Practical tools for resilient, sustainable growth!

Running a small business has never been more challenging, but with the right tools, it can also be an opportunity to thrive.

Join us for Survive to Thrive, a focused Bootcamp designed for small businesses across the South East who want to strengthen their foundations, build resilience, and plan for sustainable growth in an uncertain world.

This practical, insight-led event will bring together expert speakers, hands-on workshops, and real-world strategies tailored to the challenges small businesses are facing right now.

What to expect:

• Practical tools you can apply immediately
• Expert insights on resilience, growth, and sustainability
• Interactive sessions designed for small business
• Opportunities to connect with fellow South East business owners
• Buffet lunch plus tea, coffee and refreshments throughout the day
• Optional Networking from 3pm – 4pm: Book your place here.
• Meet Exhibitors from local support and businesses in Kent

Talks, Workshops & Panels

✨ The Show Up System: How to Create Content Your Audience Is Already Searching For with Zoe Cairns (ZC Social Media): Most people are guessing what to post on social media… and it’s costing them visibility, engagement and leads. In this session, Zoe Cairns introduces The Show Up System a simple way to create search-led content based on what your audience is already looking for. You’ll understand why social media is shifting towards search, what that means for your content, and how to stay visible without relying on trends or hashtags.

✨ Your customers are searching differently, is your company keeping up? with Mark Jennings (Stormchasers): Search has changed, your customers are no longer just clicking links, they’re being given answers. So the question is: is your business part of that answer, or being skipped entirely? In this session, Mark breaks down what the shift to AI and answer engines really means for small businesses, without the jargon. He’ll show you how to make your website visible, trusted, and useful in this new landscape. You’ll leave with a clear, practical 7-point checklist you can apply straight away to improve your visibility, strengthen your website, and stay competitive as search continues to evolve.

✨ How are you Showing up Online, and How to Fix it with Nick Bills (The Entrepreneurs Marketing System): A practical, insight‑driven talk sharing clear strategies to boost your online visibility, build credibility, and show up with confidence in the digital space.

✨Selling without the ‘Cringe’ with Becky Hayman (Velaverde): In this practical, interactive session, Becky will explore how to “sell without selling” by moving away from pitching, persuasion, and information overload and into more effective, question‑led conversations. Becky will show how shifting the focus from talking to listening helps build trust quickly and uncover what potential clients actually need.

Designed especially for founders and solopreneurs, the talk addresses a common challenge: when passion for your business turns into long explanations that overwhelm or miss the mark. Becky will share how asking better, more purposeful questions can lead conversations naturally, why talking less often results in stronger sales outcomes, and a simple structure for having confident, non‑pushy sales conversations.

The session will be highly practical, with a live demonstration (including a short role‑play) so attendees can see the approach in action and leave with something simple they can apply immediately.

✨Winning New Customers and Creating Steady, Reliable Leads

✨Take Control of your Cash: Smarter Finances for a Stronger Business

✨Essential Compliance Updates to Protect and Grow Your Business – with Jemma Fairclough-Haynes (Orchard Employment Law & FSB Regional Chair)

✨The value of FSB Membership – with Jane Martin (FSB)

This inspiring day will be hosted by David Bell, CEO of Simboc Ltd.

Book now and be part of a day focused on helping your business not just survive, but thrive.

Please note all ticket sales close on 4 June.

Interested in exhibiting at this event? Find out more here.

The post FSB Business Bootcamp – Survive to Thrive first appeared on Kent Business Events.

This networking hour is open to both attendees of our FSB Business Bootcamp: Survive to Thrive and networking-only guests. This informal session is the perfect chance to grow your network, exchange ideas, and build valuable new business connections.

Whether you’ve attended the full Bootcamp or are joining us specifically to expand your network, you’ll have the opportunity to make valuable new connections, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Why attend the networking session?

• Meet and connect with like-minded business owners
• Build valuable local business relationships
• Continue conversations with speakers and exhibitors
• Discover new opportunities for collaboration and support
• Connect with businesses from across Kent and the South East

This event is free and open to all, but reserving a place is necessary. Please note that booking this event does not also book a ticket for the Bootcamp during the day, to book your Bootcamp ticket please click here. Tickets for the Bootcamp are £12 for FSB Members and £18 for Non-Members.

This networking hour is run in partnership with Synergy Networking

The post FSB Business Bootcamp: Networking Hour first appeared on Kent Business Events.

Taking place on the 4th Tuesday of each month, this event brings together like-minded business professionals in North West Kent for our version of Business Networking, #ConversationalNetworking — relaxed, engaging, and refreshingly pitch-free.

We kick off a bit differently in Gravesend with a firepit making sausage bacon and egg rolls accompanied by a continental style breakfast including pastries, along with a selection of hot drinks and fresh fruit juices to get you fuelled for the day ahead. It’s the perfect blend of great food, great people, and great conversation.

Whether you’re a seasoned networker or new to the scene, Simply Business Club Gravesend is the place to be for meaningful connections and genuine opportunities.

The post Simply Business Club – Face to Face Networking Gravesend - 23 June 2026 first appeared on Kent Business Events.

Taking place on the 4th Tuesday of each month, this event brings together like-minded business professionals in North West Kent for our version of Business Networking, #ConversationalNetworking — relaxed, engaging, and refreshingly pitch-free.

We kick off a bit differently in Gravesend with a firepit making sausage bacon and egg rolls accompanied by a continental style breakfast including pastries, along with a selection of hot drinks and fresh fruit juices to get you fuelled for the day ahead. It’s the perfect blend of great food, great people, and great conversation.

Whether you’re a seasoned networker or new to the scene, Simply Business Club Gravesend is the place to be for meaningful connections and genuine opportunities.

The post Simply Business Club – Face to Face Networking Gravesend - 28 July 2026 first appeared on Kent Business Events.

Taking place on the 4th Tuesday of each month, this event brings together like-minded business professionals in North West Kent for our version of Business Networking, #ConversationalNetworking — relaxed, engaging, and refreshingly pitch-free.

We kick off a bit differently in Gravesend with a firepit making sausage bacon and egg rolls accompanied by a continental style breakfast including pastries, along with a selection of hot drinks and fresh fruit juices to get you fuelled for the day ahead. It’s the perfect blend of great food, great people, and great conversation.

Whether you’re a seasoned networker or new to the scene, Simply Business Club Gravesend is the place to be for meaningful connections and genuine opportunities.

The post Simply Business Club – Face to Face Networking Gravesend - 25 August 2026 first appeared on Kent Business Events.

Taking place on the 4th Tuesday of each month, this event brings together like-minded business professionals in North West Kent for our version of Business Networking, #ConversationalNetworking — relaxed, engaging, and refreshingly pitch-free.

We kick off a bit differently in Gravesend with a firepit making sausage bacon and egg rolls accompanied by a continental style breakfast including pastries, along with a selection of hot drinks and fresh fruit juices to get you fuelled for the day ahead. It’s the perfect blend of great food, great people, and great conversation.

Whether you’re a seasoned networker or new to the scene, Simply Business Club Gravesend is the place to be for meaningful connections and genuine opportunities.

The post Simply Business Club – Face to Face Networking Gravesend - 22 September 2026 first appeared on Kent Business Events.

Taking place on the 4th Tuesday of each month, this event brings together like-minded business professionals in North West Kent for our version of Business Networking, #ConversationalNetworking — relaxed, engaging, and refreshingly pitch-free.

We kick off a bit differently in Gravesend with a firepit making sausage bacon and egg rolls accompanied by a continental style breakfast including pastries, along with a selection of hot drinks and fresh fruit juices to get you fuelled for the day ahead. It’s the perfect blend of great food, great people, and great conversation.

Whether you’re a seasoned networker or new to the scene, Simply Business Club Gravesend is the place to be for meaningful connections and genuine opportunities.

The post Simply Business Club – Face to Face Networking Gravesend - 27 October 2026 first appeared on Kent Business Events.

Taking place on the 4th Tuesday of each month, this event brings together like-minded business professionals in North West Kent for our version of Business Networking, #ConversationalNetworking — relaxed, engaging, and refreshingly pitch-free.

We kick off a bit differently in Gravesend with a firepit making sausage bacon and egg rolls accompanied by a continental style breakfast including pastries, along with a selection of hot drinks and fresh fruit juices to get you fuelled for the day ahead. It’s the perfect blend of great food, great people, and great conversation.

Whether you’re a seasoned networker or new to the scene, Simply Business Club Gravesend is the place to be for meaningful connections and genuine opportunities.

The post Simply Business Club – Face to Face Networking Gravesend - 24 November 2026 first appeared on Kent Business Events.