Supporting Rural Businesses across the UK

by Rural Business Network in Sedgefield, England, United Kingdom

We did it
On 29th September 2020 we successfully raised £10,200 with 280 supporters in 28 days

Help support rural businesses across the UK. Become a friend, a supporter, celebrate with us or join our #RuralBusinessNetwork community

by Rural Business Network in Sedgefield, England, United Kingdom

1st place in the Santander Universities Emerging Entrepreneurs Challenge

 New stretch target


Rural Business Network Needs Your Help

Hello, I'm Jo Martin, a very proud farmer, and the founder of Rural Business Network which opened for membership on 1st April 2020.

1598898617_jo_martin_photo_for_bfa20.jpeg 

Your donation will enable me to employ the first member of my team so we can support more rural businesses across the UK.  The target is £10,000.

*This project is taking part in the Santander UK Emerging Entrepreneurs competition.  The business at the top of the leader board on 29th September will gain an additional £6,000 in funding!   We will get 1 point if you follow this project, another point if you share this project and 10 points if you make a donation BUT you must be registered and logged-in on Crowdfunder for those points to count.  I would be incredibly grateful if you could help me secure this additional funding as it will mean I can employ the second member of my team*.

What is Rural Business Network?

Rural Busines Network is a community of like-mined people, members have the opportunity to learn, connect and grow by attending on-line events full of knowledge and inspiration.

1598436923_community.jpg

There are 219,00 farms in the UK and recent findings by NFU Mutual revealed that 48% are planning to set up or expand diversification enterprises.  But until now there has not been a specific networking organisation to support this.  

The potential of Rural Business Network is to be the ‘go-to’ for rural business support across the UK.  I am delighted to have welcomed 25 members already from as far afield as Fiona in the Scottish Highlands, down to Amanda who farms in Cambridgeshire.

     "Joining Rural Business Network has been simply fantastic! For me it is all about meeting other people who share my rural interests, hopes and dreams. We are all friends of the soil, whether north or south and the help, support and information shared has been amazing and relevant. Rural Business Network is there for you, in good times and bad" Fiona, Scottish Highlands.

1598900260_cover_photo_for_crowdfunder.jpg

And it’s not just for farmers, whilst many members have farming in their blood, there are food processors, tourism businesses, creative businesses and professional services in our community, it’s for those in the supply chain too.

     "I joined Rural Business Network to connect and promote my business to farmers and rural businesses.  The specialist knowledge of information available from the members is a one-stop portal for any rural business"  John, Farm & Estate Admin Services, Aberdeenshire.

Why?

When my boys were little I made and sold cakes at farmers’ markets.  I could have grown that business but didn’t know where to turn to for support.  I needed knowledge, inspiration, resources, and connections. I needed a network of like-minded people.

I am passionate about supporting rural businesses because I couldn’t find any when I needed it most.

I'm thrilled that Rural Business Network has been shortlisted in the Digital Innovator of the Year category in this year's British Farming Awards and is also in the semi-final of the Santander Emerging Entrepreneurs competition.

1598436850_finalist_logo_with_image_template_-_jo_martin.png

The benefits of being a Rural Business Network member

There are 2 levels of membership: Rural Business sole trader/partnership and Rural Business limited company.  Both include the benefits of:

  • A dedicated contact to direct your questions
  • Access to on-line knowledge events – gain knowledge and inspiration
  • Access to resources and connections to start and grow your new project
  • Access to our members-only Facebook group to share problems and celebrate success
  • Weekly e-newsletters – you will receive relevant news, opportunities, and events direct to your inbox
  • Shoutouts and shares on social media

The Limited Company membership also includes your logo and company bio on the Member Spotlight page of the website.

1598903518_networking_meeting_for_crowdfunder.jpg

I have run 5 on-line events so far using Zoom: Farm Diversification, Marketing Basics, Teesdale Cheesemakers - our story so far, Planning and Development and How to choose the right architect for your project.  Events coming up include: Got a business idea? What should you do next?, What is branding? Does my business need it? and Tourism trends.

What you are supporting?

By donating to this project you will be supporting me to support rural businesses that support communities in so many ways.

The £10,000 raised will enable me to pay the first few month's salary of a marketing and events assistant plus the purchase of a laptop and phone.  This will then enable me to spend time sourcing and developing resources that will make a real difference to rural businesses throughout the UK.  

What will you get?

First off I hope you will get a warm and fuzzy feeling for supporting this project :-) Then there are a variety of rewards to choose from:

For £10 or more:

You will become a friend of Rural Business Network.  You will be added to our e-Newsletter and be given a shout out on Twitter.

For £25 or more:

You will become a supporter of Rural Business Network and will join the names on a special thank you page on the website. You will be added to our e-Newsletter and will also receive a shout out on Twitter and Facebook.

For £60 

You and a guest will join us on Friday 29th January 2021 for a night of celebration at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, County Durham. It includes a reception drink and 3-course meal for you both. VAT included.

For £120

If your rural business is either a sole trader or partnership, grab this special offer of 12 months membership for the price of 10. VAT included.

For £300

If your rural business is registered as a limited company, grab this special offer of 12 months membership for the price of 10. VAT included.

For £1,800

You will be one of our Celebration Night sponsors.  This reward includes reception drink and 3-course meal for 8 guests plus PR opportunities at our inaugural Celebration Event on 29th January 20201. VAT included.

1598905009_community_for_crowdfunder.jpg


I would love you to join our community

If you would like to find out more about Rural Business Network, check out the website: https://rbn.org.uk 

If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch: [email protected]

If you could kindly log-in, follow and share this project with your family and friends, I’d be forever grateful.

Thank you,

Jo x

 

Photograph of Jo:  David James Wood Photographer

Prize Draw Terms and Conditions

By entering the prize draw, you could be in with a chance of winning one of the 3 following cash prizes: £150 (x1), £100 (x1), £50 (x1). The Prize draw starts on Tuesday 1st September and ends on Friday 29th January 2021. For a free entry, please send a signed postcard with your name, address, telephone number, email, and D.O.B to Rural Business Network, The Manor House, West End, Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom, TS21 3HA. The winners to be drawn by an independent observer at 10pm on 29th January 2021 and will be announced on 30th January 2021 at 12pm on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Enter by donating £1 for 1 ticket.  Competition run by Rural Business Network Limited. Please contact Jo Martin via [email protected] for any queries. The winners will be asked for their bank details to send the prize to.



Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£1 or more

Prize Draw Ticket!

Pledge a £1 for a prize draw ticket to be drawn at our Celebration Event on 29th January 2021. Help me get to the top of the Santander Emerging Entrepreneurs leader board for that additional £6,000 in funding. This will enable me to employ the second member of my team. Don't forget to create a Crowdfunder account and follow and share this project too! Thank you!

£10 or more

Friend of Rural Business Network

Become a friend of Rural Business Network and pledge £10 or more. You will be added to our e-Newsletter mailing list and be given a shout out on Twitter.

£25 or more

Supporter of Rural Business Network

Become a supporter and join the names on a special thank you page on the Rural Business Network website. You will also be added to our e-Newsletter mailing list and be given a shout out on Facebook and Twitter.

£60 or more

13 of 50 claimed

Join us for a night of celebration

This is something special. This reward is for you and your guest to join us on Friday 29th January 2021 for a night of celebration at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, County Durham. This reward includes a reception drink and 3-course meal for 2 people. VAT included.

£120 or more

0 of 25 claimed

Rural Business Sole Trader / Partnership Member

Join Rural Business Network with this special offer of 12 months for the price of 10. This offer is for rural businesses that are either sole traders or partnerships. VAT included.

£300 or more

3 of 10 claimed

Rural Business Limited Company Member

Join Rural Business Network with this special offer of 12 months for the price of 10. This offer is for rural businesses that are limited companies. VAT included.

£1,800 or more

1 of 3 claimed

Celebration Night Sponsor

Support Rural Business Network and raise your profile at our inaugural Celebration Event on 29th January 2021 at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, County Durham. This reward includes reception drink and 3-course meal and wine for 8 guests as well as PR opportunities.

Got an idea like this?

Over £200 million has been raised from our crowd to support the projects they love! Plus tens of millions more unlocked by our partners.