Businesses in North Tyneside have a new opportunity to grow.
- The Innovation SuperNetwork is offering a fully funded GROW Programme.
- Local businesses can access one-to-one consultancy and mentoring until March 2025.
- Over 70 businesses have already benefited from improvements in processes and market reach.
- Business Factory and North Tyneside Council support businesses of all sizes.
North Tyneside business owners seeking to elevate their organisations can partake in the fully funded GROW Programme by the Innovation SuperNetwork (ISN). This initiative, operational until March 2025, provides vital consultancy and mentoring support aimed at facilitating business scale-up and development.
Eligible businesses are those which have been operational for at least a year. The programme offers a significant opportunity, as it is part of a suite of projects from The Business Factory, the business support division of North Tyneside Council, intended to aid a broad spectrum of businesses from start-ups to established ventures and social enterprises.
Since its launch, more than 70 businesses have leveraged the programme’s mentoring, leading to advancements in their operational processes, successful contract bids, and the introduction of novel products or services.
Cheryl Tanner, who runs Menopause Fitness Coach, a business aiding women through menopause with lifestyle strategies, was among the first to benefit. She found the programme via The Business Factory’s forum and utilised the expertise of her mentor, Laura Kemp, to hone her online presence and social media strategies. Tanner expressed that Kemp’s mentorship gave her the confidence to identify and transform weaknesses into strengths, eventually allowing her to expand her service offerings and conceptualise the potential for a more significant business footprint.
Ingrid Wilkinson, leading OPAL Northeast, also tapped into the GROW resources to navigate rapid post-pandemic expansion. With support from Sarah Cox, Wilkinson shifted her focus from direct service to strategic business growth, securing crucial resources and advice that were instrumental in formulating plans for a secondary venture aligned with her primary enterprise.
Leanne Miller, ISN’s programme manager, highlighted the bespoke nature of the support, which caters to the unique challenges local businesses face, from strategy and marketing to property and leasing advice. Miller noted the transformative impact of the programme on participating businesses, setting a benchmark for others in North Tyneside.
The GROW Programme exemplifies a strategic pathway for business growth in North Tyneside.
