The search is on for Devon's most inspirational business women

Calling all inspirational business women! Nominations are now open for the NatWest Venus Business Women Awards, which officially launched for Devon on Monday 25 March 2013. Intent on celebrating the vital input of women in business, Venus Awards founder Tara Howard, and Celia Delaney from SpeakingSuccess, who is spearheading the Devon Awards, welcomed local business men and women to the launch of nominations at Sapphire Living Space in Topsham.

Celia and Tara introduced the categories and officially opened the online nominations for Devon as part of an evening designed to impress the high powered women of Devon, with massages provided by Therapy Works South West, chocolate tastings by Katie Jones of Choccie Bar and cookery demonstrations provided by Nick Crosley, Development Chef, V-ZUG at Sapphire Living Space.

Having gone from strength to strength, with more regions across the country embracing the concept, 2013 sees the Venus Awards also launch as far afield as Birmingham and Bristol; with Southampton, Brighton and the original – Dorset – also hosting their own ceremonies during the year. 

Talking about the phenomenal growth of the Awards, Tara, herself a business woman and mother of four, commented: “It really is inspiring to see how much support and enthusiasm there is for the awards and what a difference they can make. I’ve even had past winners confess to me that the awards have changed their lives – that’s really powerful, and drives me forward to expand, and launch the awards in new regions to recognise more deserving women.”

The Awards will this year see local working women competing in ten award categories, including:

• NatWest – Small Business of the Year – for business with less than £2 million turnover
• HeartFM – Business Mother of the Year – for working mothers
• The Exeter Daily – Employee of the Year – for women employed by men or women
• Bishop Fleming – Entrepreneur of the Year – for a woman that is prepared to takes risks in business
• Cathedral Appointments – Employer of the Year – For male or female managers that look after their female employees
• The Old Bag Company – Inspirational Woman– A woman that indulges in selfless support of others or has overcome adversity
• Hartnell Chanot & Partners – New Business – for business less than two years old
• High Achiever – for the woman that has broken through the corporate glass ceiling – Available for sponsorship
• Centre for Business and Climate Solutions (CBCS) – Green Business – for businesses with some green initiatives
• Home-based Business – For businesses run from home – Available for sponsorship

Using the simple online nomination process, both men and women are urged to nominate a friend, relative, work colleague, your boss, employee, client, or anyone you feel worthy of an award.

“We’ve invested a lot into the technology behind the Awards, to make it as quick and simple as possible, for both those nominating and those finding themselves nominated," explained Tara.

“What better way to thank and celebrate the efforts of the women in your life? Not wanting the men to miss out, the Employer of the year can also be won by a man, so go for it guys!”

To nominate your favourite working women in Devon you can go to http://devon.venusawards.co.uk/nominate/

For business wishing to connect with the ever more powerful women in business, there are still a couple of categories available for sponsorship including High Achiever, and Home-based Business.

Speaking about the Awards, Celia Delaney from SpeakingSuccess: “There are so many hard-working women in Devon who truly deserve to be celebrated for their remarkable contribution to local business. It takes just five minutes to nominate online at http://devon.venusawards.co.uk – it makes a real difference and the finalists will be invited to attend the Grand awards ceremony and social event of the year at Exeter University on 5 September 2013 – the social event of the year for working women – when the winners will be announced.