Who's coming to dinner on 21st October?
Tony Bowall FRPS Photographer - Tony Bowall Photography
 Tony is well known for his 'Beach Huts in the Snow' series of photographs of Hove as well as other images of the City.
He creates fine art photographs for the home and workplace as prints or canvases - large and small - predominantly of Brighton and Hove although images of the Greek Islands are also very popular. He has a range of over 30 Greetings Cards available from his website or from various retailers in Hove and Brighton. There are Very Special Prices on offer on a range of Tony’s A5 size Greetings Cards for a very limited time (a week or less!) to all Fish Friday members and associates – there are less than 1000 remaining which are going fast and are ideal for Xmas. Just email Tony for more details and mention Fish Friday..
His work can be seen on display and for sale in many parts of the City - with his latest, regularly updated permanent exhibition being at Pizza Express, Church Road, Hove. His work can also be seen in the Brighton Hilton Metropole Hotel, the Brighton Bandstand Cafe Bistro and The Nevill in Hove.
His Third Avenue, Hove, Studio is open to all visitors by appointment. Normally he needs just an hour's notice of any visit.
For six years, with his wife Helene he has run 'The Happy House' Open house as part of the Brighton Festival as well as for Xmas. His next Open House will be at Xmas over the last weekend in November and First Two in December. The studio is open at all times, every day of the year. Visitors can view photographs from his archive of over 100,000 images and work can be printed to order by Tony. A small selection can be seen in his Galleries.
Tony holds the Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society (the Society's highest distinction) and in 2009 and 2010 he was awarded prestigious medals by the London Salon of Photography, both times for photographs of Brighton and Hove!
Tony is currently Vice-President of Brighton and Hove Camera Club which has over 150 members as well as being a member of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce and Hove Business Association.
Networking Tip: “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Although some people at networking events claim they can ‘sum a person up’ in the first five seconds (which often means that if they don’t ‘fit’ they can be ignored!), in fact everyone is a sparkling individual human being, many of whom take a little more time to get to know! It’s worth the effort!
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: Long Ago I was front of house manager at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park and was the person to give the cue to the actors to start the show. For ‘Romeo and Juliet’ this included a young up and coming stage actor called Ralph Fiennes (I did say long ago!)
Follow Tony on Twitter @snowybeachhuts
Raph Goldberg - Tanglewood Productions
 I started Tanglewood Productions in 2005 with the aim of providing affordable, creative and high quality videos to businesses, charities and events. Whilst the business has evolved a lot over the last 6 years, we are still focused on our original aim. We now specialise in producing online video content and our services have diversified to include video hosting, video SEO, video analytics and video strategy.
We have recently developed a range of low-cost video packages aimed at small businesses who want to join the world of online video which also helps people utilise video on their website, on YouTube and on their social media.
Networking Tip: Email the people that you’ve met soon afterward the networking event to establish contact, in case they loose your business card.
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: I used to organise Hip Hop Battles in Bristol which were held inside a boxing ring (despite not being very hip-hop myself!)
Follow Raph on Twitter @TanglewoodVideo
Keith Holman - Victor Boorman & Co Chartered Accountants
 We are friendly local accountants that would be pleased to assist you in accountancy services, tax advice and financial guidance to encourage and support your business hopes.
Individuals and newly commenced ventures or established businesses considering a new focus on finances – we would welcome linking up with you.
For pro-active and non-stuffy accountants to work alongside you, please chat to me over the delicious Fish Friday supper and at the after-dinner drinks in the glamorous lounge bar.
Networking Tip: Don’t focus on and monopolise just one guest -- even if they are a fabulous accountant!? Share your attention with other guests as you can always suggest a one-to-one meeting at a later date.
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: I grew up in Brighton, playing music was my hobby and I can recall many an evening spent at the Fish Friday venue in a wedding-functions band, blowing the trombone (er... that’s not a euphemism).
Follow Keith on Twitter @AccyKeef
Who's coming to dinner on 16th September?
Katariina Jarvinen - Light Trick Photography
 I'm a portrait and wedding photographer. I specialise in taking absolutely fantastic photos of people who hate having their photo taken. If you think you are not photogenic and never take a good photo, come to me and I will prove you wrong. I'm serious. And I'm not going to cover you in make-up or use Photoshop to make you look like a plastic mannequin, either - I do it by making you feel comfortable in front of the camera and taking advantage of the best lighting to suit your
features and personality. Photography is all about light, after all, and a trick of light can make an ordinary photo into a stunningly extraordinary one.
As a wedding photographer my style is photojournalistic, i.e. I document the wedding day as it happens, without interfering, which results in a natural expressions and a complete fly on the wall story of the day. I have recently started a blog where I showcase some of the weddings I have been the photographer for.
As a side line - being the owner of two crazy English Springer Spaniels - I do pet portrait photography. Again, my style is relaxed, natural and playful. I love dogs especially for their endless joie de vivre; they are a great reminder for us boring adult human types that life is too short for taking it too seriously.
Networking tip: Try and have at least a short conversation with everyone present at Fish Friday. Everyone is there to network, so don't be afraid to go and introduce yourself to others.
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: 1) About 20 years ago I lived in Japan and learned to speak the language fluently. I can still fool people
into thinking that I'm Japanese on the phone. Face to face, not so much.
2) If you are very chic and say 'Cin cin!' instead of 'Cheers!' in company of Japanese people, you will make the Japanese giggle uncontrollably.
Follow Katariina on Twitter @lighttrickphoto
Who's coming to dinner on 19th August?
Phil Blackwell - Studio Crafts Jewellers
We’re a family run jewellers based in Peacehaven with one of the largest fully equipped workshops along the south coast. With 11 specialist goldsmiths, we’re able to take on a huge variety of work.
Our specialism is handmade jewellery and the restorations of rings – one of our favourite things is to use customer’s old gold jewellery which could be of great sentimental value, but is perhaps too worn to wear or out of fashion. We then melt it down to make a beautiful new piece, often to the customers’ own design.
I’ve been with the Studio Crafts for the last 15 years. After gaining my jewellers diploma and spending the next six years learning about the retail side of the business, I moved into the workshop to learn the basics of bench work. I then moved into the office to obtain the all-round experience that I needed to run a busy workshop and now take care of all the day-to-day running of the family business. I’m also responsible for meeting clients with specific bespoke requirements and working on designs to help bring their ideas to reality.
Networking tip: Always prioritise helping and giving to others ahead of taking and receiving for yourself.
You must give in order to receive. Be helpful to others and you will be helped in return.
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: You’ll have to come to supper to find out, yah!
Follow Phil on Twitter @studiocrafts
William Pearson – French Property Agent
I’ve been selling property in France for nearly 20 years and in that period have built up a network of around a hundred licensed estate agents around the country to whom I can introduce my clients with confidence.
The property market in France, as well as here, can hardly be described as buoyant. If vendors want to sell, they have to be prepared to negotiate and as a result there are huge bargains to be had. Having said this, the days of the old stone cottage with roses round the door for £15,000 are long gone!
As I see it, if you buy in France you are buying into a lifestyle and, particularly in rural France, a much slower pace of life. To enjoy much of what France has to offer, you don’t have to drive hundreds of miles to the south – the Pas de Calais and Normandy are on our doorstep with lovely countryside, interesting history and architecture, fine food and wine.
Have a look at my website www.willowfrenchproperties.com – it’s not just a list of properties, but information about many different regions and about buying a property in France.
I look forward to meeting you all at the next Fish Friday dinner – my first.
Networking Tip: Apart from being a member of the Anglo French Business Group in Eastbourne, I am a newcomer to networking and have much to learn!
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: I was a wine merchant for many years and recommend, when finances permit, to have different wines to compliment different dishes. So it came as a surprise in those days to be invited to a dinner party where my host (knowing my passion for great wine) offered only still or sparkling water. I’ve heard it said that water is only for washing!
Who's coming to dinner on 15th July?
James Mortimer - Partner at Uden Lettings and Owner of Rocket Sales
Natural entrepreneur James Mortimer set up his own financial advisory business at the tender age of 23, which he ran successfully for the next nine years. Alongside this, he was CEO and key in establishing a national mortgage network.
When it became clear that an economic downturn was looming, James recognised the need to establish a recession-proof business. Using his financial background and people management skills, he successfully built a lettings company by acquiring and incorporating a local competitor and continued to grow the business exponentially during the recession.
With excellent sales, people and financial management skills underpinning a lifelong passion for business, James is well-known for getting results. He regularly works as a Business Development Consultant for a number of organisations, delivering substantial improvement by restructuring management and sales processes.
One of James’s mantras is to always ensure that you use the resources already available to you, with cost containment being the most important thing. He also strongly believes that you should never stop learning and as a result has gained numerous qualifications in finance, property and business management.
Having established and run a number of successful businesses, James is now looking for the challenge of working with a large organisation at board level and using his skills and experience to help the company to achieve its vision.
Networking Tip: Don’t moan, everyone hates a moaner.
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: In the US, a tomato is legally declared to be a vegetable for tax reasons. One fellow was importing tomatoes into the US and he refused to pay a tariff based on the argument that the tomato is not a vegetable. While technically he was correct, the US Supreme Court passed a law in 1833 making the tomato a vegetable and thus firmly qualifying for the tax to be paid.
Follow James on Twitter @rocketsalesuk
Myles Ford - Margin Squared
After 12 years in the Food and Drink industry working with brands including Flora and McVities and selling to retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury's, I left the corporate life to start my own business.
Margin2 is a pricing and margin management advice service helping organisations across a range of industries grow their turnover by optimising price and focusing sales and marketing on want customers really value.
After I completed an MA at Leeds University Business School in 2005, I now work with their academic staff to research and investigate various aspects of pricing management.
Networking Tip: Nobody goes networking events to buy, so think about how you can help the people you meet.
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: I’m not Irish and I don’t play volleyball but I have played volleyball for Northern Ireland.
Follow Myles on Twitter @Margin2
Who's coming to dinner on 17th June?
Parveen Nabi - Soulmate Events
I've been working in the events industry for over 15 years, initially working for leading exhibition contractors in Birmingham as well as conference organisers. As a P.A. to the CEO and MD’s, I organised many prestigious events including an annual industry party for over 600 guests and corporate golf days. I moved to Brighton in 2003 after taking a “grown up gap year” travelling the world and decided to settle in Brighton. I have worked in several sales & marketing roles, the most recent being at Stanmer House in Stanmer Park until November 2009 and I have since been developing Soul Mate Events & Gay Mate Events as I felt there was a need for upmarket and sophisticated events for the 30+ crowd.
Soul Mate Events & Gay Mate Events organise events not only for single people, but for those who are seeking to increase their social circle, including anyone who is new to the Sussex area. All our events have an interactive element, taking the focus away from meeting people, helping them to relax and act more naturally, which in turn makes them connect with ease. We have a wide variety of events to suit different tastes and budgets and only intend to use upmarket and sophisticated venues. Our events are aimed at those who tend to have more discerning tastes and who want an alternative to pubs and clubs. Our singles events offer a refined alternative to speed dating.
Networking tip: If you're trying to connect with someone on LinkedIn add a personal message. Especially if you've only met them once at a networking event.
Follow Parveen on Twitter @soulmate_events
Martin Rowsell - Simply Marvellous Creative Ltd
 Formed in May 2010, Simply Marvellous is a creative agency that provides clients with services and quality of a large agency, with budget-friendly rates and a more personal touch.
We're not just popular for our competitive quotes, our clients also love what we offer in the areas that really matter, such as experience, quality, results and reliability. Our clients want an agency that understands it's not just about the design, it's about what that design can do.
Our clients want eye-catching design; they also want results: advertising that increases footfall, websites that win awards, or CD packages for a Number One album. At Simply Marvellous Creative Ltd, we spend time studying a clients target market and marketing objectives so that we know not only what design they want, but what they want the design to do for their business.
We are a growing agency making a name for ourselves across many different business sectors but especially in the music industry where we have designed websites and CD artwork for many incredible musicians. The majority of our business is word of mouth referrals and the only way we can keep that flow of business is to make sure our clients are happy from start to finish.
Networking Tip: Don't treat networking as a boring work chore but use it as a way to build relationships based on trust and personality. Listen and don't just talk, have proper conversations rather than make a sales pitch the first time you meet someone. These relationships should be built up over a period of time and not rushed.
Interesting Dinner Party Fact: After leaving college, in the early Nineties, I worked in a shop in London's West End. One lunchtime I served Barbra Windsor with a few rounds of sandwiches. This was before her EastEnders days. She paid with her Gold Card, said "Thanks Darlin'" then tottered off down the street in her high heels and leopard print leggings.
Follow Martin on Twitter @SimplyMarvel
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