Business Women Get Naked For Charity

• Mandie Holgate (The Business Woman's Network)
• Saturday 6 August 2011

When Farleigh's Hospice set 50 Essex businesses the challenge to turn £50 into as much money as possible they never knew that the Women from the Business Womans Network would go to the lengths they did!

Business women from around the BWN network of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Hertfordshire postponed their day of work and stripped off at the beautiful Historic Layer Marney Tower in North Essex, recreating famous shots, such as American Beauty, Super Girl, The Christine Keeler Chair shot and even creating a few new ones of their own including one for the 2012 Olympics and Lap top Girls.

Sally Parkinson Photography and FYEO provided the shots and makeup artists and hair dressers from around Essex including Benjamin Charles of Colchester and The Make Up Artists and Gemini Hair Salon volunteered to help the women look and feel their best.

For the not so brave there was the opportunity to sponsor a page, support the launch that was supported by Essex Chambers of Commerce or in the case of Splash of Ice provide all of the jewellery for the 26 girls that bared all.

Thanks to Simmons Printers the BWN only had to pay 25% of the final bill for printing the calendar allowing them to sell the calendars for £10 each with £2635.19 being raised on the launch night alone.

Since then calendars have been posted around the globe to New Zealand, Australia and have been sold to as unlikely candidates as the Mayor of Colchester, The Head of a school of Governors and members of the army!

There have been some negative comments made that appearing in this calendar can degrade women and undermine them as successful, professional business women. However founder of the BWN, Mandie Holgate points out "Clothes do not maketh the man, the man does, or in this case the woman" Mandie adds "I feel strongly that a business woman's reputation and credibility come from her actions and what she does within her business and not from removing her clothes for charity" And to prove the point Mandie was Miss September, recreating Super girl as that is how she is recognised on Facebook due to her "can do" approach to business women's success.

The BWN is not just about networking, business women are using it to improve their confidence and to step out of their comfort zones to learn new skills. Not just for the SME or the sole trader the BWN attracts companies such as Birkett Long LLP, Thomas International and Essex Chamber of Commerce as their members allowing their staff to learn new skills without breaking the bank.

Attracting some of the country's top speakers on business and success, women are quick to share what the network has done for them as Louisa Steel from Essex Business Libraries says "The BWN has been a breath of fresh air to the networking circuit. The opportunities are relaxed and friendly (ideal for the shy first-time networker) but also productive. The presentations are always relevant, useful and often very innovative."

Susan Pattrick from SMP Consultancy adds "They have helped me step out of my comfort zone on more than one occasion. I just can't believe I agreed to appear in the nude Calendar, but I'm so glad I did as it was an experience of a lifetime."

So the calendar stands not just to raise a lot of money for a local charity but to also help the confidence and success of local business women too.

You can purchase a copy at any BWN event or purchase online here at www.thebusinesswomansnetwork.co.uk

Mandie Holgate is available for interview 01206 381482 07989935556 and is often asked to comment on matters relating to business women.

http://thebusinesswomansnetwork.co.uk/home

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