Member Article

NE businesswoman ?Wows? as she ?Wins? another award

A well-known Tynedale entrepreneur has clinched another top award and received another endorsement from a highly respected fellow businesswoman.

Sarah Pittendrigh, from Kiln Pit Hill, runs the multi award-winning Simply Bows and Chair Covers - specialists in hiring chair covers, table linen, sashes and other accessories for weddings, private parties and corporate events.

Sarah was recently crowned the winner of the Best Small Business award in the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, organised by Women into the Network (WIN), held at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel at the start of November.

In addition, this week Sarah has been endorsed by Jacqueline Gold, chief executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox, after being chosen as one of her top three businesses of the week.

Every Wednesday, Jacqueline Gold invites female entrepreneurs from all over theUKto tweet her their business details. She then chooses the best three and promotes them through her Twitter account as a ‘WOW’ business.

Last month, Sarah was also chosen as one of Theo Paphitis’s top small businesses in his ‘Small Business Sunday’ challenge.

Simply Bows and Chair Covers was established four years ago with the franchise operation launching in 2010. In just under two years, the company has set up 12 franchises in areas including Harrogate,Aberdeen, Dundee,Berkshireand around the North East.

Speaking about her latest achievements, Sarah said: “It was such an honour to be named Best Small Business as I was up against some incredible businesswomen- proving that the North East is really thriving. The endorsements from Jacqueline Gold and Theo Paphitis are also such a boost as it puts Simply Bows and Chair Covers on a national platform.”

Later this month (November 29th) Sarah will represent the North East region in the finals of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Chamber Awards 2012 in the Most Promising New Business category thanks to her ongoing success and growth over a short period of time.

In the last 12 months, Simply Bows and Chair Covers has experienced a 50% increase in the number of new enquiries from potential franchisees- mainly from people leaving the corporate world seeking a better work-life balance, wanting to run their own business but with the support of an established brand.

Sarah Pittendrigh, who is now on target to open 30 Simply Bows and Chair Covers franchises by 2015, has won a series of awards since establishing her business in 2008*.

http://www.simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk/

* Other awards include: -

Franchise Marketing Awards- best website finalist, second only to McDonalds.

Winner of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Business Growth Award 2011.

ENDS

Editor’s Notes

Sarah Pittendrigh set up her company in 2008 after being made bankrupt when the national events company she worked for suffered the effects of the economic downturn. Sarah discovered a gap in the market for stylish, high-quality chair covers and linen whilst helping to organise her brothers wedding and came up with the idea for Simply Bows and Chair Covers.Before becoming a successful entrepreneur, Sarah Pittendrigh worked in marketing for brands such as Land Rover and Jaguar as well as being a national events organiser.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison .