What women say about GWEN

What happens when women show up and use the network.

On video

Dani SmitYoKimono
Carol HampshireBrand Strategist, from a beach in Zanzibar
Lillian PetzerFechters
Faith MeyerGeodesic Forests
Bridget BlumBlum Bespoke
Elmay BouwerBlackWaters River Lodge
MelanieHealth Stack SA
Adele MynhardtONEWeigh, Knysna

In the Members’ Hub WhatsApp group

The messages as they were sent, the morning after a Life Hack, a talk or a Members’ Day Out.

WhatsApp message from Bianca Ferreira: Lorenza!!! Wow!!! What an incredible “live podcast” experience, my very first GWEN event and it absolutely blew my mind! You are so you , fun, funny, and bursting with wisdom ✨ Thank you for creating this amazing platform where we, as women, can come together and learn from each other ✨  Carol, you are a beautiful legend, thank you for the powerful lessons and inspiration you shared with us today.  And then to every single woman in the room , I’m sooooo excited to connect and grow with you all.  Here’s to us! 🥂
WhatsApp message: Thank you, Lorenza, for hosting this incredible learning and inspiring Life Hack evening👌🏻  Carol,  thank you for sharing your knowledge and guiding notes with us.  Inspiring 🥂  To all the beautiful ladies in attendance,  we CAN do this 💪🏻 As Bianca mentioned,  collaborate and connect and grow together 👌🏻
WhatsApp message from Bianca Ferreira: Biggest takeaway for me: be your authentic self so that your audience can truly find you. Also, only create content—especially video—when you’re feeling like your best self. Honestly, every word that came out of Carol’s mouth was worth its weight in gold. Thank you, Lorenza, for sharing a piece of her with us. 🤍
WhatsApp message from Dédé: I LOVED hearing “People have money.” I’m very guilty for believing I’m overpriced, but that has changed my mindset.  My biggest takeaway is that you must get outside of your comfort zone to GROW. This is yet again another reminder that the best growth happens when you put yourself out there.  Thanks for the evening Lorenza and Carrol! Lovely to meet everyone. 🥂💛
WhatsApp message from Adele Oneway: Last night made me ask myself..”What are the limits in my professional life?” I got the answer instantly and had a renewal of the mind! Thank you so much! 🩷 Also was lovely to have met new ladies and I have a few ideas where some ladies have services that’s very complimentary to our business & beneficial to our clients when it comes to integrative medicine / approach & I will set up meetings soon with them! GwenGo is an amazing initiative to meet and support each other! Well done Lorenza & thank you Carol!
WhatsApp message from Liz Coutts: Ooooh ladies! I loved last night  The "aha" moments came thick and fast. As usual, after every GWEN event, I am feeling super inspired. There were so many take aways for me, but boiled down, really, just go for it. Make yourself visible. Stop playing small. Thanks so much Carol. And Lorenza, I love your work Queen.
WhatsApp message from Tanya Peen Hart: What a truly inspiring evening, just what is needed to motivate one out of a comfort zone and drive your business in your own truth. Thankyou Carol for sharing your knowledge and passion so freely and to Lorenzo for driving this platform that benefits all of us.🌻
WhatsApp message from Nidia: Hi everyone. It was lovely to connect with entrepreneurs of every stage and age last night. The warmth and enthusiasm with which we exchanged stories was so nice. Biggest take away for me personally was that I am on the right path but to double my social presence and in time triple my prices!!! If anyone wants connect on IG I will gladly follow you back and we can continue to support each others growth. ❤️🧡🩷💚💛💙🧡
WhatsApp message from Melissa Blom: Hi there, 🌟 It was really lovely meeting you all last night — such great energy in the room. A big thank you to Lorenza & Carol. One of my biggest takeaways was the reminder that your brand starts with you — your energy, your story, your authenticity. People connect with you first, and your product or service second. I left feeling inspired to show up more consistently, share with intention, and stop playing small.  Here’s to more visibility, more connection, and building brands that feel like us! 💫
WhatsApp message from Charmaine Kruger: Yes... thank you...I just loved it. Wonderful to connect with you all 👌🌟
WhatsApp message from Joy Gunter: Truly inspirational and so helpful. Thank you 😊
WhatsApp message: Oh what a wonderful event!
WhatsApp message from Joy Gunter: I, personally, had many takeaways from last night's Hack. The biggest for me is that it doesn't matter which brand you represent, you have to become the "face" of that brand. This is hard for many of us but is indeed necessary for future success. We have to keep learning and growing within the brand. 🩷
WhatsApp message from Melissa Blom: Thank you so much for a lovely evening! 💐 Everything was so thoughtfully put together, and it was great connecting with such inspiring women. Grateful to have been part of it. 🌸💫

After Seanagh Fannin’s finance talks

WhatsApp message from Tanya Peen Hart: Thankyou so much Lorenza for putting together such another informative evening and empowering us women entrepreneurs to move forward positively into the future. A big thankyou to Seanagh for sharing such valuable tips for managing finances and planning for the future. My takeaway was to track everything by doing the much dreaded admin and spreadsheets and to apply the 50/30/20 principle.
WhatsApp message from Lynn Joubert: Thank you, Lorenza, for the Life Hacks get-together last night. And thank you, Seanagh for sharing your expertise! My one big takeaway: focus and planning. You can’t just do the nice stuff (like design) without paying attention to the boring stuff (like admin). A business can’t work if you fumble along haphazardly. You need to plan your path on all levels - design, marketing and money! 💰
WhatsApp message from Baily: Really enjoyed the session today — the 50/30/20 savings rule is such a simple but powerful tool, and it’s great to see more women encouraging each other to take control of their finances.  I loved the focus on women putting themselves first financially — it’s something we don’t talk about enough. More of us need to be having these conversations and helping others feel confident with money.  Thanks for sharing your passion — it’s always refreshing to hear from someone else who genuinely wants to empower others. 💼✨
WhatsApp message from Dani Smit: Thanks so much for last night ladies!!  My biggest takeaway from last night’s GWEN Life Hack session: Taking control of your finances and mapping out your path to wealth is a powerful extension of the natural, nurturing essence of being a woman.  When you know where you’re going financially, you create the freedom to care - fully - for your family, your friends, and yourself.
WhatsApp message from Carol: Absolutely loved this conversation about woman and finances. So many great take aways - mine was the compound depreciating value of a bond and investing 20% for “future me” 🙏✨
WhatsApp message from Liz Coutts: Wow! Seanagh's talk last night was very helpful. I was just struck by how little I know about investing and planning ahead long term, and what has always felt totally overwhelming, actually feels doable now. Thanks so much Lorenza for making amazing women like Seanagh accessible to us. And thanks to Seanagh for making herself available at the tail end of a day's travel. I cannot wait to see who's the next guest speaker on the Life Hack series.
WhatsApp message from Jacqui Barnes: Thanks for an insightful evening! I appreciated the great cogent argument for different forms of offshore investment🙌🏼
WhatsApp message from Ilonka Ras Coaching: Thank you for an awesome evening!  My takeaways: • it’s not too late to start • women are GOOD with money • financial freedom isn’t difficult. It simply requires us to make a decision, get clear on where we want to be, and get started!
WhatsApp message from Jeanne Muller: Thank you Lorenza for making the evening possible and  Seanagh, your advise is invaluable. My biggest take away to start with is to divide spending in 50%, 30% and 20%.
WhatsApp message from Adele Oneway: 50/30/20 savings rule was a great reminder & this morning I worked out the amount of money I spent per month at Seattle Coffee 🤣🤦🏼‍♀️😱 .. Also curious 🧐 on checking out and investigating on the offshore options in my portfolio

After Sam Skyring’s talk

WhatsApp message from Adele Oneway: One of the things that really inspired me was the story of a guy who trained to climb Mount Everest. His end goal was clear — reach the top. But what stood out was how much preparation went into it: understanding what he needed, getting equipped, planning every step, and making sure he was ready for the challenge.  It made me realise that business works the same way. We all have an end goal, but reaching it means taking the time to prepare properly, equipping ourselves with the right tools, knowledge, and support to actually get there. That message really stayed with me.
WhatsApp message from Carol: Gratitudegasm stood out for me ✨
WhatsApp message from Nicci Brand: She did - word of the day for me!!  I loved how Sam shared that determination and mindful breathing helped her rebuild her independence, but it was self-love that truly sustained her. Her idea of living with daily “gratitudegasms” is something I’m definitely taking with me
WhatsApp message from Linda Packwood: I really enjoyed Sam's talk. Her reference to the ocean and early morning swims really resonated with me.  Her talk was so inspiring, loved the journey she went on which lead her to who and what she is today.
WhatsApp message from Melissa Kirchmann: Salty Sam: what an Innovator! I loved that she decided what she wanted, and did what she had to do to make it happen. Even though it was different to everyone else. She never wavered. What really resonated was her Pervasive energy of Calm. I loved when she said: Breathe. And Still The Mind. Do Vipasna. And then she got down to business and found 5600 business accounts in Linkdin to do a mass opening presentation to in USA. Melissa Kirchmann 🇿🇦

After a Members’ Day Out

WhatsApp message from Dani Smit: Ladieeees! That was amazing! I’ve arrived home beaming from ear to ear ❤️ thanks for filling my cup and thanks Lorenza for connecting us!!!! Love you all!
WhatsApp message from Gillian O’Shea: So lovely getting to know you all better thankyou for a lovely day 🫶
WhatsApp message from Rose Scott: What a gorgeous day, thank you Lorenza for connecting us all ❤️🌹
WhatsApp message from Sonja Kilbourn: Thank you for an incredible day everyone! Gwenlove! 💕
WhatsApp message from Bridget Robertson: Thank you ladies! Today did my soul so much good!
WhatsApp message from Katy Smith: Thank u for a lovely day out ladies 😘😘😘😘

In their words

“I’ve not only gained new clients and business opportunities, but also made some wonderful friends.”

Carol HampshireBrand Strategist

“I’ve learned a lot, met women with so much to share, and the networking opportunities have been brilliant.”

Liz CouttsElan Vital Coaching

“The support and collaboration have been invaluable, and I’ve gained wonderful clients through the connections I’ve made.”

Adele MynhardtONEWeigh | ONEJourney

“I gained invaluable leads and ideas that strengthened my confidence in launching my business.”

Suzelle

“Attending the Gwen event was an important moment in my product development journey. The support, feedback, and encouragement I received helped give me the confidence to bring MIST Skincare into the public eye.”

JulieMIST Skincare

“I have made genuine business connections that have helped me so much.”

Charlotte

“GWEN has become a wonderful platform to connect with new faces, celebrate familiar ones, and showcase the incredible entrepreneurial spirit among Knysna’s women. Each encounter opens new doors of opportunity.”

Thelma & Leez

“I highly recommend prioritizing the GWEN meetings for businesswomen to meet and interact with like-minded individuals and support each other in the community.”

Annelise

After the Gwen Event

Reviews left on Quicket after the events, as written.

★★★★★Quicket review

“As a loyal supporter , I find great value in attending The Gwen Events. The Garden Route, Women Entrepreneur Network, brings a variety of women and businesses together, to create new possibilities. Go with the intent to collaborate and speak with someone you have not met before, knock on new opportunities, and expand your thinking. Well done to the organizer, visionary Lorenza Allan.”

Lizl

★★★★★Quicket review

“Thanks Lorenza, for such an awesome day yesterday! Huge congratulations on putting on such a professional and world-class event. Was so good to reconnect with you and other old friends, as well as to meet such inspiring other women too. Looking forward to the next one already! xx”

Juliet

★★★★★Quicket review

“The energy was infectious. The welcome friendliness all round was so heartwarming. The info and excitement shared to equip Gwen goers, is valuable moving forward; so a hearty well done and a massive thank you to all who put this event together!”

Pam

★★★★★Quicket review

“I thought it was a great experience, and a wonderful evening with everyone chatting and laughing and connecting which is so great and I think this will grow into something so special with amazing connections being made”

Sue

★★★★★Quicket review

“Thank you very much for a lovely and very production evening! What a lovely event and such an important concept for us women to empower each other! Looking forward to the next one. Thank you Lorenza Allan!!!!”

Nicky

★★★★★Quicket review

“What a stunning evening and great opportunity to meet like-minded driven people! Loved the happy energy in the room and I thoroughly enjoyed the guest speakers. Thank you Lorenza!!! When is the next one? ;)”

Klara (MYHRU skincare)

★★★★Quicket review

“Thank you i had a lovely time, the venue was warm and comfortable. The ladies engaging and the speakers very inspiring. A lovely informal way to meet and connect.”

Brigitte

★★★★★Quicket review

“What a fantastic event - bringing together wonderful strong woman from all walks of life, in many different areas of business. Looking forward to the next one”

Joy

★★★★★Quicket review

“A warm inspirational event, loved the speed networking, would have enjoyed doing that even longer! It was a lot of fun. Welldone GWEN aka Lorenza ;)”

Joletta
Read all 34 reviews

★★★★★Quicket review

“This was an extraordinary event! I will attended this definitely again. Great networking, well organised, and well worth the money spent on tickets.”

Anonymous

★★★★★Quicket review

“Such a fun morning of connecting with other local entrepreneurs. So many new friends were made! The venue was also lovely! Thank you!”

Ilonka

★★★★★Quicket review

“Thank you for the opportunity given to Women entrepreneurs too connect and the network opportunities were limitless.”

Annamarie

★★★★★Quicket review

“Brilliantly organised as always. Great connections ,food entertainment and inspirational and motivational speakers.”

Audrey

★★★★★Quicket review

“It was such a wonderful day spending with woman. Beautiful venue! Delicious food. Can't wait for the next event!!”

Anne-Marie

★★★★★Quicket review

“Fantastic vibes, awesome people, wonderful host, best guest speaker, delish food & overall great experience!!”

Carene

★★★★★Quicket review

“Fantastic idea and much needed in our town. Thank you for being the best hostess with flare and authenticity.”

Liesl

★★★★★Quicket review

“I enjoyed it so much Was so well presented wonderful interesting people and a fun day Beautiful venue”

Anonymous

★★★★★Quicket review

“A great evening, met so many interesting women who are doing amazing things! Keep it up Gwen ??”

Anonymous

★★★★★Quicket review

“Wonderfully organised, such lovely people at the event, interesting and most worthwhile”

Joanna

★★★★★Quicket review

“Had a great evening. Wonderful networking. Looking forward to the next one.”

Louise

★★★★★Quicket review

“So well organised, fun and educational! I’ll definitely be at the next one”

Bridget

★★★★★Quicket review

“Great space for women entrepreneurs to network and support each other.”

Amanda

★★★★★Quicket review

“There was so much energy and collaboration at the event. I loved it!”

Charlotte

★★★★★Quicket review

“Like good wine, every Gwen event just keeps getting better!”

Bianca

★★★★★Quicket review

“Such a brilliant concept and the energy was amazing.”

Yolande

★★★★★Quicket review

“Amazing, powerful and great vibes, so glad I joined!”

Marieke

★★★★★Quicket review

“Fantastic organizer, so dynamic. Great event.”

Louise

★★★★★Quicket review

“Great event with great vibe & energy”

Anonymous

★★★★★Quicket review

“Great event looking forward ro more.”

Gillian

★★★★★Quicket review

“Amazing and powerful event.”

Megan

★★★★★Quicket review

“Inspiring, great event.”

Julie

★★★★★Quicket review

“Fantastic event”

Bronwyn

★★★★★Quicket review

“Fantastic!”

Vanessa

★★★★★Quicket review

“Loved it”

Nolene

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