Running a business as a sole director or solo founder can feel both exhilarating and lonely. You make the final call, shoulder every risk, and often lack a “boardroom” of peers who truly understand the nuances of your daily decisions. Our research on women‑focused mastermind groups suggests that a reliable sounding board of expert peers is something they’re missing in the everyday hurly burly. Women have told us they miss the sense of community that working in a bigger organisation brings. They even admit that they miss the challenge and being held accountable for their actions. This was all part of why the Acumen Supper Club™ began.
What Acumen Supper Club™ is – and why
The “What”:
Acumen is a Supper Club and a whole lot more. Organised into 12 monthly modules, this structured programme features themes curated and co-created by the Club’s founding members. The topics range from exit strategies and financial good-to-knows, to neuroscience-inspired resilience for business founders, from crafting a strong personal brand to building a time-efficient AI stack. Each month starts with an hour-long online masterclass to introduce the topic, triggering a discussion and action points.
Later in the month, the Supper Club offers further discussion on those action points, and then one Club member takes the centre stage to present a relevant challenge for an Action Learning style discussion. Acumen Supper Club™ is an exclusive, structured mastermind supper club built specifically for ambitious female founders and sole directors. Membership is limited, and admission is by application only, ensuring a high‑calibre, like‑minded cohort. Each monthly dinner combines:
- Fine‑dining ambience – a relaxed yet smart setting that signals the seriousness of the commitment.
- Action‑Learning format – participants present real challenges, receive immediate peer feedback, and commit to concrete next steps.
- Behavioural insights – facilitated by a trained moderator who draws out hidden assumptions and help re‑frame thinking.
The combined result is an experience that goes far beyond a typical networking group. Members gain not only with fresh ideas, but also a supportive peer group that holds them accountable long after the plates are cleared. This all creates lasting connections and brilliant trust-based relationships.
Acumen currently operates in the New Forest, so it’s easily accessible from Southampton, Bournemouth and Winchester.
The “Why”:
Acumen was founded to create peer support for female founders and sole directors. This is an under-represented segment of business people, so much so that “female founded” is often a descriptor for grant applications as a group which warrants specific focus and support. Being a business founder and owner can be lonely. The business world is often characterised as a male environment. While that doesn’t have to be true, it can make being a founder just that bit more daunting, or frustrating … or downright isolated. Add to that the potential additional duties of caring and other family involvement, and you have a recipe for a struggle. That’s where Acumen comes in, because it provides a safe space, with women who “get it”. We’ve all been there, for some of what you’re experiencing. What sets us apart as female founders is what binds us together at the Acumen Supper Club™.
Why a peer network is a growth engine
Having a peer network can act as a a significant growth accelerator. How? Primarily, it helps with a founder’s resilience. Knowing you are not alone reduces stress and burnout, especially for solo leaders who otherwise face decisions in a vacuum. Another important aspect is the accelerated learning that happens in mastermind settings, where each member’s experience becomes a case study for the whole group. Founders report that hearing diverse perspectives sparks new ideas, offers inspiration and can even prevent costly mistakes. Another benefit to a business of a strong peer negtworking is the potential to cross-refer. Close‑knit groups naturally generate referral partnerships, expanding market reach without the heavy marketing spend.
These benefits can translate directly into sustainable business growth, which is one of our key targets at Acumen.
How to apply to join the Acumen Supper Club™
Our membership is carefully curated to ensure we build true peer networking with like-minded founders. We welcome applications from female founders who have been running a business for at least a couple of years. Ideally, you would have up to four staff in your company. We make this stipulation because with five staff and over you qualify for the Government’s Help to Grow scheme.
Unfortunately, we aren’t geared to include support for start-ups, so if that’s what you need, we are really sorry but Acumen isn’t for you.
And if you’re not sure whether our mastermind format is for you, take a look at our Mentoring for Businesswomen page, because you may well find something there that suits you instead.
So, to apply: complete the application form – tell us about your key business chappenges and how you hope to contribute to Acumen. Next, after you’ve received your Information Pack, you would be invited to join Astrid for an exploratory discovery call, so you can discuss how Acumen would suit you, and answer any questions you may have. Assuming all goes well and you meet the membership criteria, you will receive your personal invitation. You may be invited to meet your fellow group members either online or at the next Supper Club – that would be your choice.
So please take a look at our introductory page, complete the form and access our Information Pack. We’d love for you to join us. So would your future you.
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