After a lovely walk through the grounds, we made our way round to the Drovers Tavern, where we were welcomed by a roaring open fire, piping hot tea and coffee, and delicious homemade shortbread baked fresh right on site at the museum's town centre bakery.
Honesty, Self-Reflection, and Business Growth
Our guest speaker for the morning was Angela Blake from Y19 Management, who led us through an insightful, practical session.
Angela had everyone complete a self-assessment questionnaire, encouraging us all to be completely open and honest about the areas within our businesses that need improvement. It was a wonderful demonstration of the practical support Angela offers at Y19 Management, and it sparked brilliant conversations across the room about the tasks in business we often put off or simply don't enjoy doing.
You can find out more about Y19 Management HERE
Preparing Your Website for AI Search
We also heard from James Miller of Umi, who gave us a preview of the upcoming DBN training session he’ll be delivering next month.
James highlighted how search engine optimisation (SEO) is rapidly changing. With more people using AI tools to find information, the way customers search for businesses online is shifting. James shared key reminders about being mindful of these changes and evaluating whether your website needs tweaking so AI tools can find and feature your business effectively.
This interactive session will take place via Zoom in November, and it is open to DBN members as well as non-members who want to stay ahead of online search trends. Find out more HERE
Connecting with Beamish Business Friends
It was lovely to welcome Beamish Business Friends to the event. Beyond the warm welcome, our DBN members were actively looking for ways to support them—exploring opportunities to collaborate, work alongside one another, and refer potential clients and new business opportunities their way.
Liz Peart, Partnerships Manager a Beamish Museum explained the importance of local businesses pairing up with the museum and highlighted the mutual benefits this partnership creates—both from a commercial perspective and directly supporting Beamish's work as a landmark regional site.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Beamish Business Friend, please reach out to Liz via Linkedin or get in touch with us for an email introduction.
A Step Back in Time at the Drovers Tavern
During the morning, we were delighted to hear from members of the Georgian team, who shared the fascinating history behind the Drovers Tavern exhibit. They gave us an incredible glimpse into the past, explaining how drovers used the inn back in the 1820s as they travelled through local farmland and villages.
Alongside the talk, we were treated to a demonstration by some local craftswomen showing how pottery was traditionally made during that era. It was fascinating to learn how pottery served as a valuable additional enterprise, giving local farmers and residents another way to generate income when drovers passed through the area.
Beyond the historical insight, the event was a brilliant opportunity to connect with everyone in attendance. We wrapped up the session with a fantastic hour of open networking, sharing ideas, and enjoying plenty of great conversations across the room.
Upcoming Events & How to Join Us
Next In-Person Meeting: Join us on Tuesday, 17th November at Derwentside College’s Steel House Bistro for our next networking meeting. It promises to be another great opportunity to connect with local business owners.
Online Training Session: Keep an eye on our events calendar to book your place for James Miller’s Zoom session on AI Search Optimisation, taking place later in November.
Get Involved: Interested in coming along to our next event or learning more about membership? Contact us today to find out more about our business network and upcoming meetings.
