For those who missed our debut episode of the Parallels Podcast, presented by the Africa Scotland Business Network (ASBN). In this premiere installment, Nicola Probyn and Claire Alexander the co-founders of ASBN talk about their experience crafting a meaningful business network that bridges continents, sharing insights from their journey.


The Power of Human Connection
Fundamentally, ASBN revolves around uniting individuals. Nicola describes it as, “We’ve created our own little tribe, our own little village.” By curating meaningful connections within their network, they help members navigate the often overwhelming world of networking and business growth.
Trust is Nurtured by Honesty and Transparency
An important takeaway from their entrepreneurial journey has been the importance of honesty and transparency. As Claire shares, “I’ve always been really cautious – don’t inflate the numbers, don’t bend the statistics. Our members have totally backed that.” This dedication has cultivated trust within their community.
Values-Driven Growth
ASBN’s success can be attributed to their values-driven approach. “We are super mindful around defining our values,” says Nicola. “It’s not something that sits on a PowerPoint – it’s something we reflect on all the time and it helps inform our decision making.”
Embracing a Bigger Purpose
Beyond building a thriving network, ASBN is driven by a larger vision of uplifting the African continent. As Claire reflects, “If I can make a positive impact in bringing more investment and job opportunities into Africa, then I feel that’s pretty amazing.” This sense of purpose fuels their passion.
Creating Real Impact
In just four years, ASBN has created tangible impact through jobs, investment, and cross-border partnerships. And as Nicola shares, their work now extends to helping African companies expand into Scotland as well.
The Future is Bright
As the conversation wraps up, Claire and Nicola look ahead with excitement: “Onwards and upwards to the next four years! We’ll probably have our own podcast studio by then.”
Stay tuned for more insightful episodes of the Parallels Podcast, as ASBN continues to highlight influential business leaders driving significant change.

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