Waitakere Business Awards 2010

We had a fantastic night on Friday, celebrating our double Finalist status at the Waitakere Business Awards 2010.

Supported by the Belly Beyond team, Heidi and I got our glad rags on and kicked up our heels as the West celebrated the best businesses in our region.  It wasn't our night to take away an award but we are absolutely stoked that we made that finals in both the categories we entered.

Westpac Business Excellence Awards

I was browsing the Waitakere Enterprise site last week and spotted this page

There is paragraph there that mentions a few of the winners of these awards -

"For the last 15 years, the Westpac Waitakere Business Awards has honoured local companies, their people and their extraordinary achievements in business. Your name could be among the likes of Babich Wines, Belly Beyond, Phoenix Organics,  and Douglas Pharmaceuticals"

Say what???   Belly Beyond???  I almost fell off my chair to be included in such amazing business company! 

Last year, we won the Best Small Business 2009 and made the finals in the Marketing Excellence category (which we lost out to the fantastic wine brand Te Henga The Westie).

So this year we've entered again, although not in the category we won which isn't allowed, and we have gotten the good news that we've been selected as a Finalist in the Marketing Excellence and in the Young Business Person of the Year!  We get to add two of these little badges to our email signature and the hard work really begins.

Hairy Celebs

Warning:  TMI Post.

Much to Heidi's embarrasment I'm not fastidious about shaving my underarm hair - if I happen to have done it before a big business meeting all well and good, but there's been a few occasions where I haven't, and we certainly see the eyebrows raise!!

With this in mind Heidi made be shave my underarms before the Waitakere Business Awards so that if we won, we could do the champion pose, award above our heads and I'd not be flashing hairy pits.  As it turned out it was good advice!  (see the photo left)

Anyway, I smiled when I saw this collection of hairy celebs and had to share the link - see, it's not the end of the world!!! :)

See the slideshow

Media Release - Belly Beyond

Belly Beyond wins Best Small Business at Waitakere Business Awards

The golden year continues for online baby boutique Belly Beyond, as they add yet another award to their trophy cabinet, collecting the Best Small Business title at the Waitakere Business Awards Black Tie Gala Dinner on Friday.

The new business got the nod over a more experienced field by combining their passion for motherhood with clever use of the internet and technology.

Belly Beyond was launched on Mothers Day 2008, and founders Louisa Currie and Heidi Riley, both full-time Mums with young families, say they are amazed at how quickly their new business has grown. Louisa says “When we started out 18 months ago we never dreamed we’d come so far so quickly.” “It’s meant we’ve had to hire staff and move to larger premises much earlier than we expected” adds Heidi, “It has been a huge challenge – but so rewarding too”.

Judges commented: "This is a great little business that has achieved a lot in a short time. The owners appear to be both technology and marketing savvy; exude passion for their business and have a drive to grow and develop."

Belly Beyond was also a winner at the recent David Awards: Heroes in Small Business, for leading the way with new and innovative product and for their ability to spot new trends. Heidi and Louisa are prolific users of social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook and the launch this year of their online video channel, Belly Beyond TV, marks a new way to communicate with their growing customer base.

“A quality product range has been crucial” says Heidi. “But sharp pricing and listening to your customers means they return time and time again” adds Louisa.

www.bellybeyond.co.nz

Pictured: Belly Beyond Founders Louisa Currie (middle left) and Heidi Riley at the Awards, flanked by their husbands Rob (left) and Chris.

Waitakere Business Awards 2009

Heidi and I, escorted by the debonair Mr Belly Beyonds, joined close to 600 others at the Trusts Stadium for the The Waitakere Business Awards on Friday night.

Walking down the red carpet we got a feel for just how big an occasion this was and the first drink of the night disappeared rather quickly without thinking about it!

Our first course was waiting as we sat down and was excellent and after the formal welcome by Mayor Bob Harvey, the awards began. MC's Mike McRoberts and Jacqui Clarke were very entertaining and did a good job of keeping the night moving along.

Belly Beyond missed out on the Best Marketing Category which went to Te Henga The Westie. When giving their thanks on stage they thanked their Brand Manager and both Heidi and I looked at each other thinking, we were included with companies that have Brand Managers? What a compliment just to make it as Finalists.

Before we knew it the Best Small Business Category had rolled around and moments before they began the intro Mr Belly Beyond stood up and started to make his way to the bathroom. Strangely I actually took this as quite a good sign but luckily on hearing the next award announcement he made his way back to the table!

The Small Business Category was the most represented of all the categories and to hear our name called as winners was such an exciting moment. We'd put a lot of work into this submission (far more than the last minute dash with the David Awards) and my first feeling was once of relief that we'd won and then total and utter joy. The photo says it all really :)

I can't really remember what we said on stage but it was trumped by Jacqui Clarke spotting our Belly Beyond tattoos and telling us to show the audience. Bob Harvey was overheard saying "now that's dedication!" and Mike McRoberts joked that "only out West would the Award Winners come up on stage and show their Tatts."

There were more funny moments after the awards when Bob Harvey joined us for a photo flashing one of his tattoos (on his wrist) .

Heidi and I know we have a long way to go to get to where we want to be but boy we are having some fun along the way. We learn lessons every day, laugh every day and relish new challenges and projects that are coming our way. I don't think there are many people who get to experience what we have AND do it with their best friend in the world -how lucky are we!?

Benjamin Franklin said that "Diligence is the mother of good luck" and that sure seems to apply here.

Thank you so much for all your words of encouragement, messages of support and the lovely bunches of flowers.

Big Friday - From Awards to Auckland Tweet Up

Had an interesting Friday night. First off was the official Finalists Cocktail briefing for the Waitakere Business Awards. What a humbling experience that was when they read off the names of some of previous recipients - Alloy Yachts, Babich Wines, Douglas Pharmaceuticals. Talk about playing with the big boys!

We are a Finalist in two Categories - I will let the big screen do the talking!




Even the briefing was valuable as we made a lot contacts and I look forward to following those up this week.

Then from there, straight to the Auckland Tweet Up at the Brooklyn Lounge. After some fierce negotiations with the parking machines at the Aotea Centre, I finally sorted out the parking and headed over the road.

I will be honest, I was expecting 5 people sitting in a corner so imagine my surprise when I saw the Private Function sign and opened the door to what seemed like 40+ people! And not one of them had two heads.

The lovely @WendyWings recognised me and gave me wave so I headed in that direction. @corinh and I kept a watch on the goings on from our prime corner perch. The evening progressed and I although there were lots of people I didn't have a chance to chat (@texanoutofwater springs to mind) I did really enjoy meeting everyone - you are all so normal (well, mostly)

Special mentions also to @thewinevault, @rustycharm, @lewisbostock, @cateMowen, @velofille, @adagebusiness, @rgoodchild, @missannjane (great idea in the first palce!) @natebasso, @cheep_tweeter (who spent the night saying, not that sort of cheap!)

There were stacks of others I didn't get a chance to talk to properly so I am definitely keen for the next Tweet up.

p.s. Big thanks to my gorgeous husband who tucked the kids into bed which allowed me to go out and have some fun