Join

Join Durham's Independent Business Alliance

We are here to connect, engage and support you.

Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs at our mixers, promote your business at seasonal markets, attend our educational workshops that are designed to help you run a better business, align your business with our Shop Local Campaigns like Buy Local Month, and so much more.

Tap into our resources and get the support you need! 

We’re building a movement.
Are you ready to join us?

Business

Criteria

The following criteria are necessary for businesses joining Sustain-a-Bull and constitute Sustain-a-bull’s definition of a local independent business:

1) The business is privately held and not publicly traded

2) The business is based locally and has no corporate or national headquarters outside the state

3) The business owners who have a controlling interest of more than 50% live in Durham or surrounding county

4) The business can make independent decisions regarding the name and look of the business, business purchasing, practices and distribution, as well as pays all their own marketing, rent, and other business expenses

Membership

Certified Local

Free

Support

We advocate for local businesses at all levels of government so you can mind the store while we work to ensure your interests are represented

Business Listing

Inclusion in Durham's online Local Business Directory

Certified Local Branding

Use of the Sustain-a-bull branding and online marketing tools to align your business with the Buy Local movement

Workshops

Attend our educational workshops that are designed to help you run a better business

Markets

Invitation to participate in seasonal markets to sell your products and/or promote your business

Networking & Mixers

Invitation to networking events and mixers so you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs

Exclusive Member Resource Page

Get access to business guidance like branding, marketing, website development and our member contact directory

Private Facebook Member Group

Private Member Group on Facebook where you can share events, member-to-member promotions and more

Join

Leverage Your Membership:

  • Meet and build relationships with other members and staff at Sustain-a-bull member events & mixers. See event page for upcoming events.
  • Join the private Member Group on Facebook where you can share events, member-to-member promotions and more
  • Place your Sustain-a-bull Member Badge window cling where all your customers & clients can see it
  • Use the Sustain-a-bull Member Badge on your printed materials, advertisements and website
  • Add your business events to our event calendar
  • Shoot us a note (with a photo!) when you use the Sustain-a-bull branding & we’ll give a shout out via social media.
  • Sponsor or underwrite an event or campaign, such as Eat Local Month, Buy Local Month, or member event
  • Interact with us on Facebook & Twitter. We love to repost & retweet.
  • Keep us up-to-date with your business news, happenings & events.
  • Co-market or collaborate with other members, and tell us about it!