She Rocks Business: Championing Women, Shaping Futures

On a recent Spring evening, we co-hosted our She Rocks Business event, alongside Cooper Parry Wealth focusing on “Paving the Way for the Next Generation.” Over 60 women came together to network—to connect, inspire and create space for honest, empowering conversations.

This isn’t just a series of talks. It’s a growing community where female leaders and their allies come together to listen, learn, and lift each other up.

Real stories, straight talking

The panel brought together five women with real experience, clear voices, and strong views:

Kavita Oberoi OBE, entrepreneur and philanthropist

Mariam Smith, Managing Director at Datalink Electronics

April Homer, Chief People Officer at Cooper Parry

Marie Smith, Associate Partner Cooper Parry Wealth

Suzanne Leggott, Partner and Head of Private Wealth at Shakespeare Martineau

Suzanne and Marie, co-founders of She Rocks Business, hosted the evening with warmth and purpose, setting the tone for honest conversation and practical insights.

Be yourself….and back yourself

One message stood out and that was ‘sometimes we get in our own way’. The panel spoke about self-doubt, pressure to conform, and the turning point that comes when you stop trying to please everyone else.

“I was told to change my hair, my voice, wear makeup, don’t wear makeup,” April said. “As soon as I stopped listening and started being myself, everything changed.”

Support that matters

The panel also shared how important it is to have the right people around you. Mentors, sponsors, teams that back you and how it all makes a difference.

Mariam talked about letting go of the idea that you have to know everything. Hiring people who know more, and being open to advice, helped her grow her business with confidence.

The conversation also touched on reverse mentoring and learning across generations—because good leadership is about sharing, not hoarding.

What does success really look like?

What success looks like is different for everyone. For some, it remains job titles or promotions. For others, it’s about feeling healthy, having time for family, helping others, and knowing you’re making a difference.

“Knowing your ‘why’ keeps you grounded,” said April. “That’s what helps when things get tough.”

Younger generations might be clearer about asking for what they want—flexibility, balance, purpose, but the panel agreed that these are things we all value.

Saying what others won’t

The discussion didn’t dodge the difficult bits. Kavita spoke openly about rebuilding after a betrayal. Mariam shared how her leadership style changed over time. April reminded us that underperformance usually has a cause—and that listening and being clear can go hand in hand.

Believe in yourself

When asked what advice they’d give their younger selves, the answers were simple but powerful:

• Be yourself
• Take more risks
• Believe in your own ability

One attendee summed it up perfectly on LinkedIn

“I took away so much—not just for my business, but for me as a person, and as a mother to teenage daughters.”

Looking ahead

We’re proud to stand behind She Rocks Business. We believe in creating space for real conversations, strong leadership, and new connections that last.

If you’d like to get involved in future events, we’d love to hear from you. Because when women support women, great things happen.