THE recession is hitting many small businesses hard, but one group of Forest traders think they have the answer to the economic crisis.
The Business Development Club is a group of 35 business which work together to share good practice and support and promote their colleagues.
Each week a guest speaker gives them tips on improving their business.
Spokesman Steve Fox said: "We want to tell people that now is a good time to start up business.
"There is still money to be made in the Forest and business to be done and we want to tell people that they must use local services or they may lose them.
The group is aiming to encourage all the bigger companies based in the Forest to use the District Council's database of local businesses for services and products.
"If every local business stopped looking from outside the Forest for work, all these people struggling for work would be in work."
Two start up businesses, Victoria Lane's embroidery business T3 Design and Jason Hook's Oakview Acquatics have gone from strength to strength with help and promotion from the club's members, Steve says.
"It is a form of informal networking and we all get to know and trust each other on a more personal level.
"Everyone has everyone else's cards and promotes other businesses from the group."
There is only one representative from each trade to prevent conflicts of interest.
Members range in age from 33 to 74 and have wide-ranging levels and types of experience.
The group meets on Tuesday mornings at The Ugly Duckling, Lydney for breakfast meetings.