Setting up your own business is very different to being employed and I have found the group to be invaluable in terms of support, advice and assisting me to attract new clients.
If you are a new business I strongly recommend you join.
Join Essex Business Forum
Welcome to the most successful business networking group in Essex
We are the Essex Business Forum. An independent networking group made up of 30 or so members. From tradesmen, to professional services and everything in between. We actively promote each other by passing regular, high quality referrals and collaborate to grow our businesses.
Our dynamic approach works. We average £100,000 in member to member referrals each month – and in 2016 our referrals boosted the local economy by an additional 1.5 million.
Our weekly networking meeting takes place every Thursday in Brentwood, and guests are always welcome!
Looking for a local business you know you can trust?
From accountant to architect, wine merchant to web designer, book keeper to builder. Our membership represents the very best of local business. With a thorough vetting process, and ongoing member assessment programme ensuring that quality levels stay high.
Plus, our Essex Business Forum – Mark of Excellence now provides an extra level of quality assurance. Meaning you can choose with confidence, as listed businesses have been reviewed, tested and are actively recommended by our panel of local business experts.
Statistics from our 2017/2018 year
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Average Business Passed Between All Members Each Month
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Average Referral Opportunies Passed Between Members Each Month
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Average Earnings From EBF Per Member Per Year
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Average Payback for Every £1 Invested Into EBF Membership
What our members gain
By joining, and attending our weekly business networking meeting, you’ll benefit from:
- Regular business referral opportunities – on average each member receives more than £30,000 worth of new business each year because of their membership
- Ability to expand your network, and connect with like-minded business professionals
- Promotion of your business on our high traffic website
- Opportunity to become an accredited EBF Mark of Excellence business
- Promotion of your business via our popular Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media channels
- Weekly business development, education and training sessions
- Promotion via repeated daily adverts on local Radio
- Plus business training events, social gatherings, and much much more…
Read testimonials from our past and present members
I Joined Essex Business Forum a few months after I started by business and have been a member ever since. In the past six years I have not only obtained quality business leads that have led to me carrying out work for a variety of clients but have also fostered an excellent network of business contacts who I am happy to recommend and do so on a regular basis.
In addition I have a great support network in that the other members are happy to give me advice and guidance when needed and I hope I provide that to them as well.
I cannot think of any downside of being member of this brilliant organisation –except for getting up early every Thursday morning!
I was introduced to Essex Business Forum by an existing member, and honestly at the time I did not know, nor understand what to expect. 2 years later, I can say EBF is beyond business referrals.
For me, it is about working closely with positive and inspirational external colleagues; and constantly educating each other.
I truly believe EBF has played a huge part in my professional development; and in my presence in the community.
- I work alone and only see clients who have problems that they want resolving.
Every week at EBF I have the opportunity to meet 30 people all of different trades and professions and this gives me a broad outlook on what is happening outside of my consulting room.
To help build and cement relationships and to learn about members interests outside of their working environment, social events are held throughout the year culminating in the grand Christmas dinner.
All members act as salesmen for each other and apart from the enthusiasm and good fellowship generated at the meetings I receive good quality referrals, all of which enhance my business.
Brian Painter
Clinical Hypnotherapist There are many reasons why being a member of EBF has helped my business. Firstly of course are the recommended referrals. Our hit rate is really high on EBF business , way up in the 90%.
Secondly I have access to experts in their fields ,all of whom are happy to offer advice on issues that arise during business life and thirdly it helps you to build confidence.
Standing up and speaking in front of people doesn’t come naturally to all . Doing this on a regular basis really helped me to build confidence not only here but in my normal business dealings.
I fully recommend you come along and give EBF a try.
I only became involved with the whole networking concept for the first time last year and I can genuinely say that it has worked for me.
Not only has it already more than paid for itself with the business I have gained but meeting with fellow professionals from all walks of life has given me a new energy.
Membership and involvement with EBF is a key part of my business. I have built up many valuable relationships with like-minded companies in the area.
Eachy week there is a lively buzz and a pleasant atmosphere and I’m convinced that more business is passed in that environment than in the overly-regimented approaches I have seen elsewhere in the past.
As well as providing an important and consistent source of new business, the group is a valuable resource of support and advice which has been vital to the development of our firm.
The trust and respect that builds between members has a direct influence on business growth.
View a meeting walkthrough
Our meetings are dynamic and friendly. To learn more, take a quick Meeting Walkthrough. Written by fellow members, it’s designed as a simple step-by-step guide to the meeting format. Helping you to feel at ease from the moment you walk through the door.
Each week we follow the same agenda, with content kept fresh and engaging thanks to regular guests, outside speakers, education slots and varying members present.
Welcoming guests, no strings attached
It’s free to attend your first Essex Business Forum meeting, and visitors are under no obligation to join.
So, if you think EBF membership would benefit a business colleague or friend, please use our simple form to invite them to one of our meetings. Better still, why not bring them along with you?
Just remember, guests should bring plenty of business cards so that they can actively promote their business!
Meet our members…
TM Law
Solicitor
The members of our business networking meetings cover a full range of professions including trades, finance, property, business-to-business and business-to-consumer. To the right is a profile for a randomly selected member, or click the button below to view all members.
A selection of our member businesses…
