There is a distinct kind of resilience found within the North East business community, particularly across County Durham. When faced with shifting economic landscapes, escalating operational costs, and the lingering uncertainties of recent years, regional businesses do not simply wait for conditions to improve. Instead, they look for ways to adapt, collaborate, and support one another.
At the Do Business Network (DBN), this steadfast spirit is visible in action every single month. As the midpoint of the year approaches, it is the perfect time to pause and celebrate just how much this community has achieved together. It is only June, but the sheer volume of collaboration, growth, and peer-to-peer support that has taken place across the network is well worth shouting about.
A Milestone Year: Wearing Two Hats in Business
This year carries a significant milestone for DBN's Director, Melanie Cant, who frequently finds herself wearing two distinct hats in the local business ecosystem. Alongside her leadership role at the network, Melanie is also celebrating the tenth anniversary of her own company, Elm Marketing Solutions.
Looking back to her first twelve months in business a decade ago, stepping into local networking rooms was one of the most critical decisions she made to build a firm foundation. DBN quickly became a massive pillar of her professional journey.
When the previous director, Gary Scott, retired, Melanie took over the reins of DBN. It was a profound privilege, but also an incredibly daunting prospect, as Gary left substantial shoes to fill. To add to the challenge, the transition occurred just as the region was emerging from the pandemic. Confidence around face-to-face gatherings was understandably low, and the logistical landscape had altered completely.
Many traditional morning venues were no longer operating on Tuesday mornings as they slowly adapted their hours and dealt with rising costs. Reluctantly, the network had to adjust membership fees to follow suit. The primary focus throughout that transition—and to this day—has been ensuring membership costs remain at the right level: fair, accessible, and sustainable for the small and medium enterprises that form the backbone of the County Durham economy. DBN also committed heavily to routing meetings through local venues, ensuring collective expenditure directly supports the hospitality sector within regional communities.
"I am immensely proud of the Do Business Network and the authentic community we have built together over the last few years," says Melanie. "Small businesses are not just the backbone of our economy; they are the future of the entire regional ecosystem. Stepping into the business world can be an incredibly isolating experience, which is why providing a practical, reliable support system is more than just a membership benefit—it is a vital lifeline for local business owners."
Listening, Adapting, and Training
True community support requires active listening rather than guesswork. The leadership team recognises that they are not miracle workers, but they are entirely dedicated to helping members thrive. Every year, DBN distributes a comprehensive questionnaire to establish the precise training needs and operational challenges members face.
The insights from these questionnaires directly shape the network's focus, moving DBN away from rigid, transactional referral metrics and firmly toward deep conversations, mentoring, and practical education.
This year alone, DBN has already developed and delivered two distinct cohorts of targeted training designed specifically around the learning gaps identified by its members. Delivered with support from the Durham Business Growth programme—partnering with RTC North to provide fully funded growth and development initiatives—the network is ensuring it provides genuine, practical value that strengthens local business operations. The second of these cohorts is scheduled for delivery this June.
A Look Back at an Incredible Year So Far
When independent businesses stop navigating the market in isolation, exceptional things happen. Here is a snapshot of what the DBN community has achieved over the last six months:
The Small Business Expo: The year kicked off in a celebratory way with the Small Business Expo at Beamish Hall Hotel in January. It was a fantastic morning filled with vibrant energy, showcasing the incredible variety of enterprise thriving right here in the North East.
The Lanyard System: Walking into a networking room can be intimidating, especially for new attendees or those rebuilding their confidence after a break. To make networking entirely stress-free, DBN introduced a simple, welcoming lanyard system this year to help new faces feel immediately recognised, supported, and included.
Substantial Commercial Success: The power of local connection was perfectly illustrated through a collaboration between two dedicated DBN members. By tendering across 15 suppliers, member company 121 Business Links utilised their specialist procurement expertise to successfully help fellow member venue, Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, secure a staggering £116,000 annual saving on their gas and electricity costs. This substantial commercial victory keeps vital resources within the regional ecosystem, allowing Ushaw to reinvest in their historic buildings, community programmes, and net-zero ambitions.
Driving Growth: A casual introduction at a DBN event last year led to a massive milestone for Beamish Park Golf Club. By connecting with the specialist team at UMi, the club went on to secure a transformative £400,000 finance facility via FOLK2FOLK. This commercial victory allows the club to restructure historic borrowing, improve cashflow, and fund exciting developments like transforming Beamish Lodge into visitor accommodation—boosting the wider visitor economy in County Durham.
Community and Charity Impact: The network's reach extends far beyond commercial transactions. The inspiring partnership between member Noriko Matsubara (Noriko Art) and fellow member charity Building Self-Belief highlights how members collaborate to bridge cultural gaps. Together, they have delivered Japanese art, culture, and language workshops to local youth, leveraging high-level international funding to create meaningful support and educational systems for the wider community.
Supporting Local Care: DBN's commitment to County Durham extends to supporting vital local infrastructure. The network was incredibly proud to act as a sponsor for the Willow Burn Hospice Gala Dinner at the South Causey Inn in Stanley. Supported by DBN and the wider regional community, the event raised over £22,000—providing vital funds for crucial specialist nursing and respite care for local families navigating incredibly difficult times.
The Vision Ahead
The network is not slowing down for the second half of the year. The focus remains firmly on creating the ultimate supportive environment for County Durham businesses. Behind the scenes, work is currently underway on a structured mentoring system to facilitate peer-to-peer guidance, alongside an exclusive member-to-member offers page to drive even more value back into member businesses.
The economic climate will always present fresh challenges, but the answers needed are almost always in the room. By keeping entry barriers fair, investing in local venues, and delivering the exact training members ask for, DBN is building a resilient network that is fit for the future.
Join the DBN Community
For those navigating the current business landscape alone, or anyone looking to surround their business with an authentic, proactive, and welcoming community, the door is always open.
Business owners are invited to come along to an upcoming monthly meeting as a visitor, or reach out to find out more about becoming a DBN member. Let’s build the next chapter of the regional business journey together.
