The Fold Network: A community for self-employed and freelancing women in Leeds
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Why I started The Fold
I started what is now called The Fold two years ago (it was previously called Tribe) because I felt like I couldn’t find a space to just be me.
All the networking events I could find in Leeds were more corporate-minded, early breakfast meetings, or just filled me with so much dread.
I knew I needed to network, heck, I’d been self-employed for 8 years at this point.
But I wasn't wanting to find business. I wanted to find my people.
Surface level networking vs real connection
If you’re self-employed, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve built an established business, you’ll have heard about the power of networking. But networking doesn’t have to feel stiff and awkward. It can be fun, relaxed, and the perfect tonic to chaotic business life.
I firmly believe that building real connections is far more valuable than transactional networking. Would you recommend someone you’d just met because they handed you a business card? Or someone you’ve had a real conversation with, someone you trust?
Networking = “What’s in it for me?”
Community = “What can we do, together?”
Why do women need women-only networking communities?
The reality is, being self-employed often involves a lot of time spent… well, by yourself. You wear many hats - marketer, accountant, strategist, service provider, and somewhere along the way, it can start to feel overwhelming. And at times, a little lonely.
Having been self-employed for nearly 10 years now, I know how it feels to go it alone. It’s exciting and rewarding, but it can also feel big and scary. And I don’t know about you, but how comfortable do you feel just being yourself, or being vulnerable, in more traditional networking spaces?
The “boys club” style events, or even more formal “Women in Business” environments, can make you feel like you have to perform. Like you need to present the polished, “business version” of yourself.
That’s not what The Fold is about.
We all know that good things happen when women come together.
Now imagine what’s possible when you’re in the room with the right women.
The women who cheer you on, pick you up, and genuinely want you to succeed.
The women who share their experiences and their knowledge.The women whose names you’ll mention in a room.
That’s what The Fold is all about.
It's a ready-made support system for self-employed and freelancing women in Leeds.
So, what is The Fold?
The Fold is a community for self-employed and freelancing women in Leeds.
It’s built around in-person gatherings, because real relationships are built in real life. It’s a space for real women, with real businesses and real lives.
We all understand the juggle.
Relaxed evening meet-ups where you don’t have to stand to attention, and informal daytime co-working sessions have been the foundation of the community over the past two years.
All the in-person gatherings are available on a PAYG basis, which feels really important. It shouldn’t be hard to find your people. You shouldn’t have to commit to a membership before you’ve even experienced it, or feel pressured to show up every single month.
That’s just not how we work.
It was never really about events.
But at its core, The Fold (and its predecessor, Tribe) was never really about events…
You don’t have to change who you are to build a successful business. You don’t have to walk into a room and feel like you need to perform, impress, or prove yourself. And you definitely don’t have to do it all alone.
The Fold exists so you can show up exactly as you are. Whether you’re having a great week or questioning everything, whether your business feels like it’s flying or you’re figuring things out as you go. Because when women come together in the right environment, something shifts. Conversations become honest, support becomes natural, and opportunities come from connection, not pressure.
If you’ve been looking for your people, this is your reminder that they’re looking for you too.
The Fold was never really about networking.
It’s about people.
About connection.
About support.
About building something bigger than business, together.
Come as you are. You don’t have to do this alone.
Ready to find your people?
If this resonates with you, come and experience it for yourself.
You can join us at a meet-up or co-working session, no pressure, no expectations.
Or, if you already know this is exactly what you’ve been looking for, you can head straight in and join The Fold as a member.