Proving that being an NBV Biz Ex Member can really help your business succeed, we talk with two members who are now working together – Long Eaton Hub and i-Sourcer.
Jo Hiscox and Elaine Martin of the Long Eaton Hub and John Morley of i-Sourcer both sought business growth through becoming NBV Biz Ex members.
“Becoming an NBV Biz Ex member has so many benefits. From free networking events to business support, we really can help elevate your business!” Aisha Xavia, Biz Ex Manager
The Long Eaton Hub was set up by two entrepreneurial women, Jo Hiscox and Elaine Martin, who had previously worked together in education. They reunited after four years and discovered they had complimentary skill sets which could turn a run-down building into a business ‘hub’ for the community (hence the name), offering modern flexible facilities such as conference/training room hire, virtual office services, and networking events. Every start-up business has its stumbling blocks, but that didn’t stop Jo or Elaine from being ‘Jills of all trades’ and getting the hub up and running. Elaine states: “It’s the constant juggling and moving from one activity to another requiring disciplined time management which provides the greatest challenge – but we wouldn’t have it any other way!”
Like Jo and Elaine, John Morley also had the right skills to start his social media promotion business ‘i-Sourcer’, which helps businesses promote their brand through platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. John found that he had reached a high skill level on LinkedIn and was making money for other people. This is when he decided it was a good time to start his own business. John states: “I want to allow small businesses to compete with larger businesses online, helping them to grow.”
Recommended by another NBV client (Bitesize Telephone Training) and following a meeting with an NBV Relationship Manager, both i-Sourcer and the Long Eaton Hub decided to sign up for the Biz Ex Membership package. Elaine adds: “Becoming a member was an easy decision. As a new business, NBV offered the type of support that we needed to help establish our business. The free networking events have enabled us to make great connections with people who are facing similar challenges to us and whose businesses can help ours, and vice versa.”
WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR CUSTOMERS
The Biz Ex membership package is so much more than just networking, you get to work with experienced and dedicated advisors too. The Long Eaton Hub and i-Sourcer were recommended to each other by their NBV Business Adviser. John adds: “The most valuable part of being a Biz Ex member so far is my mentor, who has been invaluable and is a really nice guy with bags of experience! He’s a real asset to NBV.”
John was one of the guest speakers at the Hub’s first networking event and the two businesses are now looking at other ways they can work together. The first event was very well attended, with 40 guests and many business cards exchanged.
Craig Pearson, NBV’s Head of Commercial Development said: ‘Biz Ex Membership has lots of ‘stated’ benefits – things like business support and advertising that we talk about in our marketing materials. However, it’s often the opportunities that present themselves through networking and getting to know other members that are the most valuable.’
Craig continued; ‘It’s great to see John working with Jo and Elaine after being brought together by their NBV Business Advisor. I’m sure there will be many exciting projects for them to collaborate on with each other, and other Biz Ex members, in the future.”
We asked Elaine from the Long Eaton Hub what has been most valuable about being a Biz Ex member, she said: “This is a tough question to answer as NBV seem to have ticked all of the boxes to support business start-ups so I suppose it’s the range of services you offer! The networking events, the role of the business adviser, and support from the relationship managers have all been superb.”
We then asked John from i-Sourcer, what advice you would give to someone considering becoming an NBV Biz Ex member, he said: “Do it!! The team wants to help your business grow and I enjoy the networking events. It’s good to have a sounding board as well.”
The Long Eaton Hub and i-Sourcer both aspire to help businesses grow; John hopes to offer his own clients free networking events and the hub continues to offer varied facilities to businesses, charities and even primary schools.
“NBV haven’t just promised us things, they are actively supporting our business and looking out for opportunities to help us.” Long Eaton Hub
If you would like find out more about becoming an NBV Biz Ex member, please contact NBV on: 0844 887 2568* or visit www.nbv.co.uk/membership/ *calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge
Websites: www.longeatonhub.co.uk | www.i-sourcer.com
Telephone: Long Eaton Hub: 0115 871 9948 | i-Sourcer: 01623 287959
Social Media: Twitter: @LongEatonHub www.facebook.com/Long-Eaton-Hub | @i-sourcer https://www.facebook.com/isourcer/