Why Ladies Who Latte

Billie Sharp

2009 – Present | Voluntary

In 2009, I jumped into to something small that turned out to be one of the biggest joys of my career: becoming a leading part of Ladies Who Latte alongside the wonderful Mary Flavelle. Back then, we didn’t have a five-year plan or a mission statement. We simply had a clear purpose – to create safe, supportive, no-pressure spaces where women could talk about their businesses, their challenges, and their wins… with a cup of coffee in hand and without having to wear a suit to be taken seriously.

Since then, what started as a handful of women around a table has grown into an international network – and the heartbeat of it is the same. Connection. Conversation. Community.

We don't do name badges. We don’t charge for meetings. We don’t hold one seat per discipline. And we definitely don’t do pushy pitches. Instead, we let women come exactly as they are – whether they’re thriving, experimenting, growing a business, changing careers, or just looking for inspiration – and we make sure they’re seen, heard, and welcomed.

A voluntary role that has changed my life.

My role at Ladies Who Latte is entirely voluntary – and entirely priceless. It’s the space I pour energy into not for return, but because I believe so strongly in what it gives. As a Director, I help oversee the growth of our groups, support and train our volunteer leaders, create visual assets and communications, and maintain the friendly, familiar tone that makes Latte so unique. I’ve produced event materials, supported group launches, answered late-night messages from nervous new attendees, and met hundreds (if not thousands) of women over the years who’ve told me this is the only room where they felt comfortable showing up for their business.

That is not something I take lightly.

I’ve watched collaborations form, confidence grow, and dreams evolve right in front of me. And I’ve been lucky enough to experience that same support myself. The friendships and emotional support I’ve received through Ladies Who Latte have seen me through business changes, personal challenges, and pivotal moments. It's where I've celebrated wins, shared ideas, laughed until I’ve cried, and cried until I've laughed again. It’s a community that gives back tenfold, even when you're giving all you've got.

Networking changed my business – and I have the data to prove it.

As a Graphic Designer and Website Consultant, I’ve always valued relationships in business – and nowhere has that been more evident than in my own networking results. In my early years, I began tracking my leads with intention, just to see what was working. It turned out that 82% of my business came from networking. Not ads. Not SEO. Not fancy funnels. Actual conversations with real people who knew me, liked me, and trusted me.

That’s why I’m such a vocal advocate for face-to-face networking – particularly the kind that doesn’t ask you to be anything but yourself. I know it works because it worked for me. Again and again.

Through Ladies Who Latte, I’ve been able to pay that forward: encouraging other women to show up, speak up, and keep going, even when they don’t feel ready. I’ve helped them navigate the awkwardness of their first event, supported them in finding the right words to explain what they do, and reminded them that sometimes, just being present is enough.

Creating spaces where women can thrive.

What sets Ladies Who Latte apart is its gentleness. In a world of sales targets and social media pressure, it offers an alternative – a place to breathe, listen, laugh, and connect. It’s networking for women, by women, and it’s powered entirely by volunteers who believe in it wholeheartedly.

I’ve worked closely with Mary Flavelle to help keep that ethos alive as we’ve grown. We try to protect our Facebook Groups from business-page spam so we can genuinely know who we’re speaking to. We’ve celebrated the leaders who run their local groups with warmth and consistency. We’ve stayed true to the values that matter – kindness, encouragement, inclusivity, and real conversations.

And that’s why Ladies Who Latte has stood the test of time.

We don’t sell memberships. We don’t chase numbers. We simply continue to create spaces where women can meet, talk, share, and build relationships that make a difference.

Blending community with creativity.

As a Creative Director myself, I bring a particular energy to Ladies Who Latte: I love to make things look and feel welcoming. Whether I’m designing posters for a new group launch, creating event graphics, or refreshing the brand’s visual tone, I aim to keep things simple, empowering, and approachable. Because that’s what we’re all about.

No jargon. No judgement. No pressure. Just a friendly community of women supporting women – often with a biscuit in hand and business cards forgotten in the bottom of a handbag.

A space that stays with you.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt through my years with Ladies Who Latte, it’s that people remember how you made them feel. That first meeting where someone was too shy to speak but left with two new contacts and a smile? That stays with them. That moment someone found the confidence to launch a business because they saw someone like them doing it already? That stays too.

Ladies Who Latte has been part of my story for over a decade – and it has shaped the way I show up in the world. It’s reminded me how much connection matters. How powerful listening can be. And how many brilliant women are out there doing brave things every day.

What I bring to Ladies Who Latte (and what it brings to me).

In my role as Director, I bring:

• Over 20 years of experience in branding, design, and websites.
• A firm belief that you don’t have to be loud to be heard.
• Creative thinking, technical skills, and a people-first mindset.
• A commitment to inclusion, simplicity, and showing up as your full self.

In return, Ladies Who Latte brings me:

• A sense of purpose that fuels everything I do.
• An ever-growing network of inspiring, supportive women.
• The joy of helping others find their voice.
• A reminder that you don’t have to do business alone.

Whether I’m leading a group, designing graphics, mentoring a new volunteer, or just making the tea – I’m proud to be part of a network that genuinely cares about people over profit.

Ladies Who Latte is more than networking. It’s a lifeline. A springboard. A safety net. And a celebration of everything women can do – together.