The Business Awards Show

Today I am joined by one of the Gold Award winners from last week's Best Business Women Awards Gala Evening, Shelley Otway. Having run her own children's stage school for nearly fifteen years, Shelley was rewarded with a Gold Award in the Children and Families category.

Shelley shares the challenges of setting up her stage school, Steppin' Out Stars of Tomorrow. She explains how she dealt with national competitors, navigated the challenges of Covid, and why entering and winning awards has been so positive for her and her business.

Like most business owners, she has faced adversity. But her resilience will provide inspiration for many who may be going through tough times or thinking of starting their own business.

{2:05} How Shelley started her business.

{4:00} The challenges of running a business.

{5.30} How the business has grown stronger.

{6.33} Dealing with Covid.

{10:20} Ten years of Steppin' Out.

{13:00} The challenges of running a stage school post-Covid.

{14:30} Why Shelley decided to enter awards.

{16:58} How Shelley managed the entry process.

{20:25} Getting press coverage.

{22:10} The impact of winning an award.

{22:35} Shelley's words of advice.

{25:35} What's next for Steppin' Out.

{26:36} Steppin' Out locations.

Connect with Debbie at The Business Awards Show

Connect with Shelley at https://www.steppinoutstars.co.uk//

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

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

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJYAFUizZ2AqlF08_Sb3-w

Fiona is a print journalist, business owner and award-winning TV producer/director with a fascination for people's stories all her life – ever since seeing a TV reporter in action more than 40 years ago.

Today, as a respected media consultant, recently named the UK's Top PR Adviser 2021 to 2022, prolific blogger and PR (Public Relations) trainer, Fiona cuts through all the BS false promises to get journalists truly interested in you and your stories.

In this episode, Fiona talks us through her career in journalism, building her PR company - Fiona Scott PR, and her involvement in awards from entering, judging and sponsoring. There is so much Fiona knows about the awards industry, so we are delighted to share this with you.

{1.45} Fiona starts off by telling us the dream that sparked her career in journalism

{2.25} How Fiona ended up working in TV but initially trained as a teacher

{3.54} Why Fiona decided to go from being employed to self-employed (running her own PR company)

{5.00} The evolution of how we consume media from 2009 and how business is a separate skill from your original skill-set

{6.20} When awards first cropped up on Fiona's radar

{8.00} The awards that Fiona has entered in for her business

{9.08} Awards for smaller companies (Solopreneur category) that is currently sponsored by Fiona to show her support for small businesses

{11.07} Tips from Fiona on judging awards and what she is looking for from entrants

{14.01} Working with businesses who have won awards and how to make the most of the publicity from it

{16.16} Credibility of winning an award from a journalism perspective

{17.50} Fiona's involved in business networking and the support associated with a business community

{20.48} The launch of Fiona's podcast with a focus on PR and sharing tips within the industry

{23.25} Fiona's main piece of advice for early-on businesses

You can find out more here:

WEBSITE: www.scottmedia.uk

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefionascott/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/theFionaScott

Today's interview with Darrin Salt is brilliant for anyone looking to enter business awards. Darrin is both a judge and sponsor of the Best Businesswomen Awards. He has also won awards for his company, The Technologies Group, a leading provider of IT services and cyber-security to SMEs.

He started out as an employee in his business in 1989, but when the owner chose to retire, he was given the opportunity to buy the business in 2010. The business has gone from strength to strength under his leadership, as he has expanded the breadth of services offered to SMEs and larger customers. This year he is launching a cutting-edge new business services platform, VaVaVoom. His aim is to help entrepreneurs and employees work seamlessly in any remote location without worrying about security or file manaagement.

As one of our most experienced judges, Darrin's insights into how to produce the best awards entries is a must listen. He has also been a sponsor for seven years and explains why he is so passionate about the Best Businesswomen Awards.

Darrin has had his own successes in business awards, explaining why being a judge inspired him to go on his own journey.

This episode will also give you some valuable insights into the world of cyber-security and why it is so important for SMEs. It really isn't only large organisations who are targeted by cybercriminals.

This is a fascinating discussion for anyone thinking of entering any business awards, or who runs their own business and needs advice about cyber-security.

{1.47} Darrin tells The Technologies Group story

{2.31} The TG client profile and the service they provide

{3.11} The launch of VaVaVoom - a new platform for a new way of working

{4.20} The launch of this exciting new platform

{5.31} What gets Darrin's interest in awards entries?

{6.21} How to increase your entry's rating

{7.33} How to make entries clear and impactful

{10.10} Why Darrin sponsors the Best Businesswomen Awards

{11.29} Darrin's own awards journey

{13.08} Darrin's biggest challenges

{15.38} Why cyber-security is so important for small businesses

{17.21} Darrin's goals for 2023

{18.09} Physical v virtual award ceremonies

You can find out more here -

WEBSITE : https://thetechnologiesgroup.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tt_grp

Amanda Fitzgerald of Amanda Fitzgerald PR is the ultimate door-opener. For the last nine years she has been helping small business owners learn how to pitch their businesses to the press, get past gatekeepers, and secure valuable media coverage. She also happens to be a wild water swimmer, so is happy to take on extreme challenges!

Amanda wasn't always a PR specialist. In her early years in business, she imported Peruvian knitwear into the UK. It was only after winning an award for her business, that she realised the power of PR and her ability to generate her own press profile. Having got her business into publications from the Daily Mail and You magazine to Marie Claire and Vogue, she realised that selling a PR service to others was more appealing than selling Peruvian knitwear.

Amanda started to help other business owners and found herself getting clients into more publications, creating her 7 Secrets on How to Pitch to the Press, and becoming passionate about training entrepreneurs in what she calls the essential business life skill of PR.

Amanda has become a sponsor of the Best Business Women Awards in 2023, and tells us why this was an easy decision for her to make and how she thinks this will benefit her business.

This is an episode that clarifies why winning awards are so pivotal in building credibility and opportunities for getting press coverage for your business. Amanda also focuses on human interest elements of her clients, getting their 'golden nuggets' that make them more than just a business owner.

Amanda explains how entering awards, finding what makes you unique as a business and a person, and following the steps to grab media attention will make you stand out and get picked up by radio, press, or TV.

{1.40} Amanda shares her business journey, from Peruvian knitwear to PR

{7.34} The demise of the knitwear business

{10.02} How Amanda transferred her skills into a PR business

{11.25} Why Amanda became a sponsor of the Best Business Women Awards

{19.25} Amanda's advice for new business owners

{23.30} BBWA winners' PR stories

{28.15} PR ideas you can use for your business

You can find out more here -

WEBSITE : https://amandapr.com/

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

Instagram: www.instagram.com/amandaprexpert

Jen and Sue Blackwell are a dynamic mother-and-daughter duo who are changing the lives of people with learning disabilities through dance. They created Dance Syndrome in 2009 and it was registered as a charity in 2013. They strive to continue to provide new and exciting opportunities for people who may otherwise be excluded from mainstream dance. We believe that everyone has the right to follow their own interests and passions – whether they have a disability or not.

Sue said ' Jen wanted to follow her dream of being a dancer and dance leader. Jen went to mainstream school and whilst there she realised how much she loved to dance and decided that she wanted to become a community dance worker. After leaving school, Jen found herself in the frustrating position of not being able to fulfil her ambition because there was no suitable dance training for a person with a learning disability. After 10 years of unsuccessfully searching for training that was appropriate and inclusive, it became clear that many others were in the same situation. Something needed to change so we took matters into our own hands."

Dance Syndrome has an equal number of learning-disabled and non-disabled company members, and provides inclusive dance and leadership opportunities for people who believe disability need not be a barrier to living life to the full. All dance activity is led and informed by people with learning disabilities. Dance Syndrome activities give people confidence, respect, value and self-belief through our philosophy of 'anything is possible even though you have a learning disability.

{0.20} What is Dance Syndrome

{1.28} Sue and Jen talk about the journey of Dance Syndrome

{4.22} The demand for Dance Syndrome and its growth across the North West

{5.12} Future expansion across the UK

{6.01} Different awards Dance Syndrome have won

{8.22} The biggest highlight for Sue and Jen

{9.00} Future Plans for Dance Syndrome

{13.10} How you can get involved with Dance Syndrome

{15.01} Dance Syndrome's top tips

Find out more here:

Website: https://dancesyndrome.co.uk/

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

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

Caroline Marshall is the founder of a multi-award-winning Virtual Assistant Agency, Upsource; a large team of Virtual Assistants who provide Business and Virtual Assistance, Lifestyle support, Events and Social Media services to Entrepreneurs, HNWs, Startups and SMEs.

Having a background in Personal Assistance, Business Support and Events, she transitioned to the Virtual Assistant industry in 2016, firstly as an employed VA, and then ultimately launched her own agency in July 2020. Upsource has seen significant growth throughout 2022 and enjoys sharing how she lived by her outsourcing values to get there.

Caroline and her tips have been featured in the Metro, Daily Mail, Grazia, Stylist, Waitrose Magazine and The Guardian. Caroline Marshall believes anyone can achieve success when they have the right support in all areas of their life and business.

Outsourcing administration doesn't have to be a luxury; it can be a way of life. Working with Upsource will help you to focus on what really matters to you, clear those big goals and work towards your dreams. They can take you by the hand if you need it or just work alongside you to understand the best way we can empower you to achieve success.

{1.34} Caroline shares her background, why she decided to create her business 'Upsource' and balancing work and motherhood.

{3.20} The services that Upsource offers

{4.04} Why Caroline started entering into business awards

{5.36} Caroline talks about her first business award win 'The Newcomer Award'

{7.21} Winning awards and becoming a judge for future awards

{9.20} Caroline shares some business tips and how she has overcome adversity

{10.47} Business training and support Caroline has undertaken to help her grow Upsource whilst also being a mother

{12.16} Business networking and the positive impact this has had on Caroline's business

{13.03} Future plans for Upsource

{14.00} Discussing podcasts and The Business Awards Show

You can find out more here -

WEBSITE : https://weareupsource.co.uk/

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

Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareupsource

Kate Adam is an awards expert with an impressive track record of helping businesses from all sectors win business awards. She has honed her craft over many years, backed by a wealth of marketing expertise. Her talent is creating and writing award-winning entries to help businesses get the recognition they deserve. Over 90% of her clients reach awards finals, and 60% have won awards locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. In 2022 two of her clients won 6 national awards between them! Kate works hard to drill down the figures, get underneath the business and tell the story so a judging panel can assess the information clearly and concisely. If you need help with your award entries, speak to Kate Adam.

{1.35} Kate introduces herself, talking about her business and business journey so far in marketing

{2.25} Going self-employed in 2006 and how networking benefited her business

{3.18} Kate's initial experience with helping her clients enter award shows

{5.47} Questions Kate asks a business who comes to her asking whether or not they should enter an award

{9.38} The process Kate takes a client through with award entries

{11.15} How to get the right evidence together for award entries

{15.30} What is the WOW factor within award entries at The Best Businesswoman Awards

{16.56} Why a business owner would use Kate's services instead of writing an award entry themself

{21.21} The benefits of using Kate's services

{25.30} Kate's top tips for award entries

{27.30} Future plans for Kate's business, Meredith Marketing

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateadam/

Website: www.meredithmarketing.co.uk

Lynne Parker founded Funny Women in 2002 in response to a misogynist comedy promoter who told her that 'women aren't funny'. She went on to create the Funny Women Awards and 20 years on, the rest is history.

Funny Women is now an acclaimed not-for-profit community for women to build self-confidence and develop their own distinctive voice. Lynne describes it as her 'life's work' providing a safe, diverse, creative platform that empowers women to perform, write and use humour in business and everyday life.

In addition to producing comedy shows and running events, Lynne is a renowned performance coach encouraging people in business and public life to 'Stand Up to Stand Out'. Borrowing techniques from the world of stand-up comedy, Lynne has developed workshops and runs events under the HERlarious brand to improve self-confidence, develop presentation skills and build teams. Her work empowers many women both professionally and personally to have a voice.

Lynne brings her two worlds together in her podcast, HOW TO HAVE FUN AT WORK, with guests from both comedy and business.

{1.35} Lynne introduces Funny Women and what it's all about

{6.24} The criteria for Funny Women

{6.40} The different awards at Funny Women

{10.34} Being a founder of a not-for-profit company, Lynne talks about the other aspects of her career by hosting workshops and training courses.

{14.35} 'Stand Up to Stand Out' - the in-person workshop hosted by Lynne to find your funny

{21.51} Needing more humour in business and how Lynne has helped propel careers through her Awards

{23.20} Lynne talks through her podcast "How to have fun at work" and more detail about what that is about

{24.40} Awards Lynne has entered herself and her experience entering awards

Find out more below:

www.funnywomen.com

www.herlarious.co.uk

Facebook: @wearefunnywomen

Twitter: @funnywomen @funnywomenlynne

Instagram: @funny_women @funnywomenlynne

LinkedIn personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynneparker/

LinkedIn company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/313141/admin/

In this interview, we speak to Sophie, who founded Catering Elite, a recruitment company, 20 years ago to fulfil a need for reliable catering staff for hospitality businesses and events.

Sophie shares her business story and how she has grown her business to an impressive client list. We discuss why awards have been important to her as a profile raiser.

{1.22} Sophie introduces Catering Elite and how she became a specialist in the industry

{2.44} What inspired Sophie to create her business 20 years ago

{3.44} Operating in a niche sector

{4.46} When Sophie discovered business awards, and awards she has entered

{5.40} Sophies award strategy for her business

{7.45} Being an awards judge and advice for businesses who enter

{10.02} Working in the hospitality industry during Covid and how Sophie kept her business going

{12.02} Other challenges Sophie has faced over the past 20 years in business

{15.04} How Sophie has used customer service to retain her customers for two decades

{18.01} Sophie shares some wisdom; how she has kept going no matter what

Find out more here

Website: https://cateringelite.co.uk/current-jobs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CATERING01/?ref=hl

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

In this interview, we talk to Trusha Lakhani, Business Coach and FD

Trusha has worked in business since she was a child and was involved in her family business - the manufacture, distribution and retail of soft drinks. She went on to study and qualify as an accountant, where she quickly gained a senior position. After many years doing this, she decided to focus on the parts she enjoyed and started a business coaching business combining this with working as an outsourced Finance Director.

She offers 121 coaching and group coaching programmes, helping businesses take their company to the next level. Trusha discusses her business journey and what winning the Best Customer Service Gold Award in 2022 and Silver Award for Best Coach have meant to her business.

{1.40} Trusha introduces herself and talks about what exactly she does

{3.40} Where Trusha's awards journey began

{5.38} How is Trusha's 121 business structured, and what does she do as a Finance Director

{7.58} The challenges that Trusha sees businesses go through

{9.48} Winning awards for customer service

{13.04} Future business plans for 2023 and beyond

{14.27} Advice for any struggling businesses out there

You can find out more below -

Website: https://trushalakhani.co.uk/

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

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@trushalakhani4792/videos