The Business Awards Show

Kayleigh Clover helped her clients win awards for years before she dared enter one herself. She tells the Business Awards Show what finally convinced her to have a go.

Kayleigh, founder of Little White House Marketing, built an agency from her kitchen table during lockdown, developing it into a growing team based in Bournemouth. She specialises in human first marketing, explaining why it beats AI generated content in a world craving engagement. Furthermore, she offers social media tips for our finalists heading into an awards night, looking to raise their profiles and connections.

She also opens up about why it took six years to enter an award herself, despite writing entries for clients. Imposter syndrome played a part. But happily, Kayleigh achieved a surprise double win at the Christchurch Business Awards, including an unexpected Rising Star nomination. The genuine PR, SEO and new leads that followed were a huge bonus.

About Kayleigh

Kayleigh Clover is the founder and Managing Director of Little White House Marketing, a social-first creative agency in Southbourne, Bournemouth. She started the business from home during COVID after a decade in the travel industry. Consequently, it has grown entirely through word of mouth into a limited company with a wide range of clients across the UK and further afield. The agency covers all elements of creative marketing, from organic social and paid media, to photography and video shoots.

Kayleigh believes social media works best when it sounds like a real person and looks like the real business. She has spoken openly against AI-generated content and would rather a client posted less and meant it.

In 2026, Little White House won Best Independent Business at the Christchurch Business Awards, where Kayleigh also took home the Rising Star Award. She's now a finalist in the national Best Businesswomen Awards, in the Marketing and PR category.

She's a vocal supporter of other business owners, particularly women building companies of their own. Outside work, Kayleigh is a mum and is married to Sam, her biggest supporter.

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{2:04} How Covid resulted in Kayleigh starting her own business.

{4:45} When Kayleigh realised she could no longer do it on her own.

{5:11} Growing the team.

{6:55} What human first marketing means and why it matters to Kayleigh.

{9:24} How to engage authentically on social media.

{10:28} Kayleigh's favourite social platform.

{11:55} Why you should step out of your comfort zone on social media.

{13:12} Maximising exposure at awards events.

{15:00} Why it took 6 years to enter business awards.

{16:13} Winning two Christchurch Business Awards.

{20:30} Combining family and business.

{21:12} Future plans.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Kayleigh: https://www.littlewhitehousemarketing.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/littlewhitehouse/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleigh-clover-57293419a/

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

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

Saira Mashru read her finalist email again and again, convinced it had to be spam. It was not, and it changed how she saw her business. It's inspiration for any aspiring young entrepreneur, as the women's nutrition coach reflects on winning Silver for Best Young Entrepreneur at the Best SME Awards allied to a Shining Star award. Both have boosted her confidence, credibility and client trust.

Saira, founder of Saira Nutrition, discusses building a nutrition business as a young entrepreneur. She explains how a healthy relationship with food growing up, combined with a background in dietetics and public health, led her to support women through sustainable, guilt free weight loss.

Saira also discusses the leap from part time side project to full time business. Illuminatingly, she shares the challenges of being taken seriously as a young business owner, including negative comments about her age and appearance. Finally, she explains how coaching on confidence and presence helped her overcome this.

About Saira

Saira Mashru is a multi-award winning Registered Nutritionist and founder of Saira Nutrition. By combining evidence-based nutrition with psychology-led behaviour change, Saira helps women lose weight sustainably without diets, restriction or guilt. Her clients experience transformations that go far beyond the scales, ranging from sleeping properly for the first time in years to having the energy to run around with their grandchildren. She works with clients across 1:1, group and corporate settings and has delivered workplace wellbeing sessions for organisations including British Airways and David Lloyd.

{2:32} Why Saira became a nutritionist.

{4:13} Saira's path from school.

{6:23} What convinced Saira to start her business.

{9:02} Who inspired her when she started her business.

{10:41} School's failure to prepare young people for starting a business.

{11:34} The challenges for young entrepreneurs starting out.

{16:13} Deciding to work in her business full time, and the progress she's made since.

{18:09} Saira's range of services.

{21:30} Being a finalist at the Best SME Awards.

{22:55} The feeling of validation being a finalist engendered.

{24:45} The PR winning awards has created.

{25:49} How Awards have brought in new business.

{26:41} Saira's advice for young entrepreneurs.

{27:21} Future plans.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Saira: http://sairanutrition.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saira-nutrition/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/saira-mashru-31a2b11b0/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556979441081&rdid=69kOotgnwrhUrx92&share_url=https%3A%2F%2F

Hayley Plumb entered her first ever award full of excitement. What followed was a night she will never forget, for all the wrong reasons. Debbie Gilbert talks to Preston nail technician Hayley, founder of Nailed It by Hayley, about her first ever experience entering business awards.

Hayley shares how she built her nail technician business from scratch after losing her job while pregnant, building a studio in her garage.

After two and a half years her competitive streak led her to enter a major industry awards ceremony. She describes a lengthy, repetitive application process that led to her being told she was a finalist while entries were still open. Next came a chaotic awards night involving long queues, no food, mismatched presentations, and winners left stranded far from the stage.

Debbie shares a similarly disappointing experience of her own, and the two discuss what credible, well run awards should look like, and why poor experiences risk damaging trust in the awards industry as a whole.

{2:20} How Hayley came to set up her nail business.

{5:35} Why she entered the Health & Beauty Awards.

{6:23} A convoluted entry process that did not allow her to showcase her work.

{9:30} The questionable next stage of the process.

{10:45} Buying tickets for the final.

{13:10} The queue for photos.

{15:23} The awards begin.

{20:00} Categories with fifty finalists.

{20:32} Hayley's feelings about awards after her first experience and what happened with her category.

{22:08} Debbie's bad awards experience in June.

{25:22} Hayley's lasting feelings.

{29:37} How those awards could have been run differently.

{35:40} Judging using AI.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Hayley:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Nailed-it-by-Hayley-61557313196357/

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@naileditby.hayley

Rosie di Lecce has worked with global brands and budgets to match. However, what genuinely excites her is watching a small business win its first award. Rosie, founder of the award winning agency Saia Creative and sponsor of the Best New Business category at this year's Best Business Women Awards, tells us why.

Rosie shares the mindset shift that led her to start her own agency, and the three mistakes she sees businesses make time and again. We talk about trust in the marketing industry and Rosie gives her thoughts on why it is being eroded. In a fascinating conversation, Rosie argues why events and offline touchpoints are quietly outperforming social media, and highlights the risks of leaning too heavily on AI for strategy and content.

To wrap up, Rosie also explains why she chose to sponsor small businesses specifically, and shares her advice for planning ahead for next year.

About Rosie

Rosie Di Lecce is a Fractional Marketing Director, Marketing Strategist and founder of Saia Creative, an award-winning boutique marketing and branding agency helping SMEs turn scattered marketing into focused, strategy-led activity that drives growth.

With 15 years of experience, Rosie has supported hundreds of clients internationally, from start-ups and SMEs to global brands including Swarovski, Heineken and Kawasaki. Her expertise spans marketing strategy, high-converting copy, campaigns, launches and funnels, combining senior-level strategic thinking with hands-on implementation.

Rosie believes effective marketing starts with understanding the business, its audience and its goals. She is also a strong advocate for positive marketing and ethical copywriting, rejecting manipulative tactics in favour of clear messaging and genuine audience connection.

{1:30} Why Rosie started her own business 10 years ago.

{2:46} How a new business attracts clients.

{4:32} The common mistakes made by new businesses.

{10:24} The bad advice we see in the marketing world.

{15:34} The channels delivering most leads.

{18:49} Marketing approaches that stand out.

{21:33} Using AI wisely in marketing.

{27:35} Where AI will help your business.

{30:06} Why Rosie sponsored the Best New Business category at this year's Best Businesswomen Awards.

{32:27} What's next for Rosie and her advice to businesses everywhere.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Rosie: http://www.saiacreative.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saiacreative/home/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saia.creative

Winning the award is easy compared to what happens next. Keely Armitt explains why so few businesses actually cash in on their win, and how to be one that does.

Keely is founder of Keely Armitt Business Management, and discusses her journey from a career in sports management into becoming an accredited online business manager.

In this episode, Keely explains the common operational problems that hold growing businesses back. From there, she helps overwhelmed founders regain control through a structured three month plan, and explains why AI genuinely earns its place in day to day operations.

Drawing on her background writing multi-million-pound funding bids, Keely shares why she now writes award entries for clients and has created a framework, CAMM (Celebrate, Amplify, Monetise and Multiply), to help businesses make the most of a win. She explains why so few businesses leverage their award success, and the real commercial opportunities they leave on the table.

About Keely

Keely Armitt is a business strategist, Online Business Manager and awards specialist who helps ambitious business owners build stronger, more scalable and visible businesses. Following a 20-year career spanning operations, marketing, major projects and senior leadership, Keely launched her own consultancy to help entrepreneurs create the strategy, systems and structure they need to grow without becoming the bottleneck in their business. She also specialises in business awards, helping companies identify the right opportunities, create compelling, evidence-led submissions and maximise the commercial value of winning. She is creator of the Award Winner's Playbook, designed to help businesses turn award recognition into lasting brand and business growth.

{2:15} Keely's background that led to running her own business.

{5:00} Keely's competitive nature and her roles in sports management.

{6:58} The common challenges faced by growing businesses.

{10:13} Supporting clients in a state of overwhelm.

{12:53} How Keely uses AI.

{15:12} Prioritising key tasks for businesses.

{18:25} What Keely brings to award entry writing.

{21:04} Leveraging an awards plan.

{29:05} Keely's future plans.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Keely: https://keelyarmitt.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keely-armitt/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ka-businessmanagement/home/

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

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

Helen Kenworthy has spent thirty years telling people of course you can. She explains why she finally started believing it about her own award entries too.

Helen, founder of Of Course You Can Coach, Education Selection Box, RYTC Creative CIC and co-founder of Give Get Go Education, reflects on thirty years of building organically connected businesses rooted in confidence, creativity and inclusion.

Helen shares how her own journey from a shy child into performing arts shaped her belief that everyone can succeed once they experience one small win. Furthermore, she explains how that philosophy underpins her coaching and work supporting young people with additional needs.

Crucially, she discusses how a Youth Arts Champion award, nominated by one of her own students, became a genuine turning point for her business. Helen also reveals why awards continue to build trust, opening doors with funders, offering welcome validation after decades of entrepreneurship.

About Helen

Helen is the founder and director of three organisations — RYTC Creatives CIC, Education Selection Box CIC, and Give Get Go Education. Her conviction is that people don't need to be squeezed into systems that were never designed for them; the systems need to bend around them. With nearly 30 years across the business and creative sectors as a coach, mentor, author, and actor, Helen has spent her career proving that creativity, rigour, and heart aren't mutually exclusive.

Her work spans SEND-informed and alternative education, creative arts for mental health, careers training, and family support — underpinned by her trademarked "Of Course You Can!™" methodology and her "Brilliantly Underestimated" philosophy. In 2026 alone, she picked up the Prestige Awards SEND Provider of the Year and the SME Awards Best Inclusive Creative Learning Partnership of the Year (Warwickshire), adding to a track record that includes the Golden Peacock Trailblazer Award.

{2:20} What Helen was doing thirty years ago.

{5:45} Moving into the SEND sector.

{8:04} Education Selection Box is born.

{10:59} The interconnectedness of Helen's work.

{11:59} Helen's focus on solutions.

{13:48} The 'Brilliantly Underestimated' and how to get them to believe in themselves.

{19:46} How awards benefitted Helen and her business.

{28:30} How Helen has succeeded over thirty years.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Helen: https://helenkenworthy.com/

https://www.educationselectionbox.com/

https://www.rytc.co.uk/

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

https://www.linkedin.com/company/education-selection-box/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/therytc/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581154236404&rdid=iVK8A4ogy3Up0Nht&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1ALBuLBuir%2F

Behind every credible award entry and engaging acceptance speech is someone who has learned how to communicate with impact. In this episode, Helen von Dadelszen shows us how.

Helen is founder of Present Potential and author of 'Courageous Action', the ideal book for helping people communicate more confidently. She tells Debbie why nerves are normal, sharing practical tips on reading the brief carefully, respecting time limits, and bringing genuine personality rather than a rehearsed script.

Additionally, she discusses the growing use of video entries, how to make a pitch memorable within a strict time limit, and the breathing and grounding techniques that help manage nerves. Helen and Debbie also compare approaches to acceptance speeches, and why fear of public speaking should never stop someone entering an award. Her tips could be the catalyst for entering your business into awards. Don't miss it!

About Helen

Helen von Dadelszen helps smart, thoughtful professionals turn their ideas into clear, confident and impactful communication. She believes confidence is built through action, and that everyone has a unique communication style that can be strengthened and shared. As founder of Present Potential Sàrl, Helen provides practical training and coaching in public speaking, presentation skills, vocal presence and confident communication, working across technical, scientific, academic and humanitarian fields.

She is also the author of 'Courageous Action: Your Playbook for Communicating Confidently One Step at a Time', a hands-on guide to building communication confidence. Her work is strongly influenced by improvisational theatre, helping clients become more present and comfortable with uncertainty. An active Toastmasters member and European speech contest winner, Helen is originally from New Zealand. Now based in Switzerland, she brings an international, human-centred approach to communication coaching.

{2:08} Helen's background and her journey to Present Potential.

{4:08} Helen's typical clients.

{6:02} How to prepare for an awards presentation.

{12:08} The importance of planning your pitch.

{14:51} Helen's book 'Courageous Action'.

{17:30} How to give a good acceptance speech.

{24:23} Connecting with an audience.

{26:49} Helen's future plans.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Helen: https://academy.presentpotential.ch/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-von-dadelszen/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/present-potential/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB_2NMosqJQBBiv5ux3mYHg

Helen's book 'Courageous Action': https://courageousaction.ch/

Pete Rhodes never liked networking events, so he built one that actually works. And consequently, Meet for Good won the Gold Award for Best Networking Group at this year's Best SME Awards.

Debbie Gilbert speaks to Pete, founder of All for Good and Meet for Good, about nearly twenty years in sport, including roles at the Youth Sport Trust and Team GB. That experience led him to build a business connecting sport, sponsorship and charity to create genuine social impact.

He explains the thinking behind Meet for Good, why it deliberately stays small and intimate, and how it has become a platform for inspiring speakers and meaningful charitable partnerships. Pete also discusses why passion for a cause matters more than scale, how businesses can create real impact through sponsorship, and his plans to expand the network beyond the Midlands.

About Pete

Pete was involved in the sports industry for nearly 20 years. From the Youth Sport Trust to the British Olympic Association, Pete has successfully worked to raise sponsorship and funding for leading organisations, as well as managing events to meet those fundraising targets for such milestones as the Athens and Beijing Olympics.

In 2005, he set up All for Good. He based his business on a vision to use the power of sport, sponsorship and events to make a genuine difference. He has worked alongside sports personalities, charities, corporate partners, and governing bodies to create events and partnerships that not only deliver exceptional experiences, but also generate lasting social impact.

As a result, he has raised over £10m, determined that every event should have an event bigger than itself. In 2020 he launched Meet for Good to bring a similar focus to networking, winning the Best Networking Business at the Best SME Awards in 2026.

{3:03} Why All for Good is unique.

{3:44} How Pete went about achieving his goals.

{6:13} Some typical All for Good porjects.

{10:18} Pete's favourite sports.

{10:53} The sociability of golf.

{12:25} How the Meet for Good network was formed and has evolved.

{20:06} Cross-pollination between the 'Good' businesses.

{21:21} Current projects.

{24:18} Why Pete entered the Best SME Awards.

{28:59} Baton of Hope and other supported charity events.

{30:58} Getting the most from partnering with charities.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Pete: https://www.allforgood.co.uk/

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

Natalie Roukin and Jenna Stopforth have never chased awards. Their priority was to make every client feel special, and the trophies followed.

The founders of By Two Studio, an award-winning St Albans-based interior design business, share how they built a business founded on customer service, having met while training as interior designers.

They also explain how getting involved right at the architect and builder stage leads to better results. To that end, Natalie and Jenna discuss the technology they use to bring designs to life, the importance of understanding how a family actually lives before decorating, and why they work with a coach to keep improving their customer journey.

They also touch on current design trends, the emotional side of transforming people's homes, and their exciting plans to open a second studio in Spain within the next few years.

About Natalie and Jenna

Natalie Roukin and Jenna Stopforth are the friends and business partners behind By Two Studio, brought together by a shared love of interiors over thirteen years ago when they left established careers to retrain in interior design.

Natalie came from a background as an Executive PA and Jenna from advertising, and they quickly discovered a shared belief that great design is about far more than how a home looks, it is about how it makes people feel and live. After working together through Natalie Roukin Interiors, they launched By Two Studio, a residential design studio specialising in full home renovations and new builds across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and North London.

Customer experience remains central, reflected in their Silver win in the Customer Service category at the Best Businesswomen Awards 2025 and multiple Best of Houzz Customer Service Awards.

{2:40} How Natalie got into interior design.

{3:20} How the tqo partners met.

{3:44} The roots of Jenna's passion for interior design.

{4:21} Choosing the name 'By Two Studio'.

{5:03} Who does what in the business?

{5:59} Growing the client base.

{7:08} Navigating wild client ideas.

{8:25} Using technology to enhance customer experience.

{9:53} Incorporating awards into the marketing process.

{12:58} How interior design can influence architectural design.

{15:07} Jenna's favourite project.

{16:34} Natalie's thoughts on Grand Designs and other property shows.

{17:56} Why exceptional customer service is so important to Natalie and Jenna.

{19:10} The benefits of working with a coach.

{20:52} The misconceptions about interior design.

{24:30} The satisfaction in transforming people's homes.

{26:25} Workspaces morphing into home spaces.

{26:55} What's on trend in design at the moment?

{29:27} By Two Studio's future growth plans.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with By Two Studio: https://bytwostudio.com/

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

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by.two.studio/

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/bytwostudiolimited/

Houzz: https://www.houzz.co.uk/hznb/professionals/interior-designers/by-two-studio-pfvwus-pf~973886982

Grant funding can feel like a locked door, but in this episode we discover how a little recognition can be the key that opens it.

Debbie Gilbert is joined by Phoenix Humphreys, founder of Raise to Rise, who helps charities and community organisations secure funding in an ethical and sustainable way. Phoenix shares her unlikely route from a corporate facilities role into fundraising, describing the challenges of building a solo consultancy. We also talk AI and why human insight will always trump it in writing a persuasive grant bid.

She explains how charities and CICs become grant ready, and clarifies the difference between the two structures. Crucially, she discusses how entering business awards builds trust, visibility and even funding opportunities for good causes. Phoenix also reflects on her own award wins and reveals her long term ambition to launch her own grant giving foundation.

About Phoenix

Phoenix Humphreys is the Founder of Raise to Rise, a multi award-winning fundraising consultancy making expert fundraising support accessible and affordable for charities, CICs and community organisations across the UK.

Launched in 2024, Raise to Rise has grown from one client to supporting more than 40 charities and CICs nationwide, with 17 becoming long-term partners. For those partners, Phoenix has secured £495,868 in grant funding, creating an estimated £1.98 million in potential social value, benefiting vulnerable communities from care leavers to domestic abuse survivors.

A passionate sector advocate, Phoenix mentors emerging fundraisers and has delivered more than 80 free consultations. She is a Silver Award winner at the 2025 Best Business Women Awards, a 2024 Woman Who "One to Watch" winner, and features in the #iAlso100 list.

{2:10} Why Phoenix founded Raise to Rise.

{4:18} Phoenix's corporate career.

{5:23} The greatest challenges of the first three years.

{6:35} Getting leads.

{9:52} How Raise to Rise helps charities and CICs.

{12:25} The right tools for researching appropriate grants.

{14:35} How organisations prepare to become grant ready.

{17:29} The difference between a charity and a CIC.

{19:06} How awards support grant applications.

{21:20} Why national awards can raise a charity's exposure significantly.

{24:09} Harnessing the power of awards to grow Raise to Rise.

{26:09} Phoenix's awards journey.

{30:07} Phoenix's big dream for the future.

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

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Phoenix: https://raisetorise.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/raise-to-rise/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoenix-humphreys-79467019b/