Join
Join Durham's Independent Business Alliance
We’re building a movement. Are you ready to join us?
Thank you for celebrating and supporting what we love most about Durham: the local, independent businesses who reflect the unique character, flavor, and culture of the place we call home. Choose to support Durham with your dollars, your voice, your vote, and your heart.
We are here to connect, engage and support you. Tap into our resources, and our community of like-minded entrepreneurs and get the support you need.
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
$200 annually
(50% discount for nonprofits)
(50% discount for nonprofits)
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
Networking & Mixers
Free admission to monthly networking events and mixers so you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs
Business Listing
Inclusion in Durham's online Local Business Directory and Sustain-a-Bull app
Certified Local Branding
Use of the Sustain-a-bull branding and online marketing tools to align your business with the Buy Local movement
Workshops
Receive free admission to 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
Shop Local Campaigns
Inclusion in Shop Local Campaigns including Buy Local Month and Eat Local Month
Private Facebook Member Group
Private Member Group on Facebook where you can share events, member-to-member promotions and more
Sneak Peeks of New Businesses
In addition to mixers, you'll get exclusive invites to preview new businesses before they open
Exclusive Member Resource Page
Get access to business guidance like branding, marketing, website development and our member contact directory
BONUS: Online Instagram Workshop
Instant access to Best of the Bull's Ultimate Instagram Workshop for Small Businesses
Membership
Enthusiast
$300 annually
All Business Level benefits plus:
All Business Level benefits plus:
Business Directory Sponsor
Logo included on Business Directory profile page
Priority listing
Priority listing in all online Business Directory categories
Guaranteed Spot at Markets
Our markets are on a first applied basis, but your Enthusiast membership guarantees you first access to each seasonal market
Homepage Placement
Priority placement of your logo and link on the Sustain-a-bull home page
Membership
Champion
$800 annually
All Business & Level benefits plus:
All Business & Level benefits plus:
Host or Sponsor a Mixer
Opportunity to co-host one Sustain-a-bull Member Mixer
Business Feature
Featured on Sustain-a-bull blog and e-newsletter
Guaranteed Spot at Markets
Our markets are on a first applied basis, but your Enthusiast membership guarantees you first access to each seasonal market
Priority listing
Priority listing in all online Business Directory categories
Homepage Placement
Priority placement of your logo and link on the Sustain-a-bull home page
Annual Meeting Recognition
Recognition at Annual Meeting
Join
Leverage Your Membership:
- Meet and build relationships with other members and staff at Sustain-a-bull member events & Monthly 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!