Sedgemoor Chamber

Every big opportunity starts with a little conversation
2026-06-12 14:00 - 14:45 (Europe/London) | Junction 24, Market Way, North Petherton, Somerset, TA6 6DF, United Kingdom
In this practical and energising session, Stefan Thomas will show you how to walk into any room, work it with confidence, and leave with real connections, opportunities and sales that move your business forward.
Most people think connecting is about collecting business cards or delivering the perfect pitch. It is not. Stefan will share simple mindset shifts and conversation techniques that help turn awkward small talk into genuine business relationships.
Attendees will leave with practical approaches to starting conversations, following up naturally and making the most of every opportunity to connect. Whether you are completely new to business events or have been attending them for years, this session is designed to change the way you approach connecting with others.

Stefan Thomas is the author of Business Networking for Dummies, Instant Networking and Win The Room. A professional speaker and MC with more than 20 years of experience, Stefan has attended over 1,500 business events and built a reputation for helping people connect more effectively and confidently.
He has spoken for organisations across the UK including BT, Lloyds Bank and The Loo of the Year Awards, helping businesses and professionals improve their communication, confidence and relationship building skills.

Want to explore the full Expo programme?
Find out more about the Somerset Business Expo, including exhibitors, workshops, business support sessions and connecting events below.
View the Somerset Business Expo Page

Free business strategy and growth planning support
2026-06-12 14:00 - 15:00
This session is part of the Somerset Business Expo Business Support Pod, offering free 1-to-1 support from local industry experts. Across the hour, businesses and professionals can book one of four free 15 minute sessions to discuss specific challenges, ask questions and receive practical guidance.
Let’s talk about your business, what stage you’re in and where you want to get to. This session offers first-hand, practical experience from someone who has started, grown and sold a company, with honest insight into the plans, pitfalls and actions you can take now.
If you are looking to set up, grow or exit a business and want practical advice from someone who has actually done it, this is your chance to have an open conversation. Helen can share the things you may not know, and the things people do not always tell you.
With first-hand experience of setting up and growing a business to £4 million, across four locations, before selling to a national agency, Helen brings real insight into the different stages of business growth.
No presentation, just an open and honest chat about your plans, the potential pitfalls and what you can do now, whatever stage your business is at.
Session Host

Helen brings experience from Board level Director and Chair roles, as well as running a sales team, setting up, growing and exiting a business, and wider recruitment and marketing knowledge.
In January, Helen started the ILM Level 7 Coaching, Leadership and Mentoring course, delivered by the British School of Coaching, offering her clients and the wider business community even more support.

Reframe HR maximises passion, knowledge and experience to liberate businesses to surge ahead through practical, powerful conversations. With a clear focus on impact we support organisations in addressing challenges such as absence, high turnover, low engagement, performance and grievances, all of which carry significant financial and operational consequences. By partnering with businesses to get people management right Reframe HR helps significantly reduce costs, management time and expensive mistakes while improving performance, engagement and long-term sustainability. karen@reframehr.co.uk

Want to explore the full Expo programme?
Find out more about the Somerset Business Expo, including exhibitors, workshops, business support sessions and connecting events below.
View the Somerset Business Expo Page

37,000,000 views in 6 Months: How to grow your business with social media
2026-06-12 15:00 - 15:45
Most businesses post content that gets ignored. This workshop will show you how local businesses are using simple video content to build trust, increase awareness, and stay top-of-mind with customers at scale.
In today’s market, attention drives trust and trust drives business. Yet most local businesses are still creating content that gets ignored, feels overly promotional, or never reaches the right audience.
In this workshop, Jacob Sotiris, Founder of SHOUT agency, will share the practical strategies behind generating over 37,000,000 local business views for clients in the last six months, alongside more than 190,000,000 views generated online overall.
Attendees will learn how to create simple short-form videos that stop people scrolling, position their business as the trusted local expert, and turn everyday customer questions into content that drives real awareness and enquiries.

Jacob Sotiris is the Founder of SHOUT agency, helping local South West businesses generate more awareness, trust, and enquiries through simple short-form video content on social media.
Through strategic, conversational content creation, Jacob has generated over 190 million views online, including more than 37 million local business views in the last six months alone. Known for his direct, lighthearted and practical approach, Jacob specialises in helping businesses become the recognised and trusted choice in their area through authentic content that connects with customers.

Want to explore the full Expo programme?
Find out more about the Somerset Business Expo, including exhibitors, workshops, business support sessions and connecting events below.
View the Somerset Business Expo Page
