Sharon Kell Makes Regional Final For 02 Awards

Coco Moon founder Sharon Kell has been shortlisted as a regional finallist in the 02 Business awards.

Sharon is running in the Grazia Female Entrepreneur of the Year category and is hoping to make it thorugh to the national final, which takes place in London in October.

Coco Moon offers lifestyle choices for busy single professionals, covering three specific services – social networking, personalised matchmaking and relationship coaching. It is aimed at those who are seeking lifestyle related services that fit in with their professional lives.

It is the first business of its kind in terms of its dating offering, as it does not offer a simple internet dating service, preferring to tap into clients’ interests and match them accordingly.

To support Sharon you can vote for her by visiting the 02 X Awards webpage here, selecting Vote Now and choosing Sharon from the North East section of candidates.

To read Sharon's If we can, you can story please click here

North East Bakery opens Newcastle store

A thriving Newcastle bakery business has just launched its latest new store in Newcastle city centre.

Newburn-based North East Bakery has opened its new Nichols shop in Eldon Square Newcastle.

The store opening means the company, founded five years ago, now has 13 shops across the North East, and employs a local workforce of over 140. The new Newcastle shop follows the successful launch of Durham’s Nichols store in May.

The upmarket Nichols stores offer a contemporary range of modern hot food-to-go, featuring plenty of traditional favourites – but refreshed with a modern twist. Best-sellers include made-to-order breakfast stotties, freshly made hot carvery sandwiches, luxury sandwiches and salads and the company’s popular pies.

“The Nichols stores offer something different: quality food – much of it locally sourced – at a reasonable price in modern surroundings. We’ve seen that in the success of the new Durham store which has been a real hit with customers who like the combination of competitive pricing, great food and stylish surroundings,” says managing director and If we can, you can member Greg Phillips, 30, one of the company’s founders.

Produce is sourced from regional and UK farmers, producers and suppliers wherever possible. “It’s very exciting to be opening our new Nichols store in Newcastle, which is where the business is based and where I began my own career in the food industry.”

After graduating from Newcastle University with a degree in business management, Greg joined his uncle’s Newcastle-based sandwich business and discovered an appetite for the bakery trade, driving up sales significantly and getting heavily involved in the business.

The current North East Young Business Person of the Year, Greg has overseen a period of sustained expansion since the business was established in 2004. The company – originally formed from the buyout of the Chapel Bakery and Patisserie - is now turning over £3.4 million a year and is actively seeking new locations for shops.

In the latest recognition of his business drive, Greg was recently named a regional winner in the Ernst and Young UK Entrepreneur of the Year award. He will compete for the national title at the competition’s UK final in October.

A key factor in North East Bakery’s growth has been the acquisition of the company’s 20,000 sq ft purpose-built bakery premises at Newburn where all its products are baked. In addition to its highly successful shops, North East Bakery has an expanding wholesale customer base including restaurants, sandwich shops, catering groups and foodservice distributors.

The business also operates a fleet of mobile catering vans which visit businesses across the North East providing food for workers.

Mark Easby Update

Over the last 3-4 months, things have moved pretty fast here at Better. We’ve brought in two new members of staff - Sam Lamcombe, our Project Manager, and Simon Scarfe, who is now our Senior Web Developer.

Simon, an experienced and versatile front-end web developer, came to us from TH_NK in Newcastle, and we’re extremely excited about what Simon can contribute to the business and play a major part in shaping the Better direction.

Sam is a University graduate who studied Graphic Design at Cleveland College of Art & Design, Middlesbrough, before gaining an honours degree at University of the Arts, London. Sam’s background means she can contribute to the design process whilst being responsible for delivering client projects through the studio.

With project wins increasing, as well as Simon and Sam we’re looking to further our web development resource ideally with a graduate, therefore we’re looking at local graduates from Teesside University, and to utilise Codeworks’ Digital Placement Scheme, which is a huge benefit for small businesses in growth.

We’re fortunate that in the North East, and in particularly in the Tees Valley, there is a hotbed of graduate talent coming out of the colleges and universities and it is critical that these graduates are given the chance to build a career in this region, rather than having to move away.

We are also committed to working with the universities and colleges across the region and through organisations such as Codeworks, to help make sure that the graduates are coming out of their courses with the right skills, and level of commercialism, to give them best chance of finding jobs.

In terms of our recent work, we’ve won major projects in Newcastle and Tees Valley, as well as working with a number of smaller established and start-up businesses. We’ve been hard at work over the summer delivering these and some are about to go live very shortly.

To mention a few, we’ve been helping University of Teesside, Chapters Hotel and MIMA explore social media strategies, and are working on creative and web strategies for Cornerstone Business Solutions, Selwyn Hedgley and The Enterprise Team within Redcar & Cleveland Council.

We’re also chuffed to announce that we have just launched a new website for best selling author Philippa Gregory which is now live (http://www.philippagregory.com/), and are also doing work for national companies such as NDI, Freshfayre, Onyx Group and MPI Offshore, as we aim to establish our reputation further afield.

On that subject, we were able to demonstrate the power of organic SEO as we were contacted by Sky News to provide expert opinion on the ongoing debate surrounding the Michael Jackson ‘brand’. They did a search on Google for ‘brand agency’ and they found us 4th out of 22,700,000 results, unfortunately they didn’t notice our Stokesley address and we couldn’t get down to London in time.

We’re also really excited about leading the ‘Twestival’ local events on the North East after being heavily involved in the first one, held up in Newcastle. There is a website set up for the Tyne and Tees events (http://middlesbrough.twestival.com/) and http://newcastle.twestival.com/) that link to the twitter accounts where there is already quite a buzz being generated.

The Twestival supports a social cause by bringing awareness and raising funds collectively. The charities involved this year include Teesside Hospice and North of England’s Children’s Cancer Research Fund, and we’re extremely proud to be part of it.

So… lots to be getting on with! We’re been moving at a pretty fast pace but the Better team and I are really excited about our projects, future plans, and ambitious ideas. Exciting times ahead…


To read Mark's If we can, you can story please click here

RIichard Fleeshman to Sing for Meningitis Girl at North East Event

Singer, songwriter Richard Fleeshman will perform at a charity auction to raise funds for three-year-old Tilly Lockey who lost both her hands to meningitis at the age of 15 months.

The star-studded event on 5th September at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead will see over one hundred celebrity hand prints auctioned to raise funds for the youngster, including hand-drawn pieces by J K Rowling, Tom Hanks and Whoopi Goldberg and framed casts of Girls Aloud, Jonathan Ross and Denise Welch.

Tilly’s mum, Sarah Lockey, said: “This will be the biggest event we have hosted for Tilly and it’s what we’ve been planning since the night she lost her hands. I’m very excited as it promises to be a really memorable night for all attending.”

When Tilly was only 15 months old, she contracted meningitis and doctors were forced to amputate her hands in order to save her life, she also lost her toes to the killer disease.

Sarah added: “When Tilly was taken to the operating room to have her hands removed, I promised her we would get her new hands and they would be the best you can get.”

Since that moment, Sarah and her husband, Adam, have tirelessly dedicated themselves to raising money to buy Tilly the best prosthetic hands available. Their ‘Give Tilly A Hand’ campaign has seen them collect over 100 celebrity hand prints and drawings.

Tilly’s father, Adam, said: “We’ve been blown away by the willingness of celebrities to donate handprints and the warmth they have shown towards Tilly.”

Now, Sarah and Adam are hoping these unique pieces of memorabilia will give Tilly’s fund a major boost. Experts have predicted the JK Rowling piece could sell for anything upward of £2000.

Tickets for the Give Tilly A Hand Auction Ball start at £65 per person which includes a champagne reception,3 course dinner and a range of entertainment including singer, songwriter Richard Fleeshman , X-Factor finalists, Badlashes and Celebrity Psychological Mind Reader 'Kennedy'.

The event will be officially started by North East actress, Denise Welch, who is patron of the Appeal and who will be attending with husband Tim Healy and colleagues from the BBC’s Waterloo Road and ITV’s Loose Women thanks to generous support from the Hilton Hotel.

Other confirmed celebrities include: "Dragon Den" star Duncan Bannatyne, "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here" celebrity fashion designer Scott Henshall, Rob Lee, John Beresford as well as a string of stars from film, TV & Music such as Big Brother stars Anthony Hutton, Liam McGough & Ziggy Lichman .

Richard Fleeshman will fly into Newcastle from the U.S. especially for the event. He will be in Los Angeles writing his second album, having recently completed a third stadium tour, supporting Sir Elton John in Europe .

He said: “I’m delighted to be able to support the Give Tilly a Hand Appeal and I’m looking forward to performing on the night of the auction. Hopefully we can help to give this wonderful little girl the hands she needs.”

To purchase tickets log on to http://www.givetillyahand.com/ or telephone Event Project Manager Ken Wallace at She's Gott It! Event Management (0191) 370 9559.

Tilly’s parents would like to thank the following companies who are donating their time and services to help organise the Auction Ball:

Headline sponsor - Photography for Little People, Stylefrog Creative, Spacecraft Events Ltd, Newcastle/Gateshead Hilton Hotel for continued support and sponsoring important elements of the Celebrity Auction. Alan Dobson of DD Events Consultants, She's Gott It - Event Management, RT Design, Encore Dance Entertainment Group. Digitalab, Tricycle Media, Frame House Ltd. Audi, Kennedy the Illusionist and Bad Lashes. Finally, eternal thanks go to patron Denise Welch.

Ticket Sales - Please contact Ken Wallace, Event Project Manager, She's Gott It! Event Management on T: 0191 370 9559 or E: ken@shesgottit.com

Sarah's Franchises are on a Roll

Twelve months ago If we can, you can member Sarah Pittendrigh was staring down the barrel of bankruptcy. As Sales Director of one of the biggest event companies in the UK, her business had been hit by the impact of the economic downturn and she and her fellow directors were forced to close it down.

“It was a very frightening time,” says Sarah. “What worried me most was my son’s wellbeing. At that time I was a single mother and I wasn’t sure how on earth we would survive financially.

“It was a choice of either climbing back up the corporate ladder, or coming up with something new – something which would make me feel as though I’d achieved something and fulfilled in my work.

“During my time with the events company, people were always asking us whether we could supply chair covers. We had to say we didn’t do that – to do it well it would need to be something we specialized in.

“That’s where I saw my opportunity. I saw the potential to deliver an in-demand product but to a higher standard, with real quality and creativity imbedded.

“I was sitting by the Quayside in Newcastle when it suddenly hit me like a thunderbolt. I thought, “I’m going to give this a go. I’m going to have my own business.

“I wanted to get the core business in the North East right. I wanted to take my time, grow the business slowly, and ensure that we’re constantly over-delivering. Then I want to be able to franchise across the UK.”

Cut to a year later:

“Simply Bows and Chair Covers has grown dramatically, and it’s all been through word of mouth which is great. We’re now supplying to many top quality venues including Wynyard Hall, Close House, and Durham Marriott. We’ve been averaging about five weddings a weekend, so it’s been absolutely fabulous.

“I’ve now sold two franchises to cover Sunderland down to the North Yorkshire border, and another to cover Newcastle upon Tyne right up to the Scottish border. What’s amazing is that we’ve never advertised the franchise opportunities - all the buzz for that has come through word of mouth too.

“People have seen what we’ve done, liked the service we provide and have become interested in the business. I employed a franchise company in Darlington (for which I got funding through from Business Link) who work for me as a consultant, pulling it all together, and handling all the legalities.

“We’re now going to start to market and advertise the franchise across the UK, and even perhaps on an international level. I’m going to Spain in August, on holiday, but I’m also going to see somebody who might be able to point me in the right direction to take the franchise out there, and find someone to take over a master franchise in Spain.

“I’ve also had a lot of hits off my website from the likes of Monaco, Italy and Spain, so I’ve realized that a lot of opportunity exists over there. So… exciting plans for the future.

“However, the North East is still my main priority. All our chair covers are manufactured in the North East, and all the laundry is done here, so it’s great that I can give something back to this fantastic region.

“I’m very passionate about the North East. I love the great people, and I think it’s important to give something back. The support I’ve received from Business Link has really helped me get off the ground and grow the business.

“Even when all the franchisees come on board around the UK, everything will still get manufactured here. I’ll also start to employ more people. At the moment I’ve got four part-time staff, but ultimately I’ll need to get people on board full-time to help with the franchising side of the business.

“I must say though that despite the success of the business, I’m very skeptical now! As with most entrepreneurs who’ve lost a business and started again, you’ve always got the fear in the back of your mind of it going wrong again. So you develop a need to ensure that you never be complacent. This is a good thing as it’s an excellent lesson to learn in business and the energy keeps you on your toes.

“We’ve now got 136 weddings on the books all for this year, and I’ve also got a photo shoot for a wedding magazine called ‘Hitched’. They’ve asked myself and a florist whom I work closely with, to take part in a shoot at Close House. The theme is ‘How to dress a venue’.

“Looking ahead, so far we’ve got over 30 weddings on our books for next year- and that’s just in my area not that of my franchisees!

“We also have a lot of charity work coming up. We’ve already done the Children’s North East Pink Ball at Gateshead Marriott, and the Buttercup Ball for the Special Needs Network in Gosforth.

"We are scheduled to dress the Bubble Ball at Gosforth Marriott in September and the Sunshine Ball for the Newcastle Chronicle’s Sunshine Fund.

“Really when you think that this time last year I had nothing – no money and I had just closed my company. The success of Simply Bows and Chair Covers continues to amaze and delight me.

“What a difference a year makes?!”

To check out Sarah’s Bow and Chair cover services log onto: http://www.simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk/

To read more about her story so far, check out her profile on If We Can You Can: http://www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/Entrepreneurs/Sarah-Pittendrigh

CYCLING, SKYDIVING AND SLEEPING ROUGH – ALL IN A DAY’S WORK FOR BOND

A business solutions specialist has pledged to raise £3,000 for charity in the next three months.

Staff at Bond will be undertaking a range of activities where all of the money raised will be donated to Action for Children.

Bond’s technical director Peter Clark will be cycling the Coast to Coast (C2C) route with three friends on August 7. The journey, which begins at Whitehaven and ends in Sunderland, spans over 140 miles and will take two days to complete.

Peter said: “I thought that the C2C would be a great way to raise money for the charity, although I am a little worried as I haven’t cycled anywhere near this distance before. I’m very excited and think it will be a great challenge, although I’m not looking forward to sharing a dormitory with the other guys.

“I think it is really important for businesses to support charities and give something back to the community and hopefully we exceed our fundraising target. Action for Children play an active part in our community and it is vital that businesses support them.”

In addition, Bond’s financial controller Julie Curtis will be participating in a 10,000ft skydive at Peterlee Airfield on September 12.

Julie said: “I wanted to challenge myself and do something a bit different and the idea of skydiving seemed great as it is something I would never have considered doing.

“Although I am nervous, the jump is for a fantastic cause and will be a once in a lifetime experience so I am really looking forward to it.”

Bond is also participating in Byte Night this year where its staff will sleep outside for a night to experience what it is like to be homeless. As well as raising as much money as possible, the team is also hoping to raise awareness of the good work that the charity does within the local community.

Bond’s managing director Derek Curtis said: “We think Byte Night is a great way to raise money for Action for Children and when they approached us to help organise the event we jumped at the chance.

“I think Byte Night is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to understand exactly what some young people in the region go through and why Action for Children’s work is so important. They have a huge presence in the North East and they need local businesses to get involved and support their projects.

“As we are on the board for the event, we aim to get as many volunteers on board and make sure that Byte Night a huge success.”

Business Link new workshops announced

Keep Your Business Fighting Fit, is a full programme of free Business Link events, consisting of practical workshops and seminars to help businesses meet the challenges of today's current climate.

The next set of workshops in this series has just been announced:

"RAISING FINANCE"

Wednesday 12th August 2009, Langley Castle, Northumberland, 09.30 - 12.30. FREE TO ATTEND

Thursday 13th August 2009, Hilton Hotel, Tyne & Wear, 13.30 - 16.30. FREE TO ATTEND

Thursday 20th August 2009, Durham Castle, Durham 09.30 - 12.30. FREE TO ATTEND

Thursday 27th August 2009, Wynyard Rooms, 13.30 - 16.30. FREE TO ATTEND

Following this free workshop you will:

Have an understanding of how a Bank will process a request.

Be aware of the areas lenders and investors will expect to be included in your application.

Understand the different types of finance avaialable.

Be better postioned to build an effective and persuasive business case to raise finance.

As part of this workshop you will have the opportunity to "set the agenda" as it will commence with an open group discussion of the sales issues you are currently facing. Keep Your Business Fighting Fit workshops are being held across the North East over the next few months. Topics include:

Legal issues & redundancies

Negotiating with banks

Minimising risk and maximising profit

Raising finance

Risk management

Staff training & development

Lean & operational management

Marketing

Winning sales & customer retention

Change management

Dates and Venues to be announced but spaces are limited to 20 delegates per workshop. Call 0191 281 5777 or email: businesslink@btob.co.uk for further information or visit http://www.eventsnortheast.co.uk/