Meet our People
The small, but perfectly formed team at The Business ConnectionTracey Sweetland
TBC Founder, Business Bestie Mentor, Marketing Consultant
Helping you grow your business
My Story
I’m Tracey Sweetland and The Business Connection is my passion project – the culmination of years of yearning and planning to build a community to serve small business owners.
I have owned a number of small businesses since leaving “corporate” in 2014 to set up my own local newspaper with three colleagues.
Since then I have set up my own marketing company, Red Shoes Marketing, which I still run, and launched a series of B2B and B2C magazines through my limited company, Catapult Media (Peterborough).
I am a single mum and live in south Lincolnshire with my two girls, three cats, a hamster and a Cockapoo.
I am here to offer support for any small business owner who needs help, particular in areas of marketing their business but also just as a sounding board or sympathetic shoulder to cry on.
What I do
The Business Connection top cat
The Business Connection is my passion project. It’s the network I wish I’d been part of when I first started out in business. I want it to bring small business owners together in a spirit of connection, collaboration and community.
The Business Connection host
You will find me hosting many of The Business Connection networking events, as well as Mastermind sessions and group sessions, including sharing my knowledge on various topics in bite-size workshops.
Business Bestie Mentor
Sharing my knowledge, experience and contacts is also at the heart of my role as a Business Bestie mentor. I can help guide you to where you want to be in your business – and even help you figure out where that is!
Marketing consultant
I am the owner of Red Shoes Marketing, providing website design, graphic design and content creation in its many guises to small businesses. I set the company up in 2018 after stepping away from my previous career in local newspapers.
Sonya Wardell
Business Bestie Mentor, Business Owner
All about motivation, support and non-sleazy sales
My Story
I am Sonya Wardell, Co-Director of Chris’ Leaflet distribution and a business partner in Wardell Furniture Co.
Both of the above businesses I run with my husband Chris, and we both bring different things to the table.
In my case that’s just shy of 20 years’ retail management experience, which has helped me to build the two businesses to where they are now.
But I have felt for a while that there is more I could be doing to use my past experiences to help other people, so I’m adding a third solo business to the mix.
So, I will be offering my services as a Business Bestie mentor and co-hosting The Business Connection events under my new business Athena Business Services.
What I do
Successful multi business owner
I run Chris’ Leaflet Distribution, delivering leaflets through doors of homes and businesses across Peterborough, south Lincolnshire and beyond, and Wardell Furniture Co, providing bespoke design furniture. I am a partner in these businesses with my husband Chris, but have recently started my own personal project Athena Business Services.
The Business Connection host
You will find me co-hosting many of The Business Connection networking events, as well as hosting some masterminds and group sessions, including running a few workshops helping business owners gain new knowledge and skills.
Business Bestie Mentor
The main purpose of Athena Business Services is to provide coaching and mentoring to small business owners. Some people call me Mrs Motivator and I’m here as a Business Bestie to lend a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on and send you off with a big smile and a big dose of motivation.