TRAINING business owner Louise Doyle got an emotional response when she scooped a WIN Award last year and may risk another when she enters again.

And she says being named Best Home-Based Business Award in the North East’s biggest business awards for women justifies her belief that working from home doesn’t affect the credibility of your company.

In the three years since she launched Bright Blue Training & Advisory, which supplies educational services to colleges and universities, it has grown to win customers nationwide.

“I was surprised and delighted to win. More importantly it made my husband proud, my mum cry and my rather excitable table of clients cheer,” she smiles.

“In all seriousness, my family have put up with a lot while I established Bright Blue’s place in the education market, without them the business wouldn’t exist.” She also said that the award helped bring her recognition from her clients and a opening with potential clients.

And now Doyle, who has four advisers and trainers, has now helped to launch a new firm Mesma which sells quality assurance software to the education sector.

“It is an exciting time for us and I’d like to think we might be entering the WIN Awards again in future with our new venture,” she added.

Nickie Gott, chairwoman of organisers WIN, said: “A WIN Award is a major accolade that could really open doors for your business so please, don’t be shy and enter.”

Darlington Building Society is the sponsor of the Key Woman of the Year Award which is being introduced for the first time this year.

David Copland, marketing and sales controller at the firm, said: “The awards will only encourage more female entrepreneurs to come forward and be recognised, thereby providing an inspirational platform for others.”

For more information contact Will McLean at She’s Gott It! on 0191 385 6619, or email will@shesgottit.com