Discover how to transform adversity into triumph as we chat with Beverley Densham, a renowned Mindfulness Pilates teacher and author of 26 years based in Dorset. She graduated  from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sports Science and had a successful Pilates Studio in Hertfordshire for 16 years, relocating to Dorset by the sea: her happy place. 

She now teaches Mindfulness Pilates at her zoom studio with meditation, mindset, journalling & positive affirmations. Helping reduce back pain to feel good & to be stronger in body & mind.  

She is host of the Mindfulness Pilates podcast & also teaches stress management workshops and programmes for lawyers, law firms, corporate, teachers and schools.  Her latest books are the Stress to Calm series: Stress to Calm in 7 minutes for Lawyers, Stress to Calm in 7 minutes for Nurses and Stress to Calm in 7 minutes for Teachers.

Beverley opens up about her incredible journey from recovering from a catastrophic road accident in Australia to becoming the first qualified Pilates instructor in Hertfordshire. Her story is one of resilience and dedication, shedding light on how she embraced Pilates during her rehabilitation and turned it into a thriving business that now spans both in-person and online platforms.

Learn the secrets behind Beverley's successful transition to online Pilates classes, where she emphasizes the critical importance of proper alignment and safety. We discuss how mindfulness is seamlessly woven into Pilates, which led Beverley to rebrand her practice as "Mindfulness Pilates." Listen as she shares her experience integrating stress management techniques, benefiting a diverse clientele, and outlines the positive impact her methods have had on well-being and productivity.

Gain practical, actionable tips for maintaining well-being as a busy professional, straight from Beverley’s repertoire. From avoiding poor posture and incorporating simple breathing exercises to improving sleep hygiene, Beverley offers a treasure trove of advice designed to help you find balance and enhance your overall health. We also dive into her accomplishments and personal milestones, including the creation of "Happy Kids Cards" and the significance of awards in raising awareness of her work. This episode is packed with inspiring stories and practical insights for anyone looking to boost their mental and physical well-being while excelling in business.

{1:59} Bev's recovery from a major road traffic accident.

{4:05} Training in Pilates.

{5:55} Pilates for back issues.

{8:39} The Pilates code of conduct.

{9:41} How Bev delivers Pilates classes over Zoom.

{10:31} Combining mindfulness and Pilates.

{14:25} Managing overwhelm.

{15:15} The Mindfulness Pilates Podcast.

{19:03} Entering the Janey Loves Platinum Awards.

{21:24} The answers needed for entering the awards.

{22:18} The Awards Event.

{23:31} Starting over after many challenges.

{24:12} Happy Kids Cards.

{27:45} Bev's tips for stressed entrepreneurs.

{30:04} Developing better sleep.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Bev: Www.mindfulnesspilates.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beverley_densham/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pilateswithbeverley/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM1XI06JFrhoNFYu9vDlODw

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-densham/

The Mindfulness Pilates Podcast: https://www.pilatestofeelgood.com/podcasts-1/building-good-habits-of-consistency-and-accountability-to-a-better-happier-and-healthier-life-with-sally-pritchard

Sue Keogh is the Founder of Sookio, a communications consultancy in Cambridge. She joins us in this episode, From Award-Winner to Judge, to talk to us about her extensive awards experience from both sides.

Sue works with senior leadership teams who value an external perspective on their communications, bringing fresh energy and 25+ years of industry expertise to help them think beyond the structures of the organisation.

A recognised specialist in digital content, Sue has worked closely with institutions including the BBC, ITV, Government Digital Service and the University of Cambridge, and led Sookio as a highly successful digital marketing agency for 16 years.

Host of the Communication Untangled podcast, and Fellow of the RSA, Sue draws on her extensive industry and business experience to solve critical communications challenges now, and in the future.

Having won numerous awards for her business achievements, Sue is now a judge at the National Business Women’s Awards. That's why she talks to us about how she became an award winner, and what she expects from entrants as a judge.

And to add even more value, she shares some of her expertise around social media and communications, an essential part of every business owner's toolkit.

 

{1:57} Sue's road to starting a business.

{5:36} How the business has expanded.

{8:45} To use or not to use X/Twitter.

{11:33} The effect of the X rebrand.

{12:30} Managing multiple social media channels despite the challenges.

{15:05} The best social media for the Best Businesswomen Awards.

{16:13} What put awards on Sue's radar?

{17:24} Becoming an award judge.

{19:33} What Sue looks for in award entries.

{21:57} Stick to your business, not sob stories.

{22:25} Sue's two tips for good award entries.

{27:36} Leveraging award wins.

{30:04} The advice Sue would have given herself sixteen years ago.

{33:58} Transitioning to a one-woman consultancy.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Sue: https://www.sookio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sookio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sookio

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sookio/

X: https://x.com/sookio

The Joy of Performing Arts is the latest epsiode of the Business Awards Show, featuring award-winning Fiona da Silva Adams.

Fiona set up Revolution Performing Arts seventeen years, and has made a huge contribution to the cultural life of Swindon's young people ever since. That contribution won her a Great British Business Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community 

She tells us how she came to running her own business later in life having had a successful corporate career in her twenties. But her passion for dance and performing arts saw her go to drama school, creating her own performing arts business.   She also does much to support her community, a huge advocate of Swindon as a town, ensuring kids suffering from domestic abuse can enjoy the release of performing arts free of charge, and providing hot meals to under-privileged children.

Fiona demonstrates how following your passion can transform your life. She is firmly among the schoool of thought that argues if you do what you're passionate about, you'll never work a day in your life. But she has also transformed the lives of hundreds of children who have loved the freedom dance and drama offers.

This is a great episode for anyone thinking of moving away from a corporate career, at a crossroads in life. She explains the impact of awards, and the benefits of PR on building a business. Her energy and enthusiasm shine through as she takes us on her inspiring journey.

{2:15} How Fiona moved into performing arts.

{5:35} Why Fiona set up her own business.

{6:40} Publicising Revolution Performing Arts.

{7:12} What makes RPA different?

{8:09} How classes are set up.

{8:56} Expanding the business.

{10:02} The challenges Fiona has faced.

{11:19} Business recovery after COVID.

{12:21} Keeping kids engaged.

{13:50} Developing young people's lifeskills.

{15:14} Dancing as an adult.

{16:32} Winning a Great British Business Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community..

{19:20} The therapeutic effects of performing arts.

{20:44} Why it took Fiona so long to enter business awards.

{21:57} Positive PR for RPA.

{23:11} Helping under-privileged kids access the arts and hot food.

{24:10} Fiona's advice for people at a career crossroads.

{26:00} Finding other women who will support you.

{27:07} Fiona's plans for the next twelve months.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Fiona: https://revolutionpa.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revolution_performing_arts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPARapportCIC

LinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-da-silva-adams-rpa

X: https://x.com/revolutionpa

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@revolutionpa?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Today I am joined by judge and sponsor of the Best Business Women Awards Cheryl Luzet. Cheryl is the CEO of Wagada and previously won at the Best Business Women Awards in 2016 as the Best Business Woman in Technology.

{1:06} The history behind the name Wagada and the business.

{1:52} When Cheryl started the business and how it began.

{2:42} Her background before Wagada.

{3:11} How Cheryl has grown the business.

{4:29} Advice to people starting out in business.

{5:40} Why Wagada enters business awards.

{6:42} How big the business is now.

{8:08} Why Wagada entered the Best Business Women Awards.

{7:35} What Wagada offer as a business.

{8:50} Process behind becoming a sponsor.

{10:01} What Cheryl looks for as a judge.

{11:29} What impact have awards had on Cheryl’s business.

{12:08} SEO & Awards.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show.

Connect with Cheryl at Wagada 

Facebook: @Wagada 

Linkedin: @Wagada

Instagram: @wagada_digital

Today I am joined by awards judge Roma Bhowmick founder of Business 360 Ltd. Roma has been a judge for the Best Business Women Awards since it started in 2015. 

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{1:40} Roma’s career journey.

{4:33} What she loves about judging the awards

{5:30} What Roma is looking for as a judge.

{6:54} What irritates Roma when judging an entry.

{10:30} Final comments from Roma.

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Roma at Business 360 Ltd

Today I am joined by award winner Caroline Sparks, co-founder of Turtle Tots with business partner Gabrielle Lixton. The duo won the Best Business Woman working with Children and Families category at the Best Business Women Awards 2017.

Here are the highlights from the episode

{1:24} All about Turtle Tots.

{2:47} Why Turtle Tots entered the Best Business Women Awards.

{4:07} Impact of winning the Children & Families category on the business.

{5:00} Advice for those thinking of entering business awards and tips for entries.

{6:47} The future for Turtle Tots.

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Caroline at Turtle Tots

Facebook: @TurtleTotsUK 

Instagram: @turtletotsswim

Today I am joined by award-winning coach Antoinette Oglethorpe. Antoinette was the winner of Best Coach 2019 at the Best Business Women Awards. 

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{0:55} About Antoinette’s business.

{1:43} How long Antoinette’s been a coach and why she is so passionate about it.  

{2:34} How she has grown her business and reputation.

{4:15} Importance of awards when it comes to business.

{6:23} The Lloyds Bank National Business Awards

{7:58} Sharing awards when pitching for business and on social media.

{8:41} Advice for those entering business awards.

{10:08} The process of entering awards. 

{12:06} The Best Business Women Awards.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Antoinette at Antoinette Oglethorpe

Twitter: @antoinetteog

Facebook: @AntoinetteOglethorpe  

Today I am joined by the award-winning Daryl Woodhouse, CEO, Entrepreneur, Speaker and Executive Performance Coach.

Daryl is the creator of the Life Work Effect which enables a happier life and a more successful workplace.

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{1:40} What made Daryl enter his first business award.

{2:26} What Daryl’s business does.

{4:23} Daryl’s approach to award entries.

{5:33} Why customer service and business innovation are important to Daryl’s business.

{6:56} When you don't win the award. 

{8:13} The publicity gained from winning or being a finalist at Business awards.

{9:21} Business and the pandemic.

{13:35} Daryl's business and awards nuggets.

{17:09} Work-life balance and self-care.

{19:00} Tips for approaching business awards.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Award Show

Connect with Daryl at Daryl Woodhouse

Twitter: @djmwoodhouse

Facebook: @djmwoodhouse

Instagram: @djmwoodhouse

The Life Work Effect

Today I am joined by Hela Wozniak-Kay, Co-Founder of Sister Snog. Hela with her business partner Annie Brooks won the Best Networker Award 2019 at the Best Business Women Awards, they now sponsor the Most Inspiring Businesswoman category at the awards.

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{1:37} Setting up Sister Snog, the history behind it and what the company does.

{5:13} What makes Hela a great Connectress

{7:52} The Sister Snog event experience.

{12:41} Why Sister Snog entered the Best Business Women Awards.

{14:48} What makes an Inspiring Businesswoman from the category sponsor.

{19:20} The impact of winning the award for  Sister Snog.

{23:56} Advice for those thinking of entering.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Hela at Sister Snog

Twitter: @SisterSnog

Facebook: @SisterSnog 

Instagram: @sistersnog

Today I am joined by Sarah Ellis, founder of Tic Box Productions. Sarah won Charity Champion 2019 at the Best Business Women Awards.

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{1:07} About Tic Box Productions and what the company do.

{6:48} Sarah’s background before Tic Box.

{11:42} Hyper Fusion Theatre.

{12:21} Issue-based plays.

{14:57} The Shhhh experience.

{21:38} Why Sarah entered the Best Business Women Awards.

{27:00} Working with young people.

{30:30} Final words for those looking to enter Charity Champion.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Sarah at Tic Box Productions

Twitter: @box_tic

Facebook: @TICBoxProductions 

Instagram: @ticboxproductions

Today I am joined by Carmel Jane Saulbrey, founder of Carmel Jane Photography. Carmel won Most Inspiring Businesswoman at the Best Business Women Awards 2019.

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{1:07} About Carmel Jane Photography and how it all began.

{3:10} What made Carmel enter the Most Inspiring Businesswoman category. 

{5:04} Empowering other women.

{7:23} Top tips for those entering business awards.

{10:47} Why you should enter business awards.

{11:08} Future for Carmel Jane Photography.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Carmel at Carmel Jane Photography

Facebook: @CarmelJanePhotography

Instagram: @CarmelJanePhotography

Today I am joined by Camille Pierson, founder of The Float Spa in Hove. Camille was the Gold Winner for the Health and Wellness category at the Best Business Women Awards 2020.

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{1:09} About Camille and her business; The Float Spa.

{1:58} Camille’s background and how her business came to be.

{8:30} Thought process behind entering awards as The Float Spa grows.

{9:38} Corporate Social Responsibility and making change for the good.

{11:47} Journey with entering business awards.

{15:52} Advice for those entering awards.

{17:12} Future for The Float Spa.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show. 

Connect with Camille at The Float Spa

Twitter: @FloatSpa

Facebook: @thefloatspa

Instagram: @floatspahove

Today I am joined by Customer Service Judge Cathy Ayers from Cleveland Scott York and Babs Forman, winner of the Best Customer Service category at the Best Business Women Awards 2019.

Here are the highlights from the episode:

Part 1: Interview with Cathy Ayers

{1:10} What Cleveland Scott York do and the type of clients the business works with.

{2:26} How long Cathy has been working in Intellectual Property and the changes she has seen over the years.

{3:45} Thought process behind getting involved in Female Business Awards.

{5:00} What Cathy looks for as a judge for the Best Customer Service category.

{7:50} Advice for those unsure of entering the awards.

{9:29} Final thoughts from Cathy.

{15:14} Interlude

Part 2: Interview with Babs Forman

{16:00} About Skin Confident

{17: 17} Why Babs got into this business and industry.

{18:20} Where Skin Confident is based.

{19:04} Why Babs entered the awards last year.

{19:50} What Babs feels encapsulates good customer service.

{21:05} The impact of the awards.

{22:23} Advice to anyone thinking of entering the awards.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Cathy Ayers at Cleveland Scott York

Twitter: @CSY_IP

Facebook: Cleveland-Scott-York-Intellectual-Property

Instagram: @csy_ip

Connect with Babs Forman at Skin Confident

Twitter: @SkinConfidentUk

Facebook: @SkinConfidentUK

Instagram: @babsforman_skinconfident

Our latest episode discovers why networking builds award-winning businesses. Louise Yexley is someone who knows. She runs nine Women In Business Network (WIBN) groups across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, setting up her first group in 2009. 
  I've known Louise for sixteen years, and I cannot think of anyone better qualified to tell us about the power of networking, and why awards are so important in developing the network. Louise has won awards for Best Franchisee, Best e-Business, and Best Networking Group. She tells us how this has had such a dramatic impact on the credibility and attractiveness of her networking business. In addition, it boosted her self-confidence and drive.   Louise was the perfect candidate to be part of the Best Businesswomen Awards judging panel. She tells us how this transformed her view of awards, seeing things from the other side. It also emphasises how a robust judging process is so essential to a successful awards programme.
  Like many networking organisations, Louise had to take the business online during the pandemic. She explains the differences between the physical and the virtual world, and why WIBN is moving increasingly back to a face-to-face model.   There are some vital tips in our discussion that will help anyone entering the world of business networking or struggling to get the most from their groups. Anyone simply passing business cards around as they enter a room may need to rethink!

The latest episode of The Business Awards Show once again offers plenty of advice and information for any female entrepreneur. If you are new to networking or awards, want to know how to get more from both, or just want to know more about how the two impact each other, take a listen.

{2:09} How Louise came to run a WIBN franchise.

{3:00} Buying and developing the franchise.

{4:28} Winning two Herts SME Awards.

{6:38} What motivated Louise to enter awards.

{7:56} The impact of winning awards on the networking business.

{9:29} Bringing networking and awards together.

{11:14} The most common networking mistakes.

{12:55} The number one thing to do when networking.

{14:22} The difference between physical and virtual networking.

{19:12} Debbie's advice for effective networking.

{20:39} Finding the right networking group.

{23:05} Creating advocates from networking colleagues.

{24:07} Being a Best Businesswomen Awards judge.

{28:04} Louise's top tip in business.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Louise: https://wibn.co.uk/page/Louise_Yexley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wibn_beds_herts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIBNUK

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wibnintl/

X: https://x.com/WIBN_Beds_Herts

Today I’m joined by Julie Grimes, the founder of Jaguar White Recruitment as well as a previous award winner of our recruitment category in 2016.

Julie is now one of our judges for the Best Business Women Awards.

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{1:31} Why Julie started Jaguar White Recruitment and her background in recruitment.

{3:13} The challenges she faced when starting a business.

{5:15} Helping clients during lockdown.

{6:50} Awards experience.

{8:07} From Award Winner to Judge.

{9:35} What she looks for in terms of judging our Best Boss category.

{10:25} What she looks for when judging other categories.

{11:40} Impact of winning and sponsoring the awards for Jaguar White Recruitment.

{12:42} Advice for those entering the awards.

{14:21} The future of Jaguar White Recruitment.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Julie at Jaguar White Recruitment

Twitter: @JagWhiteRecruit

Facebook: @jaguarwhiterecruitment 

Instagram: @jaguarwhiterecruitment

Today I’m joined by Donna O’Toole, the founder of August Recognition and Awards Judge.

In 2021, August Recognition became a part of Dent Global Group who help entrepreneurs and business leaders to stand out. 

Here are the highlights from the episode:

{1:53} Donna’s passion for awards and what drew her to the industry.

{5:26} What Donna looks for in award entries.

{8:32} Common mistakes in entries.

{11:42} The Awards Accelerator.

{14:14} The use of awards agencies.

{17:30} Awards imposters syndrome.

{20:04} The tenacity of women entering awards.

{22: 36} Winning Awards with Donna O’Toole podcast and Winning Business Awards scorecard.

 

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Donna at August Recognition

Twitter: @donna_awards and @august_awards

Instagram: @august_awards

Facebook: August Awards Consultancy

Awards Accelerator

Get Awards (Event with Dent on 19th and 26th May) 

Win Business Awards Scorecard

Today I'm joined by Jo Bates, the founder of Thumsie Limited. Jo won the Best Consumer and Retail category in 2019 but was also a finalist in 2017 and 2018. We talk about how winning business awards has led to Thumsie receiving industry recognition for her innovative children’s products.

 

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{1:14} How Thumsie Limited came about

{2:48} The problems that thumb and finger sucking can cause

{6:21} Why Jo started to enter business awards

{10:25} Winning the Best Innovation category in the Dental Awards and getting Oral Health Foundation approved

{12:06} Getting press for winning awards

{14:31} The future for Thumsie

{16:42} Jo's advice on entering business awards

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk/

Connect with Jo at: https://thumbsie.co.uk/

In this episode, I'm joined by Davina Steel who won our Best New Business category in 2019.

After having cancer Davina developed an intolerance to Gluten which led to her starting her baking business Davina Steel which is now available in Co-op and Waitrose.

 

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{4:08} Getting products into supermarkets and delis

(5:11} Why Davina decided to enter awards for her business

{6:41} The impact that winning awards has had on Davina's business

{7:37} Trading through a pandemic as a new business

{8:26} How the business will develop over the next few years

{9:46} Davina's advice on entering business awards

{11:04} How including projections in your awards entries can help you to stand out

{12:59} How entering business awards can shine a light on what is and isn't working in your business.

 

Connect with Debbie at https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk/

Connect with Davina at https://www.davinasteel.com/

Today I'm joined by the amazing Taz Thornton who was the winner of our best coach category in 2018, came back again in 2019 and scooped a finalist placing in our most inspiring business woman of which we had way over a hundred entries for.

 

Taz is going to be telling us a bit about her business, about why she entered the awards and what the impact of the awards has been for her and her coaching business.

 

Here are the highlights from this episode:

 

{1:16} Taz's background

{4:37} How vulnerability is a superpower

{7:03} How Taz tailors her coaching to each client

{9:19} Why Taz entered the awards

{12:55} How it feels to be chosen as the best coach in the UK

{14:52) What Taz will be looking for in the entries she gets

{18:02} Taz's plans for the future

{18:41} Taz's TEDx talks

 

Find Taz on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC76x8h3COupBnEUflsXBcsw

In this episode, I'm joined by Sophie Milliken  from SRS Sophie has not only been a winner but has also been a finalist as well. She was a finalist in 2017, for Best Recruitment as well as a finalist in 2018 for Best Recruitment and Best Business, which is a very difficult category to get shortlisted for and not deterred and full of determination, she came back again and won the Best Recruitment in 2019.

Sophie is also a TEDx speaker with her talk, The truth behind the showreel.

 

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{2:28} Introduction to Sophie

{5:28} The challenges Sophie has overcome in the last few years as a business owner

{7:22} What made Sophie decide to enter business awards

{9:43} Having tenacity when entering awards

{14:04} The impact winning an award can have on your business

{18:00} Building your network through awards

{20:14} Sophie's advice to you if you're thinking of entering an award

 

Connect with Debbie:

thebusinessawardsshow.com

Connect with Sophie on Linkedin

 

We've had a lot of interest in the business awards this year but lots of them are missing evidence in their applications so I invited Denise O'Leary, Author of 'Winner - How to Win Business Awards' along to the podcast to talk to us about the topic of evidence.

 

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{2:02} The first thing Denise thinks about when entering an award herself

{3:35} What must you include in a business award application

{7:39} How not to over evidence!

{9:41} Recency has value with evidence

{15:35} Knowing your strengths as a business

{20:18} How to include staff opinions in your evidence

{22:30} The evidence you collate and prepare can help you in your business

{23:07} Remember the judges are human beings!

{25:49} Treat every award entry like a bespoke marketing campaign

 

Connect with Debbie:

thebusinessawardsshow.com

The Animal Behaviourist with Lisa Sinnott plots the journey of a woman passionate about animals, becoming a leading animal behaviourist. The latest edition of the Business Awards Show explains why understanding the way your dog or cat behaves is so important for any pet owner.   Lisa won a silver award in the Animal Services category of the Best Businesswomen Awards in 2022 and has won more awards on her journey as an animal behaviourist. She set up Albany Pet Services in 2016 with the help of a grant from the Princes Trust. Having qualified from University of Edinburgh in clinical animal behaviour, she set up a new business, St Paws Academy, to focus on dogs' behavioural needs. St Claws Academy followed, working with cats and their owners.
  Entering awards has proven a significant benefit. She tells us about her first entry into the Best Businesswomen Awards, and being a finalist in the Everywoman Awards. Entries have given her business increased visibility and credibility and she aims to continue the process.   During our conversation, Lisa urges entrepreneurs to follow their passions. She has done just that, and created a successful and growing business. She makes clear she hasn't done it alone. She talks about the help she has been able to get from The Prince's Trust, the St Albans Enterprise Agency, and other business people who have learnt from their mistakes.

If you are an animal lover, you will love this episode, but for any young entrepreneur there are some valuable nuggets to help you think again about your business, and a clear call to engage with business awards.

{1:36} Becky's back story.

{2:35} Getting help from The Prince's Trust.

{5:31} Lisa's first pet business.

{6:07} The impact of Covid.

{8:05} Qualifying in animal behvaiour.

{9:45} The consequences of not training dogs properly.

{13:08} There are no bad dogs; only bad owners. True?

{14:00} Focusing on cat behaviour.

{15:05} Working with pet owners online.

{15:23} Lisa's podcast - The Contented CatCast

{17:32} When awards hit Lisa's radar.

{19:29} Entering the SME National and Everywoman Awards.

{20:33} Taking inspiration from other award finalists.

{21:00} Navigating bad times in business.

{22:07} Executing a strong business idea.

{23:08} The benefits of entering business awards.

{25:05} Lisa's advice for new entrepreneurs.

{26:20} Taking advantage of business help.

{27:02} Lisa's plans for the next twelve months.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Lisa: https://www.stpawstrainingacademy.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stpawstraining/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/St-Paws-Training-Academy/100086687074668/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-sinnott/

 

The Toilet Queen with Becky Wall is the latest episode of the Business Awards Show featuring a female entrepreneur who is steeped in business awards. Although hers are rather more unconventional than most!   Becky has been passionate about toilets since her mother used to check them before allowing her family into any establishment. This led her to run her own business, A Plush Flush, started in 2006, providing luxury toilets for all sorts of events. Having won a platinum award at the Loo of the Year Awards in 2017, she was offered the opportunity to take over the awards programme in 2021.   Running for 37 years, Becky proudly tells us why the Loo of the Year Awards are important to all of us; toilets are, after all, something we all use. She also explains her campaigning work around the Changing Places programme, a project fighting to significantly increase the number of public toilets available to disabled people, to allow them the facilities they need.   You may not have given much thought to toilets, but all of us have stories about soaking, filthy floors, overflowing sinks, toilets that don't seem to have been cleaned for days, and much more. Becky fights every day to ensure that we all have access to the best washroom facilities possible across the UK and tells us why it matters.   You may not run a business that involves providing toilets to the public, but this episode will offer deep insights into what is important to customers, why toilets are so important in any business, and the power of following your passion, no matter how leftfield it may seem.

 

{1:42} Becky's back story.

{7:13} How running the Loo of the Year Awards helped Becky's business.

{8:20} We're all toilet inspectors!

{9:45} Joining the board of the British Toilet Association.

{11:25} A high profile in the toilet industry makes a difference.

{12:42} The Loo of the Year Awards.

{14:54} Making public toilets more accessible for the disabled.

{17:50} Addressing people's personal toilet issues.

{18:31} The Loo of the Year Awards categorisation process.

{20:00} Becky's advice for new entrepreneurs.

{23:53} The necessity of attending to toilets.

{26:47} Becoming a Best Businesswomen Awards sponsor.

{25:05} How to enter the Loo of the Year Awards.

{28:30} Why toilet standards are so fundamental to small, independent businesses.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Becky: https://www.aplushflush.com/home.html

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloooftheyearawards/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Loo-of-the-Year-Awards/100054340339487/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-wall-bem-a69b7a7b/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@loooftheyearawards822

X: https://x.com/LoooftheYear

 

The Power of Networking with Stefan Thomas is the latest episode of the Business Awards Show, designed to help you get the most from your business networking.   Stefan went from working as an estate agent for eighteen years to becoming one of the country's premier business networkers and speakers. He is such an expert, he wrote the bestselling Business Networking for Dummies, a go-to volume for many entrepreneurs starting their networking journey.   He is now a leading professional speaker, delivering keynotes around the world. He also provides communications and leadership skills training for blue chip corporates while his business The Connect Network helps SMEs and solopreneurs build their networks with his help.
In our discussion you'll find plenty of fabulous advice to help you improve your networking, choosing the right group, how to follow up your conversations and so much more.   I am also delighted to say that Stefan has decided to sponsor the Best Networker category of the Best Businesswomen Awards this year. He tells us why this is such a good fit for him and his business.   If you struggle to maximise the opportunities available to you when you go to networking meetings, this is the perfect episode for you. And find out why Stefan thinks women having space to shine is so important.

 

{1:53} Stefan's networking journey.

{5:45} How networking became Stefan's path.

{7:55} Why speaking opportunities are so valuable.

{9:09} How to prepare before a networking meeting.

{10:26} To use or not to use business cards?

{11:42} The number 1 thing to do after a networking event.

{13:45} What makes a great networking group.

{15:51} The fors and againsts of professional lockout.

{17:43} Why women-only groups are a safe space for female entrepreneurs.

{22:31} Men and imposter syndrome.

{24:56} The growth and diversity of networking groups.

{26:47} Becoming a Best Businesswomen Awards sponsor.

{28:53} Stephan's top business tip.

{30:22} The Connect Event Live in September.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Stefan: https://www.stefanthomas.biz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanthomasbiz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stefanthomas.biz

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanthomasbiz/

Connect Live Event: https://www.connecteventlive.co.uk/

 

The Women's Weight Loss Coach with Amruti Choudhury is the latest edition of the Business Awards Show. Amruti is a former GP who trained to become an accomplished health coach. She has learnt from her own experiences, struggling with ADHD, mental health challenges and being significantly overweight. Through deep learning and determination to improve her life, Amruti began to understand the triggers that were causing her to eat and to respond to her family in negative ways. By putting new habits into place, controlling her own neural pathways, she has become a highly successful coach as she helps others to achieve the lifechanging results she has. Personally, she believes she has become a better wife, mother, and daughter-in-law,

In 2023, Amruti won a Silver Award in the Best Coach category of the Best Businesswomen Awards. She had already won several coaching awards, but was particularly delighted to win one for business. She has also won awards for her podcast 'Weight Loss for Women' which now lists over 100 episodes.

Amruti explains how these awards have conferred validation and given her the confidence to set up new programmes like the one she has introduced to help women improve relationships with their mothers-in-law.   We hear how Dr Choudhury transitioned from a GP to become a coach, investing in her own learning as well as becoming part of several mastermind groups to provide the support she desperately needed. Her transition happened to coincide with the pandemic, something she managed with great resilience.   This episode will be of real interest to people struggling with their own health or weight issues, considering or having just started a coaching business, or who may not think they are good enough to enter awards. Amruti proves incontrovertibly, that you are!

 

{1:47} Amruti's weight loss journey.

{5:42} Typical clients.

{7:05} The transition from GP to health coach.

{9:06} Life as a GP.

{11:22} Negotiating the pandemic.

{13:06} How Amruti enlisted help for her new business.

{14:27} Recruiting support staff.

{14:44} Awards appear on the radar.

{16:40} Attending the Best Businesswomen Awards Final.

{18:35} How awards brought self-belief.

{19:54} Amruti's other awards successes.

{20:57} The Podcast - Weight Loss for Women.

{23:40} Amruti's advice for potential entrepreneurs.

{25:10} Future plans.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Amruti: https://www.amruticoaching.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amruti.coaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amruti123

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amruti-choudhry-123918224/

Weight Loss for Women Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/weight-loss-for-women-professionals-podcast/id1572674144

 

The Brand Strategist with Aarti Parmar is the latest episode of The Business Awards Show. Listen as Aarti explains how she came to recognise branding was her speciality, and how she has built a business helping others find their purpose and create strategies to fulfill their goals.

In our conversation, we discuss the process Aarti implements to help her clients form their brand and drive their business forward. She has become a respected adviser for the revered business support network Enterprise Nation. She even won one of their awards!

Aarti began entering awards in 2016, has won a SHE award and recognised how essential they are for brand-building. To confirm her support for business awards, she became a judge of the Best Businesswomen Awards in 2022 and tells us why this means so much to her. Anyone thinking of entering awards will find this conversation fascinating, because Aarti provides crucial advice about what a judge looks for in a strong entry, and how to make it easy for them to review your application.

Aarti continues to develop her own business and tells us about some of her plans for the coming months, including the launch of a group branding programme.

This is an inspiring edition of the Business Awards Show, highlighting brand as the foundation of any business, and why awards can contribute so much to that process. For any entrepreneur struggling with their brand or thinking of entering awards for the first time, this is a wonderful starting place.

 

{1:24} Why Aarti became a branding specialist.

{4:08} Aarti's client branding process.

{6:22} It's more than just a logo!

{7:22} Building a brand.

{9:53} Becoming an Enterprise Nation adviser.

{10:25} Winning an Enterprise Nation award.

{11:25} Why Aarti began to enter awards in 2016.

{13:26} Winning a SHE award.

{15:26} The effect of being an awards judge.

{17:30} Becoming a Best Businesswomen Awards judge.

{21:58} Why recognition matters to awards finalists.

{23:07} Elevating your brand throiugh awards.

{24:36} What a judge looks for in an awards entry.

{26:13} What frustrates Aarti in applications.

{27:15} How to provide evidence in an easy way.

{28:53} The elements judges review in an entry.

{29:21} Aarti's plans for the next twelve months.

{33:34} Encouraging Asian women to enter more awards.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Aarti: https://www.aartiparmar.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarti.parmar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apBrandCommunications

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aartiparmar/

 

The Personal Financial Planner with Naomi Haynes is the latest episode of The Business Awards Show. Join us as we welcome Naomi, an acclaimed financial planner and winner of the Best Consumer Business in the Best Business Women Awards 2023, for an enlightening discussion about her audacious leap from a secure corporate position to launching her own business amidst the global lockdown. Naomi's tale is not just one of bravery but also of her dedication to closing the gender pension gap and empowering financial wellness. Her journey is punctuated by the hurdles she overcame and the unique pressure that fueled her drive during those uncertain times.

In our conversation, we touch on the essence of trust-building in the financial sector, with Naomi underscoring the personalized touch she brings to client relationships. She shares how small gestures, like birthday cards, and an open line for varied concerns have fostered deep client trust and engagement. Moreover, Naomi reflects on her first foray into business awards, revealing the challenges of crafting an application that celebrated personal milestones alongside business acumen, and how this experience has shaped her professional narrative.

Rounding out our discussion, Naomi recounts the nerve-wracking yet triumphant experience of her last-minute submission to the Best Business Women Awards. The recognition she received not only validated her efforts but also set a clear trajectory for her business's future, leading to strategic hiring and growth planning. For any entrepreneur, Naomi offers sage advice on the stability that an emergency fund can provide, both for personal and business contingencies. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, networking, and the courage to put oneself out there, and we're excited to share her inspirational journey with you.

 

{2:03} Why Naomi became a financial planner.

{5:22} Working for yourself is scary!

{6:13} Starting a business as a global pandemic develops.

{9:25} Common client issues.

{10:30} Why you need to seek professional advice.

{11:57} Pension benefits for a business owner.

{13:45} Use a specialist; don't do finances yourself.

{14:50} Naomi's approach to outstanding customer service.

{18:05} Applying for a Shining Stars Award in 2021.

{19:40} Going national - entering The Best Businesswomen Awards.

{21:45} Winning an award.

{22:36} How winning powered Naomi's business forward.

{24:10} Advice for entrepreneurs (especially in the early years).

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Naomi: https://www.naomihaynes.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomihaynesfinancialplanning/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomihaynesfinancialplanning

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-haynes/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjNzjbl6_YMzNHoFp-XVswQ

The Podcast Guru with Lynsay Gould is a very special Business Awards Show podcast - because it's our 100th edition!

Lynsay set up The Podcast Boutique to help people just like me to start their own podcast. And she got me to do just that in 2021 when I stopped procrastinating and launched the Business Awards Show.

We talked about starting my podcast, but also the challenges of and reasons for starting your own podcast. Lynsay has helped create hundreds of podcast over recent years and has great advice for anyone contemplating their own show.

She explains how to monetise your podcast, and how it can prove to be far more effective to build your audience than social media.

We were so excited that Lynsay joined our panel of sponsors for the Best Businesswomen Awards for 2024. We talk about podcasting awards and her openness to applying for awards in the future.

This is the perfect episode for anyone considering their own podcast, who wants to understand what a podcast can do for their business, or how to overcome the initial hurdles that may deter people from starting.

 

{3:28} Setting up the Business Awards Show.

{4:23} The first episode.

{6:23} Lynsay's journey into podcasting.

{10:41} How to start a podcast.

{14:07} Choosing the right guests for your podcast.

{16:02} Monetising your podcast.

{19:35} The effectiveness of a podcast v social media.

{21:04} Persevering with your podcast.

{21:40} Planning a new podcast.

{22:35} Creating a website to support a podcast.

{22:56} Choosing the right name.

{24:25} Interviewing competitors.

{25:28} Building relationships through a podcast.

{26:17} Lynsay and business awards.

{29:05} Podcasting awards.

{30:52} Celebrating milestones.

{32:58} Balancing family and business.

{35:14} The next twelve months.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Lynsay: https://www.thepodcastboutique.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepodcastboutique/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1812987755694279

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynsay-gould-72610415/

 

 

The Client Attraction Coach with Henriette Danel is another fascinating episode of the Business Awards Show, revealing a host of tips about attracting new clients, the benefits of entering awards, and the benefits of working with a coach.

Henriette set up Henriette Danel Coaching six years ago and has gone from strength to strength, helping service-based businesses attract more customers.

She is also a public speaker, about to deliver her first Tedx talk, and a co-author of the best-selling Fab Collab. She has also set up The Entrepreneurs Success podcast.

Henriette was a Silver Award winner in the Best Coach category at the 2022 Best Businesswomen Awards and won a Prestige Award for the London and South-East England region.

Hear more about her plans to grow the business, and how she is leading the way in coaching in the UK by launching her app.

This episode is ideal for anyone wanting help to improve client acquisition, to understand how they could benefit from coaching, and why an award application can be a great tool to learn about your business.

 

{2:10} Why Henriette started her coaching business.

{4:40} How Henriette supports her customers.

{7:50} The importance of treating each client differently.

{8:25} How Henriette attracts new clients.

{9:48} Setting up the Entrepreneurs Podcast.

{11:53} Doing public speaking.

{13:49} When awards arrived on the radar.

{15:09} Preparing the first awards application.

{18:25} Client results.

{21:15} Henriette's business tips.

{22:30} Should every business work with a coach?

{23:13} Growth plans for the coaching business.

{24:02} The new coaching app.

{26:02} Entering more awards.

{24:06} Final words.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Henriette: https://henriettedanel.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henriette.danel/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henriettedanel/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/henriettedanel/

Fab Collab: https://www.fabcollab.co.uk/

We have a first on this week's edition of the Business Awards Show. Enfys Maloney becomes the first guest to appear twice on the pod. You can listen again to her first appearance in episode 50, but she has so much more to tell us. Since that recording in 2022, Enfys has won five business awards, started her own awards, and set up hugely successful sales programmes and retreats. Oh, and she also relocated to her native Wales from Bedford.   Enfys is a real ball of energy, setting up her business, Sales Training with Enfys, during the pandemic in 2020. She has taken a different approach to many sales trainers, choosing to create a community that supports each other, rather than focusing on one-to-one training.   In this episode, she explains how she devised her programmes and why she chose the community route. She also has a unique reason for starting her sales retreats. Listen now to find out more!   Enfys worked towards winning her awards having been on Debbie's masterclass. Unlike many, she put into practice everything she learnt. Within a year, she had put in place all the elements required of an award-winning business.

In addition, she discusses the importance of giving back, finding a suitable charity to partner with to power your business.

Enfys exudes electric energy, and will inspire any female entrepreneur who is trying to grow or thinking of starting a business. You will also get deep insights into what it takes to become a business award-winner.  

{2:56} What's happened since 2022?

{4:09} Why Enfys created a sales community.

{7:36} The birthday that led to Enfys's sales retreats.

{11:06} The first sales programmes.

{12:29} The Golden Peacock Awards.

{16:20} Vibrant Connections - the new networking organisation.

{19:20} Managing so many new ideas.

{21:49} 2024 - the year of NOT entering awards.

{24:35} The impact of being an award-winner.

{26:46} Attending Debbie's Awards Masterclass.

{27:50} Thinking ahead to become an award-winner.

{29:00} The need for businesses to give back.

{30:12} Aligning with the right charity.

{32:50} The support Enfys has enjoyed since 2022.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Enfys: https://www.salestrainingwithenfys.co.uk/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salestraining_with_enfys/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salestrainingwithenfys

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sales-training-with-enfys/

 

The Medical Herbalist with Emma-Louise Follows, the latest Business Awards Show podcast, discusses the benefits of medical herbalism, how entrepreneurs need to look after their health as well as their business, and how awards can propel a business forward.

Emma-Louise is an employment solicitor who found a passion for medical herbalism. As a result, she qualified and set up her own business, Eat Live Wellness.

Over eight years she has grown that business, creating her own herbal products, fermented vegetables, and treatments, including a comprehensive liver cleansing programme. 

Her products have won her a Great Taste Award and in 2023 she won a Silver Award for Best Product at the Best Businesswomen Awards. 

Emma-Louise has some insightful tips on how herbs and fermented vegetables can contribute to an entrepreneur's wellness, and how to grow their business.

This episode is ideal for anyone looking for ideas to balance work, life and wellness, who wants to understand why awards can make a real difference to an entrepreneur, or is interested in the benefits of medical herbalism, particularly Ayurvedic medicine.

 

{1:40} How Emma-Louise came to medical herbalism.

{3:41} Starting from a home kitchen.

{4:01} Training to become a medical herbalist.

{4:30} How Emma grew the business.

{5:41} The benefits of fermented vegetables.

{7:40} How products are sold.

{8:58} Running a medical herbalism business.

{11:57} How to look after yourself as a busy entrepreneur.

{16:15} Entering the Best Businesswomen Awards 2023.

{18:15} Emma-Louise's tips for entrepreneurs.

{19:45} Creating a balance between work and family.

{20:36} The future for Eat Live Wellness.

{22:15} Entering more awards.

{24:06} The benefits of employing a business coach.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Emma-Louise: https://eatlivewellness.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eat_live_wellness/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-louise-follows-53067a17a/

 

 

 

 

The Nanny Recruiter with Frankie Gray is an episode of the Business Awards Show that highlights the importance of being a great boss and how to build a franchise business.

Frankie set up Harmony at Home, a specialist nanny recruitment agency, twenty years ago. She has grown it to the point that the agency has sixteen franchisees all over the country providing services desperately needed by parents.

Frankie was nominated by her team in the Best Boss category at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards and got a well-deserved Silver Award. She has also won many other awards including best UK Nanny Agency at the UK Nanny Awards and being included among the Elite 100 franchise agencies in the UK for the last three years.

Frankie explains why she thought franchising was right for her business, how she recruits those people, and how she helps them thrive in their own franchises. 

Having been nominated as best boss, Frankie has plenty of advice about how to get the best out of a team, giving them the space to make decisions and come up with innovative ideas.

This episode is ideal for anyone thinking of franchising their business or purchasing a franchise, those who want to do better as a boss, and for anyone interested in recruitment or the nanny industry.

 

{2:00} The thrill of being nominated for an award by your team.

{2:35} Why Frankie started Harmony at Home.

{3:34} The maternity arm of the business.

{4:31} The work of the franchise network.

{5:33} Why Frankie franchised her business.

{7:05} How to manage and retain franchisees.

{8:29} Putting franchisees at the heart of the Harmony at Home family.

{9:16} Top tips for franchising your business or buying a franchise.

{11:17} The role awards have played in the business's growth.

{13:49} What makes a great boss.

{17:43} The challenges of recruiting nannies.

{20:53} Expanding the franchise network.

{21:55} Recruiting new franchisees.

{24:00} Plans for the next twelve months.

{25:09} Running an internal awards programme.

{26:47} Frankie's tips for bosses.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Frankie: https://harmonyathome.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyathomenannyagency/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harmony-at-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nannyagencylondon/

X: https://twitter.com/harmonynannies

 

 

 

The Value of SEO with Silvia Del Corso is another episode of the Business Awards Show providing essential insights to business owners.

Silvia came to Britain from Italy in 2016 and set up her SEO business, PinkSEO, a year later. Since then she has grown her company significantly, now emplying a team of seven, and winning awards for her efforts.

She won two silver awards at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards for Marketing and PR and Customer Service and has been highly commended at the West London Chamber of Commerce Business Awards and the 2024 West London Business Awards.

In our discussion, Silvia gives advice on the basics of SEO, how she built her business, and the way awards have impacted her business. She also explains that winning, or even being nominated for awards, can have a material effect on your website's SEO.

She has some excellent advice for small business owners, having learnt a lot from running a business that focuses on one thing only. She also tells us how creating a network of referral partners makes all the difference to her business.

For anyone unsure or lacking understanding of SEO, this episode will shine a light on what is seen as a 'dark art'. Silvia is highly engaging, and will offer practical advice to any business owner in any sector.

 

{1:15} How Silvia created a SEO business.

{3:30} What to consider when optimising SEO.

{5:21} Creating a website to generate leads.

{5:55} The basics of SEO.

{8:12} Building PinkSEO into an award-winning business.

{12:50} Silvia's thought process behind entering awards.

{14:03} Entering local and national awards.

{15:08} The effect of entering awards on SEO.

{16:29} Silvia's advice for business owners.

{18:07} Future plans for PinkSEO.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Silvia: https://pinkseo.marketing/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkseo.marketing/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviadelcorso/?originalSubdomain=uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PinkSEO.Marketing/

X: https://twitter.com/Silvia_PinkSEO

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pinkseomarketing/

 

 

Building an Award-Winning Photography Business is the latest episode of the Business Awards Show. It features award-winning branding photographer Annie Armitage who has built her business, Annie Armitage Photography over the last seventeen years.   Annie was named Best Creative Business at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards and was recently awarded Best Freelancer/Sole Trader at the Kingston Business Awards.   Annie talks about getting her first SLR camera when her son was just three years old. She took a course to learn how to use it and realised she had a talent. Our discussion plots her journey from setting up her photography business, to creating a sub-brand to service nurseries, to becoming an award-winner.   Along the way, like so many solopreneurs, she had to find ways to navigate Covid. She did it with ingenuity and innovation, allowing her to maintain turnover even when she couldn't photograph in person. Find out how she did it during our interview.   Winning awards has made a significant difference to Annie both professionally and personally. She explains the credibility and validation her awards have bestowed on her, and why she chose to enter business awards rather than photography awards.   As a leading branding photographer, Annie explains why having an attractive portfolio of photographs on your website and social media can be the difference between getting a customer's interest or losing them to another, more appealing business.   It is a discussion that shows how hard work, creativity, resilience, excellent customer service, and innovation all go hand-in-hand to build a successful business. It is useful for anybody in a creative field, but her advice and experience will interest any small business owner.

{1:33} Why Annie set up a photography business.

{3:02} The aims of Annie's photography business.

{4:15} How she grew the business.

{6:38} Networking - the foundation of the business.

{7:26} Creating a sub-brand for nursery schools.

{8:56} How the nursery school business evolved.

{9:46} The nursery school season.

{10:25} A typical brand shot.

{12:35} Entering business awards rather than photography awards.

{14:10} Winning Gold at the Best Businesswomen Awards.

{16:15} How entering the Kingston Borough Business Awards raised visibility.

{18:05} Navigating the pandemic.

{20:40} Controlling clients' phones to take pictures remotely.

{21:24} How the business recovered from lockdown.

{22:35} Other business challenges.

{23:42} Helping women feel comfortable in front of the camera.

{24:10} Listening to your gut.

{25:14} Annie's advice for business owners.

{26:24} The validation of winning business awards.

{27:16} Plans for the future.

{28:29} Why branding photography is so important.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Annie: https://anniearmitage.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniearmitage/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniearmitage/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnieArmitagePhotography

 

 

Revolutionising the Dog Boarding Industry with Dawn Brown is an inspirational episode of the Business Awards Show.
Dawn started Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care eight years ago, achieving her dream of running her own dog kennels. She has grown the business to become one of the leading kennels in the country.
  In 2023, Dawn won the Gold Award in the Animal Services category of the Best Businesswomen Awards. She has also won the prestigious Rolls Royce Award for Technology and Innovation for the hugely impressive systems she has implemented in her business.   Find out how she has built a business around the needs of the dogs, motivated and retained her dedicated team, and has overcome challenges that could have defeated lesser business owners.
Dawn has set up a training academy for other kennel owners, aiming to give back to an industry that has given her so much.   Dawn is unstoppable and in this episode you will discover how she has single-mindedly focused on her goals, recognised what is most important in her business, and how awards make a difference both to the business's credibility and momentum. The lessons she delivers in this discussion on customer service, innovation, and tenacity, will be invaluable to all business owners no matter what sector they operate in.

{1:43} The origins of Doggy Day Care.

{4:48} Compliance in the dog boarding industry.

{7:08} Dawn's first award - Kennel of the Year.

{8:45} The credibility and recognition awards bring.

{11:55} What makes Dawn's business different.

{12:55} Where the business name came from.

{13:25} The Rose Cottage ethos and approach.

{15:01} Winning a Rolls Royce Technology and Innovation Award.

{16:48} Creating the Dogland Training Academy.

{18:55} Why training rather than franchising?

{22:07} Becoming a sponsor of the Best Businesswomen Awards.

{23:34} A great flood wipes out the kennels.

{28:03} Why a business needs a contingency fund and plan.

{31:09} Putting the team first.

{31:59} Motivating and retaining the team.

{34:17} Creating an online dog products shop.

{35:33} The power of daffodils.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Dawn: https://rosecottagedoggydaycare.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecottagedogdaycare/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-brown-2b0b3946/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseCottageDoggyDayCare/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxu7VOCAtjjPIEbwEvlsxsw

 

Redesigning Women's Shoes with Janan Leo is a fascinating insight into building a shoe retailing business from the Business Awards Show.   Janan set up Cocorose London seventeen years ago when she saw a gap in the market for fashionable flat shoes for women tired of wearing heels. Her efforts helped her win the Best Product Award at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards.   Janan studied in food science, a far cry from shoe design, but preferred working on new products than following a technical career. That took her to huge brands like Virgin and Pret a Manger before she decided to bring her scientific approach to the female shoe market. 
  Janan tells us how she started, grew her business, and how she has diversified over the years. She is passionate about sustainability and explains her sourcing of eco materials to meet her goals.   As a mother of two young children, Janan has had plenty of challenges in balancing the needs of business and family and talks about these openly and with passion. It is certain to resonate with working mums who listen to the podcast.
In seventeen years of business, Janan has faced plenty of challenges including having children, the 2008 financial crisis, COVID, and Brexit. She has faced them all, finding different ways to achieve her goals.   As an award winner, she has experienced first hand the benefits of entering and winning. She is emphatic about the importance of awards and the validation they bring to you and your business.   This is an insightful discussion ranging from the need for government support for childcare for female entrepreneurs to working with charities who align with your values. It will be extremely helpful to any female entrepreneur, but also for anyone with a business in retail, parents trying to run a business while managing young children, finding ways to meet sustainability goals, and the benefits of business awards.

{2:09} Why Janan started a shoe business and how she developed it.

{6:40} How Janan found the right manufacturer.

{8:10} Finding a distributor by chance.

{9:05} Going international.

{9:42} Broadening the range.

{11:45} Launching a trainer range.

{13:11} Janan's product development process.

{15:00} Creating sustainable products.

{15:35} The cactus leather trainer.

{17:37} Who are Cocorose's customers?

{18:55} Introducing a recycling scheme.

{20:05} Working with Honeypot Children's Charity.

{22:45} Adopting social inclusion.

{23:32} Janan at the Best Businesswomen Awards Final.

{25:10} The importance of awards.

{26:47} How awards bring validation for you and your business.

{28:49} The benefits of starting in a non-shoe background.

{33:35} The challenges Janan has faced .

{36:04} Balancing the needs of children and business .

{38:00} Why government should support childcare costs for female entrepreneurs .

{45:36} Confronting constant change.

{47:30} The importance of business communities.

{48:33} Janan's plans for the future .

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Janan: https://www.cocoroselondon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocoroselondon

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cocorose-london-ltd/

Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cocorose-london-ltd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CocoroseLondon

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cocoroselondon

Protecting Your IP with Sophie Maughan, the latest edition of the Business Awards Show, explores the vital but often overlooked world of intellectual property in business.   Sophie has practised as an intelletual property lawyer for over twenty years and is Patent and Trade Mark Attorney for Cleveland Scott York, one of the valued sponsors of the Best Businesswomen Awards.   Sophie has been involved in the awards from the start, with a particular passion for customer service. As a judge she tells us what makes for great customer service and what can ensure an application really stands out.   She offers fascinating information for all business owners about the key areas of intellectual property, how to protect it, and what to do if you are accused of infringing another business's.   She also clarifies the difference between trade marks and company names, and patenting processes and products. With the UK's exit from the EU, Sophie tells us what has to be done to ensure protection in other territories, and offers essential advice on how to protect your business, where to go for help, and how to stay vigilant.   This is a must-listen for any entrepreneur who has not invested in IP protection, will clarify many of the myths that exist around the subject, and will also provide valuable information for those about to apply for any business awards, especially in customer service categories. 

{1:49} Why Sophie went into IP law.

{3:50} The myths behind IP law.

{7:19} The first steps toward protecting your IP.

{10:00} The difference between trade names and patent requirements.

{12:05} How robust IP strengthens yoru business long term.

{13:03} What to do if you are found to infringe another IP.

{14:45} Sophie's stories from the IP world.

{17:37} The introduction of mediation in IP law.

{19:25} Passionate about customer service.

{20:21} What Sophie looks for as a judge.

{22:27} Cleveland Scott York and the Legal 500.

{25:06} CSY's areas of national/international coverage.

{26:37} Ensuring IP is in place in all territories you trade in.

{28:30} Issues with descriptive business names.

{31:26} Dealing with issues abroad.

{32:00} Setting Google alerts for your business.

{32:42} The need for vigilance as a business owner.

{35:15} Investing in IP protection .

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Sophie: https://csy-ip.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csy_ip/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleveland-scott-york/

X:  https://twitter.com/CSY_IP

The Wonderful Wigmaker with Nicola Wood is the new release from the Business Awards Show.

Nicola was awarded Most Inspiring Businesswoman at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards, and this episode demonstrates exactly why.

She started her own hairdressing salon aged just 21 years old and grew her business impressively. But fifteen years later, aged only 36, Nicola was diagnosed with breast cancer. She tells us why this was a gift to her, and how it drove her purpose to provide high quality wigs to people who most needed them, particularly cancer sufferers.

Thankfully, she is fully recovered and has grown an amazing business, The Wonderful Wig Company, to deliver her purpose to a grateful market. Nicola's business has grown significantly and during our discussion she reveals her expansion plans and how she plans to influence the wig market in the future.

Winning awards has made a material difference to Nicola and her business and she tells us exactly what that has meant to her. 

She has some fantastic tips for both established and new entrepreneurs and anyone thinking of starting a business will be inspired by her vision, her singular approach and sheer tenacity.

 

{1:58} What made Nicola set up a wig business.

{4:40} Responding to cancer.

{6:37} Becoming a wigmaker.

{8:55} How Nicola helps her customers.

{10:25} How hair changes when it grows back.

{11:00} How wigs are made.

{12:26} Suporting p atients when they need a wig.

{12:46} Nicola's hairdressing business.

{14:50} The business's locations.

{15:24} The long term vision for the business.

{16:07} Future expansion plans.

{16:40} Nicola's thought process behind entering awards.

{18:15} Dealing with imposter syndrome.

{19:50} The purpose that drives the business.

{22:03} Nicola's tips for new entrepreneurs.

{24:05} The power of being relentless.

{25:45} Future plans - from national impact to shaking up the training environment.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Nicola: https://wonderfulwigs.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewonderfulwigcompany

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewonderfulwigcompany

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wonderful-wig-company/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4dgouRyWSfU2Sp_M6_G0Yw

X: https://twitter.com/WigWonderful

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thewonderfulwigcompany/

Coaching with Integrity with Lucienne Shakir is our latest discussion on the Business Awards Show.

Having spent several years working in education, Lucienne saw how students needed help with growing anxiety as pressure to achieve grades mounted. This led her down a path towards coaching where she could make a measurable difference to people's lives.

In 2019 she set up Lucienne Coaching and has not looked back. Now, a major accredited coach, she talks to us about her business and explains her strong views on the state of the coaching industry and why it should be regulated.

Lucienne was a highly impressive winner of the Gold Award for Best Coach at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards. She tells us why she started entering awards, and how special that award win was to her.

She admits it is challenging running a coaching business and discusses some of the issues she has faced and how she's overcome them.

And when she's not being interviewed on our podcast, she runs her own called That's What She Said.

This is a great episode for any female founders, a particular specialism of Lucienne's, those struggling to develop the right mindset and anyone interested in coaching and personal development. 

 

{1:27} Becoming a coach.

{3:10} Who Lucienne coaches.

{4:48} Lucienne's coaching programmes.

{5:42} Typical challenges with female founders.

{8:25} The analogy Lucienne uses before coaching clients.

{9:04} Lucienne's thoughts on the coaching industry.

{11:36} Helping women in distress.

{12:00} Why coaching should be regulated.

{13:30} Why Lucienne started entering business awards.

{16:45} Using awards for external validation.

{17:05} Why the BBWA Final was so special.

{19:15} The feeling of winning an award.

{21:44} Lucienne's forthcoming awards.

{24:01} The challenges of running a business.

{27:01} Dealing with mindset.

{28:07} Lucienne's podcast.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Lucienne: https://www.luciennecoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.luciennecoaching.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LucienneCoaching

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucienne-shakir-female-empowerment-specialist/

Podcast: https://www.luciennecoaching.com/podcast

Catering for Under-5s is the latest installment of the Business Awards Show.

Kerrie and Maddy founded the multi-award-winning TOTFest six years ago, an all-inclusive festival entirely for under-5s. So successful have the pair been, it has grown to become the largest under-5 festival in the UK.

TOTFest now visits five locations in the UK with plans to further expand in the coming years. The pair explain how they came up with the idea, the challenges of working as a partnership, and their plans for the future.

COVID caused massive disruption in their business, and Kerrie and Maddy tell us how they navigated a hugely challenging eighteen months and what it took to get the business going again.

They have won numerous awards in recent years including a silver in the Best Creative Business category at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards. The pair use awards as a key part of their strategy, explaining what their success has done for their business. 

This is a great episode for any entrepreneurs working in partnerships, dealing with adversity, and what it takes to put on immersive events. They have a unique customer-base in the under-5 market, so anyone in a similar situation will take great inspiration from their business growth.

 

{1:18} How the partnership began.

{2:32} What happens at TOTFest.

{3:53} The challenges of working as a partnership.

{6:07} Kerrie's and Maddy's roles in the business.

{7:12} The TOTFest programme for 2024.

{8:30} The TOTFest schedule.

{9:06} Finding the right venues.

{12:23} When awards came on the radar.

{13:26} Their awards successes.

{15:56} Managing through COVID.

{21:33} Recovering from lockdown.

{22:52} Future plans for TOTFest.

{26:32} Franchising as a future business model.

{27:14} Maddy's and Kerrie's business tips.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Kerrie and Maddy: https://www.totfestfestival.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totfest_festival/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TOTFestFestival/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/totfest-festival/

 

In the latest episode of the Business Awards Show, Karen Davies explains the Power of Online Courses. Discover how they can drive business growth whilst giving entrepreneurs back so much time.

Karen is the Founder of Pink Lemon Ltd; a multi-award-winning creative studio based in the heart of Kent. The agency supports female entrepreneurs to build strength in their business by creating online courses and digital products. Furthermore, Karen provides an holistic approach that gently guides her clients through the process of planning, creating, marketing and launching their online product.

In addition, Karen also provides effective integrations such as building effective sales and marketing funnels using a variety of applications to secure an effective launch. From there, she helps clients build an ongoing sales strategy.

Not surprisingly, she is extremely passionate about the work she does because she feels that many businesses have an incredible vision but don’t know how to articulate it. However, once they are able to create a tangible set of goals and put measures in place to reach those goals, their businesses just fly!

As if that's not enough, she is a passive profit mentor, and runs her own podcast, Digitally She Does It.

In this edition, Karen explains why online courses work. And she has just launched a new membership to help you design, craft, and launch your own course. Additionally, she provides great insights into avoiding common mistakes and understanding what works.   Winner of several Kent Women in Business Awards, Karen explains why they are so inspiring to be a part of. As a result, she is an advocate of awards to gain recognition, but also to network with other entrepreneurs, sharing stories, and being inspired by their achievements.

If you have never thought of creating an online course for your business, or have been thinking about it but not had the confidence or knowledge to take it further, this is an episode that will be truly enlightening.

 

{2:12} Karen's business journey.

{6:00} Helping entrepreneurs set up their online courses.

{7:43} Creating the personal touch.

{8:47} Karen's new membership.

{11:57} The Kent Women in Business Awards.

{13:32} What Karen gains from entering awards.

{15:44} Looking at National Awards.

{16:56} The common mistakes with online courses.

{17:59} What makes the best online courses.

{18:40} Building a sustainable and scalable business.

{19:49} How Karen's membership helps you market your courses.

{20:55} Karen's long term plans.

{21:50} The advice Karen would give herself when starting out.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Karen: https://www.pink-lemondigital.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_digitalcoach/?hl=en

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karendaviesco/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwKFkbSKdDuPfUBLk6pkpww

Pinterest: https://ph.pinterest.com/karen_pinklemon/_created/

Building a Music School with Barbara Mohorko-Vuka is another fascinating installment of the Business Awards Show.

Barbara grew up in Slovenia, learning cello from the age of six and gaining an extensive musical education that saw her graduate from Trinity Laban and the Royal College of Music.

Barbara took over the Wimbledon School of Music in 2018 at just 22 years of age. Depsite a global pandemic attempting to disrupt the development of her school, Barbara has grown the school impressively over the last five years. Most instruments are now taught and the school is going from strength to strength.

She tells us about the work of the school, the joy of concerts, how music education is treated differently in Slovenia to the UK and the long term plans for her business.

Having won a silver award at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards, she also talks about the impact of winning an award, and her plans to enter more local awards in 2024.

This is a great episode for any young entrepreneur wondering if they are mature enough to run a business. It reveals the life lessons that music teaching can bring and will be useful to many parents who may be wondering how to get their children into music.

 

{1:51} Taking over a business at 22.

{4:34} The impact on the school of the pandemic.

{6:33} The work of the Wimbledon Music School.

{7:34} Barbara's music education.

{8:35} Difference between music education in Slovenia and the UK.

{10:10} Things to consider when starting a business.

{11:45} Barbara's music qualifications.

{12:37} What excites Barbara about her business.

{13:47} Putting on concerts and festivals.

{14:53} How awards appeared on the radar.

{16:50} Entering other awards.

{17:22} Sharing the win with the students.

{18:48} Barbara's long term plans.

{20:59} Barbara's tips for succeeding in business.

{22:58} Life skills gained when learning music.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Barbara: https://www.wimbledonmusicschool.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wimbledonmusicschool/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wimbledonmusicschool

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-mohorko-vuka-270990110/

 

 

 

The Brand Artisan with Becky Benfield-Humberstone is now available on the Business Awards Show.
 
Becky was a silver award winner in the Best Solopreneur category at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards, having grown her branding business, the Brand Artisan.
 
Becky has been a serial entrepreneur, creating her first business, 'Utterly Horses', and growing it to become the largest retailer in its field in Europe. 
 
Having sold that business, she spent some time in corporate, working at the Imperial War Museum. That taught her influential lessons as she returned to the small business world.
 
Over the years, she has developed her branding and marketing skills to the point where, three years ago, she set up The Branding Artisan. She is passionate about helping small businesses expand and establish their brands and is going from strength to strength.
 
Becky is also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur; last year's silver award at the BBWA final is just one of many she has collected over her years in business. Not only does she win awards, but she writes entries for clients, too.
As if that was not enough, Becky has also published children's books, with more in the pipeline.
This episode demonstrates the impact awards have on a business; the crucial part branding plays in business development, and the need to keep learning and creating. 

 

 

 

{1:40} The work of The Brand Artisan.

{2:20} Why Becky started the business.

{2:52} Where Becky's business career started.

{5:10} Working at the Imperial War Museum.

{5:50} Developing the idea behind The Branding Artisan.

{7:13} When awards came on the radar.

{8:20} How Becky selects which awards to enter.

{9:29} Selecting the right awards for clients.

{10:08} The challenges developing her business.

{11:09} How leads are generated.

{11:55} Becky's advice for new entrepreneurs.

{14:20} Reviewing clients' branding.

{15:16} Becky's future plans.

{16:00} Writing children's books.

{16:55} Becky's branding tips.

{17:50} Brands that do it well.

{19:20} The advantage small businesses have.

{21:45} How Becky grew Utterly Horses to become a saleable asset.

 

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Becky: https://www.fieldandstone.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrandartisanuk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrandartisanuk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckybenfieldhumberstone/

 

The Green Florist with Anna Ball is the latest edition of the Business Awards Show.
 
Anna won the Best Green Business Award at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards for her green floristry business, Floral Image UK.
 
Anna worked as a primary school teacher before meeting her husband, and the couple decided to buy the UK license for Floral Image, a global business providing artificial flower arrangements for offices and events.
 
Since starting the UK company, Anna has led the development of a network of 24 franchisees and a growing corporate customer list. Demand has snowballed. Anna has coined the motto, 'A door on every floor, ' indicating how word of mouth brings new business.
 
Like many women, Anna has to balance her business needs with her family. In her case, this is even more demanding, given her daughter is disabled. However, she explains her approach and shows that you can create a work/life balance with effort and some clear boundaries.
 
She tells us about the impact of winning the Best Green Business award last year, how it has brought additional PR for her business, and its effect on her team.
 
This episode is ideal for anyone considering purchasing a franchise business or starting one. It will also encourage those thinking of entering business awards to go ahead and do it! And there are some great lessons Anna has learnt that could be applied by many entrepreneurs.
 

 

{1:31} Why Anna bought the UK license for Floral Image.

{3:03} How designs are produced for customers.

{4:30} The Floral Image client profile.

{5:08} Why buy a franchise rather than start a new business.

{6:17} The Floral Image UK franchise network.

{7:30} Floral Image's global presence.

{7:55} The importance of the product's green credentials.

{9:00} The wedding market.

{9:40} The challenges running a business with a family.

{11:26} When awards came on the radar.

{13:08} Anna's business lessons.

{15:08} Plans for expansion.

{16:17} Managing the franchisees.

{16:30} Anna's plans for 2024.

 

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Anna: https://gb.floralimage.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floralimage/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floralimage

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/floralimage/

 

 

 

Fighting sex trafficking with Ruth Robb is the latest episode of the Business Awards Show.

Ruth founded a fantastic charity, Azalea, fifteen years ago, helping women who have been sex-trafficked. Her work led to a Gold Award at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards.

Having worked in social care, Ruth became increasingly aware of the horrors of sex trafficking in her local area around Luton. Being easily accessible from Luton airport and Dunstable logistics hubs, Ruth realised her town was increasingly becoming an accessible location to use for bringing oppressed women into the UK.

She has put massive energy and commitment into setting up and growing the Azalea charity, working closely with the police, border force, home office and other vital institutions to provide crucial support.

She and her team work tirelessly to help support these women, often extracting them from their situation and helping them create new lives.

Ruth does not believe charity is all about money. She is passionate about the role of kindness and giving time and support. It is something she talks of regularly as the founder of the charity. And it has created a wider community that offers resources and time to provide the additional support needed to make those trafficked safer and with opportunities to get out.

This is an inspirational episode highlighting the plight of survivors of sex trafficking, the work the charity undertakes, and her plans for the coming year to continue Azalea's progress.

 

{1:35} What Azalea does.

{2:35} Why Ruth set up Azalea.

{3:24} How Ruth became aware of sex-trafficking.

{4:10} Why Ruth gave the charity the name 'Azalea'.

{4:50} How Azalea identifies women at risk.

{6:15} Celebrating Azalea's fifteenth annivesary.

{7:02} How many women Azalea helps every year.

{7:48} Ensuring survivors of sex trafficking are not criminalised.

{8:42} Luton's ease of access for Europeans.

{9:10} Local women trafficked to Europe.

{9:35} How social media ensnares women.

{9:54} A typical week at Azalea.

{12:23} Azalea's triumphs over fifteen years.

{14:03} Providing love to women who have never had it.

{15:00} The challenges of running Azalea.

{18:14} How Ruth insulates herself from the harrowing thinigs she sees.

{19:03} Being crowned the 2023 BBWA Charity Champion.

{20:51} Publicising the Azalea purpose.

{21:31} Azalea's plans for 2024.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Ruth: https://www.azalea.org.uk/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-robb-96708646/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azalealuton/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azalealuton

Twitter: https://twitter.com/azalealuton

 

Scaling Tutor Businesses with Helen Dickman is the latest episode of the Business Awards Show.
 
Helen was a Silver Award Winner in the Best New Business category of the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards.
 
Helen studied English at university and, almost inevitably, became a teacher and then an educational consultant. In 2018, she became a private tutor, experiencing the ups and downs of being self-employed in the education sector.
 
Having developed a clear understanding of what makes a strong tutoring business, Helen set up her own business, Love Mondays Club, in 2021. She aimed to help busy female business owners create profitable online businesses without having to sacrifice all of their time. 
 
Helen has also started the Love Mondays Club podcast to grow her profile, telling us what she covers and why she enjoys this so much.
 
Helen has started entering awards over the last year and has had some success. She discusses the benefits of completing awards entries and how winning has raised the awareness of her business.
 
She continues to develop her training platform while planning to travel around Europe before a potential move to Europe.
 
This episode is perfect for anyone in the early stages of establishing their business. It is a must-listen for any tutor or trainer wanting to grow their client list.

 

{2:35} Why Helen started Love Mondays Club.

{5:28} Where Love Mondays Club came from.

{8:06} Creating a work/life balance.

{9:03} What LMC provides for tutors and trainers.

{11:56} Why Helen began entering business awards.

{13:39} Why entering awards is such a learning process.

{15:18} The challenges of starting LMC.

{17:28} The inspiration for the podcast.

{19:17} The guests and topics included in the podcast.

{21:00} Marketing Love Mondays Club.

{22:37} Helen's advice for new entrepreneurs.

{25:47} Helen and business networking.

{28:02} The future for LMC.

 

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Helen: https://www.lovemondaysclub.co.uk/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-dickman/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovemondaysclub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovemondaysclub

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lovemondaysclub/

Podcast: https://lovemondaysclub.podbean.com/

 

Going Green with Danielle Seatter is the latest episode of the Business Awards Show.
 
Danielle was a Silver Award Winner in the Best Green Business category of the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards.
 
Danielle was an early learning teacher, but having left the sector, she decided to start an eco-business, Eco-Able, in 2019. In 2022, she opened her shop in Cirencester, selling a multitude of eco-friendly products, and hasn't looked back.
She tells us why she started a green business and how the product range has been diversified to meet her customers' needs.
She has published two children's books with an eco-slant and intends to produce more in the coming years. The merchandise from those books also finds its way into the Eco-Able store.
Danielle has practical advice for all business owners to help make their businesses more sustainable. She believes in making small, incremental changes, suggesting that everyone reviews their business closely and looks for manageable and sustainable change that can be built on over time.
Having won several awards in recent years, Danielle discusses how this has helped her business and why she entered the Best Businesswomen Awards last year.
As climate change becomes ever more present in our lives, this episode is a perfect way to start thinking about your business and how you can help create a more sustainable planet.

 

{1:25} The work of Eco-Able.

{2:42} Danielle's drive to set up a green business.

{4:24} How Danielle stocks her shop.

{5:58} How awards came on the radar.

{7:15} Winning multiple  BizBubble awards.

{8:20} Why Danielle entered the Best Businesswomen Awards.

{9:25} How businesses can begin reducing carbon footprint.

{11:43} Danielle's best-selling products.

{13:03} Danielle as a children's author.

{15:10} Eco-friendly merchandising from her books.

{15:51} Ideas for future projects.

{16:33} Danielle's challenges in setting up Eco-Able.

{17:44} The Cirencester business community.

{19:08} The benefits of a physical shop.

{20:44} The shop's location.

{21:03} The future for Eco-Able.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Danielle: https://eco-able.co.uk/

LinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/danielle-seatter-ec0 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eco_able/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ableeco

X: https://twitter.com/AbleEco

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/EcoAbleLtd/

Building loyalty in the hospitality industry is our latest episode of the Business Awards Show.
 
Ashleigh was voted Best Businesswoman in Marketing and PR at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards. 
 
She explains why she and her husband set up their business Halo Business Consulting offering businesses in the hospitality sector the benefit of their twenty years' of experience in marketing, PR, and customer experience in the industry.

Ashleigh explains why the pandemic was such a pivotal moment in hospitality, and how it affected her and her customers. The changes that have emerged have had a huge impact on customer behaviour and the way hospitality businesses interact with their customer base.

She has added awards as an essential strategy in her business. Winning the Gold Award in the BBWA last year has already reaped dividends as Ashleigh explains.

If you have a hospitality business, or indeed any business where building customer loyalty and delivering a great experience is vital, this episode will be of real help. Ashleigh's tips on building loyalty, getting more reviews, and improving delivery at each customer touch-point will help every customer-facing company raise their game.

{1:28} The work of Halo Business Consulting.

{2:53} The challenges and success of the pandemic.

{5:40} Ashleigh's core customer base.

{6:57} Where the name Halo originated from.

{8:50} The changes in the hospitality sector post-Covid.

{10:15} Delivering customer experience in the industry.

{11:36} Bringing together all elements of customer loyalty to build loyalty.

{13:40} Why awards are important to Halo.

{15:10} Collaborating with fellow finalists.

{15:58} Discovering the Best Businesswomen Awards.

{18:20} Ashleigh's experience at the final.

{19:25} Winning brings positive PR.

{20:37} Tips to build customer loyalty.

{23:10} How to get more from reviews.

{25:45} What's next for Halo.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Ashleigh: https://www.gohalo.co.uk/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighdonald/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haloitsashleigh/

The Joy of Music for Children is the latest release from The Business Awards Show. It features an interview with Cat Bateman, silver award winner at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards, and founder of Little Folk Nursery Rhymes Ltd.
 
Sophie had a passion for music from a young age, so setting up a business twelve years ago bringing mothers and their toddlers together to sing nursery rhymes, seemed like a natural thing to do.

She has built a substantial local community, and many of the the young children she taught in the early years, are now learning musical instruments themselves.

Cat has great tips for small business owners, and shares her drive to ensure other entrepreneurs are supported to grow their businesses.

She has been successful in several major award programmes. Cat tells us why she started entering and what it's done for her business.
 
Cat had a wonderful experience at this year's Best Businesswomen Awards final, telling us why it meant so much to her and what she has got from it.

Like so many small business owners, she was deeply impacted by the pandemic, The cost of living crisis is not making things any easier. Nevertheless, she tells a story of great resilience and adaptability that has seen her thrive in adversity. 

This episode is a Christmas gift from the Business Awards Show. Cat is so full of positivity, and gives so much to children, we thought she was the ideal person to have on the podcast for our Christmas episode.

 

{1:24} Cat's path to starting a business.

{7:04} The children in Cat's group

{8:20} Teaching traditional nursery rhymes to children.

{11:04} What made Cat enter business awards.

{13:25} Applying for the Small Awards.

{16:49} Losing essential equipment.

{19:45} Cat's business challenges.

{21:25} The pandemic changes everything.

{25:33} Getting things back to normal.

{26:33} The cost of living crisis.

{28:00} Pivoting to deal with crises.

{29:42} Expanding the business in the future.

{30:47} Overcoming impostor syndrome.

{31:24} Cat's tips for small business owners.

{37:17} Managing stress as a business owner.

{38:54} The Best Businesswomen Awards Final.

{40:05} The downsides of some other awards programmes.

{40:51} The importance of a panel of objective, expert judges.

{42:02} The power of networking at the awards final.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Cat: http://littlefolknurseryrhymes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlefolksing/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlefolknurseryrhymes/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/littlefolksing

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/littlefolknurseryrhymes

 

 

A New Kind of VA with Sophie Ryan is our latest episode of the Business Awards Show.
 
Sophie was a silver award winner at this year's Best Businesswomen Awards in the Best New Business category. In this interview, she tells us about setting up her business, Interactive VA, which aims to deliver a more holistic approach to customers.
 
She explains why she created a VA company offering business and physical and mental well-being support. She has a varied client portfolio with a broad range of needs and describes how she fulfils them. Marketing is a vital element of her offering, and she expands on how that is incorporated into her portfolio of services.
 
Sophie also runs other companies, including a property business with her husband. As if that is not enough, she has two children, so it is interesting to hear her views on balancing life's pressures and asking for help.

Sophie is another entrepreneur who has realised the benefits of winning and entering awards. She explains why she has become increasingly involved, and her process for entering. 

This episode will be informative for any entrepreneur struggling to balance their business needs with everyday life. It also demonstrates that business awards can have a material impact on a new business, helping raise profile and reinforce credibility rapidly.

 

{1:33} Sophie's business profile.

{2:53} How Sophie conceived the idea behind Interactive VA.

{4:02} When Sophie started the business.

{4:15} What motivated Sophie to enter business awards.

{4:53} The joy of winning awards.

{5:34} Growing the VA business.

{6:22} Interactive VA's typical client work.

{7:15} Incoporating marketing with the portfolio of services.

{7:49} The source of new business.

{8:19} The importance of networking with other awards finalists.

{9:05} Leveraging awards collateral.

{9:39} Including awards in marketing strategy.

{10:08} How entering awards helps you focus on your business.

{10:35} The interactive VA wellness strategy.

{12:16} Managing stress as a business owner.

{13:27} Sophie's latest business launch, and working with her husband.

{14:22} Balancing the needs of children and business.

{16:46} The work that helps Sophie's clients.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Sophie:https://www.interactiveva.co.uk/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-ryan-30236b185/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interactivevaltd