Local businesses across Basingstoke and the wider region are joining M3 Job Club (M3JC) to put career confidence, professional visibility and personal presentation firmly in focus. Their support comes together at Empower Runway, the club's fundraising fashion and confidence‑building event taking place on 18 March at the Apollo Hotel, Basingstoke.

M3JC helps professionals re‑engage with the job market by rebuilding confidence through skills development, personal growth and networking. Empower Runway highlights that personal brand matters at every stage of a career; it is as important for staying visible within an organisation and positioning for progression as it is for strengthening client relationships or navigating career transition.

Local Business Collaboration at the Heart of the Event
The event brings together a strong network of local businesses, each contributing expertise to help attendees elevate their professional presence. Partners include The Apollo Hotel, FPL Signs, Creative Expo, Step8Up Ltd, U aNd I Entertainment, Tortue UK, Barbara Cosgrave, Alison Oswald, Glow and Flow, The Facial Sanctuary and LaParisel Hair Academy. Their involvement reflects a shared commitment to community, connection and practical support.

Sponsors Supporting Professional Growth
A committed group of sponsors is central to the evening’s success.

• The Apollo Hotel, Main Sponsor, is hosting the event and demonstrating its ongoing support for local professional development.
• FPL Signs is providing bespoke branding and signage.
• Creative Expo is enhancing the experience with specialist exhibition services and a red‑carpet installation.

Event Sponsors add further depth:

• Step8Up Ltd is supporting accessibility by donating ten entry tickets for M3JC members.
• U aNd I Entertainment is setting the atmosphere with the evening’s soundtrack.
• Look Good with Lizzy, featuring Tortue UK, the official women’s clothing partner, will showcase mix‑and‑match professional looks.
• Slater Menswear Basingstoke, the official menswear partner, is providing refined tailoring.
• Alison Oswald will deliver live makeup demonstrations.
• LaParisel Hair Academy is generously styling all models’ hair in advance as a donated contribution.
• Barbara Cosgrave will demonstrate the strategic use of colour.
• The Facial Sanctuary and Glow and Flow will introduce wellbeing techniques that support confidence.

Together, these partners highlight the strength of local collaboration and the value of investing in community confidence and professional growth.

A Format Designed to Strengthen Personal Brand
Empower Runway is designed to help professionals understand the full breadth of visual personal brand. The catwalk is simply the vehicle that brings these elements to life. Clothing, colour, grooming, wellbeing and confidence are presented as interconnected parts of a credible professional presence. The event also emphasises sustainable, practical styling. Attendees will see how transferable skills, capsule wardrobes and pre‑loved items can create a polished look without unnecessary cost, reflecting M3JC’s ethos of equipping people with skills that last.

Personal Brand as a Professional Asset
The event is relevant to both employed and job‑seeking professionals. Strong presentation skills help individuals remain visible, position themselves for progression, build client trust, communicate confidently during transition and strengthen their networks.

A Connected Approach to Confidence and Community
The programme brings together practical demonstrations, expert insights and real examples of professional styling to help attendees understand how to present themselves with confidence and purpose. The personal‑growth‑focused raffle prizes directly support M3JC’s ability to continue offering free weekly sessions to its members.

This blend of professional expertise, community generosity and business collaboration creates an environment where individuals can explore how their visual presentation reinforces their personal brand, supported by a network of organisations committed to shared success.