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Latest news, support, events and advice for you and your business

4 ways to turn your hobby into a business
We all dream of doing what we love for a living. Here’s how to make it happen Starting your own business has become the preferred option for many budding businesspeople who want to improve their work/life balance. While 2020 was a tough year for us all, it’s...

How to set goals and stick to them
Make 2021 the year you tick some key business goals off your list For the vast majority of businesses, the main goal of 2020 was simply to stay afloat. The uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic threw everything into question and forced many companies to make...

How to compete with big brands as a small business
The time has come to level the playing field Life can be tough for small businesses, especially in 2020. This has been a difficult year for many small companies who have had to rethink and restructure in order to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. But if you’re...

6 tips for future-proofing your small business
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is set in stone. That’s why thinking ahead is so important for small business owners. With the end of the year fast approaching, now is a great time to reassess your business goals and think about the future. Whether...

South Shields Former Teacher Seeks Curious Kids for New At-Home Childcare Service
A former primary school teacher from South Tyneside is seeking curious kids to join a new at-home childcare service, thanks to help from TEDCO Business Support and the New Enterprise Allowance programme. Kiri Dowens (33), from South Shields launched Curious...

Artisan soap cleans up with slot in Fenwick Newcastle
A North Tyneside entrepreneur has taken inspiration from her plastic-free life to launch a range of artisan soaps and in the process, been picked to feature in a one-off Fenwick Christmas market, thanks to help from the North Tyneside Business Factory. Flying...

Fighting Fit Expands into Second Premises in Bishop Auckland
A North East physiotherapist is expanding to open a second clinic after an increase in enquiries brought with it new opportunities to grow the Fighting Fit brand into Bishop Auckland. Fighting Fit Physiotherapy opened in Seaham in 2017 after owner Paul Hartburn...

Operation Veteran Secures First Permanent Base in North Shields
A veteran has created the first Veteran’s Centre and café in North Shields town centre to continue the work of Operation Veteran, a social enterprise supporting veterans and their families in their return to civilian life. The new café and veteran centre...

From the Big Apple to the BALTIC for North Shields Artist
A North Tyneside artist has turned redundancy into a thriving new business following help from the North Tyneside Business Factory and the New Enterprise Allowance programme, after being selected from over 500 artists to be displayed at the BALTIC as part of a unique...

3 ways to come up with killer business ideas
They say all it takes is a good idea, so here’s how to have one The first step to running a successful business is coming up with a successful business idea. But this isn’t simply a case of waiting around for the muse to strike. There are steps you can take to...