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Celebrating Member Success: Double Award Recognition for Visual Punch

At Do Business Network, we always take pride in celebrating the milestones and achievements of our members. Today, we want to extend our warmest congratulations to James Ibbitson, founder of Visual Punch, on securing two prestigious awards:Northern Video Company of the Year at the Prestige AwardsVideography Studio of the Year at the My Local Hero AwardsIndustry recognition is a wonderful achievement, but what makes this accomplishment particularly noteworthy is the philosophy behind the work. Be...

UMi’s Claire Hinde Shortlisted for National Industry Award

We are delighted to share that Claire Hinde, Business Funding Executive at UMi, has been shortlisted for Unsung Hero of the Year at the 2026 NACFB Commercial Broker Awards.The award recognises the individuals working behind the scenes in commercial finance whose dedication, resilience and expertise make a real difference to both client outcomes and organisational success. Open to professionals in areas such as operations, compliance, client support and marketing, it celebrates those whose contri...

Member Success Story: Double Award Win & New Launch for Kaffeehaus Coffee Roasters

We love seeing our members recognised for their hard work, craftsmanship, and dedication to quality.We are thrilled to share some fantastic news from Bernhard and Carina at Kaffeehaus Coffee Roasters, who have recently scooped up two prestigious industry awards!Celebrating Local ExcellenceBernhard and Carina’s commitment to roasting exceptional specialty coffee has earned them two brilliant accolades:Coffee Roaster Of The Year for County Durham – North England Prestige AwardsBest Independent...

Member Success Story: DBN Member Mark Sillett Heads to London’s West End

Nothing makes us prouder than seeing our local members hit major milestones and take their expertise to new heights.We are thrilled to share a massive success story from one of our own: Mark Sillett, founder of Mark Sillett Lighting and Sound.Mark has officially been contracted for his very first West End show in London this September!From the North East to the West EndMark will be taking his technical talent to The Other Palace in London to manage the lighting design for Shamilton—the hugely ...

Fully Funded Health & Wellbeing Training for Local Businesses with Pioneering Care Partnership

Supporting the health and wellbeing of your team is an essential part of running a healthy, resilient organisation. However, finding the time and budget for quality workplace training can often be a challenge for busy teams.PCP’s Adult Wellbeing Service at Pioneering Care Partnership is currently offering a range of fully funded training opportunities for local organisations, running throughout July, August, and September.Short, Practical Workplace WorkshopsDelivered online via Microsoft Teams...

Member Case Study: How 121 Business Links Saved A1 Blinds Thousands on Energy Costs

When running a busy manufacturing facility, keeping overheads under control is vital to protecting your bottom line. However, navigating energy markets and finding genuine value can often feel complex and time-consuming.A recent success story between two North East organisations showcases the power of local collaboration and transparent procurement. 121 Business Links worked alongside A1 Blinds to streamline their utility contracts, securing substantial financial savings and long-term budget cer...

Durham County Council Proposes New Selective Licensing Scheme: What Local Businesses Need to Know

Durham County Council has opened a public consultation on a proposed new Selective Licensing Scheme for private rented properties, set to replace the existing scheme when it expires in March 2027. While aimed primarily at private landlords, tenants, and local residents, housing standards and property management directly impact the broader business community and local economy across our region. We encourage local business owners to review the details below and submit any feedback or comments befo...

Member Spotlight: Professional Virtual Office Facilities at The Greenhouse

At Do Business Network, we are regularly asked by local business owners and entrepreneurs about virtual office facilities. Whether you are running a start-up, working as a sole trader, or expanding an existing business, establishing a professional presence without the overhead of physical office space is a common priority.Our DBN members at The Greenhouse have the perfect solution for businesses looking for flexibility and a reliable regional presence.The Benefits of a Virtual Office at The Gree...

Sunshine, Sailing & Great Company at the Derwent Reservoir

On Wednesday, 15th July, Do Business Network gathered at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club for our second summer BBQ and sailing evening. We couldn't have asked for better weather—the sun was out, temperatures hit 23°C, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.Events like this remind us of the value of relaxed, face-to-face networking. Leaving the traditional boardroom setup behind gives everyone a chance to connect naturally, share experiences, and build genuine relationships.A Team EffortAn evening...

Welcome to DBN, Tom Lawlor!

We are absolutely delighted to welcome another new member to the Do Business Network: Tom Lawlor, who is an Account Executive at H&H Insurance Brokers.If you haven't met Tom yet, you are in for a treat. He has a brilliant, bubbly energy, a great sense of humour, and a genuine passion for getting stuck into our local business community.Tom is seven years into his insurance career, with a massive amount of experience across broking, claims, and consultancy. He joined the North East team at H&a...

Back at Beamish Museum: Join Us at The Drovers Tavern This October

We are excited to announce that our networking meeting on Tuesday 20th October will see us returning to Beamish Museum. These meetings are always a highlight in the Do Business Network calendar, and this upcoming session promises to be particularly special as we gather at one of the museum's newest exhibits in the 1820s Landscape: The Drovers Tavern.To add a bit of historical context to our morning, a member of Beamish staff will be sharing insights about the story of droving and ...

Welcoming Fran Williams of Steeltown Business Services to DBN

At Do Business Network, we are always proud to welcome professionals who bring genuine expertise, a wealth of practical experience, and a real passion for supporting the small business community. We have been incredibly busy growing our community recently, and Fran is one of seven fantastic new members to join the network over the last few weeks. We are absolutely delighted to introduce one of our newest members, Fran Williams, founder of Steeltown Business Services.For many small business owner...

Real Business Insights, Shared by Real Experts: Launching Our Peer-Led Training This September

When you run a business, there is no shortage of advice out there. But there is a massive difference between textbook theories and the practical, lived experience of someone who is actually doing the work day in, day out.At Do Business Network, we have always believed that our greatest asset is the collective knowledge of our members. That is why, starting this September, we are launching a brand-new series of accessible, peer-led training sessions designed to bridge knowledge gaps, share practi...

DBN Wag & Walk: Join Us at the Land of Oak & Iron

In August, we have our annual Wag & Walk—a great opportunity to bring along your four-legged friend for a nice walk and meet other business owners in a more relaxed environment.We are meeting on Tuesday 18th August at the Land of Oak & Iron in Winlaton Mill for a morning of fresh air, a gentle walk, and good conversation.The summer months are ideal for getting away from the desk, and these informal walks offer a brilliant, pressure-free environment to catch up with familiar faces and m...

Join Us at Beamish Hall Hotel This September

September will be here before we know it. The end of the summer holidays is a fantastic time to refocus, shake off the holiday routine, and connect with fellow business owners as everyone gets back to business.Our September networking meeting is taking place on Tuesday 8th September at the beautiful Beamish Hall Hotel.Whether you are a regular face at our events or thinking about joining us for the very first time, you can expect a warm welcome, practical insights, and plenty of opportunities to...

How a Chance Introduction at DBN Led to Corporate Sponsorship for Blue Spirit

One of the most rewarding aspects of running a business community is watching organic connections grow into something that makes a tangible difference. A fantastic example of this happened recently right here at the Do Business Network. Earlier this year, Carol Smith, representing local charity Blue Spirit, attended a DBN meeting. Because of the collaborative nature of our community, she was introduced to Mary Jallow from Utility Warehouse (UW). During their conversation, Mary shared more about...

Defeating the Business 'Time Thief': Highlights from Our AI Training Workshop

Yesterday, the Do Business Network community hosted an incredibly insightful training workshop: Defeating the Business 'Time Thief' with AI.We had a fantastic turn-out, with a full room of attendees eager to explore how artificial intelligence can act as a highly effective assistant in the modern workplace. It was a brilliant, high-energy day filled with engaging discussions.The training itself was delivered by Pascal Fintoni, who as always gave a masterclass that was bang on point. For those w...

Can you help Secure Vital Support for Blue Spirit?

As a community, one of our greatest strengths at the Do Business Network is our ability to rally behind one another and support projects that make a real difference in the North East. Today, we want to highlight the vital work being done by one of our own members, Carol Smith.Many of you know Carol through her business, Simply Support Mentoring. Alongside her mentoring work, Carol dedicates her expertise to the trustees of local youth charity Blue Spirit, driving their funding bids and rais...

Burgers, Boats, and Business: The DBN Summer BBQ is Back!

Following the incredible success of our inaugural summer event last year, the Do Business Network community is heading back to the water. We are absolutely excited to invite you all to our 2026 Summer BBQ at the Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club (DRSC) on Wednesday, 15th July.If you missed out last year, or if you are new to our community, here is a look back at what made it so special and a preview of what we have lined up for this summer.A Look Back: Clear Skies and Great ConversationLast year, o...

Welcoming Drovers Studio to the DBN Business Community

There is something incredibly exciting about seeing a local space reinvented, especially when it is dedicated to health, wellness, and movement.As part of our growing business community, we are thrilled to welcome Anna Marie Reid, the founder of Drovers Studio, to the Do Business Network. Based at The Byre, Redwell Hills Farm in Leadgate (DH8 7SH)—the premises formerly known as the House of Botanics—Anna Marie is bringing a fresh, expert-led approach to physical wellbeing in County Durham.To...

Will O'Burn and the Friends Who Remember

Yesterday afternoon, the local community came together at Willow Burn Hospice for a deeply moving occasion: the official launch of a beautiful new book, Will O'Burn and the Friends Who Remember.Written by Victoria Downes and illustrated by Helen Turner, this special book is designed to help children navigate the complex landscape of grief, offering them a gentle way to understand their feelings after losing a loved one.A Community United by a Vital CauseThe launch event brought together numerous...

Mapping Out Business Funding Across the North East: Durham, Northumberland, Newcastle and Sunderland

Securing funding to scale a business often feels like a balancing act. Between managing day-to-day operations and deciphering complex eligibility criteria, many business owners miss out on available capital simply because they do not know where to look or which hub applies to their exact postcode.The funding landscape across the North East is highly localised. Available grants and support structures are determined strictly by where your trading premises are registered.To help clarify the regiona...

A Celebration of Community Spirit: The Launch of Benfieldside Community Garden

The British summer weather is always unpredictable, but this afternoon, the sun made a very welcome appearance just in time for a wonderful community milestone.Today marked the official opening of the Benfieldside Community Garden in Consett. This fantastic initiative, driven by the local charity Building Self-Belief , was launched with a special visit from Dame Sue Snowdon, who officially opened the garden.Building Self-Belief does incredible work across the North East, focusing on improvi...

Welcoming Angela Blake to the Do Business Network

We are absolutely delighted to welcome our newest member, Angela Blake, founder of Y19 Management, to the Do Business Network community.Angela brings a wealth of hands-on, real-world experience to our network, with a career rooted in operational management, senior leadership, and business development. She has dedicated her expertise to helping small business owners across various sectors streamline their operations, build motivated teams, and achieve sustainable growth.What makes Angela’s appr...

Collaborative Growth and Workplace Wellbeing: Highlights from Our June DBN Meeting

It was fantastic to see everyone at Consett Rugby Club this morning for our latest Do Business Network meeting. The room was full of positive energy, collaborative discussions, and plenty of opportunities to explore how we can support one another through high-quality business referrals.Prioritising Workplace HealthA major highlight of the morning was an insightful presentation by Bobby Hewitson and Karen Stubbings from Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), who we are absolutely delighted to welcome...