Ambitious businesses based in County Durham can take the fast track to success by benefiting from a new development programme designed to support growth and create new jobs in the area.

Elizabeth Carney is sparkling in her new career as a contemporary jeweller, thanks to support from Be Enterprising. 
Elizabeth, 43, from Hesleden, County Durham, carried a lifelong passion for jewellery making before realising she wanted to transform her hobby into a career.

People looking for a personal, professional and light on the pocket pest control service need no longer be pestered by unfruitful searches.

Andy Passmoor, 28, of Sacriston has set up his own Town and Country Pest Control business that offers customers competitive prices with a professional and personal service.

Two young women from County Durham are celebrating success after achieving their dreams of running their own business.  

Keely Jackson, 22, and Rebecca Denton, 22, opened Snip N Cut barber shop in Bishop Auckland with advice and support from Be Enterprising, Durham County Council’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI).

Two Dads from County Durham have turned their backs on unemployment and put the wheels in motion to build a company of their own.

Peter Forster, a dad of four, and Paul Bailey, a dad of two, have opened B&F Tyres in Wingate. The new tyre fitting company offers customers competitive prices with a friendly and professional service and was set up with advice and support from Be Enterprising, County Durham’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative.

An artist from County Durham is celebrating after turning her passion for glass into a successful award-winning business, thanks to support from Be Enterprising.

Alison Lowery, 50, created her business ‘Entropy Glass’ from her passion for making art glass jewellery.

Budding market-traders are being invited to take the fast track to success by taking part in a ground-breaking new market retail scheme being piloted in County Durham.

The Be Enterprising “are you tough enough” markets programme is officially being launched in August with full backing and support from the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF).

An innovative business has been set up by two County Durham men to help provide green energy solutions for homes, businesses and other organisations.

Some of the North East’s leading support agencies are joining forces to encourage people into taking the first steps to being their own boss.

Dog owners wanting to pamper their pooches now have the ‘pawfect’ place to take their four-legged friends for some well deserved R&R.

Single mum of one, Katie Richardson has recently opened Stanhope Proud Hounds. Based inside Barking Mad Pet Supplies at Market Place in Bishop Auckland, the pet grooming salon is already fully booked for two weeks.

A single mum hopes to help the people of County Durham in the fight against ageing with the launch of her new business Natural Radiance.

Tying the knot has proved to be the perfect start in business for a newly married County Durham couple.

Six months after walking down the aisle, Tracey and Keith Fusco have decided to set up their own photography business together.

A County Durham mother-of-two has got her career back on track and is steering her way towards a successful future in business after being made redundant last year.

Carole Barton, 50, from Blackhall, has launched ‘Orchid Chauffeurs’, a service that provides a wide range of chauffeur experiences from corporate travel to wedding transport, thanks to help and support from Be Enterprising.

A County Durham couple have been bitten by the franchising bug after deciding to change their careers.

Alison and Andrew Nelson of Fishburn, County Durham have each started their own businesses with support and funding from Be Enterprising through the Intensive Start-up Support (ISUS) programme.

A former factory worker is hoping to be in the fast lane to success thanks to the launch of his new driving school – Holdforth Driving Academy.

Ian Lowther, of Bishop Auckland, got his business on the road with assistance from Be Enterprising, County Durham’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI).

A charity worker has used his entrepreneurial skills to develop an innovative and completely unique golfing aide.

Ian Nelson from Willington, County Durham, has invented the TCaddy Golfer, which carries all the equipment you need for a perfect round of golf. He received support from Be Enterprising’s Enterprise Coaching programme to help plan and set up the business.

A County Durham man has turned his love of all things green into an innovative enterprise with hopes of bringing the joy of gardening into the lives of others.
Gary Park has set up ‘Growing Health’ with support from Be Enterprising, Durham County Council’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) programme.

A County Durham husband and wife team is proving to be a match made in heaven with the successful launch of their dream business.
Robert and Michelle Sheen of County Durham decided it was time to focus their talents towards opening their dream business, ‘Warm Sanctuary’, after finding inspiration at a local enterprise fair.

A County Durham couple are shaking up a storm in Consett having opened the doors to the town’s only milkshake bar - Coola Shaker.
Andrew Richardson, 32, and his wife Melanie, 37 opened the milkshake wonderland earlier this year with funding and support from Be Enterprising’s Enterprise Coaching programme. Enterprise Coaching is a Solutions for Business Product.

A County Durham entrepreneur has injected some American flare into the area with the opening of her beauty parlour with a difference.
Mum of one, Sharon Cole, from Ferryhill, has finally realised her dream and opened Amore Nails and Beauty, a shop that caters for all a woman’s beautifying needs, thanks to funding and support from Be Enterprising, County Durham’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI).