Lara Lauder’s journey with The Athena Network is a powerful example of how opportunity, timing, and passion for supporting women in business can lead to incredible growth.
Lara first discovered Athena when she left her teaching career and trained as a Colour & Style Consultant. Like many women joining business networking communities, she started to build connections, develop herbusiness, and surround herself with like-minded female entrepreneurs.
A little later, Lara lightly explored the possibility of running an Athena franchise region. While she was drawn to the opportunity, the timing wasn’t quite right.
However, the thought didn’t go away!
Rediscovering Athena’s Opportunity
In late 2022, Kate Talbot, Financial Advisor (former member and active friend of the Reading & Henley Region), messaged her to say, “Come on, Lara! This is your time!”
And so it was!
Lara was attracted by the flexibility, the scalability and the supportive leadership structure.
She asked thoughtful questions about what running an Athena region would involve. The more she learned, the more aligned she became with what turned out to be a very positive (and profitable!) personal and business decision.
She said “Yes” to becoming an Athena Regional Director for West Berkshire in January 2023.
Tripling Membership and Growing a Strong Community
When Lara stepped into her Athena leadership role, she inherited an existing membership base of almost 20 members. Since then, she has worked consistently to build relationships, create meaningful networking experiences, and follow Athena’s proven leadership principles.
Over the last three years, Lara has tripled the size of her region, creating a thriving and supportive business network for women entrepreneurs. Her region is now approaching sixty members.
Her success has been driven by embracing The Athena Way, actively participating in Athena leadership training, and building genuine relationships with her members. Just as importantly, Lara credits her growth to simply being authentic and approachable – qualities that naturally attract and retain members.
Building a Multi-Business Portfolio
Alongside managing her Athena region, Lara also runs a successful Colour and Style Consultancy business. She has further expanded her entrepreneurial portfolio by launching a Thermomix business, demonstrating her ability to balance multiple business ventures while leading a growing networking community.
Leading with Flexibility and Commitment
One of the most inspiring aspects of Lara’s story is how she has designed her Athena business around her lifestyle. Lara operates her region from her home on the Isle of Wight, where she has personal commitments.
She travels monthly to Newbury to connect with members, host networking opportunities, and attend Cappuccino Connections events. Her story demonstrates how modern business networking can be flexible, adaptable and still highly successful.
Supported by a Strong Network
Lara’s journey has been supported by her Athena members, her fellow Regional Directors, and Athena’s Founder and Franchisor, Jacqueline Rogers.
Reflecting on her experience, Lara shares:
“I joined the Athena leadership team as Regional Director three years ago. In that time, I’ve tripled my membership, built a thriving local network, and grown a business I’m incredibly proud of.”
Lara’s Athena leadership story demonstrates how women in business can build rewarding, flexible and scalable careers through strong networks, leadership development and community collaboration.
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Watts Photography
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