Hub’s Milestone Great for Suffolk’s Businesses
Since its official launch just 2 years ago, Suffolk Business Hub has been bringing business people together for networking, workshops, seminars and online conversation to support and grow their businesses and it has just reached a significant milestone of its own as member number 300 signs up at www.suffolkbusinesshub.co.uk hoping to follow in the footsteps of other members’ successes.
Founder member, Bella Brodie Managing Director of Parks PR & Media and Barefoot PR said “It’s wonderful to see how successful the Suffolk Business Hub has been. Even from the start it always had great potential to be of real benefit to businesses. Mingling with like-minded business people in a friendly and innovative environment makes things happen, and makes things easier. When I first signed up I was just starting out as a sole trader working at home with a virtual office at The Technology Centre in Framlingham. Two years later I have two businesses, staff and premises, and my turnover has multiplied by eight since that first start. It’s essential to make the right connections and decisions early on and stay well-informed, and that’s what the Hub is all about. Their success is well-deserved.
And Ensors Chartered Accountants say “we have been members of The Suffolk Business Hub since its inception in 2011 and have found it an invaluable tool in developing connections and relationships with other businesses in Suffolk. Having been in business in Suffolk for over 100 years, Ensors know full well the value and importance of face to face networking. Suffolk Business Hub took the trouble to get to know us personally which took the benefits of being part of a network to a much higher level. Timely presentation slots for our experts on current topics that specifically affected SME’s helped us to pass on our experience to a wider audience. It was through our membership of the Hub that we were made aware of the recent extremely successful Suffolk Coast Business Exhibition which we were very proud to sponsor. Thank-you Suffolk Business Hub.”
Victoria Payne of Angel Fire, is the lucky 300th member presented with champagne and chocolates. Victoria says “It’s rather exciting being celebrated in this way. My business is fairly young and I am now looking for good opportunities to meet fellow business people. As a start-up sole trader it would be easy to become isolated and my consultancy not focused on what’s really needed in the rapidly developing business climate of today. Having just completed a business degree at UCS as a mature student and having worked in business for many years, I am delighted that I can trade in Suffolk myself and put something back into this wonderful county. Joining Suffolk Business Hub was an obvious step for me. It’s free, the events are very accessible and varied and with such a strong membership I know I’ll meet plenty of interesting people to inspire me to great things. ” The Hub has always been about that unmeasurable spark that advances aspirations.
With its head office in the heart of the Suffolk countryside at Framlingham Technology Centre, the Hub network is centrally placed in the region making it easily accessible and a link between North and South Suffolk.
Suffolk Coastal District Council are very supportive of the work that SBH does and is delighted that an objective target of a 300 strong membership, as outlined in an Economic Development Support Fund application, has been reached so soon and that the Hub continues to grow.
From the outset Suffolk Business Hub’s philosophy has been to provide an impartial platform for business connections, signpost other business support in Suffolk and do its bit in driving forward the region’s economy through support of the rapidly growing number of SME businesses located here.
An association with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce ensures the broader business issues are not overlooked and signposting to support from Suffolk Chamber and organisations such as MENTA delivers key business advice.
“I am delighted that as a Chamber we are able to work in association with Suffolk Business Hub” said John Dugmore, the Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber. “What this means is that working together, communicating via the Hub’s connections and support delivery on the ground, we can now ensure we lobby stronger than ever on key business issues such as business rates and the needs of local firms. It means we can take these important issues not only to local authorities but all the way to Westminster if we need too.”