What started as a simple way to celebrate a business milestone has grown into an annual space where Saint Lucians can meet, exchange ideas and, increasingly, find the kind of connections that can help move a business forward.
That is the thinking behind Network Soiree, created by Kelianne Peter, owner of Nailed.
The event grew out of Nailed’s 10th anniversary. Rather than mark the occasion with the usual promotions, Peter wanted to bring together the wide mix of people she had met through her business over the years.
“You would have had so many persons from various walks of life, from persons in carpentry, to lawyers, to teachers, all kinds of people,” she said. “And so, I just wanted to be able to give them that space to network.”
One year became two, then three, and Peter realised people were not only showing up, but coming back.
Now in its fourth year, the event is taking a slightly different direction.
Peter said the first three editions focused mainly on giving people a space to meet and introduce themselves. This year, she wants those conversations to lead somewhere more practical.
“So, now we have invited agencies for growth and financing and all of that,” she explained. “So, now persons would expect not just a space for networking, but a space to grow their business, get information from agencies to see how they can scale their businesses and all of that.”
That shift inspired this year’s theme, “Connections in Bloom”.
“Now that we’ve set the foundation, now we’re blooming out,” Peter said.
For her, the idea is simple. Entrepreneurs and professionals do not always lack ambition or ideas. Sometimes they just have not met the person who can point them in the right direction.
“The idea is to give you the opportunity to make your own connections,” she said.
Peter believes that matters in a small society like Saint Lucia, where who you meet can sometimes open a door that would otherwise remain closed.
The event is open to people from all industries, not just established business owners.
That openness reflects Peter’s own journey. Before going into nails full-time, she worked in finance and spent years building her clientele on the side before eventually leaving corporate life about six years ago.
“Nailed has always been part of my journey,” she said.
Over time, the salon itself became a place where conversations went beyond beauty services. Peter said clients would sometimes leave not only with their nails done, but with a new idea or a different perspective.
“It goes beyond nails, you know. It’s not just doing people’s nails,” she said.
That experience helped shape Network Soiree into what it is now.
Connections in Bloom will be held at Coco Palm Resort on October 10.
