Sandra Maybury: ‘Don’t be afraid to ask for help’

Seeing first-hand the ripple effect that an invitation, kind word, phone call, message, email or shared experience can have, means West Cork business woman Sandra Maybury will always champion women around her.

Sandra, founder of Maybury Marketing, celebrates 20 years in business this year, a milestone made extra special by winning the Network Ireland West Cork Networker of the Year Award.

Who’d have thought she’d describe herself as “shy, unsure and hesitant to step outside my comfort zone” only a few short years ago?

“When I joined Network Ireland West Cork in 2018m I was uncomfortable with the very idea of networking,” said Sandra.

“Looking back now, I barely recognise that version of myself. I can walk into any room, in any county, at any business event and confidently introduce myself, make connections and hold valuable conversations.

“I feel this award was a great way to recognise how far I’ve come, and also very timely to mark the milestone of my 20-year business anniversary,” said the mum-of three.

With her trademark honesty, she says being in business for two decades “hasn’t been without challenges”.

“I’ve navigated a recession in 2008 and a pandemic in 2020 and I continue to trade today, employing myself and one other.

“My advice to anyone thinking of setting up their own business, is to do your research well first and once you have a good plan in place – go for it. Surround yourself with a good network and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are great supports out there,” said the Dunmanway woman.

Sandra made it an unforgettable year for another reason.

“I recently walked the final leg of the Camino de Santiago - the Frances Way - starting in Sarria and walking 117km to Santiago over six days.

“It was a journey that tested me, lifted me and left a deep imprint on my heart (and my body!). It was an incredible experience. I can’t say I had a grand epiphany or life-altering lightbulb moment. But what I did find was peace, stillness, appreciation, joy, laughter, tears and a circle of new friends.

“In a world that is busy, loud and constantly connected but in all the wrong ways, the Camino stripped it all back. There were no screens, no deadlines, no demands, no to-do lists. Just your feet (aching feet), the path and the people you meet along the way. There was no rush, no race. Everyone had their own pace.

“Some days I was slow (very slow), but that’s where the magic happened. The slower pace allowed for some of the best conversations of the whole week. It reminded me how human connection is so easy when you’re not in a rush and you don’t have your phone as a barrier to conversation,” said Sandra.

“I would highly recommend The Camino to anyone who might have it on their bucket list. Do it, you won’t regret it.”

Mum to daughters aged 18, 14 and 11, she admits life can occasionally get a little stressful.

“Life is busy for everyone. Everyone has their own commitments and challenges, be it work, family, home life, business or all of the above. We just get on with it. It’s about doing what you can do and prioritising what’s important. I do get a bit overwhelmed at times, usually in the middle of a big project, while juggling other homelife commitments but that overwhelm passes too. I have a great family and a lovely circle of friends I can lean on when things get hectic,” she said.

Sandra’s been a tour de force since she joined Network West Cork, and was branch president last year.

“Encouraging women in business to network has been a huge part of my involvement in the branch and for me personally, networking has led to some very exciting projects and collaborations on a national level. Winning the Network Ireland West Cork Networker of the Year Award was amazing. To hear my name called out as the winner and to be cheered on and congratulated by my colleagues and fellow network Ireland members was so lovely, I found I was quietly emotional about it all,” she said.

Sandra’s top networking/business tips

• Be your authentic self. Stop trying to impress others or keep up. That’s exhausting, just be you. People do business with people they naturally connect with, when it doesn’t feel forced.

• I know this is easier said than done, but stop worrying about what others think. We often have more people cheering us on than we realise.

• Feel the fear and do it anyway. Keep showing up, even when you don’t know anyone. Go to the events, meet new people, you’ll always come away with new connections and information.

• Networking should firstly be about growing your network, growth in your business will follow.