Serial entrepreneur Susanna Lawson is about to launch the world’s first female-led word-of-mouth app.
Lawson, who sold her Manchester-based EdTech business OneFile in 2021, has joined forces with Tracy Johnson to launch Circle of Trust.
Circle of Trust is a digital word-of-mouth app that instantly connects consumers with trusted personal recommendations from their own network, and is set to go live across the UK on October 12, 2023.
From plumbers to hairdressers, mechanics to accountants, dog groomers to solicitors, Circle of Trust allows users to access personal recommendations from their most trusted network, allowing users to feel safe in the knowledge that the service providers have the trust and endorsement of someone they know.
Lawson, co-founder, said: “As soon as I met Tracy, I instantly recognised the problem that the Circle of Trust would solve and I wanted to be involved. Her passion and positivity is infectious.
“Circle of Trust will not only help and be invaluable to people but to businesses too. It’s especially hard for smaller businesses to get noticed and so this gives them a genuine platform to showcase their work. We are on a mission to make life easier and to help businesses shine.”
Her fellow co-founder Tracy Johnson added: “The idea for the Circle of Trust actually started on a piece of paper over five years ago. I was on the hunt for a reliable childminder and it hit me – there was no easy way to find someone trusted and recommended by the people I know.
“I was thinking about all the friends, contacts and networks I had made through the years and how we are all connected.
“I realised that each one of us has our own recommendations that we want to share, and in turn, we trust the recommendations of our friends and families the most. Everyone has, and can be a part of a Circle of Trust.
“I wanted to find a partner who shared the same values as me and someone who would help me bring this concept to life. As soon as I met Susanna, I knew she was the one to help me bring the Circle of Trust to life.
“Everyone involved in the Circle of Trust is a trusted connection of mine or has been developed through trusted connections of mine. We have big plans.”
Circle of Trust has already gained a spot in the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator program, a six-month initiative designed for start-ups and entrepreneurs striving to launch or expand their business endeavours.
The app is a completely free platform for individuals to use.
Businesses are invited to join the Circle of Trust pre-launch for a special early bird rate of £30 plus VAT for 12 months.