Meet county entrepreneurs shortlisted for top honours
FINALISTS WERE CHOSEN FOR THEIR CONVICTION, PASSION AND DEDICATION TO THEIR INDUSTRY
DEDICATED to the women breaking the glass ceiling and creating a path for future female generations, 2021 has provided the LeicestershireLive Women in Business Awards with some phenomenal finalists.
The women were chosen by judges due to their conviction, passion and dedication to their industry. Whether it was an innovative product that has broken barriers or a business rising high in the ranks, these entrepreneurs are at the top of their game and are only getting better.
Growth Partners will headline sponsor the LeicestershireLive Women in Business Awards 2021, which will be held on September 9. Live at the King Power Stadium and hosted by the wonderful Emma Jesson, the evening is set to be a special night filled to the brim with female success stories.
There are only days left to book your tickets to the awards – to book, or for more information, visit the official website.
The finalists for the LeicestershireLive Women in Business Awards 2021 are:
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Alice Deeping has fully engaged in Unsworth Sugden’s success in her role in social media services, impacting the team as an exemplary role model for professionalism and efficiency.
Her achievements have enabled increased client capacity and helped generate new business.
Chloe Grantham is a digital marketer at Paragon Sales Solutions who has built a strong reputation due to her hard work and results.
She passed her apprenticeship with a distinction and is also a finalist for the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce annual business awards this year.
Danaher & Walsh’s Alice Stewardson recently won Most Promising Trainee Quantity Surveyor and completed her BSc Quantity Surveying degree. Her world-renowned supervisor said that she was, without doubt, the most proficient, dedicated and conscientious student he had ever taught internationally.
RISING STAR
These entrepreneurs are at the top of their game and are only getting better
Sponsored by MHA Macintyre Hudson Owner and head distiller Sally Faulkner ensured The Bond Street Distillery’s multi-award-winning success despite opening just before the pandemic.
Sally’s ethos of excellence and effort means the prospect of expanding from gin to other spirits and becoming a brand leader is easily in reach. Rebecca Holders’ expertise and innovative approach to social media marketing has helped her become one of North Leicestershire’s leading estate agents. Her modern services and effective strategies have made her statistics for speed of selling and average percentage of asking price achieved amongst the best in the region.
Prity Somani runs Cherrytree Care Home, a 95 per cent female-based, family-owned care home that offers high-quality dementia, residential and respite care.
Always putting in 110 per cent, she is dedicated to providing the best service and her efforts throughout the pandemic resulted in no outbreaks within Cherrytree.
SOLE TRADER OF THE YEAR
Gabrielle Miller created Cool as Leicester to highlight the best places to eat, drink and party in the region. The highly rated website has a strong social
media presence and is Leicestershire’s largest online magazine and only music guide.
Susie Mitchell is a strategic marketer who builds brands, creates change and grows business at Florence and James Marketing Consultancy, specialising in start-ups and SMEs. Even while juggling her children and teaching at De Monfort University, she has grown the business year-on-year.
Financial adviser Lena Patel coaches clients to achieve financial independence at ISJ Independent Financial Planning.
Alongside owning her business and being a single mother, Lena actively works with local schools to encourage more females to enter into financial planning.
INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Mala Kotecha is at the helm of Nick’s Maharajah Tours, a local travel company specialising in escorted tours for the elderly within the Indian community.
She is co-secretary of LAF, planning social, educational and cultural activities for the over-50s. Mala works tirelessly to help those less fortunate and feels it is important as a business to do this.
Lauren Welch owns Leicester’s first and only dedicated zero-waste shop, NADA.
Largely on her own and with a baby in tow, she provided wellneeded essentials throughout all three lockdowns and constantly adapted to the restrictions and needs of her customers.
Jenna Woodward’s semi-permanent make-up academy, Jenna
Leigh Training Academy, is passionate about changing lives through opportunities and training.
Wanting to see others succeed, Jenna is setting up franchises to help others grow and opened up a successful online coaching business.
DIGITAL AMBASSADOR
Sponsored by CityFibre
Fiona Bradley’s business Sage Qualifications helped tens of thousands of students to study at home during the pandemic.
They were able to complete their qualifications due to the innovative interactive portal, AutoMarker, and remote invigilation system.
Gabrielle Miller runs Cool as Leicester, Leicestershire’s largest online magazine which highlights the best places to eat, drink and party in the region.
The website has a strong social media presence and is the only music guide and weekly leisure e-news subscription in the area.
Digital specialist Jenny Walters rose through the ranks rapidly at Bulb Studios and is now operations director. She has implemented new systems and processes across the entire business that have been instrumental in increased productivity and growth for both the team and clients.
INNOVATION IN BUSINESS
Sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals
Fiona Bradley, whose Sage Qualifications helped thousands of students complete their qualifications during the pandemic. She is also shortlisted for the Digital Ambassador award, above.
Sophie Hainsworth founded LoyalFree, a multi-award-winning mobile phone app which aims to improve the digital presence of the struggling high streets.
It promotes more than 7,000 businesses through innovative technology and interactive experiences. Some of these include digital loyalty schemes, competitions and AR trails.
Talent Nyandoro designed LetaLux lingerie for medical procedures like smear tests that leave women feeling exposed and uncomfortable.
The reassurance encourages women to undergo vital, life-saving procedures and truly helps the health and wellbeing of the community.
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
Chris Ashton joined EMH Housing in 1996 and has extensive experience of managing housing services and delivering excellent customer service.
She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and a member of its East Midlands Regional Board.
Rachel Biddles became one of Blueprint Interiors’ directors in 2010 and now jointly runs the awardwinning business on a day-today basis.
The mostly-female team transforms work environments to help with employee productivity, wellbeing and sustainability.
Sisters Hollie,
Jade and Ruby Finnegan launched their plant hire firm FinniGroup after having spent years supporting dad Paul Finnegan with his firm Joinpoint.
After seeing its success, they decided to invest in plant equipment themselves.
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Alicia Humphreys set up AH Virtual Assistant Services to work with small businesses to harness skills, improve processes and promote growth.
Alongside a full-time job and looking after her daughter, her passion and wealth of knowledge is evident to all of her clients.
Kate Walker was only 22 when she founded ExpHand Prosthetics, providing life-changing upper limb prosthesis that give children their independence back.
The leading start-up now has two patents pending and has secured funding to continue product development.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
There are only days left to book your tickets to the awards - to book, or for more information, visit the official website
Samantha Gibbs opened Nest, her boutique gift shop brand, in 2002. With three branches in Leicestershire and a successful online customer base, she is continually expanding product offerings and reach.
Beth Pollard provides worldclass customer service at House and Home Bespoke.
The female-led estate agency gives homes a proposition like they’ve never had before through its bespoke marketing and seamless experience.
Chloe Dennis is the new managing director for Mocha Marketing Limited. She joined the full-service marketing and communications agency with a clear growth plan to take it to the next level, while continuing to always put clients first, provide positive experiences and maintain a happy team.
The Lifetime Achievement
Award, sponsored by The University of Leicester, and Businesswoman of the Year 2021, sponsored by Growth Partners, will be chosen by the distinguished panel of judges.
The LeicestershireLive Women in Business Awards 2021, headline sponsor Growth Partners, will be held on September 9 at the King Power Stadium. For more information, visit the official website: