Project Brighton
A rework of networking
Brighton and Hove is full of bright ideas, especially in business innovations and inspired community projects: they are so ingrained in our city we take them granted. We need only think of the many unique cafés and funky bars, Madeira Drive’s fortnightly events and rallies or Spiral Wave Radio’s media centre in Bevendean for adults with challenges. One such fledgling innovation begins this mid-September, quietly in a small restaurant in the afternoon, inviting just nineteen people of enterprise to attend. Blending a pay-it-forward ethos with speed and regular networking, here begins the story of Meet 19’s modest ambition to create a collective hub for commercial and community online resources.
Tilo Flache, Meet 19
Here begins the story of Meet 19’s modest ambition to create a collective hub
It’s a given that networking is an good way to meet other businesses and vie for leads, especially in Brighton and Hove where there are a wide variety of events to choose from. Not only are there annual stallholder conventions and prestige subscription organisations, there are pop-in gatherings and pop-up surgery-style consulting networks in coffee houses and bars.
With all these real-life options, plus virtual ones with eh-hum, the internet, you’d be forgiven for believing there isn’t a new way to link with other associates. But aspiring network group Meet 19 are not only different, they are touting for difference.
One of their unique selling points is that Meet 19 aims to have an equal mix of business with those looking for support, advice or opportunities. “It strikes me,” says co-founder Jonny Wills, “That many companies are still weighed down by overly-officious, HR-type practices. Where we fit in is to break that down a bit with a Google generation friendliness, getting great people to find each other that ordinarily wouldn’t know how.”
Jonny runs Infinite Bridge, which provides website marketing, and with fellow founder Tilo Flache, self-styled ‘cluttermeister’ and administration consultant at Outsorting, they both share the ambition to help grow client bases with a forward-thinking style.
“Tilo and I both found common ground with new work philosophies such as Jason Fried and David Hansson’s ReWork project,” adds Jonny, “It’s been an inspiration for us, because consulting for big companies we’d also discovered how to do more enjoyable and productive business.”
Jonny Wils, Co-founder of Meet 19
One of the unique selling points of Meet 19 aims to have an equal mix of business, with those looking for advice, support or opportunites
Another selling point for Meet 19 is subtle, yet obvious: it will be a more intimate gathering of attendees. Jonny puts it more candidly: “Normal events usually mean leaving with half a dozen cards having engaged in the same amount of lengthy conversations. If we’re honest, they’re not always that productive. We believe people will leave our event with nineteen cards, having wasted less time with over-sellers and having hopefully met someone with that killer idea to blow their entrepreneurial mind.”
Online the group can be found on LinkedIn (Meet 19 Network) for established business. Simultaneously there is a community organisation page on Facebook (facebook.com/meet19network) providing support, advice and ideas. Meet 19’s inaugural event is due to take place next month on Wednesday 14th September, 3-5pm at Edendum restaurant, East St, Brighton, BN1 1HQ. Attendance is by invite only.
If you’d like your name on the list contact Jonny and Tilo at: Meet19Network@gmail.com, or call 07901 68 7575.
