Member Article

North East business club celebrates first year taking the low out of going solo

They say it’s lonely at the top in business – but it’s even lonelier when you’re on your own…

And solving that dilemma is proving a potent attraction for a North East club that’s spent the last year bringing together sole traders across the region.

Behind the idea is Nicola Little of Digital Sparkles, a social media and business mentor who came up with the plan when training small business owners.

She said: “Over the last five years, one single theme for the solo business owners I’ve trained is how hard it is when you don’t have a team around you to bounce ideas off and provide support.

“In fact, it’s common for people to feel very low or lonely - even despondent.” Her answer was to set up the Savvy Solos Business Club, which is celebrating a highly successful first year during which it attracted over 100 members.

“Savvy Solos is not just about networking, although there’s a lot of value in that – I did a poll and 40% of members are now collaborating on projects with others in the club,” said Nicola, whose Digital Sparkles training business is based at Viewpoint Business Centre in Consett.

“The key difference is that everyone who joins the club gets three hours of group training a month, which is geared around topics that the members suggest themselves.”

Nicola points out that many people start a business because they have a great idea – but that doesn’t mean they know everything about running a business.

“I find a lot of solo owners lack self-confidence about their business, even though they have come up with a fantastic idea or product,” she said.

“Letting our members drive our training content means we can genuinely help fill skills gaps for them.”

Training is provided by Nicola and other mentors, and also by club members who volunteer to share their knowledge.

Starting in Consett in November 2017, the club proved immediately popular, and Nicola now runs a club in Northumberland too, which meets regularly in Blyth.

“We’re also working on a club for North Tyneside,” said Nicola.

While she was sure there was a need for the club, she was surprised at how quickly it took off.

“We’ve got a huge range of businesses involved,” she said. “Everything from cake decorators to web designers to accountants and holiday cottage owners.

“They’re very different – but they also have a massive amount in common, because everyone is in the same boat. It’s the real secret of our success!”

Nicola’s members agree. Photographer Simon Lowe said: “Setting up and running a small business can be terrifying and exhilarating - sometimes both in the space of a day!

“You’re either on top of the world or it’s you vs. the world and that’s why I’m so pleased I joined Savvy Solos.

“The opportunity to meet up with fellow business owners to share advice and support each other is excellent but also there’s the training Nicola provides which is always clear, focused and relevant.”

Another member, graphic designer Amy Purdie, said: “There is such a great community in Savvy Solos, everyone has each other’s back.

“You know when you pop into the group or go along to a meeting it’s not only going to be packed full of great stuff that gets you thinking but you’re going to leave feeling better than you did when you arrived.”

As well as founder and director Nicola, the Savvy team now includes fellow director Michelle Dobson, and steering group members Michelle Rose and Peter Surridge.

Their ambition now is to spread the Savvy Solos Business Club across the whole region, and eventually beyond.

Nicola said: “Solo entrepreneurs are some of the most promising business people in the country – and when they get their heads together, the results are amazing.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adrienne Hunter .