Entrepreneur Hannah Cox founded her company after being slighted by the ‘old boys’ club’. She says she doesn’t want to meet people who judge by appearances, anyway
Hannah Cox loves networking, meeting new people and having spontaneous conversations. But the Manchester-based entrepreneur found herself frustrated at all too many of the events she attended.
“I was sick of business networks where I was treated like I was a ten-year-old because I had tattoos and wore jeans. People assumed I didn’t have a business yet or that the man standing next to me was my boss.
“But I soon realised that most of the people who held these outdated views weren’t even the sorts of people I wanted to network with, anyway.”
As the founder of a sustainable agency, Betternotstop, and a fully trained B Corp consultant, Cox works with businesses to improve their social and environmental performance. She believes business should be a force for good address major problems such as climate change.
“I didn’t understand why other business owners didn’t care about the living wage and didn’t support flexible working. Some weren’t even bothered if their product had a negative environmental impact.
“I wanted to work with other good businesses. Too many rooms felt like an old boys’ club, so I decided I needed to change the room I was in.”
Earlier this year, Cox and like-minded entrepreneurs Kate Clarke and Ben Thorne decided to create an alternative.
They reasoned that, during the pandemic, the whole concept of networking had changed. Locality was no longer important in a world where video conferencing and online networks were the norm. The Better Business Network was born. A network founded on ethics, values, ideas and a very big goal.
“The Better Business Network is for people who believe we have a responsibility to make the world sustainable. It may sound like a massive goal but, if we can bring the right people together, they can make a difference.”
“Virtual networking is now the norm. It makes speed networking really simple – you can make five good connections in an hour. Although we do want to do in-person events, too.”
The BBN vets members to ensure they’re aligned with the values of the group. Its website lists six big reasons why ‘they should not join’ including: ‘You’re solely focussed on profit and don’t have sustainability and ethics at the core of your business.’
The BBN donates 30 percent of its membership fees to ‘impact giving’, providing cash to groups such as Client Earth and Stop Cambo. Members are given a list of five not-for-profit companies and asked to vote for their chosen group each month.
BBN Members get access to resources designed to make them more sustainable and resilient, including a weekly wellbeing session and, for top tier members, a free sustainability audit. Cox says about 40 percent of the group’s fees are spent on resources for members, with the remaining 30 percent being spent on administration and salaries.
The organisation also recruits in cohorts in order to bond them together and create a sense of camaraderie. The first cohort joined in May 2021 and the BBN is currently recruiting its second batch. Cox says connecting people with shared values creates better relationships.
“When business owners meet others whose values align with their own, there’s so much they can share. It doesn’t matter if they are in different industries or sectors. There are tools, lessons and resources they can share.
“I’ve met so many great people doing this. As it turns out, having my arms tattooed transformed my business.”
“Not everyone is welcome. We are prepared to turn people away if we feel they would dilute the network. But we’ve made it that businesses of all sizes can join. Obviously, we don’t have a dress code. Tattoos and jeans are welcome.”
The BBN is currently recruiting new members. If you’re an ethically focused entrepreneur that believes business can be a force for good, visit here: https://thebetterbusiness.network/
