The entrepreneurial spirit driving forward some of our region’s successful businesses
DESPITE how much the past year has affected all of us, there are hundreds of success stories all across Derbyshire that deserve to be recognised.
In an admirable feat, these businesses have continued to show a passion for their industry and remarkable conviction to succeed regardless of the difficulties facing them every day.
Across the next few months, culminating in a black-tie awards ceremony, the DerbyshireLive Business Awards, in association with Champions (UK) PLC, is shining a light on the success stories right on our doorstep.
Turning off the computer screens and stepping outside of the house, our business community will be reunited for a night of celebration at the Derby Arena on Thursday, October 21. Finally able to get dressed up and network face-to-face, it is set to be a special night for all.
This year’s headline sponsors are Invictus Communications, Futures, Diginius, Derby Arena and Derby College. To find out more, visit the official website. For tickets, contact Michelle Roberts, mroberts@championsukplc.com
The Business Entrepreneur of the Year award, sponsored by HUUB, was created to ensure that the people behind some of the most innovative and successful businesses in Derbyshire get the recognition that they deserve.
Looking at the individual achievements of the entrepreneur, the results returned by their business and their unique approach to the marketplace they operate in, the judges have selected the finalists that best represent the entrepreneurial spirit of the region. The Business Entrepreneur of the Year finalists are:
BAYTREE PRESTIGE CARS
‘Prestige and performance’ is the motto of one of the UK’s leading luxury and supercar dealers, Baytree Cars. This independent car dealership wins customer loyalty through supreme levels of customer satisfaction and outstanding vehicle knowledge. This expertise is the culmination of 30 years’ experience of buying and selling prestige performance vehicles.
The Baytree Cars luxury showrooms are designed to provide an alternative to the main dealer experience. Cars are sourced from a network that can deliver a vast number of makes and models. Customers are assisted in their purchasing via tailor-made packages, making transactions consumer-orientated and suited to each buyer.
PROJECT D
A forward-thinking, handmade doughnut bakery, Project D has reimagined how the popular sweet snack is perceived and presented. A mission to create the ‘world’s best doughnut’ took Project D on a research trip around the world. This culminated in two artisan bakeries, a raft of pop-up store experiences and partnerships with Amazon and Coca Cola.
Its distinctive pink branding and ‘D’ logo has been used to launch youth-oriented clothing merchandise with streetwear label Ratchet. The range seamlessly incorporates fashion trends with its own branding, fortifying the youthful, fun feel of the Project D brand.
COSY DIRECT
Cosy Direct specialises in outdoor educational resources for early years, schools and nurseries. It promotes a natural, engaged and active childhood by supplying sustainable nursery and educational equipment worldwide.
A home of new ideas, it continually strives for innovation, developing new products informed and inspired by teacher-led research. Cosy Direct champions rural and real-life childhoods, where children are encouraged to play and take part in adventurous activities that enable them to learn and develop while having fun.
It founded the Cosy Foundation in 2011 to support grassroots childhood projects and gives more than 10% of profits to the charity to assist social causes, via tabletop sized charities and voluntary groups.