Back to Blog

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 ...

WORKING WITH IBBITSON'S QUALITY MEATS TO SLICE THEIR ENERGY BILLS

Ibbitson's energy contracts were approaching renewal date and they were shocked by the proposed increases from their supplier.  On top of this, their merchant services costs were beginning to become poor value for money when compared with their usage. After speaking with other businesses, they were pointed in the direction of Great Annual Savings Group (GAS), who had helped similar companies with their running costs. How did GAS help them? GAS experts set about searching the energy market t...

NORTH EAST’S FIRST URBAN WINERY TOASTS NEL INVESTMENT SUPPORT

The North East’s first urban winery is aiming to change people’s perceptions of English wines with the help of a five-figure investment from the North East Small Loan Fund Supported By The European Regional Development Fund. Based in Team Valley, Laneberg Wine is the most northerly winery in the UK and released its first vintage of white and rosé wines this year, using grapes grown at a vineyard in Leicestershire.NEL is also responsible for investing the £18m North East Growth Ca...

CHAT HEROES TALKING UP GROWTH PLANS AFTER INVESTMENT WIN

A successful North Tyneside-based managed web chat service is talking up its growth plans after winning a five-figure investment from the North East Small Loan Fund Supported By The European Regional Development Fund. Chat Heroes helps clients across a wide range of sectors convert website traffic into useful business leads by providing a proactive chat system managed by a team of experts based at its Wallsend Town Hall offices. NEL is also responsible for investing the £18m North East Growth C...

GAS HIRES DEDICATED CHARITY RESOURCE

Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) is looking to further expand its community impact by dedicating resource to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Seaham-based B2B cost consultancy has donated more than £45,000 over the last 12 months to its three corporate charities and has also carried out volunteer days in the local community. With plans to continue the Group’s phenomenal growth over the next 12 months, the GAS Board is keen to accelerate the fundraising momentum it has spent three ye...

A BLOG TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT

Ann English has written an excellent blog about making your expo stand really stand-out. It's full of useful tips and helpful advice and we highly recommend it. Ann told us "As the founder of The Visual Marketing Academy, I’m intrigued to see how brands present their pop-up stands and shops at Expos and Events. As a visitor, unfortunately, I continue to feel disappointed, uninspired and bored by the exhibition stands. I know the overall experience could be improved if exhibitors used their ima...

DBN MEMBERS HELP TOW LAW CHILDREN UNLOCK THEIR GREAT WAR HERITAGE

Across the summer term, Building Self-Belief CIO worked with the young people of Tow Law Millennium Primary School, in County Durham, on a creative writing and cultural heritage project, supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund. The aim of the project was for the children to create an anthology of historical research, creative writing and poetry in remembrance of the men from Tow Law, and the surrounding villages, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War 1914-18, and to exhibi...

A YEAR OF SUCCESSFUL SELLING FOR MOIRA

I am celebrating one year in business at the end of September for Moira Barnes Sales Consultancy. Thanks to some great connections I've made via DBN I have run a monthly Sales workshop every month bar August since November. There is another one coming up on Wednesday, September 25th, which still has some places vacant. This workshop is for anyone who needs to sell to make their business grow BUT they aren't keen on the idea of selling and don't know how to get around this conundrum. That's where...

JOANNE EXPANDS HER SALES OUTLETS

Busy local wildlife artist Joanne Rowland has been invited to display her art and crafts at a new cooperative which gives local artists a platform for their work. The cooperative is based at Congburn Garden Centre, Edmondsley and the launch was covered by the Northern Echo (there's a link to the article which features Jo below). Jo told us "I've been in the paper recently and my new calendar is now available on pre-order at a discount, only £10, usual price of £12.95, and I'll post out at the ...