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ANN ADDS "COURAGE OVER COMFORT" SKILLS TO TAKE HER BUSINESS GLOBAL

I'm excited to reveal the first of five VisualDoodles I’ve created which captures the inspirational ideas and groundbreaking research by Dr Brené Brown.  This was commissioned by Dare to Lead™ Licensed Facilitators Julie McVeigh and Amber Farrier of Connected Coaching NE. The VisualDoodle™ visually communicates a summary of the introduction, it acts as a quick reminder of the evidence based research, actionable advice and world class wisdom shared in the course. I'm proud to ...

RUTH PROVIDES PROTECTION TO THE USA

Here at Jacwicks we have been working flat out to fulfill orders of our pretty and practical face masks  Our reputation is spreading and we are not only sending them the length and breadth of the UK, we are now supplying internationally with orders from North America on a regular basis. Our handmade triple layered masks are not just pretty, (we also have colours and designs that are suitable for other tastes) they have adjustable elastic straps for you to fit at home for a closer comfo...

BILL'S 'EXPLOSIVE' INTERVIEW ON BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE

It's a little-known fact that on October 6th 1854 the people of Tyneside believed that the end of the world was upon them. In the early hours an explosion occurred which shook the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and its neighbour Gateshead to their very foundations.During our Beamish Test Day we discovered by chance that an ancestor of Melanie Cant had been killed in the great Newcastle / Gateshead explosion back in 1854 and that the whole thing started in a warehouse owned by an ancestor of Bill Cr...

HAPPY RECENT (BUSINESS) BIRTHDAYS . . .

Create Intrigue - 2nd Business BirthdayPhil Benton - 8th Business BirthdayASure Financial - 2nd Business BirthdayJacwicks Designs - 2nd Business Birthday Congratulations also to Paul Sparks for 3 years with the Department for International Trade. Reaching a business birthday is an important milestone.  Congratulations everybody!...

DBN PODCASTS

You can still get to know our members even if we can't meet in person at the moment. Our podcasts are a great way to get to know DBN Members.  We currently have podcasts on our website with Gary, Joanne Rowland, Ruth Jacobs, Mags Bradshaw, Rachel Locke, Moira Barnes and Matthew Glover. Ruth said: "Having just celebrated Jacwicks Designs 2nd Business Birthday. I was delighted to be asked to speak to Melanie Cant of Elm Marketing Solutions about the Jacwicks journey so far, as part of th...

UPDATE FROM DBN (9th OCTOBER 2020)

We know we said we would make the newsletter monthly again but then we started to receive some really positive news items from some of our members and we couldn't wait to share them with you!   We thought there was enough to send out a short update to everyone this week and hope you'll find it useful.This time we're celebrating more DBN business birthdays, businesses going international and on 26 October our first DBN Marketing Mastermind Hour with Melanie Cant to help you with your so...

EXTRA SUPPORT NEEDED FOR OUR WORST-HIT SECTORS

While some sectors are riding the Covid storm reasonably well, there can be little doubt that hospitality and tourism continue to be badly hit. We'd like to see an ambitious and progressive package of support rolled-out for this sector. Irene Campbell at Derwent Manor Hotel posted this on LinkedIn over the weekend which highlights the problems and frustrations faced by many establishments at present: "It’s been a day of mixed emotions down at Derwent Manor Hotel BW Premier Collection. "We’ve...

HAPPY (BUSINESS) BIRTHDAYS . . .

Rachel Locke at Arlo PA Services whose business is celebrating five years and Moira Barnes whose Sales Consultancy is celebrating two years. Moira said: "It's my 2nd business birthday.  The time has flown by and when I think back I realise how far I have come both in terms of my own confidence as a business owner and in terms of the people and work I now get to enjoy."My question to you today is what advice would you give to someone heading into year 3 of their business?  Is this where...

A SPECIAL FESTIVE OFFER FROM ROBSON PRINT FOR DBN MEMBERS

We will design and print 50 A5 4pp Greeting cards and supply with C5 envelopes for any DBN members for a special price of £45 including VAT.These can be Christmas Cards to send to suppliers and customers or even potential customers – have your logo or branding on, images of your team or products or even just a traditional Christmas design but personalised for your company.Or they can be unChristmassy and used just to stay in touch while still promoting your brand or services. We’re happy to...

PODCASTS

Our podcasts are proving to be very popular and to see you through until the next newsletter we have two brand new episodes for you. In our latest podcasts, Melanie chats with Matthew Glover of Duchy Software about how wanting to know the rugby score led to a business idea, how apps are solving business problems and how a family love for bingo became a great business opportunity in Australia and New Zealand.  And, in the next podcast Melanie chats with Moira Barnes about boosting your sales...

DBN UPDATE - 2nd OCTOBER 2020

Last week we said it would be a month before our next newsletter but in a "senior" moment last week we forgot to include a super festive offer from one of our lovely members and some extra news items have come through. So we thought we'd send out a "bitesize" update!Please don't forget to book for Moira Barnes Customer Journey Workshop next week. It will give you a fresh perspective on how you can interact and build relationships with your customers. Later this month, Melanie will be running a M...

NORIKO'S LATEST CARTOON

Naomi loves school meals.  This might be the reason why she is so eager to go to school. She says school meals are more yummy than mummy’s food.  Well, I suppose she’s got more western taste than Japanese taste (I have to admit I’m not the best cook in the world . . .). “So what did you have for lunch today?” I asked.Naomi said, “Finger of fish!” in Japanese. Here is this week’s cartoon.Noriko...

#DOBUSINESSLOCAL

#DOBUSINESSLOCAL is our campaign to support small businesses and help to boost the local economy.Small businesses have played a massive role in helping their local communities during the crisis.  They have demonstrated amazing resilience and adaptability throughout and we want to encourage organisations and individuals to support them. #DOBUSINESSLOCAL has three main aims:To work in partnership with Local Authorities and other public and private sector organisations to help them identify gr...

APPLY FOR THE GOVERNMENT KICKSTART SCHEME

The Kickstart Scheme was announced in July as part of the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs.  The scheme aims to create thousands of high-quality six-month work placements for young people aged 16 to 24 who are claiming Universal Credit and are at risk of long term unemployment. Under the scheme, the Government will cover 100 per cent of employment costs for 25 hours a week.  This includes the employee's salary at the appropriate minimum wage for their age, as well as National Insurance and...

BRITISH BUSINESS BANK: ENTREPRENEURSHIP & DIVERSITY IN THE UK

The British Business Bank, in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, is today publishing a landmark study: “Alone, together: Entrepreneurship and Diversity in the UK”.  This report shows in detail the challenges facing the UK’s entrepreneurs. Looking at ethnicity, gender, place and money, a sobering picture emerges that calls for commitment and action.  The research will feed into the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities established by the Prime Minister. Key findings: Black entre...

BEAMISH MUSEUM

Working windscreen wipers - check!Good-to-go goggles - check!Waterproof jackets - check! The rain hasn't dampened our spirits as we're having a wheely great day seeing our veteran motorcycles and some visiting vintage cars in action at the museum!...

EXPERIENCE SÉANCE LIVE AT BEAMISH HALL

Sam came down to the hall to give us a live demonstration of Séance Live and we are now super excited for you to experience this exhilarating event!The night will to recreate the experience of a true Victorian séance.  Our expert denies all belief in an afterlife, and yet, using age old techniques, will demonstrate how mediums and psychics have for decades convinced audiences of their skills, before attempting a genuine séance experience. Limited tickets available. Please click here...

OFFER TIME AT DERWENT MANOR HOTEL BW PREMIER COLLECTION

Available 28th September to 31st October Sunday Savers - £89Monday to Thursdays - £99Friday - £109Saturday - £129FREE Bottle wine on arrivalDinner three course in PregoOvernight stay in Standard RoomNorthumberland BreakfastUse of Leisure Club (pre booking) To book use the following link entering promo code REOP....

WILLOW BURN HOSPICE NOW RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS

Café Assistants, LanchesterGardeners, LanchesterRetail Assistants, Various LocationsFind out more by clicking here....

HIGHSTREET BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMME

We have developed a range of subsidised training courses and events for retail businesses in the county covering digital marketing, health and safety, customer services, window displays and food safety. Do you run a business and want to become more digitally savvy?Durham Employment and Skills have teamed up with our Community Economic Development team to provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills, ability and confidence with a Digital Media in Business course.  The three virtua...

VIRTUAL DABS FESTIVAL

Virtual DABS Festival of Enterprise to celebrate entrepreneurship across County DurhamOn Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd of October, Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups (DABS) will be hosting a virtual Festival of Enterprise, showcasing a fantastic line up of successful business owners and skills trainers who will help to inspire, motivate and educate anyone thinking of starting their own business journey.  Whether you are already in business, thinking of starting your own busine...

VACANCY FOR CHEF SUPERVISOR

Land of Oak and Iron Heritage Centre, Winlaton Mill, Gateshead & The Greenhouse Business Centre, Stanley. To aid in the development and provision of an exciting, high quality and profitable catering service to a broad range of customers.  Covering two sister sites and areas of operation at: ‘café shrub @ The Land of Oak and Iron Heritage Centre’ and ‘café shrub @ The Greenhouse’ including catering services for meetings and events held at both The Heritage Centre and The Greenhouse...

FASTER BROADBAND FOR RURAL BUSINESSES IN COUNTY DURHAM

We’re helping rural businesses in County Durham access faster broadband by adding £500,000 to the government's Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS).  The scheme offers a one-off contribution to businesses and residents in rural areas to subsidise the installation costs of a gigabit-capable, full-fibre broadband connection.Properties must have download speeds of less than 30 Megabits per second (Mbps) to be eligible.  The funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-served b...

FOCUS ON RETAIL WITH BOWE DIGITAL

Imagine you are a retail business that needs to process hundreds of transactions a day, but your point of sale system was damaged in an electrical storm, and you can’t process and record transactions.  How will you stay in business?  What will you do? What back up plan do you have in place? Talk to us on 0191 214 1750 for solutions & advice....

NEED OFFICE SPACE AT COMPETITIVE RATES?

Prospect Business Park is based on the outskirts of Consett and offers quality office space to rent at very competitive rates.  They currently have some office vacancies and contacted DBN to see if any of our members would like to be shown around their facilities. Some of our members already occupy offices at Prospect Business Park and have been tenants there for a few years now. They offer easy in, easy out terms.  Rental costs start from £140 per month (depending on the size of...