An open mind to new challenges secured win for boutique owner at business awards

A bridal boutique owner who walked away with the Business Person of the Year Award 2016 has praised the awards for helping the business immerse into the St Ives community.

Michelle Honey, owner of Honeys Bridal and Events, moved the enterprise along the A14 from Cambridge to Crown Street, St Ives, in November 2015, and shortly after was driven to enter The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards.

“We had been in the town less than a year when I entered, we thought it would be a good way to become part of the business community in the area,” Ms Honey said.

The bridal entrepreneur impressed the judges with her savvy and sound outlook on business and her grasp of what it takes to be successful.

She said: “It was amazing to get the win, I was completely surprised as I wasn’t expecting it.”

Ms Honey puts her award win down to her passion to keep the company fresh and on-trend.

“I am quite open minded on new challenges and making sure the business is progressing and never standing still. We are always looking to improve even if things are going really well, we are always thinking of new ways to keep us going and get a new audience,” Ms Honey said.

The award win remains a positive experience for Ms Honey and her team, who say the accolade has helped them become more prominent in the town.

“When we first won the award the response we got was amazing, the amount of people who came into the shop because they had seen us in the newspaper and said ‘well done’. At the time we were quite new to the area and the win helped more people get to know us.

“We have also used the award on our website, we have the award in the shop as well and we have the frame up on the wall.”

The company has grown from strength-to-strength since its award win, and will be introducing a new collection in August.

For those thinking of entering the Business Person of the Year Award, judges will be looking for a business owner or manager who has made an outstanding contribution to the success or survival of the company.

The judges will also be looking for the majority of the following:

Detail of business, its activities, market-place and scale of operations.

What have been the entrant’s outstanding contributions both financial and operational to the business’ success?

Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated.

All entries need to be received either through the awards website or via the post by September 8.

There are 12 categories and businesses can enter up to three, with a different application for each award entered.

You can find information on how to enter the awards by visiting www.huntsbusinessawards.co.uk.