, or the power of social connection and peer encouragement, f2n Business Network stands as a leader in embedding true wellbeing into business culture. It is not an add-on; it is the foundation.
The new f2n Business Network supports not only established professionals and growing businesses but also makes space for those who may otherwise be excluded: solo entrepreneurs, parents juggling careers and childcare, and individuals recovering from personal setbacks or isolation. Through subsidised access, inclusive formats, and community reinvestment, f2n Business Network social business model is designed to create sustainable, human-focused success.
Nina’s return is more than a relaunch — it’s a statement of empowerment, empathy, and reinvention. Her story resonates with so many: women in business, working parents, entrepreneurs navigating personal loss, and community leaders seeking meaning in their work. She has taken her lived experience — of trauma, healing, and strength — and woven it into a business model that uplifts others. Her leadership is quiet but powerful, grounded in real-life challenges and fuelled by compassion and courage.
Through f2n Business Network, Nina continues to create a legacy of support, connection, and collective growth — showing that strong leadership isn’t just about business performance, but about holding space for others, rebuilding with purpose, and lifting as you rise.
“Networking with Nina” episode five …strengthening relationships
“Networking with Nina”
Episode Five
This one is for those of us who’ve been networking for a while, years or even decades in my case….
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“Move away from acquiring contacts to strengthening relationships”
The true value is in maintaining your network once you have established a robust one. Spend time building relationships with people you already know rather than trying to meet new people at every event.
Follow up with previous contacts
Seek out opportunities for cooperation
How many exsisting contacts are you meeting this week for a catch up over coffee?
If the answer is less than one - touch base over email, facebook messenger or via LinkedIn mail and arrange a meet up during the next couple of weeks.
If you’re at a networking meeting this week. Keep this in mind…
“How can I help you?”
Rather than..
“What can I sell to you?“
This presents you as a far more valuable member of your network and you’re offering something that might help someone you know…. and that feels great!
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