Growth Lab Sunderland: Personal branding as a small business superpower

Why being you is good for business

Have you noticed how many brands are starting to feel the same? In a world increasingly shaped by AI, we’re all asking: What’s real? What can I trust? Who’s actually behind this? As marketing becomes more automated, the risk of blandness grows – and that’s exactly where personal branding becomes a small business superpower.

This relaxed session explores how showing up as you – human, relatable, and sometimes vulnerable – can do what AI can’t: build genuine connection. Whether you’re starting out or ready to step up your personal presence, we’ll look at how being visible as a founder or team member helps connect you to those who matter most. Because in a sea of sameness, being yourself isn’t just okay – it’s powerful.

What is Growth Lab Sunderland?

Growth Lab Sunderland is a hugely popular series brought to you by the North East BIC, created to inspire and empower local businesses with ambition to grow.

Held at venues across Sunderland, these events are all about making growth feel achievable – whether that’s personal growth, business growth, or just being one step ahead of where you were yesterday.

What does growth mean to you?

Growth isn’t all about taking on more staff and bigger premises. It means different things to different people. It might mean doubling profits without hiring a single person, taking Friday off to spend with the family or gaining confidence to try something new.

Growth Lab Sunderland is about seeing things through a new lens – discovering tools and ideas so nothing stands in the way of what you want to achieve.

"Growth Lab events are truly focused on the attendees, not just the people at the front of the room. If you get a chance to attend, come along, be ready, and be excited - you can’t miss the next one!"

Ted Stone

Customer First UK

What to expect:

• Learn from other businesses just like yours
• Discover shortcuts to what works (and what doesn’t)
• Ask the questions you’ve been holding back
• Get honest, real-world insights – no jargon, no nonsense
• Connect with others on the same journey
• Explore new ways of working – and thinking

Meet the Hosts

John Forth and Debbie Simpson

Business Advisers, North East BIC

Having run their own successful businesses, Debbie and John are passionate about sharing their experiences to help others reach their goals. As trusted business mentors, they meet dozens of entrepreneurs every week – and no matter where you find them, they show up the same way: relatable, grounded, and genuinely themselves.

Their personal brands are a natural extension of who they are offline – whether that’s at a networking event, on LinkedIn, or in the supermarket aisle. As hosts, they’ll share how staying true to themselves has helped them build lasting connections in the business community for the BIC.

This Growth Lab event is fully funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is provided by Sunderland City Council and North East BIC to stimulate entrepreneurial ambition across the City.