Flying flag for rising stars and all their achievements
THE fifth annual LeicestershireLive Women in Business Awards 2019, headline sponsored by Growth Partners plc, will celebrate the outstanding achievements of female entrepreneurs and professionals in our region.
From individuals running a business from home to high-flying career professionals, the awards highlight the achievements of a wide range of businesswomen from across Leicestershire.
Our awards fly the flag for women in business and create female role models to inspire future generations and cover a range of categories from sole trader to rising star, apprentice and new business.
Last year’s winner of the Sole Trader category was Debbie Heron, who runs two magazines that are delivered to more than 30,000 homes around Hinckley and surrounding villages. She also produces self-funded programmes for local charities and events, at no cost to the charity or event.
When she moved to Hinckley from the south of the country 14 years ago, she realised there were no local magazines for people to refer to if they needed, for instance, “a plumber or some local helpful information”.
“Having seen similar magazines down south, I decided I would set one up,” said Debbie, who describes herself as “57 years old but feel in my 30s”.
“As I offer exclusivity to all my customers, and have done since I launched Roundabout Hinckley nine years ago, almost four years ago I was encouraged by several of my customers to launch the Villages magazines, offering the same service to readers as well as exclusivity again to my customers.”
Running the magazines is a fulltime job, and she also runs a women’s only business networking group she set up two years ago, so she generally works up to six days a week.
Those who nominated Debbie for the award said she was held in high esteem in the community, and she prides herself on her excellent local reputation.
It is something, she said, that is incredibly important to her.
Debbie said she was “really thrilled” to have been named Sole Trader of the Year.
She added: “It feels as though it is recognition, and makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
So come on, why not nominate your Women in Business hero and make their day? Throughout the nomination period, nominees are requested to complete an application form which will further support their nomination.
Then, after the closing date, three finalists will be shortlisted within each category by an independent judging panel. Winners will be announced at the awards, which takes place on Thursday, September 26 at the King Power Stadium.
To nominate, visit: