Winning the award won business

Aug 30 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

MARKETING entrepreneur Gill Burgess believes that being recognised in the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards has brought in more work for her business.

Burgess, who runs r//evolution marketing which employs 12 staff in Hexham, won the Best Rural Woman Entrepreneur 2007 title.

She saw the award as a way to raise her company’s profile and believes the awards create role models for other women starting out running their own business.

“I was absolutely delighted to win the award We had a fantastic year here at r//evolution and the award was the icing on the cake for me

“When you are running a growing business you don’t really stop to review your achievements, you are focused on your next step. Winning the award helped me to recognise just how far we had come and to feel really proud. Winning has certainly enhanced our company profile and has directly led to new streams of work for us. In addition it has given us all renewed confidence in the quality of our service and that affects every aspect of the business.

“I would definitely encourage anyone who is proud of what they have achieved to enter. Don’t hide your light under a bushel. Think of it as a tremendous PR opportunity for your business.”

The awards, sponsored this year by development agency One NorthEast and Business Link North East, are awarded on November 21.

The sponsor of the Best Rural Woman Entrepreneur 2008 title is Northumberland County Council. Head of regeneration Alan Wann said: “The awards are an excellent way to highlight not only the successes but the opportunities for women. Other women involved in all sectors of the economy are creating and growing businesses in Northumberland and creating new employment opportunities in all our communities. We have agreed to sponsor this particular award for a further year to emphasise the importance of business to the economy and to encourage the start-ups, expansion and diversification which are so important for the rural economy.”

To enter the awards, go to www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk and click on the awards button on the homepage. For a report and list of last year’s winners, visit nebusiness.co.uk