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FEEDBACK FROM LAUNCHPAD EXPO [OCTOBER 2019]

From Gary Scott: "I'm really proud of our members and their amazing drive, creativity and enthusiasm. Thanks to everyone who came to our LaunchPad Expo last month. We had a record attendance and our exhibitors proved that energy and innovation is right at the heart of our amazing business network."If you have a small business (or an idea for one), why not join our friendly and supportive group? We have monthly meetings, offer skills, funding, mentoring and training support (all delivered by DBN ...

DOBUSINESSNETWORK NEWS - NOVEMBER 2019.

Our November Newsletter has just gone out.  If you would like to opt into our mailing list, please drop us an email with your name and email address and we'll do the rest.You can read our current Newsletter here....

NEL INVESTMENT FOR GROWING COUNTY DURHAM BUSINESSES

A young County Durham entrepreneur in Tanfield Lea is shaping a successful future for his business after securing a five-figure investment from the North East Small Loan Fund Supported By The European Regional Development Fund. Antony Gray set up Renovo Solutions last year after working his way up with his previous employer from apprentice to operations director.  Antony worked with regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers to bring in a £50,000 investment which he is using to b...

REUNION WITH MY YEAR 1 TEACHER

Last August, I was giving a talk at Hachinohe Book Center in Japan, promoting my newly published book.  When it was time for Q&A, an elderly lady stood up from the audience seat. That was Mrs Tsuda, my teacher at first grade of elementary school.  I recognised her face right away even though we hadn’t seen each other for over 30 years.  I was the slowest child in the class.  It took me so long to do anything.  I came to school late because I was dawdling.  I could...

SPECIAL OFFER FROM JACWICKS DESIGNS

Just in time for Christmas, Ruth is offering 20% off the Pocket Perch range, just add DBN in the code box and it will be deducted from your order.  All orders will be available to collect from Ruth at the next DBN meeting.  Or if you would like to see the full range Jacwicks Designs is exhibiting at Living North Christmas Fair, Newcastle Rugby Club, Kingston Park Stadium, from 7th-10th November 2019.  Ruth has some free tickets available, if you would like to a...

CHRIS SAYS IT WITH FLOWERS AT WILLOW BURN (THANKS TO HIS DAD!)

Chris Bonas of Great Annual Savings sent us a photo of some flowers he donated to help brighten the wards at Willow Burn. They were grown by his Dad.Great Annual Savings is already helping Willow Burn by working with them as their energy partner and keeping their energy costs down. We think this is a really nice thing to do. Well done Chris!...

NORTH EAST GROWTH HUB BREXIT NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 7

In conversation with Colin Bell, Business Growth Director at the North East LEP, about the Brexit 'flextension' With a Brexit 'flextension' now in place until January 2020 and a general election confirmed for 12 December, what can businesses to do counter the uncertainty that surrounds Brexit? North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Business Growth Director, Colin Bell, takes a look at the implications for businesses and our preparations here in the North East.  Read the blog here. Te...

NORTH EAST GROWTH HUB BREXIT NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 6

Practical advice on how to get #BrexitReadyUndertake a Brexit risk assessment now is the call from a trio of senior businessleaders, led by Colin Bell, Business Growth Director at the North East LEP.Promoting the North East Growth Hub’s Brexit toolkit at an event for regional PR practitioners, Colin urged businesses to make the most of North East Growth Hub Connectors who are there to carry out Brexit Readiness assessments and brokerage.  Read more here. North East businesses survey - mor...

12 HOURS OF FULLY FUNDED SUPPORT FOR INNOVATION

If innovation is all about staying relevant to your customer’s changing needs over time, but it’s not something you’ve had to think about in a while, (or ever!) then the good news is that there is 12hrs of fully funded support available for qualifying SMEs based in County Durham. Support is offered on four themes:  Horizon planning - How emerging trends may threaten or offer opportunity to your business.Strategic planning - Taking a structured approach to embedding...

SUZANNE STARTS NEW BUSINESS VENTURE

This week is a massive turning point for me in business when myself and the two other directors of Ocean Zen CIC will collect the keys to our premises is Whitley Bay!  We will soon be opening the doors to provide a range of wellbeing opportunities for the region and I will therefore be moving the majority of my current business offers there also.  We will be offering: Coaching, Hypnotherapy, TFT, Kinetic Shift, Old Pain 2 Go, PsyTap, Crystal Therapy, Lightning Process, Reiki plus many ...

EMMA MAKES A CLEAN SWEEP WITH HER NEW BRANDING

Emma Goff, also known as The Cleaning Fairy, has recently launched her new eye-catching company branding. After years of successfully building a large base of domestic customers, Emma is now also building up her Commercial Cleaning portfolio offering cleaning services to offices, businesses, schools, hotels, B&B's and even theatres. Emma said: " We're delighted with our new branding which covers all aspects of our business from our website to uniforms and even a newly decorated car.  T...

TIME IS TICKING FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT FUND

For almost two decades, NBSL has been a constant in the ever-changing landscape of business support and access to finance.  The organisation, has become the North East’s largest volume provider of funding to growth businesses - helping over 25,000 companies since it was formed 18 years ago . . . but it remains focused on delivering more. North East Business Support Manager, John King, said: “Our North East Business Support Fund has supported thousands of SMEs with ov...

BOWE CELEBRATES THE BENEFITS OF PARTNERSHIPS

The latest newsletter from Bowe Digital focuses on partnerships and the message that business is all about establishing links with other organisations.  The benefits of this and it how helps your business strengthen in terms of communication.It's a message echoed by everyone at DBN.  Please click here to read their newsletter in full....

JAN REBRANDS WITH A DBN TEAM EFFORT

Jan Cook launched the rebrand of her business at the last DBN meeting and told everyone that it had been a great collaborative exercise with other DBN members and local businesses such as Melanie from Elm Marketing Solutions, Lee Dobson Photography, James from Visual Punch, Lauren and Ruth from Printinhouse and not forgetting NBSL for their contribution to funding too!...

RACHEL REACHES A BUSINESS MILESTONE

It's great to see businesses going from strength to strength.  Rachel Locke has just celebrated her 4th business anniversary, turned her business into a limited company and changed the name of her business all in the past few weeks. Her business name is now Arlo PA Services Limited.  Congratulations Rachel - and here's to the next four years!...

JOANNE'S NEW CALENDAR IS NOW AVAILABLE

Joanne's new calendar is now available on pre-order at a discount, only £10, usual price of £12.95.  All images are taken from her original paintings and drawings.  Jo will post them out at the beginning of November for you.  For DBN Members, if they pop in COLLECTION at the Promo Code Box at Checkout, Jo will bring the calendars with her to a DBN meeting in November or December.  More details can be found here. Christmas cards are on the drawing board . . ....

ENTRIES FOR 2020 ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE FSB CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS

The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards recognise the best small businesses and the self-employed from right across the UK, from every sector and industry and from businesses of all ages and all sizes. The awards are the leading celebration of small businesses, shining a light on some of the best, most innovative and most determined small businesses.  Could you be our overall winner?  Enter for free to find out! Our awards are free to enter.  You do not have to be an FSB me...

HARLANDS PODCASTS REACH THE UK TOP 40 (AND GARY GETS INTERVIEWED!)

We made the top 40 this weekend in the UK Business Entreprenuership Chart, sat nicely at position 34 - we didn't get a phone call from Radio 1 congratulating us, but surely that will happen one day this week! So as a thank you to everyone that has rated the show, listened to every episode and told everyone else to listen we have released a a cheeky little bonus episode for you in the 'The Evolving Accountant'.  In this episode we speak to Gary Scott from DoBusinessNetwork (DBN) wi...

NORTH EAST GROWTH HUB BREXIT NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 5

One-to-one advice from the Growth Hub Connect service The Growth Hub Connect service can provide one-to-one support to North East businesses in relation to Brexit preparations. Alan Hewett is our dedicated Connector, who can provide free advice on getting ready for 31 October. To book an appointment with Alan, please call 0191 561 5468 or click here to send an email. How Brexit may impact intellectual property owners We've put together guidance outlining how Brexit may impact inte...

NORTH EAST GROWTH HUB BREXIT NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 4

Growth Hub Connect welcomes new dedicated Brexit Connector The North East Growth Hub's 'Growth Hub Connect' service has appointed a new Connector to provide one-to-one support to businesses of any size or growth stage with their preparations for Brexit. Alan Hewett is an experienced business support provider and can offer North East companies free help and advice on getting ready for 31 October. To book an appointment with Alan, please call 0191 561 5468 or click he...

NORTH EAST GROWTH HUB BREXIT NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 3

Last chance to book: Brexit Business Readiness event - Wednesday, 9th October, Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond. Make sure you're registered to attend one of the Government's Brexit Business Readiness events, which are designed to provide companies with specific business-focused advice and help, as well as the chance to meet government advisers.The Get ready for Brexit roadshow arrives in Newcastle on Wednesday 9 October and takes place at Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond. The event wil...

ACTIONS FOR UK IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS TO PREPARE FOR A NO-DEAL BREXIT

The UK will leave the EU on 31 October 2019.The Department for International Trade (DIT) - supporting businesses to trade internationally. If you are a UK business that imports and/or exports, you will need to act now to prepare for the changes that will affect your trading with Europe and the rest of the world. Businesses are taking action and by following some simple steps, you can better prepare your business for Brexit.  You should check the latest guidance and steps to: Receive goods f...

DBN BUSINESS NEWS OCTOBER 2019.

This month's Newsletter can be found here....

NORTH EAST GROWTH HUB BREXIT NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 2

Importing and exporting after Brexit. If your business has traded within the European Union during 2018, you may already have received a letter from HMRC, allocating you an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number. If you have not received this, and you wish to trade within the EU after 31 October, you will need to apply for one online. An EORI number is a unique ID number given to businesses that import or export goods within the EU. If the UK exits the EU on 31 Octo...

NORTH EAST GROWTH HUB BREXIT NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 1

The UK is set to leave the European Union on Thursday, 31st October 2019.  It’s essential that all businesses in the North East make the necessary preparations for leaving the European Union.  Government has launched its ‘Get ready for Brexit’ campaign to provide businesses and organisations with the information they need to prepare for Brexit. The campaign will feature heavily across print, broadcast and online media in the coming weeks.  It will lead you to an online ...