We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Irene Haastrup a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Irene, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

The idea for The Link was born during my university days in Leicester, UK—a city widely known for its party scene. I realised that aside from parties and the occasional ACS (African Caribbean Society) events, there weren’t many opportunities for people to meet and connect in meaningful ways.

This sparked the concept of The Link: a community-focused initiative designed to make networking fun and engaging, rather than the usual intimidating speed networking sessions or stiff drinks-in-a-room meetups that require you to navigate social dynamics on your own. From its inception in March 2018 through to our last event in November 2019, The Link brought people together in unique ways, making networking enjoyable and memorable—until the pandemic put all plans on pause.

For over four years, I stepped back from hosting events to focus on other priorities. Yet, during that time, I frequently received messages from past attendees asking when The Link would return. Their continued interest and enthusiasm inspired me to reconsider and ultimately commit to reviving and improving the experience.

As 2023 drew to a close, my excitement grew, and I began brainstorming ways to bring The Link back better than ever. In April 2024, we hosted our first comeback event—a Games Night that sold out on the morning of the event. The evening was a huge success; attendees loved the unique networking style and engaging games, confirming that The Link was ready to make its return.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Pursuing a creative career has always been my passion. When I was younger, I imagined myself as a fashion designer, photographer, or working in any field that required a keen creative eye. It was during my time at university that I discovered my true love for events. Through trial and error, I honed my skills, mastering the essential tips and tricks of the trade.

Today, I specialise in event planning, decorating, and management, curating a wide range of occasions, from birthday dinners and parties to networking events, game nights, and more. I’m incredibly proud of the journey I’ve undertaken—full of both challenges and triumphs—which has shaped me into the professional I am today. Organising events isn’t as effortless as it might appear; it demands extensive research, brainstorming, and a willingness to explore new ideas. Yet, I take immense joy in this work, striving to deliver the best possible experience for my clients and guests as their dedicated vendor.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I aspire to make event management my full-time focus, pouring all my effort and creativity into working with my dream clients and event guests. My goal is to craft exceptional experiences and environments that captivate and engage their customers or target audiences.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My 9-5 job funds my business, by saving and investing I’m able to pay for venues, equipment and services that I need for my events to go to plan. If you’re starting a business and you have a 9-5 job continuing to do both is the best way to make it lower risk and allow trial and error to not cost you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelinkldn?igsh=MTg0a3B4cWJqdjhnNg==
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelinkldn?_t=8rRuoUSIKSO&_r=1

Image Credits

@twooclips
@minkoslens