SmallBusiness.co.uk is celebrating the SMEs which encapsulate the true spirit of entrepreneurship within their communities by searching for the nation’s Small Business Local Legend.
The competition is kindly sponsored by Insurantz.com, the online small business insurer, who has provided the prize of a laptop and one year’s free business insurance worth up to £1,000.*
Our short listed companies vying for the title of Small Business Local Legend each believe that they have shown the qualities needed to weather any economic storm. Over the past decades, they have adapted to changing market conditions and yet successfully built a loyal base of customers.
Read through our shortlist and vote for the company most deserving of the title Small Business Local Legend 2009.
Please vote at the bottom of the page to decide who will become the Small Business Local Legend winner.The closing date for voting is 29 January 2010.
* Subject to Insurantz standard terms of business and conditions of acceptance for cover
________________________________________________________
Tina Riley, managing director of Modern Homes
The business was started in 1968 by my father, but now I run it with my son Daniel.
We offer a personalised service as we believe that buying a kitchen or a bathroom is a decision you will only make once in a lifetime. So we spend as long as the customer wants in putting the package together.
In a sense, the recession has been beneficial for us. A static housing market means we’ve had more business from people deciding to stay in their homes but do them up instead. However, our success is down to having built up a good reputation over the last 40 years.
Visit: Modern Homes
_______________________________________________________
Barry Potter, owner of Potters Marinated Meats
Our shop started life as Potters Family Butchers just outside Worcester town centre in March 1983. A few years ago we became Potters Marinated Meats to reflect the change in modern butchering and the need to stand out from the crowd.
The key to the longevity of Potters Marinated Meats has been providing customers with a friendly and unique service – because we are competing against the big supermarket chains, providing added value for our customers is essential.
Visit: Potters Marinated Meats
_______________________________________________________
Rachel Dunham, client relationship manager at Betts Ecology
Betts Ecology was founded in 1985 to provide high-quality professional services in response to an increasing demand for ecology and environmental surveys.
Sometimes our work involves helping clients build a new sett for a family of badgers, create new ponds or even move rare grassland from one area to another to ensure its survival. Experience, flexibility and diversity have supported the company through even the most difficult times – but mostly it has been through perseverance and simple hard work. With a team of knowledgeable and dedicated people who make it all happen, we believe it is the employees at Betts Ecology who are the real key to the company’s success.
Visit: Betts Ecology
_______________________________________________________
Walter Smith, owner of Craft Tailoring
The business has been going for about 30 years now. It’s like Saville Row, but at a more local price. I admit I am a tailoring evangalist and have always taken a great pride in transforming the appearance of men.
Most of our customers are top captains of industry in the Merseyside area, but we also get plenty of people much further afield.
I treat every suit I make as a walking advert for the business, and consequently we get a lot of word-of-mouth custom. Our reputation has been hard earned, but over the years we have established a name of excellence.
_______________________________________________________
Mick Moor, managing director of Agricultural & Industrial Installations
My son Matthew and I established the business in 1985.
This company is based on quality and personal service. The two of us carry out all work on any project – we rarely sub-contract anything out. As a very small business, with vast engineering expertise, we can adapt easily to changes in the market.
The business is evolving all the time. Matthew tends to look after the workshop and I look after the rest – although we work together on site. We think it is important to remember that office work doesn't pay the bills, but getting our hands dirty on site or in the workshop does.
Visit: Mick Moor
_______________________________________________________
Valarie Bram, managing director of business consultancy T2-UK
I began my career as a lecturer, but I wanted to move into a more vibrant market, so in 1991 I started T2-UK.
We work with boards of directors to establish the ‘voice’ of companies – we create the appropriate tone to adopt for their audiences. We then make sure that all their communications are conducted in that style. This can involve re-writing large swathes of documents, brochures and annual reports. But also involves training staff to communicate in that style.
Visit: T2-UK
