THE new year often inspires people to take a chance and follow their dreams and business coach Dawn Torrington has already helped many to achieve their goals.

The first Doing Biz for Yourself networking event of the year was aimed at being an inspiring step into 2018 with a host of entrepreneurs and small business owners gathering at Chambers Business Centre.

Alongside Doing Biz for Yourself ambassadors Rachel Walker from Corner House Cakes - which sponsored the gathering - Sam Hall from Print and Web Design, Kaleemah Miah from Spice Drive and Debra Ashton from Utility Warehouse, its founder Dawn hosted the event and welcomed a number of speakers.

They included Ruth Major, the instigator of the social media campaign #1PieceofRubbish encouraging everyone to pick up one piece of rubbish each day to help clean up the borough, and Gordan Bosjnak who delivered a presentation online digital marketing for businesses.

Dawn said: "I set the business up in May 2014 and the aim was to provide a community for home based and small businesses to stop them from feeling isolated and get real honest support from different experts in their field such as marketing.

"I encourage relationship building which leads members to generating sales both internally and externally as you tend to recommend people you know like and trust to your friends and family.

"Also members kindly offer discounts to each other which saves them money too."

For more information about getting involved go to www.doingbizforyourself.co.uk