About Me

They say there is genius in simplicity and Louise Heasman hit on something approaching that when she created the Athena Network.

With the insight that “women do business differently”, Louise was able to create a unique concept that in its simplicity makes you wonder why no one had thought it before. The Athena Network provides all the composite components, which enable women to achieve success in a way that feels effortless and right for them. Genius.

“I wanted to create a way of networking that supports women, fits into their lifestyles and is free of the competitiveness and machismo of similar set ups”,” explains Louise.

Upfront, gutsy but undeniably feminine it is this steeliness mixed with a generous measure of bubbliness that makes Louise Heasman such an iconic figurehead. She is inspirational, ambitious and understands the dilemmas of women wanting to succeed in business. She talks our language and always keeps it real.

Louise started out at Barclays where she built an impressive track record in sales and marketing; picking up several awards and receiving recognition for her outstanding performance during her nine years. Then moving to Business Network International (BNI) as Director of London and Birmingham, she successfully helped to set up and support over 40 networking groups.

After five years with BNI, Louise set up a highly successful aromatherapy practice in Harley Street. Running the practice alongside her BNI work, she found that the two businesses dovetailed perfectly. Networking comes as easy as breathing to Louise and she quickly built up a great client base for her practice.

Transitions are a major part in women’s lives and a watershed came for Louise when she had her first daughter and relocated to Hertfordshire. Knowing from experience that personal recommendation is one of the best ways to find new business, she naturally wanted to join business networks in her area to support her business

But how? The goal posts had moved. With a new baby to consider breakfast meetings were no longer viable. So how are women to find support, contacts and a network to fit in with their hectic work and home demands? Louise tuned into a zeitgeist among other entrepreneurial women who were working to have it all. Lightbulbs started popping.

Louise’s inspiration produced a unique and workable model for business networking that would fit in with women’s business needs and lifestyles. In January 2005 she co-founded the Women in Business Network (WIBN) and it was an overnight success. In the first year 23 WIBN groups were set up in the Home Counties, bringing the total tally of networking groups Louise has set up and supported to nearly 80.

Business was good but when Louise joined forces with Jacqueline Rogers, who was working directly with business owners as a coach, mentor and trainer they knew they could take women’s networking to a new dimension. Thus The Athena Network was born.

“Like a magenta and silver army we are moving across the country connecting women; and when women connect they don’t just move mountains, they do it in heels and manage to sort the laundry out later.”

Louise is married and lives in Rickmansworth with husband Andrew and daughters Georgie, 2 and Heidi 8 months.