Young Business Woman of the Year 2008 : Laura Penman, Fishmore Hall, Ludlow

Though still not yet 30, Laura Penman has just completed her first, very successful year as owner/proprietor of Fishmore Hall, a handsome Georgian property set on a hill overlooking the charming town of Ludlow. The hotel, formerly a school that was left to fall derelict, now boasts 15 contemporary bedrooms and luxurious bathrooms, and a superb restaurant that earned two AA rosettes within ten days of opening in October 2007. Laura learned her trade by working in various hotel properties around the country and in New Zealand, including the acclaimed Cotswold House in Chipping Campden, and has bought much of what she has picked-up about creating an unforgettable guest experience to Fishmore Hall. This year has been a challenging one for the hospitality industry, but this has not affected Laura who has put in place a vigorous marketing campaign, and focused on making sure the product lives up to its promises.

Her efforts have paid off and business – leisure, weddings and corporate – have all been very strong indeed, including a significant amount of repeat business, proof to any company that they must be doing something right! 2009 plans are to build on this success and the signs are looking very good indeed.
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Networking Woman of the Year 2008; Elaine Kelly from Dans le Vent

Winning Network She’s first ever Networker of the Year Award was the icing on the cake for Elaine Kelly who has seen her fashion accessory business steadily grow in its first year of trading. Elaine, who has a background of working for blue chip companies, started Dans le Vent, meaning “in the wind” – ever changing, just over 12 months ago. Previously she had opened her own business sourcing and selling a multitude of fashion accessories which included a range of Parisian perfume and body products dating back to 1822.

She explained that with DLV the emphasis was on providing warm and friendly service together with the personal touch - gift wrapping included and she also catered for all age ranges from 9-82 years with a healthy repeat customer base and ever expanding new ones.

Elaine said: “Products are only bought in small quantities reiterating the “ever-changing”, therefore keeping each item limited whilst forever searching for new and different ones. “One of this year’s goals is to build upon the present Points of Sale - which includes a lingerie shop, shoe outlet, nail and beauty salons – an opportunity for business owners to have a little of DLV within their premises – even the carrier bags, tissue paper and ribbons are included!!! “This is an effective way of offering more to your clients, especially in the existing credit crunch - with no investment, while adding to your income in commission and bonuses. You select, from the range, which products you wish to sell, and they will be changed as frequently as you wish.” She said.

DLV has expanded over it’s first year in business and now includes a part time PA and courier as well as employing the services of both Derek Booth, Sigma Web and Joanna Price, J M Price Accountants, both based in Wrexham. This year she aims to progress this year’s goals and to work on another couples of ventures. Elaine was delighted to receive the Network She Award and said: “ I am very proud to have won the first Network She “Networking Woman of the Year” Award. I believe in the power of networking, not just about putting yourself and your business out there but linking like minded people together even it is not to the benefit of your business but more to theirs.”

Tel. 0808 160 12 12 or 0845 009 86 68 Mobile: 0781 517 8561
elaine@danslevent.co.uk www.danslevent.co.uk
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Charity Fundraising and Awareness Award 2008; Diane Roberts, Wedding Belles

In 1997, with her husband’s blessing, his 10k redundancy cheque and a burning desire to open her own bridal store, Diane Roberts, a then staff nurse at Bangor Hospital walked into her local enterprise agency. Within six weeks following a crash course in running your own business Diane opened the doors to her first bridal shop in Llanfair Pg, Anglesey.

Ten years later, having enjoyed well deserved annual success at the UK National Bridal Industry Awards, two moves in to larger premise in Llanfair PG and the opening of a second retail site in Llandudno, Diane decided it was time to celebrate.

Now for most of us this would be the time to throw a small soiree and raise a glass or two, not so Diane.

Having experienced firsthand the work done by Wales Air Ambulance during her time in the Accident & Emergency Unit and knowing only too well that this fantastic lifesaving resource was completely financed by charity fundraising to meet its £4million annual operation costs, Diane decided to make Wedding Belles’ tenth anniversary a fundraising event in the format of a Win a Wedding Competition.
Gathering together top local wedding related services, including those of Network She members Gwenllian Owen of Mesen and Rhian Hastings of The Celebration Chair Cover Company, Diane was able to offer one deserving couple the chance to win a dream wedding worth over £22,000.

The Wales wide competition was publicised through local radio stations, bridal fayres, a dedicated website, and soon secured the interest of local TV production company, Cwmni Da, resulting in ITV Wales covering the competition in a five part documentary called ‘Love is in the Air”.

A fabulous Black Tie and Tiara Gala dinner was also organised for 200 guests to announce the winning couple with international Opera singer Bryn Terfel presenting the prize to deserving couple Paul and Angela from Pwllheli who married on 5th November at The St George’s Hotel, Llandudno.

If you would like to support Wales Air Ambulance you can do as if she isn’t busy enough, Diane has agreed to make the Black Tie and Tiara Gala night an annual event.

Tel. 01248-717200 www.weddingbellesbrides.co.uk
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Cheshire Business Woman of the Year 2008; Jan Williams of Frodsham Laser Clinic

Just a few days after marrying my first husband back in 1996 I collapsed and was taken to hospital. I had been feeling dreadful for sometime and the doctor had been giving me antibiotics for a virus so I wasn’t to worried.

I was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure and put on the national transplant list. 18 months later I had my first transplant only to be removed nine months later, my marriage failed, I decided to take redundancy from my job and moved North.

I underwent a second transplant in 2004 and I felt well, I never imagined that my experience of being a transplant patient would provide me with a business as I developed facial hair due to the medication and decided to do something about it.

Appearance affects people in many different ways and facial hair in females is a taboo subject which can lead to depression and wanting to hide away from the world. I never realized how people suffered with hair growth; Men as well as Women until I had some articles written about my experiences and suddenly I was receiving mail from people from all walks of life, suffering with unwanted hair growth. The sad thing is it is treatable but not on NHS so unless you work or have funds to pay you will never be able to afford treatment – this has led me to open another company HAIL (Helping Appearance and Image by laser) for the sole purpose to get assisted funding for individuals who suffer severe depression, low esteem Ridicule or Bullying with the aim to restore self dignity, improve the quality of their lives and hopefully they will gain enough confidence to be involved in society again, find employment or even a partner!

It has been really hard work, and I have put a lot at risk our home and marriage - there have been lots of ups and downs and long hours, but fingers crossed the business continues to grow and we now offer Tattoo removal, Vein removal on Legs and face, Removal of pigmentation, anti aging, Acne & Rosacea treatments, Botox and skin Fillers, Skin Resurfacing, Skin Peels & Skin Tightening, Cellulite Reduction, Flab Jabs.

Tel. 01928 730000 www.frodshamlaserclinic.co.uk
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Wrexham Business Woman of the Year 2008; Debbie Brady from i-Quip

Debbie Brady, Wrexham Businesswoman of the Year 2008, is the founder and the driving force behind i-Quip LTD, an innovative, ‘interactive’ sports design company. A successful entrepreneur and experienced businesswoman, she has used her in-depth experience of business start-up and growth, her passion for horses and her considerable determination to grow i-Quip LTD from an ingenious idea to a range of successful products and a hugely innovative and successful brand.

i-Quip was founded in 2003, and the first product, the i-Quip ‘Explorer’ was borne from a pure personal need to be able easily read a map while on horse-back . The initial product, the i-Quip ‘Explorer’ has won silver awards at both the World Innovation Exhibition and the UK London Exhibition. It has been featured in the UK publication ‘Geographic’ and has attracted the interest of sporting sectors from skiing to hiking, cycling to canoeing, equestrianism to sailing. Given that safety is key to all the designs, it has also grabbed the attention of emergency Search and Rescue groups.

To date the concept has developed into a range of multi-functional sporting designs for outdoor enthusiasts who recognise the importance of safety without compromising on style.
Following encouraging sales in the UK, the New Year will mark the launch of i-Quip LTD in North America the USA, and possibly Europe, a positive move to establish i-Quip as a leading player on the International stage.

For more information of the exciting range of i-Quip innovative designs and where you can purchase them please contact: www.i-quip.co.uk Tel. 01978 312414 / 07962037888
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Flintshire Business Woman of the Year 2008; Zoe Hassall from Ashwaste Services

Zoe Hassall is a highly motivated and determined individual who has been involved with every part of ASH Waste Services.

From the initial start up of the business Managing Director, Zoe has undertaken almost every role within the business, including bin cleaner and office dogs body! Today from those difficult and challenging days Zoe has turned ASH Waste Services in to a profitable business with 30 employees and is looking to continue its recruitment drive in the first half of 2009 with six new staff.

From the company’s base in Flintshire ASH Waste Services offers its customers not only traditional waste collection services but also dedicated recycling services providing SME’s and large businesses with cost effective access to recycling and allowing them to improve their environmental performance and divert valuable resources away from landfill disposal.

Education is important role in ensuring the environment is looked after for generations to come. With this in mind Zoe led and motivated her team to get involved with local schools to help educate the children, providing information and education in a fun way. The schemes success was driven by mascot Chilli the penguin. Today ASH Waste Services continues to drive the industry forward through dialog, listening to its customer’s requirements, with the ethos of customer service and innovation being set by Zoe who encourages her team to make decisions and be pro active with their skills and thoughts.

All of Zoe’s achievements should not be underestimated as she has driven ASH Waste Services forward as Managing Director overcoming her Dyslexia, proving that with a effort and determination you can overcome adversity and achieve all you desire in business and beyond.

Tel. 01244 831130 Accounts: 01244 663495 Operations: 01244 663496 www.ashwasteservices.co.uk
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Denbighshire Business Woman of the Year 2008; Vannessa Griffiths from Henllan Post Office & Stores

Vanessa Griffiths together with husband David purchased Henllan Post Office and Stores in 2004, at a time when the accounts showed the business to be in a state of decline. However, Vanessa could see beyond the bookwork, feeling that given the catchment area and the size of the property, with hard work and commitment there was the potential for a reasonable reward for a committed hardworking owner and a deserving community.

Thus started a programme of rebuild, refit, utilisation and diversification. With the potential threat of Post Office closure, Vanessa’s foresighted use of underutilised space of the original store created a new and welcomed Tea Room which has proven to be a great asset to both local people and to tourists visiting the area. The area has been stripped back to the slate and stone with a lot of the original features having being restored including the oven where Henllan Bakery originally started. A lot of time has been spent sourcing products to be served on the bilingual menu, complimented by the bilingual welcome. More impressive when you realise Vanessa originates from Rochdale.

Though threatened with a projected 40% drop in sales due to lack of display space during the “improvised” movement of the retail area of the store during the refurbishment, this did not prove to be the case. Reducing an overinflated pricing structure, scrapping poor quality goods, replacing them with a vastly increased product range based upon customer requests, home cooked hams, beef and shanks complimented with locally produced cheese, yoghurts, fruit, vegetables, bread, cakes, milk and much more.

The business continues to grow and develop with plans firmly in place for 2009 to ensure Henllan Post Office and Stores remains the heart of the local community and the community beyond.
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Conwy Business Woman of the Year 2008; Gaenor Roberts of Tlws

Tlws is an exciting jewellery company, specialising in selling contemporary jewellery.

Tlws was established in August 2005 at the owner’s farm, former teacher Gaenor Roberts, at Llanfair Talhaiarn, near Abergele, North Wales. The company now has three shops in North Wales, Abergele, Porthmadog, and Mold and in addition to continuing to sell online, through mail-order, and by stalls at shows and Eisteddfodau, and through hosting jewellery selling evenings.

There is a team of ten hosting the evenings throughout the whole of Wales and the North of England. Part of Tlws’ appeal is the vast variety of jewellery in the collection. You will find jewellery created by local designers from Wales and Britain, like the Contemporary Design Company from Bodelwyddan, and Carrie Elspeth from South Wales, alongside jewellery from countries such as India, Indonesia and Thailand.

The company is fully bilingual, including all of the staff, brochures, website and catalogue. The main emphasis is on providing service second to none – personal touches such as gift-wrapping service, gift vouchers, and the option to include a personal message on a gift tag included.irect

Tel. 01745 827900 sales@tlws.co.uk www.tlws.co.uk
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Business Women of the Year 2008; Esther Prins, Tommy’s Hair Company

Esther Prins is the dynamic Business Director of award winning salon group Tommy’s Hair Company.

With Esther’s business acumen and Tommy van der Veken’s hairdressing skills, Tommy’s Hair Company has become the leading colour salons in North Wales and Chester. Esther’s dedication and leadership qualities have seen Tommy’s Hair Company win numerous awards, including Salon of the Year at the British Hairdressing Business Awards. Earlier this year Tommy’s Hair Company collected the Salon Leadership Award at the Global Salon Business Awards in Hollywood thanks to Esther’s business skills. 2008 also brings with it a finalist position for Tommy as Wales and South West Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards.

As Business Director, Esther is the leading lady at Tommy’s Hair Company and ensures that all salons run smoothly and constantly strive to provide excellent hair care service to clients. For two years Esther has also successfully ran model search competition Face of the Future, collaborating with London agent Premier Model Management and with salons in Chester and Ruthin and a third salon in the pipeline, Esther Prins is a respected, successful and driven Business Director that endeavours to continually take Tommy’s Hair Company forward.

To make an appointment at Tommy’s Hair Company,

please call the Ruthin Salon on 01824 709 977 or the Chester Salon on 01244 315 515.
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