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.
Meet the speakers
Real people, real businesses, real stories. Speakers to be announced soon – stay tuned!
Pascal Fintoni
Company Name
Pascal is a digital marketing expert with 30 years of experience and a passion for making AI accessible. Since 2023, he has embedded AI into his training and consultancy services, hosted AI conferences, delivered executive briefings, and led AI masterclasses. A prolific content creator, he has reviewed over 400 digital tools, including AI platforms.
Mitali Deypurkaystha
Impact Icon
Award-winning founder of The Vegan Publisher and Impact Icon AI Consultancy, she helps purpose-driven scale-ups adopt ethical, human-first AI to boost efficiency, reduce complexity, and stay competitive – without compromising values. With 1,500+ hours of hands-on experience, she transforms business challenges into impactful, inclusive solutions.
Chris Blyth
Reputation King
Founder of multiple UK businesses, he uses AI-powered voice assistants, chatbots, and automations to boost sales, streamline operations, and drive client growth—24/7. From fitness to tech, his award-winning strategies turn conversations into loyal customers while eliminating repetitive tasks through smart, scalable AI solutions.
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.
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.
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
Book your place
Growth Lab: Personal branding as a small business superpower
Date: Friday 3rd October 2025, 9:30-12:30
Venue: TBC (Sunderland area)
Costs: Free
Priority is given to businesses in the Sunderland City Council area. Not based in Sunderland? Click the link above to pop your name on the waiting list and we’ll be in touch if there’s space. We’d love to see you there if possible!
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. We’ll just need to check your eligibility before confirming your place. Priority is given to businesses in the Sunderland City Council area. Thank you!
Join our mailing list
To join the Growth Lab mailing list please sign up here.
This event is supported by Enterprising Sunderland and is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
