“How to Make Your Business Irresistible: Innovation to Exit”

From starting a business in her back bedroom to growing a team of 80, winning multiple national awards, and ultimately selling to one of Canada’s largest technology companies Susanna Lawson has lived the full entrepreneurial journey.

As we kick off our January BOOST event, Susanna will share a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build, scale and exit a high-growth business… including the mistakes, the messy middle and the determination, focus and grit that kept her going.

About Susanna’s Story

Beginning her career as a carer in nursing homes and later supporting adults with learning disabilities, Susanna saw first-hand the major challenges in delivering vocational training and apprenticeships on paper. Instead of accepting it, she and her partner decided to fix it and OneFile, an e-portfolio platform that transformed the sector, was born.

• 2.3 million learners registered on OneFile

• Two-time King’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation)

• 16 years of scaling, setbacks, breakthrough moments and big decisions

• Acquired by a major global tech company

• Now championing entrepreneurship, innovation and women in tech

Susanna will openly share the truth behind the journey, the tough calls, the opportunities, the self-doubt, the wins and what she wishes she’d known sooner. This is not a polished highlight reel… this is real, practical inspiration for ambitious business leaders.

Who This Event is For

CEOs, Founders, Entrepreneurs, Start-ups , Scale-ups, Leaders, Innovators, Professionals and Students.
Anyone who wants to sharpen their thinking, grow their business and start 2026 with momentum!

You’ll leave this session feeling uplifted, motivated and equipped with powerful insights to help you build a business that is irresistible, to customers, partners, investors and your team.

What to Expect

• Vibrant, friendly networking with the South West’s most ambitious business community

• An authentic, no-sales, storytelling-driven talk from an award-winning founder

• Practical lessons on innovation, leadership, resilience and exit strategy

• Inspiration to level-up your thinking and your business in 2026

• Refreshments… and the best cookies in town!

• The warmest #BYBNetwork welcome at Exeter Golf & Country Club

Giving Back

As always, £3 from every ticket supports a local South West charity

A huge thank you to our fantastic #BYBNetwork partners,

WPA, Foot Anstey, Commissioning HR, Smart Cookie Virtual Assistant, Hamilton Pullen Financial Planning, Griffin Chartered Accountants, Securious , AIM Financial Solutions, Lemon Tree Digital Marketing, Cosmic & TLB Consulting

Like us, they are passionate about supporting businesses across the South West!

Disclaimer

The views expressed at this event are not intended to be and should not be viewed as individual advice or as a recommendation by The Boost Your Business Network.

Photographs will be taken at today's event and may be used across our social media platforms, if you do not wish to be included in these, please inform us.

Also check out other Business events in Exeter, Nonprofit events in Exeter, Sports events in Exeter.