The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 36: April/May 2018 | Page 33

GET CONNECTED, GET BUSINESSWISE BusinessWise is a not-for-profit referral group of committed business people who meet weekly at Jury’s Inn, Swindon to support each other and refer qualified business leads. The group has been active in the town for more than six years and operates on a non-competing basis where there is only one person representing one discipline within the membership such as one accountant or a single web designer. The group also supports one charitable member and currently that is the Gateway Furniture Project which provides white goods and furniture packages at very low cost or free to families in need in the town. Current membership includes Haines Watts Swindon, Bevirs Law, Midwinter Web Design, Sandymount Construction, Avonwood Financial Planning, Nick Ruddle Film, Lis McDermott Photography, C S Electrical, Cloud Telematics and Thornton Associates. The members are looking to work with and support other business owners or directors and this could include a book-keeper, a graphic designer, a mortgage adviser, a VA or PA, a plumber, an insurance broker, a telecoms provider, a shop owner or a hotel or B&B owner. The cost of joining is £250 in year one, then £150 on renewal each subsequent year and the monthly cost is £55 which includes breakfast and room hire costs, marketing activities, charitable work and social events. In order to find out more about the group and what we do – we hold open networking events where visitors can attend to find out more and meet us. Journalist and media consultant Fiona Scott, of Fiona Scott Media, who currently chairs the group, said: “We welcome anyone who wants to come along to the event and meet current members, find out more about BusinessWise and the business referrals the group generates for its members. We have several open categories and, if your business is unusual we are open to discussing the possibility of opening up a new category for you.” During 2017 over £670,000 of business was passed between members and the group will be working towards a higher goal during 2018. The booking link for the open event is - http://bit.ly/2p1OSWK or you can call Fiona Scott on 07789 270030 or email www.businesswise.org.uk Member Benefits: • Not for Profit Organisation • Fees re-invested into the group • Exclusive business category • Opportunities for new business across all sectors • Low annual membership fee MEMBER FOCUS Each edition we will focus on a BusinessWise member and tell you a little more about who they are and what they do: NETWORKING EVENING WITH BUSINESSWISE The BusinessWise members are hosting a FREE open even t which is to take place on Thursday April 12 at Jury’s Inn, Swindon. From 6pm drinks and nibbles will be served, there will be time to network before the guest speaker, James Phipps, chairman of Excalibur and well known for his philanthropic work, will take to the floor. Let us help spread the word about your business Name: Steve Munson Business: Studio Creative Services Tagline: We don’t just print! Years in business: 8 James Phipps, guest speaker at the BusinessWise event on April 12 [email protected] and a link will be sent to you. “If you cannot make the event but would like to come along as a regular visitor to find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll discuss some dates,”. For more info: www.businesswise.org.uk A defining trait: Bit of a perfectionist Steve has worked in the print sector since leaving school 28 years ago. He has worked as a litho machine minder, screen printer, for digital printing giant Xerox, gaining a wide and varied skill and knowledge base. Finally, before setting up, Studio Creative Services, he worked in a large design agency as production manager, working alongside a very skilled design team, producing work for many well known blue chip companies. Steve now runs Studio Creative Services which uses the philosphy of providing high quality products cost effectively by ensuring the correct methods and materials are used everytime. THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018 33