A Hull mum and creative business owner is proving that networking doesn’t have to mean name badges, awkward introductions and stale coffee.
Kate Taylor, founder of Hull-based creative agency Absorb Studios, is the woman behind The Level-Up Club – a growing series of premium events designed to help ambitious women in business connect, learn and prioritise their wellbeing.
Following the success of three sold-out events, Kate is now taking things to the next level with The Level-Up Club Business x Wellness Retreat, bringing a concept more commonly associated with cities like Manchester and London to the Yorkshire countryside.
Hosted at a beautiful barn conversion in Welton before moving to Akasha Wellbeing Spa, the intimate retreat brings together just 16 female founders for a full day of business strategy, wellness and meaningful connection. Guests will enjoy exclusive business masterclasses from industry experts, private use of the spa facilities, yoga, healthy dining and carefully curated experiences designed to leave attendees feeling inspired, recharged and ready to grow.
“I’d been to so many traditional networking events and always left feeling uninspired – like I was in the wrong room,” says Kate.
“Everyone seemed so corporate and polished, and as a young woman running a creative business, I often felt like people didn’t see what I did as a ‘real’ business. Instead of leaving feeling motivated, I’d leave feeling like an even smaller fish in a very big pond.
“Then I kept seeing these incredible events in Leeds, Manchester and London – beautiful spaces where younger female founders were genuinely connecting, learning from each other and building real friendships. I remember thinking, ‘Why don’t we have that in Hull?’ So instead of waiting for someone else to create it, I decided I would.
“I’m from Hull, I’m a mum to a toddler and I run my own design business here. I know what it feels like trying to juggle clients, nursery pick-ups, family life and all the pressure that comes with running a business. I wanted to create a space where we could learn from successful female founders, understand the systems and strategies that have helped them grow, hear the honest stories behind the success and leave believing we can do it too.
“I also spent years in corporate environments where women often competed rather than collaborated. It never sat right with me. I wanted to create the kind of community I wish I’d had – one where women genuinely celebrate each other’s wins, share opportunities and build real friendships.”
That vision became The Level-Up Club.
Inspired by the beautifully curated business events she’d seen in Leeds and Manchester, Kate wanted to prove that women in Hull and East Yorkshire deserved the very same opportunities without travelling across the country.
“What started as one event has grown into something people now recognise,” she says.
“Women know they’ll leave with practical business knowledge, hear from speakers they wouldn’t usually have access to and, most importantly, build genuine relationships. When you spend an entire day together instead of five minutes swapping business cards, you naturally create friendships – and friends do business together.”
The retreat features expert-led sessions covering business strategy, digital marketing and social media, alongside wellness experiences that encourage founders to prioritise themselves as much as they prioritise their businesses.
“Your business can’t thrive if you’re running on empty. Some of the best ideas come when you’ve stepped away from your desk and given yourself the headspace to think.”
Although the September retreat is already generating significant interest, Kate says it’s only the beginning.
“This isn’t just about one event. I want The Level-Up Club to become something women across Yorkshire look forward to every year. We’ve got exciting ideas already in the pipeline, from seasonal networking experiences to future retreats and collaborations that continue bringing incredible opportunities to our region.”
As demand for female-focused business communities continues to grow, Kate hopes The Level-Up Club will help put Hull firmly on the map as a destination for inspiring networking experiences unlike any other.
“We shouldn’t always have to travel to bigger cities to experience something special,” she says. “I want women to feel proud that these kinds of events are happening right here in Yorkshire.”
For updates on future events, follow @thelevel_upclub on Instagram or join the mailing list via the website. A dedicated Level-Up Club website is currently in development as the community continues to grow, with more exciting events and collaborations planned for the future.