http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.dobusinessnetwork.com en-us Mon, 12 Oct 2026 05:13:05 +0100 Rocketspark http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27302/festive-finale-at-ushaw-christmas-quiz-magical-surroundings-and-bringing-a-guest-for-free/ We are thrilled to round off the year in truly magical fashion at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens. Moved to December to take advantage of the festive season, Ushaw is beautifully decorated at Christmas time, making it a wonderful sight to look forward to. To make our final gathering extra special, we will be hosting our end-of-year Christmas quiz complete with prizes, which is always great fun and a brilliant way to celebrate our community's achievements.Morning Itinerary8:30 AM – 9:... Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:38:22 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27302 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/26745/october-networking-at-beamish-museum/ We are excited to announce that our networking meeting on Tuesday 20th October will see us returning to Beamish Museum. These meetings are always a highlight in the Do Business Network calendar, and this upcoming session promises to be particularly special as we gather at one of the museum's newest exhibits in the 1820s Landscape: The Drovers Tavern.To add a bit of historical context to our morning, a member of Beamish staff will be sharing insights about the story of droving and ... Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post26745 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27292/wrapping-up-2026-in-style-the-last-three-do-business-network-events-you-dont-want-to-miss/ As the year draws to a close, it is time for the final big push before Christmas. For local business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs across County Durham, the festive season is not just about winding down—it is about finishing strong, strengthening local connections, and setting the groundwork for the year ahead.The Do Business Network has lined up three fantastic networking events to close out 2026. While a few adjustments to the schedule have been made due to unforeseen circumstances,... Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27292 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27300/november-networking-at-derwentside-college/ We are absolutely thrilled to head to the college for our November gathering. While this is a change to our original schedule, we are really excited to be back at Derwentside College at the Steel House Bistro and to be looked after by Angelo and his catering students. (Just FYI, Angelo makes the best coffees and the catering team always do an absolute belter of a bacon butty!)Morning Itinerary8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Arrival, networking, coffee, and bacon butties9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Welcome, guest s... Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27300 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27275/peer-led-training-supporting-growth-through-shared-expertise/ Running a business can sometimes feel like a continuous cycle of reacting to the day-to-day. That is why community support and continuous learning are so vital for growth.At the Do Business Network, we do not just connect local business owners—we invest in helping each other level up through practical, peer-led training.Putting Marketing in PerspectiveA shining example of this collaboration came from our September session, where Allison Dore from Hello Friday delivered an engaging, pressure-fr... Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:12 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27275 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27273/from-a-ten-year-old-disco-to-the-edinburgh-fringe-the-mark-sillett-story/ Every business owner has an origin story, but few start quite as early as Mark Sillett.At just ten years old, Mark ran a disco for his class. That single event led to a request for a Year Six disco, prompting him to source his first set of speakers. From those modest beginnings, Mark Sillett Lighting, Sound and Entertainment has steadily evolved. Today, at twenty-eight years old, Mark's portfolio includes local highlights like the Consett Christmas Tree Festival, alongside major technical work a... Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:05:53 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27273 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27255/equipping-your-business-for-growth-free-autumn-training-courses-from-business-durham/ Navigating the challenges of scaling a business requires continuous learning and practical insight. For members of the Do Business Network (DBN), staying ahead means regularly reviewing strategies, refining your presence, and uncovering new ways to connect with clients.While these training courses are not exclusive to DBN members, we are delighted to highlight them because they are being delivered by Business Durham, who is a valued DBN member. These hands-on sessions provide practical takeaways... Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:24:31 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27255 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27079/a-huge-dbn-welcome-to-our-newest-member-this-is-me-agency/ We are delighted to welcome Michelle Dobson from This Is Me Agency, to the Do Business Network.Based in Consett at the Derwentside Business Centre and serving the whole of the UK, Michelle brings a wealth of expertise and tailored support to our business community.Championing Workplace Accessibility & SupportEvery workplace should be accessible, but standard office setups and generic HR policies don’t always meet everyone's needs. Whether someone is self-employed, an employee, or an employ... Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27079 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27090/video-marketing-that-drives-real-results-for-small-businesses/ When it comes to elevating a brand, professional videography is a game-changer. Working with an expert like James Ibbitson from Visual Punch brings high-end production value, creative direction, and striking visual storytelling that completely transforms how a business connects with its audience.However, alongside high-production campaigns, everyday social media presence requires a steady stream of content. The good news is that business owners do not need a professional crew for every single po... Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27090 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27147/women-in-leadership-an-introduction/ Supporting our community's growth and creating spaces for peer learning is at the heart of what we do. That is why we are pleased to share details of an upcoming opportunity brought to us by the Social Enterprise Academy.The North East BIC in Sunderland is hosting a one-day event on 30th September focusing entirely on women in leadership.This session is facilitated by Kate Duffy from Junction Point, an exceptional trainer and a fantastic female leader in business whose expertise makes this a bri... Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:23:49 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27147