Multiple benefits for ‘new’ women

Jul 18 2008 by Graeme King, The Journal

THE North East’s top new businesswomen are being sought to enter the high profile Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

After a successful launch at the end of May, organisers at Women into the Network in Durham are now seeking entries for the individual categories in the awards.

This week we are focussing on the Best Newcomer award which recognises and highlights those women heading companies which are less than two years old.

The best newcomer award will go to a woman who has launched a new venture with passion, enthusiasm and a clear desire to succeed.

The Journal sponsors this award as an excellent way to encourage entrepreneurship among women, who are still under-represented in the business world as a whole.

At last year’s ceremony at The Sage, Gateshead, the best newcomer award was presented to Delyth Raffell of internet-based retailer Twins UK, – a specialist business for families with multiple births.

Mrs Raffell said: “As soon as I won the award I changed my email signature and posted the news on my home page. Many of my suppliers rang to congratulate me and it definitely seemed to elevate my status within the business community. Shortly after, I was contacted by the leading nursery trade magazine for an in-depth interview and that helped me establish many new contacts.”

The overall sponsor is regional development agency One NorthEast. To enter, go to www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk and click on the awards button on the homepage. For a full report and list of winners from last year’s event visit nebusiness.co.uk