13 winners were crowned at the Business Success Recognition Awards 2023.
Amongst the winners, Countesthorpe's Paragon Sales Solutions scooped the Business Growth category, with finalists selected from hundreds of nominations across the UK.
The glittering ceremony returned to The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham for its second year, on Saturday, June 3, hosted by award-winning MC Dave Sharpe.
The evening was organised by Leamington Spa's Stacey Calder, the founder, leader and editor of the Business Success Network and Magazine.
Stacey said: "What an amazing night of support, fun and recognition. A huge congratulations to not just the winners, but to all the finalists in the room. It takes courage to put yourself out there and to make the finals from over 350 nominations is an incredible achievement.
"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the incredible team I have around me, national awards like this don’t just happen and I’m proud to use small businesses within the network to form such a great events team.
"I created these awards because every business owner has a story to share and awards are a great opportunity for business owners to create more visibility as well as gain the recognition they deserve. When you are self-employed it can be a lonely place working on your own and I’m a firm believer in finding your cheerleaders. The Business Success Recognition Awards helps you find them in abundance."
Awards judges were:
Ian Dickson - an international motivational speaker and award-winning business executive coach and mentor
Sam Bearfoot - the CEO Creativity Mentor to some of the most successful people in the online space
William Seymour - Earl of Yarmouth, co-owner of multi-international award-winning St Maur elderflower liqueur, handcrafted in Alcester.
Founded in 2018 by sales trainer and author Rob Spence, Paragon Sales Solutions provides an affordable and effective outsourced sales and marketing solution to businesses of all sizes, and from all sectors.
Rob said of his award win: "It was a truly tough category with some excellent businesses listed for the awards and in my eyes we are all winners!
"Since our inception, especially over the last 12-18 months, we have worked really hard as a team to grow our business and to support more and more businesses. Our motivations and ambitions as a business are more focused around our team, the clients we represent and the results we generate for them. We believe that it is these elements that have led us to grow so rapidly.
"Looking back on our journey, it has been a fast-paced five years of business. From starting the business on my own on a desk in the corner of my bedroom with just £300 to my name, we now employ nine people, occupy fantastic office space in the Leicestershire countryside and are once again pushing on for another record-breaking financial year.
"My congratulations and thanks go to everyone involved in the awards. Running a business is never easy and is full of hurdles, challenges and, at times, frustration, yet I believe these awards were able to bring together business owners and entrepreneurs from all walks of life and allowed a celebration of success, reminding us all that business is done better, together."
Planning is already under way for next year’s awards, with nominations set to open on January 1, 2024.
The winners:
Business of the Year (Sponsored by I Am The Queen Bee)
Rachelle Hutt, Mess Around Ltd, Suffolk
Business Start-up of the Year (Sponsored by Danielle Hobson Coaching)
Natalie Yorke-Goldney, The Trampoline Academy, Nuneaton and Warwick
Customer Service of the Year (sponsored by Mr C’s Cleaning Services)
Coversure, Leamington Spa
Product of the Year (Sponsored by Bright Cat Solutions)
Muscle Mechanics, Liscombe
Rising Star - Aged 21 and Under (Sponsored by Mess Around Ltd)
Pip, Rhaph and Oskar Haywood, Babacorn Bricks
Business Growth (Sponsored by A-Counting Genie)
Rob Spence, Paragon Sales Solutions, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire
Franchisee of the Year (Sponsored by The Awards Training Company)
Rachel Peebles, Esterellas Brilliantes, Glasgow
Business Leader/Manager of the Year (Sponsored by The Activity Connector)
Anna Neville, Kidslingo Ltd, Solihull
Against All Odds Award (Sponsored by Fiona Moon Advisory Ltd)
Kelly Isles, Enchanted Tea Room, Leamington Spa
Networker of the Year (Sponsored by 1Networking)
Tracey McAtamney, Ladies First Professional Development, Balsall Common
Community of the Year (Sponsored by PonyPonyPony)
Move For Wellness 21 Ltd. Based in Hertfordshire
Team of the Year (Sponsored by BJK Entertainment)
So. Social Media, Monmouth, Wales
Expert of the Year (Sponsored by Forensic Minds)
Tony Edwards, BITSmart Technology Ltd, Winchester
