WHAT'S THE CRAIC
FROM THE NORTHERN LASS LOUNGE
Your Monthly Dose Of What's Going Down In Lounge Town!
FIRST DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS?
KYLIE HAS BEEN AWARDED AN MBE
HERE IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY WHEN SHE COULD FINALLY REVEAL ALL
"I am literally in such a humbled dreamworld ... Thank you for every single person who has believed in me!!
A few weeks ago I received a letter from the Royal Household letting me know I have officially been awarded an MBE for services to female entrepreneurship and social enterprise in the North East of England.
To say I’m honoured is an understatement, I was literally shaking when I opened the letter and I ran around to me mam and dads like Charlie Bucket with his golden ticket. I have kept it under wraps until it was announced on the government website tonight.
I'll thank everyone and everything after this all sinks in. It really does mean the world to me.
To The Northern Lass Lounge - YOU are why this has happened my friends! and I will be forever grateful"
WELCOME TO JULY!
Summer has arrived hasn't it lasses!!
Fab weather always makes us NLL lasses smile 🌞.. but.. as a small business owner sometimes summery smiles come with a bit of a downside!
Sunny weather and approaching school hols is sometimes a downer for our businesses as people are not dwelling on their phones and scrolling social media as much, people are holding onto cash for the kids being off school etc. AND we are busy too... what is the point in being self-employed if you can't enjoy the nice sunny days right lass? BUT we are here to help!
There is so much you can do to switch up and lean in to any potential Summer Slump with a sunshine marketing extravaganza... AND YES you can still enjoy the sun too!
Here are just a few of our ideas of how to plan for Summer as a NE Lass in Business!
📚 1. Use the quieter summer weeks for self-improvement & planning:
Summer dips don’t have to mean standing still!
Catch up on those courses, short videos and masterclasses inside our Next Level Membership – it’s packed with bite-sized content perfect for dipping into with a cuppa in the garden.
Spend time planning your marketing campaigns for the busier autumn & winter months – so when business picks up again, you’re not scrambling, you’re ready to pounce and make the most of it.
🌞 2. Embrace the season in your offers & content:
Create summer-themed products, bundles or limited editions.
Share content that ties into summer vibes: think "holiday essentials," "summer self-care tips," or "keeping the kids entertained."
Position your service or product as something that helps during summer (e.g., stress relief, quick meals, fun activities).
📅 3. Shift your posting schedule:
If your audience is outdoors more during the day, try posting early mornings, later evenings or weekends – times when people are winding down and more likely to scroll.
Make sure to use scheduling as much as you can so that you can use your time wisely and then enjoy the sunshine yourself!
👨👩👧👦 4. Acknowledge family life:
Many of your followers will have kids off school soon – show you get it!
Share behind-the-scenes posts of how you juggle business and family.
Offer “quick win” products or services – things that don’t take much time to enjoy.
💡 5. Run a fun summer campaign or challenge in your group:
A photo challenge, giveaway or countdown to the holidays can keep engagement ticking over.
Invite your audience to share their own summer moments (using your product/service if relevant).
📦 6. Prepare for slower weeks with pre-scheduled content or offers:
Batch create content now to keep visibility up while you’re busy.
Set up automatic discounts or time-limited offers for quieter days.
🤝 7. Lean into in-person opportunities:
If you can, pop-up stalls at local summer fairs, markets, or family events can bring fresh eyes to your business.
Heather Harker Smith is the podcast star of this week's release... go and check it out!
PODDY NEWS
We are well into S4 now!
Are you listening??
Did you hear... we were nominated for a British Podcasting award AND reached the top 50 in the UK for entrepreneurship!!!
WHATS NEW IN THE NEXT LEVEL?
Click each image to read more
New Training Launched in December!
THE NLL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS GUIDE TO SELLING WITH CONFIDENCE
Unlock your sales potential with this extensive collection of videos and guides, meticulously designed to empower you with effective marketing and sales strategies.
Focus on practical skills like upselling, crafting compelling sales narratives, and developing a strong money mindset.
Elevate your business with our expert-led modules that combine confidence-building techniques with actionable step-by-step guides with real lived experience from our Lounge Legends! Ruth Watson's section on Market Selling alone is INSANELY high in value for any of you crafters or producers who want to increase their market income!!
Dive in and transform your approach to sales and marketing!
FREE TRAINING FOR ALL
The Small Biz Sales Challenge
5 days of free training with Angela Laverick has been running all of this week and have been SOOO impressed with all of the lasses taking part!
Thank you so much to Queen Ang for pushing herself WAYYY out of her comfort zone to present this training! I am sure you will all agree she absolutely smashed it! She was even raring to do extra lives! WHO IS SHE?!!!
AND Super Dooper well done to Toni Holland who was the worthy winner of the challenge and gets a coveted 1:1 Social Media Strategy Session with Kylie!!
Find Toni Here - LITTLE SPARKS SCIENCE
DRUM ROLL............
LEVEL UP AWARD 2023
... goes to Beth Harding from Party Starters NE!!!
"I am so proud of Beth. When she puts her mind to something she does not give up... she is one of the busiest women I have ever met and yet she makes the time to take action on her business because she knows the good it does for her family!"
Award sponsored by Nic from Rocks training
RISING STAR AWARD 2023
...goes to Katie Toner from Dark Sky Sleepovers
"Katie has used what she has learned from the Lounge and her passion to support others to create Unite Club which has fantastic potential and Katie is working hard to out all the training and support into practice to ensure it is successful"
Award sponsored by Lins from L of a Bake
LEADER OF EXCLUSIVITY 2023
...goes to Kat Paylor-Bent of Seated Sewing and Consult Seated!
"Kat is a shining advocate of inclusivity. Always there to support, smile through he town issues and advocate, she generously created the Inclusivity training for Lounge and champions the inclusivity work the Lounge does on her own platforms"
Award sponsored by Nic from MINT Business Club
CONFIDENCE GROWTH AWARD 2023
....goes to.... Naomi White from Bee Gifted!!
"There's been such a marked growth of confidence and change in mindset in Naomi that is shining since her Gift of the Gab day. She's pushed herself repeatedly out of her comfort zone and the difference in her is remarkable."
Award Sponsored by Michelle Wheeler from Woodform Crafts
GIFT OF THE GAB 2023
...is.... Sarah Dibb from Noah's Art!!
"I love how much she has grown in confidence since winning gift of the gab award!"
Award sponsored by Kat Paylor Bent - Consult Seated & Seated Sewing
SOCIAL MEDIA BREAKTHROUGH 2023
...goes to Naomi Barley from Rainbow Zoo
"Naomi is absolutely smashing her social media, her content is always nailed on to her ideal client, she’s always on brand, her posts are always recognisable. I love to her posts pop up on my feed"
Award Sponsored by Sarah Louise Johnson from SarahJohnsonPhotography
COMMUNITY CHEERLEADER 2023
...goes to Michelle Wheeler of Woodform Crafts!
"What an absolute community bombshell is our Michelle. The support and guidance she gives not only to her own HUGE community of over 20,000 business owners but has helped so many in the lounge is just brilliant. The work that goes on behind the scenes in Michelles business which is solely dedicated to supporting others is phenomenal."
Award Sponsored by Rebecca Phinn from Aromas from Alyssa
Extra Special Thanks To....
Our other amazing sponsors & contributors including:
Rebecca from Remotely Done for sponsoring the Gift Bags
Julie from Oh Gosh How Pretty for the beautiful bracelets
Amber from Watts Whiffs for the wax melts
Julie from The Feel Good Factor for her Temple Spa goodies
Jo from Posticles for her delicious bikkies!
Carole from Purple Orchid Print for the flyer and menu printing
Rachel from The Inappropriate Thought Store for the rude pens ;)
Verity from My Wonky Little Heart for the gorgeous award plaques
Beth and Sam from Party Starters NE for the Balloon Ring and Phone Messages
PartyJunkies for the amazing 360 photo platform
Alice Slee Photography our event photographer
and of course our amazing venue, DJ and food provided by Creative Seed/ Carnival House, Southwick, Sunderland... check out their website for LOADS of fun events!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunderland Meet up - 7th November
November SUNDERLAND meet up!
Date - Tuesday 7th November
Time - 10am-12pm
Venue - The Corner Cafe https://www.facebook.com/cornercafesunderland
Address1 Moor TerraceSunderlandSR1 2JH
Craic - Our lush Verity Eggleston has bagged us this awesome space for up to 25 of us lasses. As ever I will need to keep an eyeball on numbers of people saying they are coming as it will be first come first serve - but 25 should be plenty!
This is a casual meet up so you can come for a flying visit or stay the whole time. Have coffee or have some scran. If you are DEFO coming and have specific dietary requirements can you please message Egg in good time and the cafe will make alternative food for you but it has to be in advance.Lots of Parking around the venue
Accessible -everyone welcome - if this is your first one then dinnit be shy - we are all lush & we may get a sneaky peak of the Eggs wonky workshop
Manchester Meet Up - 8th November
Hey there, Northern Lasses of Manchester! Get ready to mark your calendars because we've got a fantastic meet-up planned especially for YOU!
Save the Date: Wednesday, November 8th
Time: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Where: Blanco Nero Cafe Bar
Address: 2 Anchorage Quay, Salford M50 3YW
That's right, it's time to mix, mingle, and make new connections at our fabulous Northern Lass Manchester Meet-up!
This is YOUR day, lovely lasses– a chance to meet fellow members of the lounge, share stories, and celebrate the awesomeness of Manchester's female small business owners. No need to worry about a strict schedule – you can come and go as you please.All I ask if you could please let me know if you can make it. This way, we can give a heads-up to the cafe owners and make sure they have plenty of coffee and cake!Let's make this meet-up a fantastic meet up. The more Manchester lasses, the merrier! Let's make this day as amazing as you are. See you there!
Lasses Night In With Lozza - 10th Nov
Join Lozza Mac at 6:30pm on 10th November in the Northern Lass Lounge Facebook group for another round of her 'school night sessions' just for us lasses! If you have not joined in before they are loads of fun and a great way to get to know other lasses and their businesses in a VERY un-traditional networking way :) just the way we like it!
Lounge & Learn - Simple Ways to Sell - 28th November
This online event will take place on Zoom on 28th November -7-9pm. Join Kylie and Gaz for a session all about SELLING from a totally different pov than we have had before in the Lounge! This is going to be a fun and eye-opening session! And of course since its a Lounge and Learn, if you attend live you get the chance to network with the lasses and tell us all about you and your business.
Next Level Lasses don't forget to use your discount code! https://thenorthernlasslounge.com/simple-way-to-sell-loungelearn
Jingle & Mingle Christmas Party Meet Up! 29th November
Lasses if you're ready to Jingle and Mingle then get WEDNESDAY 29th NOVEMBER in your diaries now. Join us at West Boldon Lodge as we host our famous annual Jingle & Mingle and join in our Zentangle Christmas cardmaking workshop with Joanne Cummings from The Teesside Tangler and take home your own personalised card, PLUS Fill-Your-Bowl Winter buffet, unlimited hot and cold drinks, Secret Santa, plenty of festive cheer and music while you mingle with the Lasses and raise money for Groundwork. Strictly limited spaces so get it book Lass! https://thenorthernlasslounge.com/jinglemingle-book23
LET'S HEAR FROM THE LASSES!
Sarah Ball
2022 Gobshite of the Year!
"The lounge is such a friendly place! We all support each other, we cry with each other and we laugh with (and at) each other. You never feel like there is a question you can't ask, cos the lasses just want to help each other. I have made new friends! I have had jeans sent to me from all over the place! And in a year when I haven't pushed myself (health reasons as well as an understanding that my products are not essentials in the current climate) I have still had a brilliant year thanks to the Lasses of the Loungeroonie!"
Lisa Cryer
December 'Gobshite'
"The Next Level Lounge is such an amazing resource. There’s great courses of training all in one place, broken down into easy to follow chunks with actionable take always. But it’s much more than that. The Facebook group is a lovely space with weekly live training which is always juicy and I love the motivation stations, it makes a huge difference scheduling that in so you know you’re going to get stuff done.
Hands down the best value for money I’ve spent on my businesses!"
UPCOMING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS...
2025 AWARDS!!
Tickets coming soon!
Save the Date - 25th October 2025, Durham
Get your glad-rags and dancing moves ready lasses... we are coming together once again to celebrate EVERY LASS in business in the North East and to give out Awards to some lasses who we recognise as having achieved something spectacular this year!
Every lass is welcome. Members will get first dibs and a discounted rate so look out for your email before you book your tickets lasses.
FINAL FEW PLACES - 'From Breakdown to Breakthrough' with a bit of AI brilliance workshop
Date: 8th August
Location: Wonky Workshops in Sunderland
With: Kylie Dixon
CLICK THE CALENDAR TO LEARN MORE AND BOOK YOUR PLACE
WHATS NEW IN THE NEXT LEVEL MEMBERSHIP?
WE ARE REOPENING TO NEW MEMBERS IN SEPTEMBER! DATE TBC
WHAT NEW MEMBERS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO:
The new Onboarding & Goal Setting live zoom session with Kylie and some of the other Lounge Legends
Access to ALL of our existing courses and training PLUS new juicy things that we are planning to add before September!
The team's dedication to help them get started with all of the training and support on offer to them as members... we will not be letting any new members in until we know we have done all we can to get these lasses moving in the right direction for them and their businesses!
JOIN THE WAITING LIST TO HEAR FIRST - SPACES LIMITED
LETS CELEBRATE OUR
GIFT OF THE GAB - JUNE
THE BRILLIANT ABBIE RUTHERFORD
"Being Gift of the Gab came as a total surprise, and I admit I was absolutely terrified. However, I really enjoyed it on the day. The lasses in the lounge were incredibly welcoming and engaged with all my posts. It was a great way to showcase my business.
The Next Level Lounge is worth its weight in gold for the training, advice and support. I love how it also focuses on issues such as building self-confidence , as this is so important."
NEWS AND UPDATES:
AWARDS NIGHT
Save The Date
25th October 2025
We will have a ticket link for you ASAP but for now let's get this date in the diary lasses!! We hope to see as many of you as possible again this year to celebrate everything about being a Lass in business and shout out members of our community who have gone above and beyond this year!
As well as a lot of fun, music and good food of course!
The event has sold out every year since we started... we know this year will be no exception so make sure to book as soon as you see the ticket link on your emails and get the date in your diary now!
WORKSHOP WITH KYLIE
LIMITED SPACES - £50
8th August - Sunderland
BUCKLE UP LASS… Kylie is hosting a raw, real and ridiculously useful workshop in Sunderland this coming August.
In this 3-hour in-person workshop (a mix of backstory, breakthroughs, and a bit of AI wizardry), you’ll hear the unfiltered truth about how she rebuilt her confidence after surviving one of the darkest times of her life - a toxic social media nightmare, control, burnout, breakdowns and more.
Then you'll get hands on with the tools she is using as a successful creative to save loads of time. Kylie will show you her Chat GPT ninja moves and you will play with loads of Canva's new AI features... you will leave knowing how much time, stress and mental load you can save with some simple to learn hacks!
DIRECTORY UPDATE
Check Out The Lasses
Click and save this link on your laptop lasses - the Northern Lass Lounge Directory is open for all Next Level Members to add their details and we share it whenever we get the chance!
Get your business seen lasses - if you are a member and don't yet have your entry uploaded then get on it! You received a form when you first signed up but if you can't find that you can log into the app and under the 'WELCOME' tile you will find the instructions.
LASSES WHO LOUNGE
These free online sessions continue to be a great success thanks to our absolute legendary admin team who keep putting their time into arranging and planning these calls!
We are getting incredible feedback from these sessions so thank you once again Carrie, Verity, Naomi and Naomi!
If you know the importance of genuine networking you won't miss the opportunity to get in and book yourself in! Come and meet other lasses, make quality connections, make some new business mates, create collaborations, celebrate each other!
This is what the Northern Lass Lounge is ALL ABOUT!
I loved it, had a good chat with some lasses I haven’t met prior, everyone got involved and when it came to the break out rooms - it was really good that everyone got involved shared their struggles and we could chat through it all together. I shared a lot of what worked for me and connected with a few of the lasses - Amber Lea Watt
I loved chatting with the other ladies. It was nice listening to their views and finding some or most had the same issues as me, listening to their suggestions. I liked being put into smaller groups for the 15 mins each, I find that much easier to engage with - Susan Lawrence
It was great. I really liked the format. It's very informal and not at all intimidating.
I enjoyed meeting new people. So many diverse businesses!
Amazing. - Rie Pearson
It was good to chat with other people and get different takes on social media. - Sam Parkin
I liked - new faces, new ideas, sharing. liked the focus question - Steph Hemsted-Williams
LOUNGE GENERATION
The World NEEDS MORE Confident Lasses!
We are so proud to say we have managed to get more funding to progress this offering for 2025!
The Lounge Legends want to get The Lounge Generation in as many schools, colleges and other learning environment as we can to reach those young lasses who have aspirations beyond the typical career paths that school teaches them!
If you know of any groups of young lasses who could benefit from this please get in touch on [email protected]
LEVEL UP UPDATE
The Level Up programme for 2024/25 is coming to an end in the new year and we will be starting to plan and promote the opportunities for 2025/26!!
How exciting?!! Will you be one of the 6 mentees next time?
We have had applications already and are VERY excited about this next group coming together - diverse businesses with common goals... its going to be great!
— northern lass lounge events calendar
VIEW ALL UPCOMING EVENTS
FROM FREE MEET UPS TO POWERFUL WORKSHOPS!
Click on an event and read the description to find out if it is bookable or just a 'turn up if you like lass' kind of thing :)
Next Level lasses - don't forget your members only event calendar which includes all of this PLUS members only events is saved inside the WELCOME modules of the training suite.
NEW IN THE SHOP THIS MONTH... START YOUR OWN WISHLIST
Simply click on the 'heart' icon on the corner of an item and you will be prompted to log in/sign up to create a wishlist... you can then save it for yourself when you are treating yourself for your hard work OR share it with others when you have gift ideas to share ;)
DAILY PLAN PAD
CANNY PLANNER
TSHIRTS
SNAZZY JUMPERS
WEEKLY PLAN PAD
CHECK IT OUT!
INSTAGRAM STARTER PACKS WITH KYLIE AND MIRREN!
IN OUR BRAND NEW 'SERVICES' SECTION OF THE NLL SHOP!
news coming soon
Level Up PROGRAM
Brought to you by The Northern Lass Lounge
WHAT IS IN next level lounge suite?
THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER'S GUIDE TO SELLING WITH CONFIDENCE
Unlock your sales potential with this extensive collection of videos and guides, meticulously designed to empower you with effective marketing and sales strategies.
KICK START YOUR MARKETING
A collection of all of our favourite training designed to kickstart your marketing! From branding and identifying your ideal client to finding your voice and using it to tell ALL of your potential clients about who you are, what you do and where they can buy from you... its time to LEVEL UP YOUR BUSINESS!!!
TO TIKTOK OR NOT?!
Highlights include:
Intro to TikTok - how it works, why it even exists and what it can do for businesses
Personal Branding - what it is and why its important for TikTok
Simple TikTok set up - step by step guide on setting up your account How to post on TikTok Basic Features whistle stop tour
THE COMPLETE FACEBOOK GROUPS TRAINING!!
Once again the Lounge Legends and Kylie are teaming up to curate a training based on ALL of their areas of expertise.... this time we are focussing on building a business using Facebook Groups!
ACCESS ALL AREAS
FULL MINI TRAINING
Hear from Kat Paylor-Bent with her expert and personal advice about making your small business accessible both digitally and physically.
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
FULL TRAINING
How to set your business, financial and personal goals and PLAN in a way that works for you so you can make progress every single day and SMASH your year in a way you have never managed before!
CONFIDENCE CRAIC
8 WEEK CHALLENGE
Amy has gifted the Lounge her entire back catalogue of confidence coaching videos INCLUDING this powerful 8 week self confidence challenge! Honestly lasses this is a game-changer!
ETSY MADE EASY
FULL TRAINING
Rachael Sligo has an amazing, successful business on Etsy and she has created this training in conjunction with the Northern Las Lounge to share all of her invaluable experience working with the retail GIANT that is Etsy!
WHAT'S THE CRAIC WITH CANVA
FULL TRAINING
Become an all round whizz with the popular digital design software CANVA as Kylie and the Lounge Legends teach you how to use it to stay organised, create your brand, communicate with your clients and make your business memorable.
INSPIRE YOUR BUSINESS
FULL TRAINING
This training went down a storm with the lasses on its release and teaches you how to use the POWER OF YOU to attract ideal clients and grow your passion into a business or build your business with passion! This might be our favourite part of the suite!
UPSTAGE YOUR PAGE
FULL TRAINING
A Northern Lass Lounge legendary training.... one of the most popular we have ever launched. It does what it says on the tin and coaches you through simple steps to make the most from your Facebook business page.
MAK SOME MATES
FULL CHALLENGE
The infamous 'Mak Some Mates' instagram challenge is all here for you to dip into any time and start building an amazing following full of ideal clients on Instagram!
CONFIDENCE CRAIC
Amy Martin saves her monthly confidence coaching for the Next Level Lounge and saves them into the Suite so you have a bank of juicy confidence boosting videos to dip into when you need them
WEEKLY COACHING
Kylie Dixon uploads her exclusive next level weekly live coaching sessions for you to watch back any time.
HELP & SUPPORT - including:
Sarah Jane Phelps' 'Feel Good Corner'
Lozza Mac's 'It'll Be Reet'
Ruth Watson's 'Wellbeing Pit Stop'
AMAZING RESOURCES AND GUIDES
Including powerful tools, guides and worksheets to help you in all aspects of your business.
PODCASTS AND NETWORKING REPLAYS
Watch the NLL podcasts behind the scenes as they are recorded over ZOOM and get all the juiciness from the Lounge and Learn sessions from the past... and we keep adding them as they happen!
