ABOUT US

How it started

I became a sole trader and started Eventually Cornwall in October 2021, knowing I wanted to work in marketing and events - I just didn't know what kind of events I wanted to create yet. So I began where I knew I could be helpful: supporting new and small businesses with branding, website design, and content creation.

Behind the scenes, I was laying the foundations too - updating my skills with courses, learning what it really means to be self-employed, and showing up to lots of networking events to meet people and get Eventually Cornwall out there. By summer 2025, I started talking more openly about the type of events I wanted to run, and the more networking I did, the more I noticed the gap. I listened to what people were saying about the events they were attending, paid attention to who was in the room, and what kinds of meet-ups were actually happening across Cornwall.

The moment I realised something needed to change

With all the networking events I was attending, I noticed the same thing happening again and again - people seemed to lose a bit of themselves when they walked into a room. It's so easy to match the energy around you, say the "right" thing, and squeeze yourself into a quick 30-second pitch. But when you're self-employed or new to networking, trying to explain who you are and what you do in a few seconds can feel almost impossible.

Of course, we can all stand up and say the basics:

"Hi, I'm Jamie-Leigh and I host events."

"Hi, I'm Jamie-Leigh and I do content creation and website design for small business"

But that only tells people what we do, not who we are. It doesn't show our personality, our story, or what makes us different. It doesn't leave much room to properly connect, and it definitely doesn't help people remember you.

Why "traditional networking" didn't feel like it was for everyone

Traditional networking didn't always feel built for real life. A lot of events are held in the mornings, right when people are opening up shop, juggling school runs, or trying to get their day started. Others land on the same day every month, which can be a struggle for those who want to attend but can't do Fridays or Tuesdays, etc.

And then there's the format. You do your 30-second pitch, and then often left to your own devices. You've blocked out 3-4 hours out of your day for travelling to and from the event and networking, only to realistically speak to 2-4 people sitting next to or opposite you on a table.

This isn't a complaint about other networking groups! As a social person myself, I love seeing all the different types of events out there and how others interpret networking and building relationships. The pitches and the large events can work brilliantly for some people, but it doesn't work for everyone.

What I'm creating

To me, networking is about relationships. Not just growing your network to look good online, but actually building and nurturing great relationships with people you feel happy to work with or recommend to others. It's about the people in the room, the conversations they'll remember, and the referrals that happen because someone genuinely connected with you. That's why I created Eventually Cornwall.

What started as a business networking group, is now a social networking group for anyone and everyone to come along, meet new people, and have fun! Eventually Cornwall is my way of building something different: a community where you can show up as you. Through shared interests, activities, conversations, and experiences, people have the chance to feel more comfortable and be themselves. And when that happens, personality comes through naturally.

That's when the fun happens.

That's when people become memorable.

That's when the real connection begins.

Who its for

I wanted to create something where anyone and everyone can attend and come together to support one another, whatever your journey entails.

Whether you're:

New to Cornwall and wanting to make friends and meet new people
Looking to get out and see more of Cornwall
Hoping to find people with similar interests and lifestyles to you
An entrepreneur looking for new customers, collaborators, or just a bit of support
A home worker, freelancer, or sole trader craving a reason to get out and chat
Or simply someone who wants to try something new and feel part of something local

Whatever your journey, you're welcome to join our community of supportive, friendly people.

The bigger mission behind it all

At the heart of it, Eventually Cornwall is about helping people feel more connected - to themselves, to other people, and to the place they live. As well as helping fight loneliness, it's also about building confidence, community, and giving people a reason to get out of the house and have something to look forward to.

And I want to help us all see more of the beautiful county we live in, too. It's so easy to get stuck in the norm, so by hosting events in different places, trying new activities, and visiting local venues, Eventually Cornwall makes it easier to say "yes" to getting out and about.

About US

Even though I organise and host the events myself, Eventually Cornwall is about more than just me. It's also about the speakers who bring their expertise, the venues that create welcoming spaces, and the members and attendees who make every event what it is. That's why this is About US - because this community is built together.

Jamie-Leigh