Connect with local women in business. Spark ideas, create connections and open new possibilities….
Join a welcoming community for professional women across the
Barrington Coast
Barrington Coast Women in Business brings women from across the region together through events, workshops, coffee catchups and conversations designed to create more connection, support and professional development opportunities closer to home
Build genuine relationships and grow your network
Share ideas, support each other and create new opportunities
Access learning, education and professional development locally
Why this started
Like many women in regional areas, we found ourselves craving more opportunities to connect with like-minded women locally, not just socially, but professionally too.
What started as a simple conversation after tennis quickly became something bigger.
BCWIB is now growing into a community that brings women together through meaningful networking, open conversations, collaboration and more accessible professional development opportunities here in our region.
Upcoming Events
Collab Lab - 19 June @ Club Forster
This full-day workshop experience is designed for women who want space to think bigger, reconnect with their direction and walk away feeling clearer, calmer and more energised about what’s next.
Led by business strategist Michelle Broadbent.
Special guest Samantha Wills
Sessions by nervous system coach Paulina Kabaczuk
The day brings together strategy, honest conversation, practical tools and meaningful connection.
Proudly supported by Lifestyle Group & Unscripted HR
Casual monthly catch ups
Our casual local catchups are designed to help women connect, chat and feel a little more supported in business and life. No cost to attend, except for the beverage of your choice.
Keep an eye out here or our instagram page for any changes to venue or timings.
Coffee catch up
Paradise Marina ,51 Little St, Forster
9am - 10am, Friday 29 May
Coffee catch up
Cafe Giardino,143 Victoria St, Taree
9am - 10am, Thursday 25 June
Cocktail hour catch up
Mezza, Shop 6/1 Wallis St, Forster
5:30 - 6:30pm, Thursday 30 July
Coffee catch up
Tiona Beachouse, Tiona
9am - 10am, Wednesday 26 August
What’s next for Barrington Coast Women in Business?
Barrington Coast Women in Business is a growing community with a focus on genuine connection and support.
Our plans include:In-person events and gatherings +
Monthly coffee catchups
Opportunities to share your business or career journey
Guest speakers, panels and learning sessions
Space to collaborate, refer, support and uplift one another
Behind Barrington Coast Women in Business...
Behind Barrington Coast Women in Business are two local women, Lauren Calvert and Jodie Laraghy, who first connected through their weekly cardio tennis sessions in Forster.
What began as a post-tennis coffee soon turned into something more. As Lauren and Jodie shared their experiences, they realised there were many talented women living and working across the Barrington Coast, yet very few opportunities for them to come together in a purposeful way.
In late 2025, they decided to test the idea and hosted a small, informal networking event, along with Kath Harris at Coastal Workspace, Forster.
The local women that attended shared our same feeling; that nothing like this existed locally, and it was something that was truly needed. When they asked when the next event will be, we decided we needed to do more!
While Barrington Coast Women in Business grew from a shared conversation, it’s shaped by the unique experiences and passions that Lauren and Jodie each bring to the table.
Both are deeply connected to the local community, and both are driven by a genuine desire to see women in the region feel supported, confident and empowered in their careers and businesses, whatever that may look like for them.
Meet our local brand design partner Rachael
Introducing Rachael Turner Branding studio. Rach is a truly loved local in the Forster area, who cares deeply about supporting women and encouraging their ideas to shine. Rach took our vision and ideas and turned them into these beautiful designs that brought Barrington Coast Women in Business to life.
Follow Us on Social
