Jess White is a dynamic leader in the world of business networking, renowned for her expertise in facilitating growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's). As the founder of SPARK Business Networking, she has propelled the organisation to rapid success across Kent, creating a vibrant community that empowers local businesses. Beyond her passion for networking, Jess is a dedicated yoga teacher, focussing on retreats that rejuvenate both the body and mind, as well as children's yoga, where she trains adults to bring the benefits of yoga into schools. With a unique blend of entrepreneurial acumen and holistic wellness, Jess inspires others to achieve their full potential in both business and life.
Jess White, Founder and CEO
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
Hello, my name is Jess White, and I'm thrilled to share my journey with you. My life is a tapestry woven with passions, hobbies, and meaningful connections that have inspired my professional path. I am the founder of SPARK Business Networking Ltd and YogiTribe.
My unique blend of empathy, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others led me to establish SPARK, a network dedicated to igniting growth and collaboration among entrepreneurs and small business owners.
SPARK is a business networking and training company with a brand, mission, and positive outlook, and it has recently become a franchise. Essentially, SPARK brings entrepreneurs together to form connections, learn, and grow.
I also run another company, YogiTribe, which has been established for ten years. Within YogiTribe, we host worldwide retreats and yoga classes and have become specialists in teaching yoga to children in schools.
In 2020, when COVID hit, we went online, hosting 30 yoga classes a week. During this time, I wrote a book about children's yoga, and in 2024, I turned it into a teacher training manual. We now host teacher training weekends with the intention of getting yoga into schools to give children the benefits of yoga, mindfulness, and meditation to assist them in their life journey.
With both businesses, SPARK and YogiTribe bring a diverse range of people together for connection, growth, and transformation. In 2025, we are hosting combined wellness and business retreats.
What inspired you to start Spark Business Networking, and how has it evolved over time?
The idea for Spark Business Networking was born in 2022 from my own experiences as a small business owner. Early on, I recognized the challenges many entrepreneurs face, solitude, navigating market demands, and finding the right connections. This realization sparked a passion within me to create a supportive community where like-minded individuals could share their journeys, collaborate, and thrive together.
Over time, SPARK has evolved into a vibrant network, expanding its reach and resources to meet the diverse needs of our members. It has created a space for meaningful connections and professional growth.
With the success of the company and brand, we became a franchise after two years so the business could grow, be replicated elsewhere, and allow Spark franchisees to build their own profitable networks.
Entrepreneurs and business owners often struggle with overwhelm, imposter syndrome, and having to wear multiple hats. This is where we come in to help. We are on a mission to improve the mental and physical health of our community while encouraging growth and transformation.
Spark Business Networking serves as a transformative platform for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through structured networking events, educational workshops, and mentorship opportunities, we provide members with the tools and connections they need to grow their businesses. Our community encourages collaboration and offers resources that amplify visibility, enhance skills, and ultimately drive success.
Members gain access to a wealth of knowledge and support that fosters confidence and innovation in their entrepreneurial pursuits.
At the heart of Spark Business Networking are the core values of collaboration, positivity, integrity, gratitude, and growth. We believe that a thriving community is built on trust and genuine relationships. We encourage members to embrace collaboration over competition, recognizing that the collective strength of our network can lead to greater success for all.
Integrity guides our interactions, ensuring that everyone feels respected and valued. Ultimately, we are committed to creating an environment that nurtures personal and professional growth for every member.
Can you share a memorable success story from a member’s networking experience?
At SPARK, we have many success stories from our members. It is true that by surrounding yourself with driven entrepreneurs, you are inspired to level up, and by being part of a community, all the help and support you need is there.
One of our members experienced a 320% increase in profit within just a few months of joining SPARK and went on to win the "Best Start-Up" award at the Kent Business Awards.
Another member joined SPARK with only one client. Within months, she was full to capacity, which led her to create an agency and develop a group course. She has now become a key team member at SPARK.
What types of events and resources does Spark offer to support professional growth?
We provide monthly open networking events, bi-weekly member meetings, and an app where members check in to state their goals on a weekly basis for accountability, as well as share their wins and gratitude. Celebrating wins and expressing gratitude offers numerous benefits that can positively impact our community.
Sharing gratitude benefits:
Strengthened relationships: Expressing appreciation can deepen connections with others.
Enhanced positive emotions: Gratitude can help create a more positive outlook on life.
Improved mental health: Practicing gratitude has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, leading to overall mental well-being.
Reduced stress: Gratitude lessens the effects of stress by providing a more positive perspective on challenges and difficulties, leading to better coping strategies.
Increased resilience: Individuals who practice gratitude tend to bounce back more quickly from setbacks, focusing on positive aspects of their experiences.
Improved physical health: Some studies suggest that grateful people are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as exercise and regular check-ups, leading to better overall physical health.
Sharing wins benefits:
Motivation and encouragement: Celebrating achievements, whether big or small, boosts morale and motivates individuals and groups to continue pursuing goals.
Building a positive culture: In communities, teams, or organizations, sharing wins cultivates a culture of recognition where everyone feels valued and appreciated for their contributions.
Reinforcement of success: Sharing wins reinforces behaviors that lead to success, encouraging individuals to replicate these positive actions in the future.
Learning opportunities: Discussing successes can provide insights and lessons learned that benefit the entire group, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and continuous improvement.
Increased visibility: Sharing wins ensures that accomplishments are recognized, enhancing the visibility of individuals’ contributions.
Incorporating gratitude and sharing wins into a regular practice can have profound effects on personal well-being, community dynamics, and overall culture, cultivating an environment that fosters resilience, motivation, and stronger relationships.
SPARK offers a variety of events and resources designed to support professional growth. Our networking events use various formats to provide a fresh approach that never becomes dull. We ensure that everyone attending feels welcome and relaxed.
SPARK Learning Lab sessions provide our members with interactive training on a wide range of topics to help business owners. From AI to sales, marketing and social media, accounting and strategy, personal development to mind and body health, the list of topics we cover goes on!
We understand that professional growth is a continuous journey, and we aim to nurture that path for all our members.
How do you see the role of business networking changing in the coming years?
As we look to the future, I believe the role of business networking will continue to evolve in response to technological advancements and shifting marketplace dynamics. The rise of virtual networking experiences has expanded opportunities beyond geographical limitations, allowing for broader connections and collaborations. That said, I believe that in-person events are incredibly valuable, and having a balance is key. Additionally, as businesses increasingly prioritize social responsibility, networking will likely emphasize building communities that promote inclusivity and shared values. I see Spark Business Networking at the forefront of these changes, continually adapting to serve our members better while creating meaningful connections.
If I could change one thing about the networking industry, it would be to promote an authentic approach to networking and eradicate the awkward feelings some people experience around the concept. Many of us have attended networking events where we don’t feel comfortable and are bombarded by pushy individuals. At SPARK, we strive to create a relaxed environment where people can feel at ease, be themselves, and be authentic, fostering long-lasting connections and positive experiences that lead to growth.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
My greatest career achievement this year has been winning the "Best Overall" award for the high-level mastermind I attended in 2024. It was wonderful recognition of the action, dedication, and care I have put into building and nurturing both of my businesses.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
Reflecting on my journey, a pivotal moment stands out, and it was undeniably one of the saddest chapters of my life. Sixteen years ago, my beloved mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, a diagnosis that came with the heart-wrenching news that she had only a few weeks left to live. During that challenging time, we made the decision to move her in with my young family. I was navigating the exhilarating yet demanding early days of motherhood with a newborn baby and a toddler by my side.
Witnessing my mother gradually fade away was a profound experience that reshaped my perspective on life. Each moment spent with her served as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of time. It made me acutely aware that life is precious and that our time on this earth is limited.
This heartbreaking reality compelled me to awaken to the possibilities that life offers. I realized that we must confront our fears, get out of our own way, and wholeheartedly pursue our dreams.
In honoring my mother’s legacy, I felt a deep urgency to create my own, a legacy of love, resilience, and purpose. This journey taught me that, despite the pain, we have the power to transcend our struggles and make a meaningful impact in the world. It reinforced my belief that we owe it to ourselves and to those we love to live fully and courageously, creating a legacy that will resonate long after we are gone.
In establishing both YogiTribe and Spark Business Networking, I have combined my passions for community building and entrepreneurship to help others thrive. I am continuously inspired by the incredible stories within our community and the profound impact that collaboration can have on personal and professional growth. Together, we are not just building businesses; we are building a supportive community that creates success through connection.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story and the mission behind YogiTribe and Spark Business Networking.
If you would like to start your own SPARK business network, feel free to reach out to me at here, I’d love to hear from you.
Or perhaps you’d like to join us on a transformational retreat. Have a look at our upcoming retreats here.
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