Member Article

Kiwi Couple Calibrate New Business in Northumberland

A young couple who first met in Edinburgh and then moved to New Zealand have finally settled in rural Northumberland bringing with them two unique but complementary business ventures.

Originally from Fife, Edinburgh University graduate, Susie McDonald (29) met her Kiwi husband Shane (33) while he was playing professional rugby in Scotland’s capital city. The friendship grew and Susie emigrated to the other side of the world to start a new life. Susie’s career path took her rapidly upwards cumulating with the sale of the business that the pair had cultivated enabling them both to return to the UK to pursue a life in Eglingham near Alnwick.

Now, the couple share a company name but they both have very different approaches to team building and people development.

Susie runs Calibrate Business offering business growth strategies to existing and start-up businesses. She is passionate about business and based on her own experiences, she helps to transform an individual’s enthusiasm and passion into profit. Shane on the other hand .runs Calibrate Challenge, a series of MUDMAD outdoor events throughout the region where participants tackle gruelling mud runs set amongst the beautiful countryside. The mud runs involvecourses of 2km, 5km and 10km depending on ability with obstacles including tunnels and streams to negotiate. There is also a child friendly mini mud area making the events a real family affair.

Shane and his team willraise more than £10,000 for local charities including Cash for Kids, the Toby Henderson Trust, Alnwick PlayRangers and Northumberland Scouts.

“These events are very popular back in New Zealand,” said Shane. “They are a great way to keep fit, work together as a team and help charities at the same time. They are suitable for anyone from families to the diehard keep fit athlete.”

Although both Susie and Shane run their respective Calibrate businesses separately, there are opportunities when the couple are able to offer packages where their clients can try out both sides of the business to help to solve challenges within the workplace.

“Our Calibrate Boot Camp can transform a business in 48 hours,” she said.” A weekend focused on personal business challenges coupled with a unique combination of outdoor pursuits and classroom learning gives our clients a clear focus and a structured plan to take away with them and implement.

“We are both very lucky that our skills perfectly complement each other allowing us to work together for the good of our clients,”

The next Mad North East Mud run will take place on 11th November 2012 at Slaley Hall, Hexham while another aspect of Calibrate Business, a three month programme called Calibrate Boardroom will be run in January in Alnwick for established businesses. Susie will also be running a free networking event with a focus on sustainable business growth in Alnwick on Wednesday the 14th of November.

ENDS Photo shows: Shane carrying Susie through the mud.

More info from or Keith Newman on 07814 397951 Calibrate Business 07768 755 244 Calibrate Challenge 07824 996030

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Keith Newman .