Regina Martin
Regina Martin
16 April, 2025
News

Birmingham businesswoman nominated for National Diversity Award for creating inclusive networking spaces for marginalised entrepreneurs

A Birmingham-based visibility strategist and networking pioneer, who is transforming the business landscape for underrepresented entrepreneurs through her inclusive business community The NETwork , has been nominated for a prestigious National Diversity Award in the Entrepreneur of Excellence category, recognising her mission to make business spaces more accessible, authentic, and empowering for marginalised groups across the UK.

Regina in the Custard Factory in Birmingham

Regina Martin, 44, founder of The Confidence Healer Ltd and The NETwork, has spent the last four years building a safe and supportive space for entrepreneurs, especially black, asian and other minority group entrepreneurs, neurodivergent creatives, LGBTQ+ founders, and those from working-class backgrounds, who often feel excluded from traditional networking and growth opportunities, after struggling herself to find spaces where she felt “safe to show up” as her true self.

Research shows that only 18% of SMEs in the UK are female-led, and ethnic minority entrepreneurs often face structural barriers in accessing funding, mentoring, and professional networks. Regina’s response to this gap has been to create something entirely new: an “exclusively inclusive” business networking model offering online and in-person events, masterclasses, and affordable memberships designed with accessibility at its core.

Regina at the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston
Regina at the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston Credit: Regina Martin

Since launching The NETwork, Regina has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs grow their confidence, build authentic brands, and find the connections needed to thrive. The platform now includes a Website Template Shop, coaching programs, affiliate partnerships, and over 200 active members, with plans to scale nationally. Her work has empowered business owners to stop shrinking themselves and start showing up fully.

“My work bridges the gap between visibility, confidence, and connection in a sector still dominated by privilege and outdated norms”, she said.

Regina brings a wealth of experience from nearly 20 years in the charity sector, where she supported small businesses and led high-impact projects with brands like HSBC and The Sun. Her lived experience of racism and exclusion drives her passion for making business spaces truly inclusive and people-first.

Regina on corporation street in Birmingham City Centre
Regina on corporation street in Birmingham City Centre Credit: Regina Martin
“I created The NETwork because I didn’t see spaces where people like me could thrive. I spent years navigating rooms where I felt I had to hide parts of myself to be taken seriously. That ends now. This nomination is not just for me, it’s for every entrepreneur who’s ever felt invisible, underrepresented, or overlooked. We belong here too, and I’m building spaces to prove it.”

“Being recognised by the National Diversity Awards is an absolute honour. I hope it shines a light on the importance of community-driven business, and shows that inclusion is not a buzzword, it’s a necessity. Representation matters. When people see someone like them being celebrated, it gives them permission to dream bigger.”

The awards are open for public vote. You can support Regina via: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/awards-2025/nominations/regina-martin/

The Confidence Healer Ltd and The NETwork continue to grow, with Regina on a mission to reach 500 members in the next 12 months and scale her model nationwide.