Expand Your Local Professional Network Online
Cognates are groups of business leaders based across the Midlands that all work together collectively as supportive teams to help you grow your business.
Closed Seats
One seat policy
Fortnightly Meetings
Online meetings that finish on time!
Our Networking Groups
TUESDAY GROUP
THURSDAY GROUP
The In Person Meetings
Join the members of Cognates from across the country twice per year and find out what it’s all about.
How it works
We have regular one-to-ones with each other to learn how we can help each other's business. Sometimes you need advice in business, sometimes you may need to bounce an idea around, maybe you need social media support, friendships and even more leads. Everyone joins and goes through different stages in their business, which is why we have the ethos to learn how we can help each other. We also don't track referrals but focus on building quality working relationships.
What do you need in your business right now?
'How can we help you?'
Want to lean more?
Member Events Calendar
Why Join Cognates?
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
We believe that having quality connections where every member fully understands how we can help each business is more important than having a high number of connections. Building relationships with 1-2-1's outside of the meetings are as important.
UNMONITORED REFERRALS
We do not track our referrals, and this is our strongest and best feature. Instead, we focus on the true foundations of networking, which is building quality relationships. This also means that because we don’t track referrals, we aren’t protective over what leads we get. Thus, ensuring all members are free to help increase the exposure for each member as much as they like.
NO REFERRAL TARGETS
We all work together, as a team and there are no targets. We all genuinely want to help each other and therefore there is no need to have point scoring systems.
ALWAYS VIRTUAL
This means that we are more easily accessible to all, and for those that are usually unable to give up a half day to attend a face to face, are now able to promote their business.
Hear From Our Members
Networking felt daunting at first, but after joining a Thursday Cognates meeting - thanks to Sarah Beggan - I found a supportive, non-salesy group led by Sharon Jones. With shared advice, learning slots, and great connections, I’ve gained clients and confidence. Truly grateful for this space.
Suzie Jacobs
"I have been a member of the group since November 2023 and I find it a really close nit group that collaborate well together. I use them as sales meetings and they go in my diary twice per month without fail. The business owners are aways looking for business for each other and to help them with their business journey too."
Sarah Beggan
I joined the Cognates online networking group to connect with like-minded professionals who value genuine relationships and collaboration. As someone deeply involved in the events and entertainment industry, I saw this as an opportunity to expand my network, share insights, and discover new ways to support others while growing my own business. Being part of a community that thrives on trust, referrals, and mutual success aligns perfectly with my approach to business and personal growth.
Eddie Young
"Sharon runs the most fantastic networking groups out there! The sole focus of helping the team grow collectively is unlike any group I have joined or attended. Sharon's way of steering the group to easily help each other out is highly commendable. It's the perfect blend of maximising productive time and building great friendships. Sharon has had a massive impact on the way I do business on a personal level too. I would highly recommend you speak to Sharon if you are a pro-active business owner."
