Starting a new business can be daunting, but one Kent woman is on a mission to get like minded people together to share their experiences and expertise to make it easier.

Katie Byrne, founder and director of the Department of Sharing, which helps new businesses manage their social content and give training and advice where needed, has launched a series of informal sessions which make this happen.

Katie, from Holborough near Snodland, is an ambassador for She Means Business, a partnership between Facebook and Enterprise Nation, and which has a dedicated programme of nationwide events and online classes to help women grow their businesses.

The first Social Supper Club in Kent was held at the Pearson's Arms in Whitstable, supported by Zest PR Agency, which has 30 years' experience, and saw women from a variety of backgrounds in business get together to share their stories with one another.

She said: "There's a lot of risk in starting a business. The traditional way to do it is starting to be eroded."

"Social media also has risk and people need help with how things are constantly evolving."

The evening included brainstorming on what obstacles standing in their way, and ways to overcome them.

Among those attending and giving inspiration to others was Helen Prowse, from payments company for small businesses, Square.

Helen was working for Twitter in 2012 when Twitter founder and chief executive Jack Dorsey decided to launch Square in the UK and she led it.

Communications lead, she told of the issues she had confronted and how she had adapted her working life, and how the businesses she worked with were learning to do the same.

The company has just featured two Margate businesses, Clay Space and Bus Cafe in its latest ad, which is currently being screened on TV, with its wartime soundtrack and artisan feel, helping promote small businesses itself.

The evening also heard business was booming around the Thanet area, with Margate, Ramsgate, Whitstable and Herne Bay all doing well.

Clare Freeman, founder of the Margate Mercury - who admitted to being a "DFL" (Down from London) - also spoke about her drive and inspiration, adding: "I am always thinking of the next thing, the next workshop, and how I can put something back."

She is currently also working on setting up a socially responsible dating agency.

To find out more, and find an event near you visit meetup.com/SheMeansBusiness-Meetup/