The latest Business Awards Show is a wide-ranging conversation with a panel of judges and sponsors.

The Best Businesswomen Awards prides itself on its scrupulous judging, fairness and integrity. Judge Denise O'Leary of Purpol Marketing and author of the bestselling Winner: How to Win Business Awards, explains why the process is so robust and thoroughly objective.

One of our sponsors is Fiona Scott, founder of Scott Media, a leading PR consultant. Fiona explains why being selective about the awards you enter is essential. She also emphasises the need to attend award events when you are shortlisted.

Diane Watson is our final sponsor and judge on the panel, a financial adviser who has helped thousands of women plan for a more secure future. She is the author of the brilliant She Can Prosper: Unlocking Financial Independence and Empowering Women to Thrive. Diane tells us what awards have meant for her business, how her profile has grown and why the Best Businesswomen Awards stand out from the crowd.

We talk about the kind of awards that may be considered dubious, but also give a shout-out to some we support wholeheartedly. Our guests talk about taking time and putting in the effort to complete the best possible entry. And, as we continually emphasise, evidence is vital if you want to be an award finalist, let alone a winner.

Listen now to ensure your award entries hit the mark every time. With the deadline for the Best Businesswomen awards closing in six days time, this is an episode you've got to take note of.

{1:57} Fiona's recent award win.

{3:21} Diane's Lifetime Achievement Award in New York.

{4:06} What sponsorship brings to Diane.

{6:10} Denise on the judging process.

{8:01} Fiona on awards with voting processes.

{9:51} The importance of testimonials.

{10:43} Sponsors who enter their awards.

{12:43} Being disqualified for not attending a final.

{17:48} Be selective about the awards you enter.

{18:13} Why not attending awards finals dilutes your PR opportunities.

{19:20} How many awards should you enter in a year?

{21:11} Don't give up.

{23:44} Do your entry the right way.

{24:56} Awards that extend deadlines.

{26:23} What awards mean to each of our guests.

{29:17} A mention for some other excellent awards.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Fiona: https://scottmedia.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefionascott/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fionastuff

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionascottmedia/

Connect with Diane: https://shecanprosper.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecanprosper/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shecanprosper

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecanprosper/

Connect with Denise: https://purpolmarketing.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purpol-marketing-limited/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PurpolMarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purpol_marketing2014

Karen Campbell - Marketing Director, Small Business Britain and founder of networking group Hotsy Totsy, is the latest guest on the Business Awards Show.

Karen is a ball of energy and a vital supporter of small businesses in the UK. She started out as a journalist, moving to London from her native Yorkshire to be the Arts & Entertainment correspondent for the Metro newspaper. From there, she moved into the fashion industry and then the Performing Rights Society. When the partying got too much, she decided it was time to start her own marketing business.

We track her journey through the early days of networking, to meeting Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain. The two hit it off, and led to Karen working with Michelle at SBB. We hear about the work this championing organisation does for UK small businesses. Discover the idea behind Small Business Saturday, The Small Business 100 and their awards programme, The Small Awards.

As an organisation, SBB champions opportunities for people with learning and physical difficulties. In addition, Karen explains the rationale behind the government-backed Lilac Review and why it touched her so deeply.

If you love podcasts, and we think you probably do as you're listening to us, you'll find another listen for your playlist. Karen and Michelle host the Small Business Britain Podcast, which covers many issues facing entrepreneurs but wrapped up in a fun conversation rather than dry business analysis.

Ultimately, this episode offers a wealth of tips on everything from networking to writing award entries to running your own business. Karen is such an entertaining guest and for anyone thinking of starting their own business, this may be a conversation that provides the inspiration to go and do it.

{1:50} Why Karen set up her own marketing business.

{5:18} Early experiences of networking.

{6:23} Hotsy Totsy - a different kind of networking.

{8:51} Networking while doing craft sessions.

{9:28} Getting involved with Small Business Britain.

{11:33} The importance of entrepreneurs.

{13:50} The Small Business 100.

{15:30} Supporting disabled entrepreneurs.

{18:24} The Small Awards.

{20:54} Karen's tips for successful award entries.

{22:16} Karen's podcast - The Small Business Britain Podcast.

{25:14} Karen's tips for anyone starting a business.

{27:17} Hotsy Totsy's 2025.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Karen: https://karencampbellmarketing.com/

Small Business Britain: https://smallbusinessbritain.uk/index.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallbusinessbritain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BritainSmallBiz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallbusinessbritain/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@britainsmallbiz

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@smallbusinessbritain

Hotsy Totsy: https://hotsy-totsy.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotsy_totsyers/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hotsy-totsy2021/

The Small Awards: https://thesmallawards.uk/

The Small Business Britain Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eobvkBdanzSmf5553Rmzl

f:Entrepreneur: https://f-entrepreneur.com/

Small Biz 100: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/small-biz-100

Nevina Holland founder of Peekaboo Studios is a maternity and newborn photography specialist with a rare talent. She has won multiple photography awards and is a Licentiate of The Master Photographers Association, recognition of her outstanding work for over fourteen years.

Nevina won the Best Customer Service award at the Best Businesswomen Awards in 2017! She has gone from strength to strength since then, growing her client base, continuing to develop her outstanding offering and building a business on word of mouth.

In our discussion, discover how Nevina followed her passion for photography to set up her own business. She chose to specialise in newborn photography, giving her a less competitive niche but also allowing her to explore her creativity to the limit.

She truly goes the extra mile for her clients as you'll hear. After all, there aren't many photographers who offer to collect their clients and bring them to the studio! But there is care throughout the client experience. Listen, and you may get ideas on how you can make yours even better for your customers.

As a multiple award-winner, Nevina has benefitted from broader visibility through increased press coverage. As a former marketer, she shares her tips for getting local papers to take note of your press releases so they get published. Find out why awards have an impact on clients' decisions to choose her for their newborn photography. And understand why going for photography and business awards makes sense for different reasons.

Another lesson Nevina shares is how she has identified gaps in her business by entering awards. As she says, nobody does an appraisal with you every year when you run your own business. So it's the one time you get the chance to scrutinise your business in detail. Find out what she discovered by going through the process.

This is the perfect episode for anyone in a creative field striving to grow their business. Equally, for anyone running a small business, it is a perfect example of an entrepreneur who has leveraged awards to increase their visibility and strengthen their reputation.

{2:02} Why Nevina Started Peekaboo Studios.

{6:45} Specialising in newborn photography.

{9:56} Getting the first clients.

{12:28} Why Nevina gets so many recommendations.

{19:01} Using props and including Grandparents in photoshoots.

{21:35} Photography awards v business awards.

{25:55} Why you must save your award entries.

{28:32} How applying for awards helped Nevina to improve her business .

{30:34} Using awards to maximise press coverage for your business.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Nevina: https://www.peekaboostudios.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peekaboostudiosuk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peekaboostudiosuk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevina-holland-41781623/

Judges Tips for Awards Success is the next in a special series of the Business Awards Show focusing on how to enter awards and why you should.

Judge Aarti Parmar, an award-winning brand consultant, shares her thoughts on judging the Best Businesswomen Awards. Aarti offers excellent advice to anyone thinking of entering or who has not won previously.

Mary Gregory, leadership coach and winner of the Best Coach 2024 has decided to sponsor the awards this year. Mary suggested we create a new category - Best Female Leader. So we did! And we are delighted that she is sponsoring the award. Mary talks about the confidence awards can bring, and how to overcome your hesitation if you're thinking of applying.

As a result, this is an insightful discussion that will help any entrepreneur in their quest for awards success. Find out what really matters to judges and how you can stand out among your peers.

And have you ever wondered what winning feels like? Well, there's some memorable recollections discussed that will inspire you to dig out your entry form and get writing.

Judges Tips is a brilliant episode for anyone who has tried and failed to win an award previously or has thought hard about entering but never had the courage or belief to take the final step.

{2:16} Why awards need robust judging not votes.

{5:31} The difference an award can make to a business.

{7:21} How Mary felt winning best coach last year.

{10:16} The new Female Leader category.

{12:28} What Aarti looks for in a strong entry.

{15:30} Considering branding as a judge.

{17:27} Awards as a confidence booster.

{20:58} Answer the questions!

{21:52} Mary's workshop - 'Explode the Confidence Myth'.

{23:13} Amplify - the brand immersion day.

{24:59} The opportunities in just applying for an award.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Aarti: https://www.aartiparmar.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aartiparmar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apBrandCommunications

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarti.parmar/

Connect with Mary: https://www.marygregory.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marygregory/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.gregory.79219

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary_gregory/

When considering entering awards do you find yourself thinking:

“I’m not good enough,”
“What if I don’t win?”
“What if I do win?”
“I don’t want to enter myself—someone should nominate me”
“It’s not okay to tell people how great I am—they should see it anyway”.

In this session, founder of The Best Businesswomen Awards Debbie Gilbert discusses with Dee Clayton, multi-award-winning NLP expert and founder of Simply Amazing Training, how to overcome these mental barriers and step confidently into the spotlight.

Dee reveals in this empowering episode:

✨ How to silence your inner critic and build self-belief

✨ NLP techniques to reframe fear and self-doubt

✨ Strategies to confidently put yourself forward for awards

So, why enter awards? Well. entering awards isn’t just about business, it’s about self-confidence, personal growth, and recognising your own worth. If you’ve ever hesitated to put yourself forward this session will give you the mindset shift you need to take action.

Furthermore. they are a wonderful way to sensecheck how your business is performing, and to network with likeminded entrepreneurs. And perhaps most importantly, they offer the recognition that so many self-employed businesspeople never receive.

So, don't let self-doubt hold you back. Listen now and discover how you can move forward both personally and professionally, achieving the successes you've always wanted.

{2:55} How our thoughts hold us back and how to overcome them.

{7:34} The Dunning Kruger Effect.

{10:20} Techniques to conquer self-doubt.

{17:38} The awards where all finalists are winners.

{19:23} Why recognition matters to self-employed businesspeople.

{20:41} Don't compare yourself to anyone else.

{23:57} Why you need brain dumps and awards buddies to power your entries.

{28:06} The Jar of Success.

{29:03} Adopt the right body language to achieve the perfect state.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Dee: https://simplyamazingtraining.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyAmazingTraining

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-amazing-training-ltd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Deeclayton100

Kate Cherry Athena Network Beds & Mid-Herts is an award-winning Regional Director of one of the UK's leading women's networking organisations.

After a 15-year career in the financial sector, Kate bought a franchise in the Athena network and has been running groups in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire for nearly a decade. She explains how she wanted more time with her children and so shifted her focus from a corporate career to her own business success.

She loves being a connector and introducer for like-minded businesswomen, and thrives on building confidence in others. This has been at the heart of her networking business.

Her approach led to winning a Gold Award for Best Networking Business at the BBWAs in 2024. Kate was unsuccessful when she entered in 2019 but with a bit of encouragement, she decided to try again last year. This time she came out on top and tells us how proud and totally astonished she was when her name was called.

We also discuss the advantages of online networking. Kate champions online groups as it allows the most flexibility and exposure for her members. It also saves a huge amount of time. Additionally, she provides invaluable tips on the dos and don'ts of networking. If you're using networking to broaden your business visibility, this podcast is for you.

This episode busts many of the myths surrounding the networking world, and provides practical advice that will help any entrepreneur network with confidence and increase their exposure.

{2:17} Why Kate chose to buy an Athena network franchise.

{10:10} What attracted Kate to becoming a franchisee.

{12:57} Common mistakes in networking.

{19:11} How to succeed in networking.

{22:42} The advantages of online networking.

{28:13} Kate's business tips.

{30:36} Entering awards you failed to win previously.

{34:21} Plans for the next twelve months.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Kate: https://theathenanetwork.com/katecherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AthenaBedsMidHerts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_beds_midherts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katecherryrd/

Ceylan Boyce Founder Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, is a ball of endless energy. Steeped in business strategy, Ceylan's academy has helped hundreds of female entrepreneurs grow their companies.

Born in Turkey, Ceylan gained a Masters in Marketing & Communications in Paris before studying Executive Coaching at Cambridge. After a successful corporate career consulting in business strategy, she set up her own consultancy business in the healthcare and pharma sectors.

But this was still too corporate for this driven entrepreneur. While developing her yoga training, she was encouraged to take up coaching. Her time at Cambridge led her to a new business, The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, which has grown consistently since 2019.

The Academy's mission is to empower businesswomen and reduce the gender inequality gap. She tells us, the answer is in planning and execution. Her methodology has allowed 78% of her members to increase their incomes.

Meanwhile, Ceylan has joined the panel of sponsors for this year's Best Businesswomen Awards. She tells us why she chose our awards to sponsor, and how awards must be used for recognition and business promotion.

She also has her own podcast 'She is AWEsome'. There is much inspiration in the discussions you'll find there. Ceylan explains it's purpose and why you must listen!

Also, discover Ceylan's passion for networking. She is adamant: networking is essential to drive your business. It is not easy, and as she tells us, as an introvert, it's even harder. But it is the lifeblood of any business, and as Ceylan states, 'you will find your tribe'.

If you're wondering why your business does not have the momentum you hoped for, this episode may give you the insights that will take you forward. If you don't get up off your backside and take action after this conversation, you may need to decide if running a business is right for you!

{1:51} What took Ceylan into the world of entrepreneurship.

{3:51} Moving from corporate to female entrepreneurship.

{7:50} How Ceylan helps businesswomen in 'under the radar' sectors.

{11:17} Success stories from the academy.

{12:56} Using awards for recognition and business promotion.

{15:47} Why you must network!

{18:47} How Ceylan's business network operates.

{21:44} She is AWEsome - the podcast.

{24:02} Tips for budding entrepreneurs.

{28:25} Stop the courses - follow through with what you need to do.

{29:41} Plan, plan, plan.

{33:20} Move on from your mistakes.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Ceylan: https://academyforwomenentrepreneurs.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWEntrepreneurs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academyforwomenentrepreneurs/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/academy-for-women-entrepreneurs/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@academyforwomenentrepreneurs/videos

She is Awesome Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/07EKoJ9GW9yX0fSGMqXJms

Cheryl Laidlaw, London Web Girl, is a multi-award-winning web designer who exudes positive energy. After four years doing web design in a creative agency, she decided to go it alone, launching Reyl Design Group in 2010. Many other brands have followed since.

Cheryl has become an expert in AI, helping clients to embrace its benefits, overcoming the myths that come with it. She helps clients set up AI assistants to underpin their business operations, boosting productivity and ensuring accuracy and prompt responses.

She is passionate about every business getting the best from their website. That means using expert practitioners to build them, ensuring maximum SEO optimisation. In her experience, she builds her clients' second website, after they've tried a do-it-yourself approach first! She tells us about her clients' website embarassment - exactly why she's needed.

She is a multi-award-winner, taking Gold at the Best Businesswomen Awards for the STEM category. A few months later, she won the Best Online Business at the London SME Awards. She explains how awards aid visibility and recognition for any business owner.

Networking has underpinned everything Cheryl has done, and she even runs her own group in London, Work the Room. She maintains, networking is essential to boost your business, and has won many clients by doing so.

She also tells us about a retreat she is planning to help entrepreneurs increase their visibility, with AI at the heart of the event.

If you're interested in AI, web design, or want to be inspired by an emtrepreneur with great energy, this is a perfect episode to dive into.

{1:47} Why Cheryl started her business and what it does.

{3:30} Navigating the AI minefield.

{4:38} Implementing an AI audit.

{5:56} Why you need a professional web designer.

{7:31} Website embarassment.

{8:17} Outsource what you're not skilled in.

{9:38} The importance of networking.

{10:48} Cheryl's Work the Room networking group.

{11:21} How winning a Rising Star award 5 years ago inspired Cheryl to go further.

{12:37} Winning the Gold Award for STEM at the 2024 BBWA.

{13:34} Another award win at the London SME Awards.

{15:05} Why solopreneurs must enter awards.

{15:57} Cheryl's plans for the next twelve months.

{17:25} Favourite AI platforms.

{18:18} Cheryl's tips for business success.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Cheryl: https://londonwebgirl.com/website-designer-for-small-businesses/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/londonwebgirl/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/londonwebgirl/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllaidlaw/

X: https://x.com/londonwebgirl

Work the Room Events: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/worktheroom/1078788