Monday, 18 April 2016

Behind the scenes: The Isle of Wight Festival 2016 Headliner Body Paint

Thurrock Business Awards

Friday night see the return of the Thurrock Business Awards, the awards were organised by the Gazette’s parent company, Newsquest, and sponsored by the Thurrock Gazette and DP World. The entertainment for the evening was provided by the magician Michael Fitch – who was extremely funny and amazing to watch.
We were treated to a beautiful three course meal, but our table had a hard time trying to eat due to our nerves, the dinner ran over so our nerves were even worse by the time the awards got started, and on top of all that we streamed live via our Periscope too (just to make it easy on ourselves)
The business awards recognise the very best businesses in Thurrock
The first award we were up for was Best use of Social Media, both Dupe Magazine and The Face Painting Shop was finalists in this category and we are delighted that Dupe Magazine won! The magazine has been going for just over a year now and going from strength to strength, we have amazing support on Dupe's social media from artists all over the world, so this was the icing on the cake for us to win the award, both Anna and I are extremely proud, thank you to the sponsor of the award Danielle Evert from Final Checks for sponsoring the award

You can see the video of Anna and I (beware of the screaming) below


The next award we were waiting for was the prestigious Business Woman of the year award, I could feel myself feeling physically sick when Andrea Ince, who was the judge took to the stage to announce the finalists.  Andrea come to visit me at the shop and interview me a few weeks back for the award, Andrea is the Managing Director Of Orsett Hall and also Ince PR, she also won the award in 2014 so she knows just what it takes and knows just how prestigious the award is.
The other finalists had amazing business, but I am please to say I won, I am extremely proud of this award and am also proud that someone from outside of our industry recognised how successful The Face Painting Shop is not only in the UK, but around the world.

You can see the video of Andrea announcing the finalists and the winner (me) below - again turn your volume down!


Here are the other winners from the night:
New Company: Sportsquest
Small Business: Howgates
Excellent Customer Service (small): Warmer Homes
Excellent Customer Service (Medium): Crafty Arts
Excellent Customer Service (Large): Specsavers Grays
Growing Business: Grays Tuition Centre Best use of Social Media: Dupe magazine
Excellence in Marketing: James Latham Plc
Community Charity: Royal Opera House
Community Private: Tai Chi 4 Health Essex
Business to Business: Estuary Waste Management
Apprentice of the Year: Pippa Cox - Evans Insurance Brokers
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Roice Gummer - Supreme Being Fitness
Highly Commended: Essex Laser Clinic

All in all it was a fantastic night, the atmosphere was amazing, the entertainment was brilliant and the food looked stunning (nerves have a lot to answer for)
Huge thank you to everyone at Essex Business awards for organising such a stunning event and of course Andrea from Orsett Hall, the Thurrock Gazette and DP world.

Nathalie