Back to Blog

Supporting Our Regional Food, Drink, and Hospitality Sector

At yesterday’s Do Business Network meeting, we were joined by Steve Wheaton and Ian Pilkington from Food & Drink North East (FADNE). They introduced an exceptional funding and support package designed specifically to help local businesses thrive over the next three years: the Rural Growth Programme, Food & Drink Business Support.Supported by the North East Combined Authority and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, this fully-funded programme is built to strengthen, connect, and scale the ...

Addressing the Lead Leakage Problem: How to stop loosing the leads you've already earned.

Yesterday, the Do Business Network welcomed Allison Dore from Hello Friday Consulting as our guest presenter. Allison delivered an insightful session focused on a critical challenge that many businesses face without even realising it: lead leakage.Understanding Lead LeakageMany business owners believe their primary marketing challenge is generating new leads. However, the presentation highlighted that 79% of marketing leads never actually convert. This failure to convert rarely stems from the qu...

Regional Recognition for DBN Member Jennifer Hartburn

We are delighted to share some wonderful news from within our Do Business Network community. Jennifer Hartburn, owner of Harrington Brown Independent Estate Agents in Shotley Bridge, was recently featured in the prestigious Women in Business section of North East Living Magazine.The feature celebrates the region's leading female entrepreneurs. It is a testament to Jennifer's reputation and expertise that she was personally approached by the magazine to share her business journey, highlighting he...

Welcoming Gillian Keogh to the Do Business Network

The Do Business Network is delighted to introduce Gillian Keogh, founder of Gillian Keogh Coaching, as one of our newest members.Gillian provides professional leadership and business coaching designed to help organisations, senior leaders, and business owners deliver strong, sustainable performance.  Her approach focuses on achieving commercial results without sacrificing culture, clarity, or workplace wellbeing.With over 24 years of corporate leadership experience across transformation, en...

Welcoming Mark Sillett to the Do Business Network

The Do Business Network is growing, and we are delighted to welcome one of our newest members, Mark Sillett, founder of Mark Sillett Lighting and Sound.Mark brings a wealth of technical expertise and event production experience to our regional business community. Whether you are planning a corporate conference, a live theatre production, or a private celebration, Mark specialises in designing bespoke technical solutions that bring events to life.Versatile Solutions for Every EventEvery event has...

Free Masterclass: Defeating the Business 'Time Thief' with AI

As a business owner, it is easy to find yourself buried under the day-to-day logistics of running your company rather than actually growing it.Following feedback from our network survey back in November, one clear issue kept coming up repeatedly: local business owners are losing hours every single week to the "Time Thief." This is the endless mountain of wordy procedures, the constant back-and-forth of scheduling, and the relentless note-taking that stalls real progress.To help you address this ...

Burgers, Business, and the Big Return: The DBN Summer BBQ

After the success of our inaugural BBQ evening last year, we are thrilled to bring the business community together once again for an evening at the Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club.Last year, over 50 local professionals joined us for an evening defined by clear skies and great conversation. We enjoyed boat trips on the water in the Drascombe, plenty of food from the grill, and a chance to step away from the desk to connect in a more meaningful way. This year, we are aiming to make the event even b...

Member Spotlight: How Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club Found a Community, Not Just a Network

When we talk about networking, it is easy to focus on the exchange of business cards. However, for Rob Richardson and the team at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club (DRSC), DBN membership has proven to be about much more than just a monthly meeting.Rob recently shared some feedback regarding his experience with the network, and his perspective perfectly captures why we do what we do.Moving Beyond Modest ExpectationsLike many organisations, DRSC joined DBN with modest expectations. They were looking ...

June Meeting Confirmed at Consett Rugby Club

In June, we are back in the heart of Consett at the popular Consett Rugby Club.The club offers ample free parking on-site, and the clubhouse has views over the pitch, providing a relaxed, open feel and a great place to chat with other local business owners.New to DBN?For those who haven’t been along to our networking sessions before, we know that walking into a room of new faces can feel a bit daunting. To help with this, we operate a lanyard system.If it is your first time, you’ll be given ...

Collaboration in Action: Bridging Cultures and Building Self-Belief

Networking is often viewed through the lens of lead generation, but its true value lies in the meaningful partnerships that emerge over time. A prime example of this is the ongoing collaboration between two of our members: Noriko Matsubara (Noriko Art) and Christine and Peter Thomas (Building Self-Belief).Now in its second year, this partnership demonstrates how connecting local expertise with charitable initiatives can create enriching experiences for the community.A Fusion of Art, Culture, and...

Connections, Collaboration, and Growth at Beamish Park Golf Club

There was a fantastic energy in the room this morning as we gathered at the beautiful Beamish Park Golf Club. It was wonderful to welcome so many new faces to our community, and the room was filled with a genuine buzz of positive, productive conversation.A huge thank you must go to Andy Hill, General Manager at Beamish Park, and his attentive team for hosting us so well. The hospitality was excellent, and it’s safe to say the bacon rolls and hot brews were a hit with everyone in attendance.Mor...

Joint Networking Event: DBN & Northern Tenants Network

As the first of two collaborative sessions planned for this year, this meeting builds on the success of past events which are well-regarded for helping attendees forge new business relationships and expand their local networks.Guest Speaker: Allison DoreOur guest speaker is Allison Dore from Hello Friday Consulting. As a growth consultant specialising in customer journey and lead conversion, Allison’s expertise lies in helping service businesses stop leaving money on the table.Her work support...

Supporting One Another: The Value of DBN Member-to-Member Offers

At DBN, we know that networking works best when it’s built on a foundation of mutual value. We’re all in business to succeed, but we also know that the strongest professional relationships often start with a helping hand.That’s exactly why we created the Member-to-Member Offers page. It’s a space where our members can provide exclusive opportunities to one another—helping a peer solve a specific challenge while building the trust that leads to long-term partnerships.Real Value for Real...

Why Consistency is the Secret Ingredient to a Thriving Business Network

We often hear the phrase "you get out what you put in," but in the world of business networking, this isn’t just a cliché—it is a practical reality.When you join Do Business Network, the goal isn’t simply to hand out business cards or attend a one-off meeting; it is to build a reputation and a support system. To do that effectively, you need one specific ingredient: Consistency.Building Trust Over TimeTrust isn't granted the moment you pay a membership fee; it is built through regular int...

The Lanyard System: Making Networking Stress-Free

Walking into a room full of strangers can be daunting, even for the most seasoned professional. At Durham Business Network, we believe the focus should be on building genuine connections, not worrying about how to break the ice. That is why we use a straightforward orange and yellow lanyard system to ensure every person feels welcome the moment they arrive.The logic is simple but effective:Orange lanyards are worn by our established members.Yellow lanyards are for visitors and those attending fo...

Willow Burn Hospice Gala Dinner

Community remains at the heart of everything we do at Do Business Network. This past weekend, it was a privilege to attend the Willow Burn Hospice Gala Dinner at the South Causey Inn in Stanley. DBN was proud to support the event as a sponsor, contributing to an evening dedicated to a cause that provides essential care in our local area.A Night of Generosity and EntertainmentThe atmosphere at South Causey Inn was one of incredible energy and purpose. We were fortunate to be joined by Steffan Ped...

Preparing for Making Tax Digital: Insights from UMi

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is set to transform how we manage and report taxes. With the first major deadline arriving on 6 April 2026, our partners at UMi have shared some essential resources to help DBN members get clear on what these changes mean for them.If you are feeling unsure about how MTD affects your business, you are certainly not alone. To help navigate the transition, Liz Barclay, Chairman and Co-founder of Business111, has released a straightforward three-part podcast series. It break...

DBN April Meeting at Beamish Park Golf Club

Our next Do Business Network meeting takes place on Tuesday 21 April at Beamish Park Golf Club. This April session offers a chance to catch up with fellow members and welcome guests to explore how a local landmark is evolving.Exploring New HorizonsWe are looking forward to hearing about the club’s new pro shop refurb and the start of the AirB&B project. Following a successful funding application through UMI, the club has expanded its offering, and this meeting provides an insight into thos...

DBN Member Offer: FREE Financial Review

A sincere thank you to David Hardy DipPFS and Anthony Cunningham DipPFS for their insightful presentation at our March networking meeting.The session focused on the essential topic of future planning—a subject that resonates with everyone in the room, regardless of industry. As professionals and business owners, the long-term security David and Anthony discussed is something we all strive for, and their expertise sparked a great deal of engagement and meaningful conversation among the group.A ...

Driving Growth through Connection: A DBN Success Story

We were thrilled to receive this email from Andy Hill, Manager at Beamish Park Golf Club, demonstrating how the right introductions lead to real results:"I am unfortunately having to send my apologies for this morning’s meeting. It is an incredibly busy time at Beamish Park Golf Club with our Pro Shop renovation and the launch of our new Airbnb.These two major projects have only been possible due to the UMI funding and support we secured through the network. I would also like to specifically t...

A Bright Morning of Connection at Ushaw Historic House

The sun was out in full force at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens this morning, providing a spectacular backdrop for our latest DBN gathering. There is something uniquely energising about meeting in such a historic setting, especially when the spring weather decides to cooperate.The aroma of fresh bacon rolls greeted our attendees as they arrived, setting a welcoming tone for a morning of focused discussion and professional updates. It was a pleasure to welcome so many guests to the g...

DBN Member Roundup: Events, Offers, and Opportunities

It is a significant month for our network, with a diverse range of activity across the region. From the historic settings of Ushaw to the high-growth finance opportunities at the FUEL Roadshow, there is a clear focus on both cultural engagement and professional development this March.In this edition, we share the latest member updates and provide a closer look at the expertise within our growing community....

DBN Success: 121 Business Links help Ushaw Secure £116k Saving

As we look forward to our March gathering at the historic Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, it is fitting to highlight the exceptional results they achieved with support from fellow DBN members, 121 Business Links.By tendering across 15 suppliers, Ushaw secured a total annual saving of £116,000 on their gas and electricity costs."Working with 121 Business Links has helped Ushaw Historic House to make big savings on our energy costs. This allows us to reinvest in our historic buildings ...

Optimising Your Professional Presence: The DBN LinkedIn Checklist

In today’s professional landscape, your LinkedIn profile often serves as your first digital handshake. Whether you are connecting with fellow DBN members or reaching out to potential clients, ensuring your profile accurately reflects your expertise is essential.As part of our ongoing DBN Business Boost initiative, we are pleased to share an exclusive resource to help you refine your online presence.How DBN Members Are Using LinkedInDuring our recent workshop, we gathered some fascinating insig...

Top Tips to Get the Most Out of Networking at DBN

Networking is about more than just an exchange of contact details; it is about building a foundation of trust and professional credibility within our local community. Whether you are a seasoned attendee or a new face in the room, these principles will help you cultivate meaningful connections.Be Prepared: Business Cards and QR CodesWhile the conversation is the most important part of the meeting, providing a simple way for people to follow up is essential. Ensure you have physical business cards...