You Are the Music: Netwalking Willenhall

At West Midlands House, we’ve always believed that business networking works best when you take it beyond four walls.

In February, despite the drizzle and grey skies, we laced up our walking shoes and headed to Willenhall Memorial Park for our first Netwalking event of the year, and the conversations didn’t miss a beat.

Networking That Moves You Forward

There’s something different about walking side by side rather than sitting across a table. The formalities drop. Conversations flow. Ideas spark naturally.

Our Netwalking session brought together a fantastic mix of local businesses who weren’t put off by the weather. And that says a lot about the Willenhall business community – resilient, committed and always ready to show up.

The setting? Fresh air, open space, and a reminder that opportunity doesn’t need a boardroom.

Celebrating Willenhall’s Hidden Assets

We were joined by local business legend Nigel Dutton of Willenhall Lockstock, who shared powerful insights about recognising and leveraging the assets around you.

He reminded us of something many towns forget to shout about: Willenhall’s incredible musical heritage.

Icons like, Robert Plant, Slade, Cream, The Rolling Stones… have all graced our town.

These aren’t just interesting facts. They’re assets.

Nigel knows this better than most. When launching the Blackberry for O2, he maximised high-profile associations – including the English Rugby Team and Arsène Wenger – to elevate visibility and impact. The lesson? Use what you have. Don’t sit on it.

What’s Your Asset?

Your story is an asset.
Your experience is an asset.
Your connections are assets.
Your space is an asset.

But only if you use them.

Too often in business, we underplay what makes us different. We assume “everyone knows” or we forget to showcase what sets us apart. The businesses that stand out are the ones who confidently lean into their strengths and tell their story well.

A Space That Delivers, Again, and Again

Willenhall Memorial Park is a perfect example of this in action.

From hosting Willenhall Lockstock – our town’s biggest event – to supporting a slightly soggy but thoroughly energising Netwalking morning, this space continues to deliver value for the community time and time again.

It’s not just a park, it’s a platform.

And that’s exactly how businesses should view their own resources too.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and embraced the weather. The conversations were strong, the energy was positive, and the takeaway was clear:

Don’t just have assets.

Use them. Showcase them. Let them set you apart. Because in business, you are the music.

We’re already looking forward to the next one! 👟