Hosted by Bromly’s queen of connection, Jackie Groundsell, from 1230 The Women’s Company, a leading UK female business network club. The conference is designed to tackle the often-tainted relationship that women experience in business finance, investments, and long-term wealth building, and how this impacts their relationships and vice versa.
Lessons from a music legend
Since the age of 17, Gloria has consistently found ways to stay creative and has been writing songs since 1968. She has written for Gladys Knight and the Pips, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson Five, Diana Ross and many more. She bought her first home at the age of 21, funded by her creativity.
Gloria’s advice for women in business
“As long as you have an idea, as long as you can create, you can stay afloat.”
She believes that the only reason people give up is that they cannot cope with change or life's experiences, but women are becoming stronger now.
“It’s having the confidence, the knowledge, and the experience to take the risk. You can’t do any of this if you don’t trust yourself to take that risk.
This is why I want to promote hope, and why I am launching a perfume, because I can!**’
Her new perfume, called ‘ Revenge,’ is out on 7 June.
“Most of the time when you hear the word Revenge, it sounds negative, but I look at it as being about never giving up and to keep on going!’ Gloria Jones.
Finding deeper meaning with money and life.
Despite all her remarkable creative successes, it is her charity work that has brought a deeper, lasting meaning to her life. That purpose took root the day she saw a child eating from a trash can, an image that shattered her assumptions and opened her eyes to a harsh reality she had never fully grasped. In that moment, she didn’t just feel compassion; she began to relearn what it meant to be human.
While in South Africa, she was deeply moved by the sight of street children with nothing to eat, but she had no idea how to begin. Wanting to help, she turned to her lawyer for advice. His response was simple: “Go to the market and find out when they throw food away.” So she did. But when she asked the vendors about excess food, they told her it was already spoken for, it was being sent to a farmer to feed his pigs.
They suggested she speak to the farmer and ask if, just one day a week, the surplus food could go to the children instead of the pigs. The farmer agreed Wednesdays would be for the kids. And that simple, compassionate act marked the beginning of the Gloria Jones Foundation in 1990.
Later, she travelled to Sierra Leone, a place she instantly fell in love with. In the faces of the people, she saw her own family’s features. There was a deep, natural sense of belonging and acceptance that moved her profoundly. A decade ago, inspired by that connection, she founded the Marc Bolan School of Music and Film. This year, when she returned, five of the students who began at the school when they were just ten years old had graduated from college, a powerful testament to what belief, creativity, and opportunity can make possible.
The importance of women helping each other
“We have to encourage each other as women, it’s very important, especially in America right now women are really coming together, in sisterhood and at one time it wasn’t like that it was like I have to get my own, I hope that the Evolution of Finance Event will go around the world. Financially, women didn’t know that we had this power, to acquire money and to build wealth.”
Other speakers at the Evolution of Finance
Financial Planner Jeanne Opondo
Jeanne will be talking about how women can think ahead and build wealth while life is happening. She’ll offer practical advice on how to protect the value of a business, such as how to navigate risks if you become ill, someone dies, or if you want to exit the company.
Psychotherapist, couples counsellor and coach Sandra Harewood
Sandra will share strategies to help women explore how our relationships impact our finances, offering tools to shift patterns and promote emotional and financial well-being.
Marketing Consultant Sarah Marsh-Collings
Sarah will discuss the effect money has on all kinds of relationships, from family, partners, to friends, and even professional networks. She’ll talk candidly about her own journey and share what she’s learned in life and over 11+ years in business. “Mindsets fundamentally need to change if women are to ever gain financial parity with our male counterparts.”
A Welcoming, Jargon-Free Space
The Evolution of Finance event at Beckenham Spa is open to all. Everyone is welcome to join the friendly, family-like atmosphere. There’ll be no jargon, no big words, just real conversations, shared experiences, and empowering insights.
It’s a day for women to come together to transform what is often a complicated or tainted relationship with money.
And yes—it’ll be fun too!
Enjoy a bonanza lucky dip with prizes from all the speakers, instant-win scratch cards (so no one leaves empty-handed), complimentary afternoon tea, and networking bingo!
Founder and Event Organiser Jackie Groundsell says: “We want every woman to leave this event not just inspired, but equipped with clarity, confidence, and practical knowledge that helps them grow their business, keep more profit, and plan for a financially secure future."
*Tainted Love is 60 years old this year, and Gloria now has a House Version, a Rave version, and the classical version of Tainted Love coming out.
**Pre-orders of the perfume are now available online. The official launch will take place on 7 June aboard a boat on the Thames in London, where guests will have the chance to meet Gloria and celebrate with music, food, and good company.