I am absolutely delighted to be named as one of the 2012 Smarta 100 small business award winners.
Smarta.com and O2 proudly announce that Jacquie Cole of Bakewell Travel is a winner of the 2012 Smarta 100, together with O2, the ultimate index of the UK’s savviest, supremely disruptive, most resourceful and socially-beneficial small businesses.
THEO PAPHITIS, Dragons’ Den investor and Ryman chairman, said: “The Smarta 100 has proven yet again how many exciting, innovative and successful small businesses and start-ups there are in the UK today, and I really find them inspiring. Some of the 100 are disrupting established industries, some are creating completely new markets, and others are simply doing an exceptional job in age-old marketplaces but knocking the socks off their competition. It just goes to show that in the face of challenging economic conditions, a credit crunch and reduced customer spending, entrepreneurs and business owners who work hard and think outside the box can still thrive in today’s world. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners.”
DEBORAH MEADEN, Dragons’ Den investor and Smarta board member, said: “This year’s Smarta 100 showcase the fantastic breadth of small businesses making waves in the UK business scene. Some demonstrate managerial magnificence, overseeing teams of dozens to grow their businesses quickly and creatively. Other Smarta 100 winners are sole traders, or just individuals – and how impressive that, even single-handedly, they have proven that being innovative and dedicated can give you the edge. And it’s not just all about cutting-edge tech companies either – this year’s Smarta 100 go to show that any sector, however traditional, can be given an exciting injection of innovation when a great entrepreneurial mind takes it on.”
SHAA WASMUND, Smarta founder, said: “This year we had more entries for the Smarta 100 than ever before. There were hundreds of fantastic businesses in the running, but the final 100 are truly game-changing start-ups and small businesses, and I’m enormously proud of all of them. We’ve got everyone from entrepreneurs in their early 20s through to knitting grannies; people who started with only a few hundred pounds through to companies that received millions in VC funding. All of which proves that if you have a brilliant idea or a truly imaginative new approach, you can succeed against any odds.”
BEN DOWD, business director, Telefonica UK at O2, said: “I’m delighted to join Smarta in celebrating such dynamic, varied, innovative and resilient small businesses. The Smarta 100 prove that even in tough times, talented entrepreneurs are able to seek out opportunity, exploit available resources, and most importantly make their customers feel valued. At O2 we work with many small businesses, and recognise that the right tools are an essential cog in the journey from start-up to fast-growth business. I’m proud to say that O2 offers flexible communications packages to help facilitate the