The Business Owners Network Awards (BONAS), which took place at The Glass House at Staining, celebrated the best of small business across Lancashire in more than 20 categories.
The group holds localised monthly meetings across Lancashire and Manchester. This interactive community has grown to be a very close-knit business family unit, with members benefitting from the support and mentorship on offer on a daily basis.
The group is comprised of owners of small local businesses and sole traders who often feel they can’t compete with bigger companies in regional or national awards, but are so deserving of winning awards in their own right.
Cate McNeal, co-founder, said: “We don’t take ourselves too seriously, we don’t have referral targets, or a suit and tie policy. We don’t focus on how successful businesses are when they come to us. We welcome every business owner regardless of their background, experience or bank balance.
“We are about celebrating the smallest of wins, and encouraging baby steps towards an end goal. It could be that one of members has sold a product in a new place, or secured a new contract, or that they have reached a milestone on social media, we cheer everyone one whenever we can.”
Co-founder, Jenny Hardman added: “We are unbelievably proud of all of our members, and we wanted a chance to celebrate with hem, and to reward their hard work and dedication. These people are on their own, they don’t have staff supporting them, they don’t have someone else to take the weight off them, they are their business, and the successes they see is purely theirs.
“Many of our members suffer with anxiety and depression, and simply accepting the nominations in the first place was a huge deal for them. Going through the process of being nominated, receiving votes and believing that they are deserving of winning, was a big step in their personal and business growth, and a journey that we’ve made sure they’ve been supported through.”
Full list of winners and Sponsors
Most Outstanding Achievement Michelle Partington – Mentis Training and Consultancy
Special Recognition Sue Rowlinson – The Home Organiser
Most Inspirational Matthew And Callum Bennett – FMA + 12 Gage
Small Business Support Sam Whitear – Business Lancashire
Stella Service Gemma Murphy – Little Zoo To You
Master Mentor Laura Weldom – Studio LWD
Social Superstar Shelly Jagger – Give A Hen A Home
Above and Beyond Ian Squire – Lytham St Annes Carpet Cleaning
Cloud Nine Collaborator Gill Payne – Moments In Time Bridal and Events
Cruising and Crushing It Catherine Bamber – Little Things To Cherish
Go Getter Kate Harvey – Fabulous Flowers By Kate
Rockstar Rookie Paula Diamond – Diamond Pet Services
Human Handbook Cheryl Morrison – Feast and Thrive
Product Perfection Carla Gebhard – Carla Gebhard Designs
Positively Positive Roger and Monika Clough – Life Resources
Master Member Mark Prince – Mark Safety
Business of the year Samantha Resina – Balanced Serenity
Active Achiever Tanya Southern – Whambajam!
Culture Vulture Ruby Coupe – Dotty Delightful
Mic Drop Lesley Helliwell – Foot Smart Podiatry
I Never Win an Award Award Suzie Jewsbury – Suzie Jewsbury Art
Class Clown Nathan Devonport – Weird Beard Designs
The Sponsors:
1EM Events and Media
Mark Safety Ltd
Tienda Digital
Little Things To Cherish
Fabulous Flowers By Kate
Mentis Training and Consultancy
Hardman McNeal
Balanced Serenity
Wyre Hypnotherapy
Buddy Aid
Connect Swim
Business Lancashire Together We Balance
LuxSun Ltd
Estuary Cleaning Weird Beard Designs HNA Supplies Ltd
