UP-AND-COMING businesses play a key role in the local economy.
New companies often inject fresh ideas and enthusiasm to make their mark by seizing on gaps in the market.
Fledgling firms can also become the big businesses of tomorrow – expanding to employ more people, generate more revenue and contribute more to their communities.
The Examiner Business Awards 2009, sponsored by Huddersfield law firm Chadwick Lawrence, includes a category for New Business of the Year.
So if your business began trading after January 1, 2008, why not enter this award and receive recognition for your hard work and determination?
Judges will be looking for originality and an ability to beat down barriers.
You may have brought a fantastic new product to market, found a niche area to focus on or overcome all the odds to achieve success.
Tell us about your business, your market place, your performance and your future plans to win the recognition you deserve.
Luxury home baking business Propermaid was named New Business of the Year at last year’s awards – when proprietor Alison Whitmarsh received the award from Richard Lascelles, of Business Link.
Propermaid had an early taste of success in August last year when it was selected as one of five budding businesses to receive a bursary worth £2,400 from Huddersfield University.
The Marsh firm evolved from a project Alison undertook during her BA hospitality management degree course at the university.
Alison honed her business plan at the university’s Business Mine after completing her degree in July last year.
The Business Mine helps students and graduates to research and try out their business ideas.
It also run business advice workshops and provides facilities and support for business development.
Since then, Alison has shown an appetite for success – supplying farmers’ markets, delicatessens and restaurants with creative cakes such as courgette and lime, beetroot and chocolate and cappuccino and walnut.
She has also become a familiar face at the annual Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival.
