*GDPR – see notes at the bottom.
Introduction
History is a passion to me. Although I often cannot tell anybody anything about my own. Especially what is related to my work-life, which is extraordinary in so many incredible ways, but impossible to tell. Sometimes that could be hard to live with. But not everything is a secret, not the Wibes history.
By Anne Solheim
A business network organization – background, establishment, and operation
It has been a pleasure to be a part of Wibes, both the prehistoric time, under the establishment, and during the development – together with Gunnel Thunström, the reason for it all, and Christina Berardi as the founder and leader of Wibes, in my second home country Spain on the Costa Blanca. A unique work that even touches upon what we are trying to do today in Queens.
The background for the Wibes business association was given by Gunnel Thunström, who introduced another business network organization in the same geographical area, Qoola Qvinnor (QQ).
Gunnel Thunström arrived in Spain in spring 2015 to cultivate her golf passion for three months. And as an active part of QQ in Sweden, a professional business network organization own by Siv Thuresdotter, Gunnel Thunström got permission to start a department in Spain. Suddenly that was a fact, and every Friday at Las Ramblas Golf Terrasse, the network meetings in QQ took place, where I joined. And Christina Berardi arrived some months later. On the 19th of June 2015, Berardi took charge of the operation of QQ in Spain.
This is how it all begun, and the three of us in Queens met. And the adventure of Wibes started on the 1st of January 2017 with the founder Christina Berardi, who became the leader and president.
If you did not know, by being a founder of a Spanish official business association, a lot will follow that decision. Among several things, to be registered by the Spanish Minister of Interior and create articles of the association according to Spanish law is a challenge. And the organization has to grow. That demands a lot! And what about the environment of the organization when it grows – when you start from scratch?
It became “a little” back and forth in the matter of the authorities but in its entirety a piece of cake for Berardi. She is familiar with work in a global arena on all the levels necessary to manage this type of work: establish a foundation, and make an organization grow. In this case, 80 members at the most.
Establishment: January 1, 2017, was when the Wibe’s history began under the leadership of Christina Berardi.
Operation: Several women worked out Women in Business España and the “short name” Wibes. And the most active person in that work was one of Wibes’s true artists. The logo you may see in the picture below.
The President, like a leader – gave people room to work and blossom. And one of the results became the website www.wibescb.com. And because wibes.com was not a vacancy domain, CB was added to the domain name. CB for Costa Blanca.
The communication system in Wibes consisted of three Facebook pages/groups. The page above was a page to attract new members and got several hundreds of likes. In the period, a closed group in this blog post a picture below had several hundred associates. This was the electronic place for approved women where the requirement was a picture of themself in addition to becoming Facebook friends with the President. This group was meant to be a recruiting page or group for those who desired to go further to be paying members of the organization. In this group, all the invitations to network meetings were advertised. And the third group, the member’s group, was a non-searchable group, where all meeting notes were made. And this became the place for paying members. Briefly said, the main communication platform in Wibes was three pages/groups on Facebook.
In the first year – 2017 – the board was appointed with Christina Berardi as President and two more as the Spanish law requires MN and IMÖ. In 2017, women from different countries were invited to join. The languages in the physical network meetings were both Swedish and English. But this turned out to be complicated because many had problems communicating in English. So in 2018, the decision was to focus on the Scandinavians with a connection to Costa Blanca. In this second year – 2018 – MJC, BG, MN, MR was a part of the board with President Christina Berardi. And in 2019, a new board was elected, consisting of SJ, JW, MN, MR, and President Christina Berardi.
Further on in the period: statutes have been drawn up, inspiring brochures and roll-ups have been prepared to attract new members. In addition to statutes, the value base – values and codes of conduct – were prepared in documents. In Autumn 2019, Wibes also drew up an emergency list about different activities if something should happen to anybody.
Wibes even sponsored money in the fundraising for Childhood Cancer by Rotary Montesinos in this period. And another economic decision was made: The board members are exempt from paying the Wibes membership fees.
Different sections within Wibes
• Mentorship program, UA as leader of the working group and Anne Brit Solheim, GG, and EA developed this.
• A golf group was established by MM and operated by Gunnel Thunström.
• IT strategy by Anne Brit Solheim.
• Emergency routines by Anne Brit Solheim. JW and SJ joined the development.
• An Activity Group (This is highlighted because it became an unexpected challenge related to this.) TN functioned as a convener in this group, together with IMÖ, EW, and BÖ. AF and LE were involved, too, because several strong voices wanted to turn the organization in a social direction, away from the business direction. But what the Activity Group was meant to do was not feasible, according to themselves. So in the autumn of 2019, when they concluded that there was no interest in social activities directed by Wibes, the activity group was resigned. The fact was, too few were registered for the activities announced. E.g., the event interest in the cava evening was meager, which is why it was canceled. A crayfish party, too, perhaps because it had the wrong timing. But the lunch at Mundo Pequeño was more popular when many came. But in sum not worth the work they concluded. This was a bit difficult to understand in the first place because when Wibes was developed, the organization immediately understood which huge social function it gains. When several women moved to Spain, they needed new friends to share their experiences with. And during these years, 2017 – 2019, many have found their friends and started cultivating other interests. So, the membership for some was dropped. And the organization had been a nice springboard to them. Wibes, and the founder, was proud of that. But then the organization had to rethink the focus and operation area. And because of lack of interest of the social part and the intention behind the founding of Wibes to become a business network organization, not a social group, something the name Wibes also underlines, and after the unsuccessful experience with the Activity Group, the future development of Wibes was decided to become an organization with a focus on business. Otherwise, a scenario that was rethought many times. A strategic project group worked it through as well. But the fact was that most of the members did not want to participate in the Activity Group’s events or join in so-called social activities. So when the Wibes organization’s focus had to be polished: focus on business with seminars, training, workshops and similarly became the conclusion.
Okay, now you have got a brief introduction to how and why in Wibes. In the following part of the blog post, you will find some facts about the membership, network meetings, Wibes in media, seminars, and lectures, study visits, company presentations, education, and various activities during the historical period 2017-2019.
Membership benefits were developed
• A Wibes nameplate to every member
• Participate in network meetings for 5 € incl. tapas & drinks
• Attend and represent Wibes in official contexts
• Advertise once a week in the closed group (no advertising in the secret group)
• Bring an invited guest who can be there once at the cost of 10 €
• Company discounts for paying members
• Members encouraged to like each other posts on Facebook, comment positively, and share each other’s business posts
Network meetings
Every Friday at 10:00, Wibes met at the President’s, Christina Berardi, home. That was later changed to Tuesday evenings at 18:00 – 20:00, and a little later on decided to do network meetings every other Tuesday. At these meetings, between 10 and more than 40 women participating. The President purchased food and drinks. Tapas, wine, water, coffee, and tea were served to the members based on how many say yes to the invitation. During this period, a number came and considered that because they did not eat or drink, they did not have to pay what was shown as a hole in the cash register. Thereafter, registration and payment were introduced at arrival.
Wibes grew and no longer had a place at the President’s home. Then
the network meetings were moved to Rosaleda Properties’ premises in IBC
(International Business Center) on Avenida California winter 2018. In connection with the move, a rolling schedule was introduced for members to take care of the purchases for the network meetings. It became a lot of work for Rosaleda Properties to constantly plan for Wibes, so after five months, the organization moved to Restaurante Arroceria el Sarmiento. And the members continued to pay 5 € for tapas and drinks. But it became increasingly difficult to stay at this place due to the noise of disco music and -light, especially when lectures were arranged. Once the members came to one booked network meeting, it was closed, too, and the President got within half an hour to find a new gathering point for the meetings. It was Restaurante EL Nacional where Wibes get a quiet place, good and fantastic tapas including drinks for only 5 €.
Wibes in media
Vega Baja Television, Radio Nova, Nordic Radio, Costa Blanca Poddradio, articles and reports in several local magazines: Spain Today (SI), Mas Amigos, Skandinaviska Bladet, Trade fairs on the Costa Blanca, Expo Torrevieja, and Scandinavian Expo (outdoors) among others.
Wibes seminars and lectures
• The Spanish traffic rules by Francisco Morales Guardia Civil Traffico
• Banco Sabadell by Ronaldo Ignacio Daniel
• Quiron Hospital Beatriz Fuente Hernandez
• Imed Hosoital Carolina Delgado Jönsson
• Modern Leadership by Lucia Grimaldi
• Women’s Guide To More Passion Intimacy & Fulfillment by Lyn Smith
• Torrevieja’s municipality Rosario Martinez Chazarra
• Boost your business by Evakarin Wallin
• The thought has no power by Evakarin Wallin
• Metoo within the police by Kerstin Dejemyr
• Bra school by Annelie Jill Ståhle
• Realize the dream of expensive cruises by Masha Schoultz
• Beauty treatments by Ilahy
• Stress management by Liisa Eriksson
• My path to freedom by Rong Lundqvist
• My Road to Spain by Georgia Varjas
• My Road to Spain by Monicha Blomberg
• My way to Spain by Tina Nilsson
• My life journey to Spain by Satu Järlbrink
• Exercise & health by Carolina Björfjäll
• IT strategy by Anne Brit Solheim
• Emergency list by Anne Brit Solheim
• Business Advice and Coaching by Majvor Muller
• Coloring by Mariana Ramselius
• New EU rules by Goodman and testament by Ann Brauner
• Updates on updated EU rules by Ann Brauner
• Show with music and dance before the fair with Maria Fallas
• Tax system for individuals and entrepreneurs in Spain by Betty Gräns
• ME by Susanne Carlsson incl. filming
• To start a podcast by Christina Berardi
Conferences & workshops
3-day seminar at Hotel Fontana Plaza in Torrevieja with 45 participants and 10 external lecturers from Sweden, England, and the EU Belgium
• Hairstyle show by GG
• Mini exhibition
• Fashion show
• Wine tasting with tapas
• Mini-expo where members brought something from their activities and presented
• Mini-workshop on what each entrepreneur offered for discounts to Wibe’s paying members with EW
Study visit
• Bodegas Francisco Gomez
• Bodegas Faelo
• Experiencia 43 (manufacture of liqueur 43)
• Moroccan tea house Carmen del Campillo
• Imed Hospitales & Ilahy
• Quiron Hospitals
• Theme evening – New trends in interior design, Silander & Holst
• Creative Design
• Asejar Vivero’s plant center Elche
Company presentations
• Presentation of Nordic Fields Eva Waitzfelder incl filming
• How I work with my company by Cristina Larsen
• The nail therapist’s work by Birgitta Österlin incl. filming
• What does “buy water” contain? by Cristina Larsen
• Presentation of a selection of MJ Vision – Creative design’s products
• Book presentations: Julia’s longing by Christina Strang, incl. filming
• Book presentation: All trips are a detour home by Majvor Muller
• The benefits of a new golf glove by Eva Waitzfelder
• The crystal bed by Lena Oscarsson
• BE Natural by Berit Harryson
• 360 days with Afghanistan by Ulrika Jonasson, including filming
• MJ Vision – Creative Design by Mia Niemi
• Anne’s Call to Action by Anne Brit Solheim, incl. filming
• Do the impossible possible by Anne Brit Solheim
• M Lifestyle by Mariette Claeson
• ASEA presentation by Carina Berg Selemba
• New business idea with home visits within ScandClinic by Charo Perez
Gomez & Lena Swerkström
• New focus at ScandClinic with in-depth collaboration with Quiron
and focus on rehabilitations from Sweden to Spain by Lena
Swerkström
• News about my company by Mariana Ramselius
Educations
• Instagram training by MN
• Facebook review by MN
• Jewelry making by EW
• Enneagram by UA
• Writing course with UA
• Coloring by MR
• First Aid Training Quiron Hospitales
• Vegetarian shots by LE
• Useful fruit & vegetable juices by LE
• Fire safety by CP incl. filming
• Fatigue symptoms and how to prevent it by Christina Berardi
• Contactless payment – How does it work? by MN
• In Case of Emergency, ICE, by SJ
• Presentation technique/rhetoric by Christina Berardi
Activities
All activities have been coordinated with the organization SWEA
• Joint dinner in Guardamar
• Wine tasting at American Cafe & Steakhouse
• Christmas mingle at IMÖ’s home
• Crayfish disc at BH
• Showroom MJ Vision – Creative design by MN
• Lunch at Restaurante Mundo Pequeno
• Boules with picnic
• Barbecue on the beach twice by IMÖ
• Wine tasting at MN
• Cava tasting at MN
• Quiz at Smaskens Bar & Bistro
• Winter closing dinner at Restaurante Aroceria Sarmiento
• Spring closing dinner at Restaurante El Nacional incl
guess competition with a prize to the winner MP
• Vernissage & Mingle at Taijitu Healthy Cafe by IMÖ
• Mingle at Zebra Home about beds by PP
• Beauty & Makeup Evening by MCOJ
• Tarot card sessions by ARB
• Wine tasting with an overnight stay in Jumilla by MN
Wibes conducted several surveys, too, to find out what interested the members before conducting different arrangements.
Wibes in social media 2017 – 2019:
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and a website.
And what happened related to contrasts and perspective?
A joyful and interesting period from 2017 – 2019 is a closed chapter long ago. For some a little bit sad, but everything has a beginning and an end, and everything needs contrasts to be seen, and if it is possible to set it all in perspective, too, perhaps it is possible to learn something useful. So, the interesting Wibes history does not stop here, at the end of 2019, in a way that it did not start in 2017 either. The fact is, Berardi has been in charge from summer 2015 to summer 2021, six (6) years, from 2017 registered with the Spanish Ministry of the Interior under Spanish law as the legal President of Wibes.
The start of the end for Wibes? Suddenly, on an ordinary day in 2021, major contrasts in the association are a fact, like white vs. black. Do you wonder why and what happened? If so, “stay tuned” perhaps you will be updated later, when the ongoing events – that started with new management in Wibes, a Steering Group – are settled.
I have chosen the name of the new management in Wibes to be The Steering Group 2020 for reasons that belong to a different story. But I can tell now that the fiscal year 2020 for Wibes is still continuing, far away from all normality. This is not a closed chapter yet and has not become history.
Serious events related Wibes are happening! And to those who can see the long lines and consequences from top to bottom, and the other way around related to the law: We, Business Queens Network, need time to gain the right perspective to give you relevant information here in this blog, not only gossip that has become a huge part of these serious ongoing events named “The fall of Wibes?”
The only thing that is sure at the moment: The business network association Wibes, Women in Business España has been in an extraordinary situation for more than one and a half years.
Due to GDPR, in this document, personal information, such as names, is marked with initials for everybody mentioned without those working in Queens. But the sections called "Wibes seminars and lectures" and "Company Presentations" have names of the presenters connected. If you want to be anonymized, please send us a message here.
