Local Businesses inspire Local Businesses

Alnwick Garden played host to over 50 local businesses for a special event on Thursday 20th October 2022. With inspirational guest speakers and digital experts on hand, the aim was to encourage North East small to medium sized businesses to embrace social media in order to attract new customers.  

Content Unlocked, delivered by Business Northumberland saw Justin Lockwood, of Heart Radio and Sky Sports fame, speaking with the panel of guest speakers, made up of small businesses from across the North East, who have had explosive success with social media reaching an audience of millions.  

Guest speakers, Gemma Burdis (Kaima Cosmetics), Rob Wood (Novo Cabelo) and Amanda Wooldridge (Squelch Wellies) shared their success stories with Justin Lockwood and businesses in attendance. Covering their moving success stories, the entrepreneurs described how they have built a successful business online, reaching millions, by using innovative content ideas and celebrity endorsements, to selling on third party platforms. All achieved through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

Business Northumberland provides support to small and medium enterprises across the North East who are looking to sustain and grow their business online. The fully funded support programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Advance Northumberland, so there is no cost to eligible businesses when accessing the support.  

After an inspiring morning, businesses got involved with workshops in the afternoon, led by Scott Goodacre and Steven Parker. Both digital specialists have been heavily involved in the Business Northumberland programme since the beginning of the programme in 2019.  

The workshops focused on “demystifying” social media, video marketing and how to implement the days learning into the day to day running of their business.  

Business Northumberland programme manager, Lucy Evermore said “With the rise of video marketing on apps such as TikTok and the use of Instagram Reels combined with the everchanging landscape of social media, the Business Northumberland team want to ensure businesses have the skills and confidence to grow their business online and reach a wider audience.

We wanted the day to be inspiring to businesses and to demonstrate how using online platforms can really benefit their business in the digital age.”

Despite the rainy weather, the room was filled with positive energy from businesses seeking to not only build on their digital skillset but to meet other businesses from across the North East to grow strong business connections.  

Delegates thoroughly enjoyed the day and left feeling “energised” and ready to implement new skills learnt into their day to day running of business to help reach a wider audience.  

Businesses Northumberland continues to deliver free workshops to support businesses on their digital journey across all skill levels.  

To find out more information and to register please got to:

www.businessnorthumberland.co.uk or contact the Business Northumberland team at business@advancenorthumberland.co.uk