The ‘If we can, you can’ Supporters of Entrepreneurship and Business Growth Award Winners have been announced today, following the unveiling of the ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge winners two weeks ago.

After its fourth successful year, the ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge continues to present these special tributes to acknowledge those who support entrepreneurs as they aim to build successful businesses across the region, and for the Business Growth Award, recognising those entrepreneurs who have demonstrated significant growth in their businesses over the past 12 months.

Carole Beverly, CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum said:  

“We introduced the ‘Business Growth’ award this year to highlight the importance of growing regional businesses and brought back the ‘Supporters of the Year’ accolade for this year’s Challenge because we believe that it was vital to recognise and reward those who have had an active role in supporting the growth of entrepreneurship in the region.”

Here are the winners for Supporter of the Year and Business Growth:

Supporters of the Year

Hexham Courant

Winner: Ross Golightly from Sphera Consulting, was nominated by Hexham finalist Jules Quinn because of his unwavering support to help her make the right decisions early on in her business.  

Ross said, “I knew instantly that Jules’ business had immense potential and offered her advice on product distribution, retail strategy and tips on pitching to big national retailers. Jules has now secured distribution in Fenwick Newcastle and is currently looking to look at national stockists.

“It's important for emerging entrepreneurs to have support and the best way is to be able to bounce ideas with another experienced entrepreneur. That way they can avoid some of the mistakes that can be made early on.”

The Journal

Winner: Mark Bryce, owner of United Carlton was nominated by Matt Atkinson.  Matt said, “Without Mark’s advice, I would not be where I am today. He has helped push me in the right direction and helped me achieve my goals a lot quicker.”

Mark said, “I am very happy that Matt put me forward for this award and the fact that I have won is excellent news. I have been a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum for a number of years and have mentored a few people since joining, but to gain recognition from the Forum for this means a lot to me.”

Sunderland Echo

Winner: Ian Smith, owner of Surreal Creative, was nominated by Amy Pink.  Amy said, “I nominated Ian as I wanted to thank him for taking the time to mentor and advise me and give me the push in the right direction.

Ian said, “I strongly believe in business mentoring because if I can advise people not to make the same mistakes that I made then they should hopefully succeed faster. It is important to support regional entrepreneurship and any way that we can help to develop a North East business that will have a positive effect on the regional economy.”

South Shields Gazette

Winner: Darren Williams, founder of Harland Corporation, was nominated by Scott Oliver.  Scott said, “Darren is brilliant, it’s that simple.  Darren’s expertise and advice was and is very much appreciated.”

Darren said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as Supporter of the Year and I appreciate Scott for putting me forward. I originally met Scott at an ‘If we can, you can’ event and began chatting about how he was designing an e-commerce website. I offered to talk to him about my experience and it’s great to see what Scott has achieved.”

Northern Echo

Winner: Marj Newman, Operations Director of Patchwork People and a colleague of Gill Walker who nominated her.  Gill said, ““I nominated Marj as the ‘Supporter of the Year’ because her faith and support in the business knows no boundaries. I truly believe that the business would not be where it is today without her.”

Marj said, “After Gill left the local authority and decided to set up the business, I started working with her to help with the initial stages for Patchwork People. My background is in youth development and as Gill wanted to set up a business which helps young people acquire relevant skills to progress with life, my experience was very relevant. Gill is so passionate about anything she sets her hands to, and because of her determination and drive, I know that the business is going to do very well and will help a lot of young people in the region.”

Hartlepool Mail

Winner: Melissa Middleton who works for enterprise development consultancy, PNE Group, was nominated by her brother Kris Middleton.  Kris said, “From the initial idea Melissa has always been willing to offer support and advice at the drop of a hat. She put me in touch with a number of influential people to help me out and created a solid foundation for my business plan.”

Melissa said, “I was able to teach Kris about the grass roots of setting up a business including financial organisation, VAT registration and developing his business plan. He is very talented and I know he will go far.”

Middlesbrough Evening Gazette

Winner: Mark Hill of the Institute for Digital Innovation who was nominated by Phillip Wilkinson.  Phillip said, “Mark has been encouraging my ideas and ambitions while also making sure that my feet are firmly on the ground. He has taught me that while you have to be ambitious in business, you also need that level head and focus to succeed.”

Mark said, “It is such a privilege to support passionate and enthusiastic people like Philip and I believe he is going to succeed with his business.  While it is nice to be individually recognised for the support that Philip received, his development and success is a result of a combined effort from everyone here at the IDI.”

Business Growth Award

There was going to be one overall winner for this prestigious award, but the judges were so overwhelmed by the levels of significant growth demonstrated by two outstanding entrants, they called it a tie and we are pleased to announce the following as joint winners of the Business Growth Award:

Sarah Pittendrigh, owner of Simply Bows and Chair Covers.

Sarah said, ““I am absolutely thrilled to have been named as the Business Growth Award Winner, I have been working very hard since setting the business up in January 2009 and to win this award is a great ‘pat on the back’.

“I have been steadily growing the business since setting up however our major growth has happened since franchising in November of that year. Since then we have basically opened a new office every second month, we are now looking to open our 12th and 13th office by August 2011

“We were also recently named as a finalist for the Best Website in the National Franchise Marketing Awards up against companies like McDonalds.”

Eddie Czestochowski, owner of Cell Pack Solutions.

Eddie said, “I am delighted to have been named as a Business Growth Award Winner for the Challenge, to be recognised by an organisation as prestigious as the Entrepreneurs’ Forum is absolutely marvellous.

“2010 was the most successful year to date for Cell Pack Solutions in its journey from one man band business to a 20 strong team of employees that started over 11 years ago.

“We have just completed a record year, and demonstrated significant growth over the previous year. 

“We were recently chosen as Business of the Year at the South Tyneside STEP awards last July and have also been accredited with the ISO14001. This Business Growth award is another affirmation of the hard work that we have all put into the company.”

“However, last year is already old news and its next year that we need to concentrate on and continue the growth we have achieved.”

Read more about the growth stories of local entrepreneurs and join the ever growing online community of like minded people at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk, which now has over 1,200 members. 

The community encourages people to share their stories, offering budding and aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to tap into a wealth of experience of people who have ‘been there and done it’ by exchanging experiences and creating connections.