BNI Vision

We are a group of local businesses who meet weekly at Hartlepool Yacht Club, come and join us! This is the most cost-effective form of advertising possible.

BNI (Business Network International) is the worlds largest and most successful business referral network. BNI Members meet weekly with the prime intention of passing each other opportunities for new business through 'word of mouth referrals'. Being a member of Business Network Int'l (BNI) is like having sales people working for you every day who market your product or services.

26/08/2026

✨️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ✨️

This week we have Katie Nicole Dowson from Evans & Co Solicitors

1. Name, business and BNI seat?
Katie Dowson, Evans & Co, conveyancing solicitor

2. Describe what you do in one sentence.
Help people move house or remortgage

3. Who is your ideal referral? ⭐
Estate agents looking for a proactive solicitor

4. What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given?
Believe in yourself

5. What do you enjoy most about being part of BNI?
The support from fellow members to develop your professional skills and the relationships you build as a result

6. Tea, coffee or something stronger? ☕🍷
Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon and wine in the evening

7. Perfect day off — what are you doing?
Lovely dog walk followed by a nice meal and drink in the local pub

8. Early bird or night owl?
Night owl

9. If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be?
Doing makeup so always look good for work and can build a side hustle!
10. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Chatty, bossy, loyal

03/08/2026

✨️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ✨️

This week we have Lorraine from Atterway Ltd.

1. Name, business and BNI seat? Lorraine Williams Atterway Estate Agents
2. Describe what you do in one sentence. We help find your dream home
3. Who is your ideal referral? ⭐ Landlords who are fed up managing their rental portfolios
4. What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given? Smile and the world smiles with you 😊
5. What do you enjoy most about being part of BNI? The business relationships I've made and growth in myself.
6. Tea, coffee or something stronger? ☕🍷Love a cuppa tea a latte and a gin & tonic
7. Perfect day off — what are you doing? Go for a walk in the countryside, back home for a takeaway and a good movie
8. Early bird or night owl? Early bird
9. If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be? Learn a language
10. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Kind, charitable, people person

31/07/2026

We recently had a fantastic Feature Presentation from Sue Kearney from The Hope Foundation, sharing the inspiring work they do through furbd.

furbd is helping to tackle digital exclusion by giving unwanted technology a second life. Donated devices are securely refurbished and redistributed to people who need them most, helping individuals access education, employment, essential services and stay connected, while also reducing electronic waste.

It was a really thought-provoking presentation that highlighted the incredible impact a simple donated laptop or tablet can have on someone's future.

Thank you, Sue, for sharing your passion and the amazing work you and your team are doing to make a real difference in our community. 👏

30/07/2026

✨️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ✨️

Next up this week we have Stuart Mitchell ProTuition Bni

1. Name, business and BNI seat?
Stu Mitchell, ProTuition Ltd, Music Tutor

2. Describe what you do in one sentence.
I Help Guitarists and Bassists of all ages and abilities develop their confidence, technique and musicianship through professional online tuition.

3. Who is your ideal referral?
Anyone who would like to learn the Guitar or Bass, either for fun, to improve their skills or to take Exams.

4. What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given?
Never give up. 1 step forward is still a step.

5. What do you enjoy most about being part of BNI?
The feeling of everyone being in it together. You can ask anyone in the group for help and they oblige immediately.

6. Tea, coffee or something stronger?
A nice cup of Tea when I wake up and Vodka for my stronger drink.

7. Perfect day off — what are you doing?
Having a day out with my wife, lunch and then back for a Playstation session.

8. Early bird or night owl?
Night Owl.

9. If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be?
Social Media! It drives me up the wall having to post constantly and knowing what to post
and when to post!

10. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Funny, Honest & Irritating!

29/07/2026

Last week's Feature Presentation was delivered by Will Cowley from The Original Mortgage Company Ltd , giving us a great insight into the wide range of mortgage services available and the benefits of working with an independent mortgage adviser.

From first-time buyers and home movers to remortgages, buy-to-let and later life lending, Will explained how he takes care of the whole process, making it as straightforward and stress-free as possible for his clients.

Thanks for an informative presentation, Will – it's always great to learn more about the businesses in our BNI chapter and how we can confidently refer them. 👏

28/07/2026

✨️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ✨️

Another one for you this week, Connor Robinson from New Street Properties

1. Name, business and BNI seat? Connor Robinson, New Street Properties, Buying Agent

2. Describe what you do in one sentence. Help aspiring landlords build a sustainable portfolio whilst maintaining our own personal portfolio for contractor accommodation.

3. Who is your ideal referral? Anyone looking to build a property portfolio or looking for accommodation for people working in the region.

4. What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given? Own your mistakes then learn from them.

5. What do you enjoy most about being part of BNI? Positivity and being around like-minded people who can help me grow and who I in turn can help become better.

6. Tea, coffee or something stronger? Southern comfort and lemonade

7. Perfect day off — what are you doing? Have a lie in, grab brunch with the family then out to watch some kind of sport or band.

8. Early bird or night owl? Definitely night owl

9. If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be? I’d love to be able to speak another language.

10. What three words would your friends use to describe you? Loyal, driven, reliable

27/07/2026

✨️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ✨️

Next up this week we have Jayne Allison from Tranquil Legal Costs

1. Name, business and BNI seat?
I'm Jayne, and I run Tranquil Legal Costs. My BNI seat is Legal Costs Draftsman.

2. Describe what you do in one sentence.
I prepare and negotiate legal costs on behalf of legal firms: from drafting bills to challenging costs on the other side, in order that Solicitors and their clients recover what they are properly owed.

3. Who is your ideal referral? ⭐
Any Civil Litigation Solicitor, particularly in criminal negligence and personal injury, who need a bill of costs drawn up, a costs negotiation handled, or advice on costs recovery (especially if it's been sitting on their to-do list for too long).

4. What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given?
Never assume, check it, then check it again. In costs work, the detail is everything.

5. What do you enjoy most about being part of BNI?
The genuine relationships. It's not just referrals; it's a room full of people who actually want to see each other succeed.

6. Tea, coffee or something stronger? ☕🍷
Black coffee, no messing about. I can't stand tea unless it's herbal or fruity.

7. Perfect day off - what are you doing?
An English Heritage or National Trust day out with the family, complete with a treasure hunt I've made up for the boys.

8. Early bird or night owl?
A bit of both at the minute. My sleep pattern's roughly midnight to 5am, so I get the best of both worlds (or the worst, depending on the day).

9. If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be?
I'd love to be fluent in another language overnight – probably German or Spanish.

10. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
So I actually asked my friends this and they came up with – passionate, caring and trustworthy.

24/07/2026

✨️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ✨️

Next up in the series we have Toni Wilkinson from VH Services

1. Name, business and BNI seat?
Toni Wilkinson – VH Services – Domestic and Commercial Cleaning.

2. Describe what you do in one sentence.
I help businesses keep their premises clean, safe and professional with specialist cleaning services.

3. Who is your ideal referral? ⭐
Facilities managers, office managers, landlords, schools, healthcare providers, or any business that needs a reliable commercial cleaning partner.

4. What's the best bit of advice you've ever been given?
People buy from people they know, like and trust.

5. What do you enjoy most about being part of BNI?
The relationships—supporting local businesses, building genuine friendships, and helping each other grow.

6. Tea, coffee or something stronger? ☕🍷
Neither I am water and juice kinda girl!

7. Perfect day off — what are you doing?
Spending time with my daughters, going to a concert or event, and finishing the day with good food.

8. Early bird or night owl?
Definitely an early bird—BNI makes sure of that!

9. If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be?
Marketing and business growth, so I could help take any business to the next level.

10. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Loyal, organised, and determined.

21/07/2026

✨️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ✨️

Next up is Katie Storey from Katie Helen Beauty

1. Name, business and BNI seat?
Katie Gibson, Katie Helen Beauty, Beautician

2. Describe what you do in one sentence.
Make clients feel beautiful, relaxed and confident

3. Who is your ideal referral? ⭐
Anyone who needs a pamper, has skin concerns, lacks confidence in their appearance or has very sparse or uneven brows.

4. What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given?
Just give it a go! You'll never know if you don't try

5. What do you enjoy most about being part of BNI?
The relationships, support and friendships it has given me. Also the ideas other members have given me to help me grow my business.

6. Tea, coffee or something stronger? ☕🍷
Tea in the morning, pinot grigio and soda after 5pm

7. Perfect day off — what are you doing?
A day at our caravan with my partner taking our little girl Sophie to a farm or play area, then when she's tucked up in bed, a BBQ with a few glasses of wine.

8. Early bird or night owl?
Neither, I have a 3 year old! But probably more night owl.

9. If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be?
In life - Cooking! I love cooking but haven't really got a clue what i'm doing.
Business - Lash Extensions! Would make me so much money but I just haven't got the knack

10. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Caring, Honest and Loyal

19/07/2026

✨️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ✨️

This week we have Denise Newton from In Studio

1. What’s your name, business name and BNI seat?
In Studio - Website Design

2. Describe what you do in just one sentence.
We provide Web development, design, hosting and support

3. Who is your ideal referral right now? Any new businesses that don’t have a website or that need brand guidelines, logo etc

4. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I’m still waiting for it

5. What do you enjoy most about being part of BNI?
The friendships I have made, being able to ask other business owners for advice.

6. Tea, coffee or something stronger? ☕🍷
Old Fashioned

7. Describe your perfect day off.
Feet up reading a book, followed by a meal at The Ivy and a few cocktails.

8. Early bird or night owl? 🐦🦉
Bit of both

9. If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be?
I’d like to be able to sing

10. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Loyal, organised, caring

Address

Tees And Hartlepool Yacht Club, West Harbour
Hartlepool
TS240SP

Opening Hours

6:30am - 8:30am

Website

https://bni-dt.co.uk/en-GB/index

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