About Business Awards...

In both 2009 and 2010, I have been lucky enough, with Ella Announcements, to be recognised in a number of national business awards.

In 2009 I won the Vivid Green Award at the Remote Worker Awards 2009 which saw me walk away with a garden office worth £10K! At the same ceremony I was highly commended in the BT Home Business Category.

In 2010 I was shortlisted for the Young Entrepreneur Category at the Women on their Way Awards, and for The Climb category at the It's A Womans World Awards. I also won the Self-Employed Parent of the Year Award at the Mumandworking Awards in November 2010.

My connection to awards goes further than that. At Mumpreneur UK we run two annual awards schemes. The first is The Mumpreneur Awards. The 2011 awards are now open for nominations. If you're a mum in business, there'll be a category to suit you. Enter now over at www.mumpreneuruk.com. You have until July to submit your nomination.

This spring, we're also running the very first Mumpreneur Idol competition where one lucky lady will walk away with a prize that will transform their life: The Ultimate Business Start Up Package. So if you're a mum, and interested in the possibility of starting up in business, it's quick and easy to enter the Mumpreneur Idol competition, so visit www.mumpreneuruk.com NOW and enter, as there's little over one month left to get your entries in.

So why am I writing a blog post about Business Awards?

For anyone in business, it's worth considering entering awards. You, and your business, will gain so much from this. Some of my favourite reasons:

• Gain Credibility for You and Your Business
• Learn More about You and Your Business
• It's Free!

You can find business awards by googling, networking, or checking your local newspaper... so keep a beady eye out and see if there's anything you can put yourself forward for.

So when you've found an award to enter your business for, what tips do I have for entering?

• Enter Yourself. You know most about you!
• Prepare to boast. Never lie, but emphasise the good bits.
• Don't be concerned about being a small business.
• Check the word count!
• Believe in yourself. If you don't think you're good enough, the judges will be uninspired by your entry.

You can read a full article on my thought on entering business awards over on the Mumpreneur UK Website.