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The Business Awards Show

The Business Awards Show

Written by: Debbie Gilbert
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Welcome to the Business Awards Show, where we share valuable information, secret nuggets, to get your award entry noticed by the judges for all the right reasons. Our weekly episodes also feature inspirational interviews with winners, judges, and sponsors. So let's dive in and start your journey to award winning success. Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Episode 197: The Soul Aligned Life with Sophie Watson

    Episode 197: The Soul Aligned Life with Sophie Watson
    May 20 2026
    Debbie Gilbert discusses The Soul Aligned Life with Sophie Watson, soul coach and regional director for the Athena Network in south west Oxfordshire. Sophie won a Silver award for Best Coach at the 2025 Best Business Women Awards. Her journey into coaching began when her world fell apart all at once, a difficult job, her mum's diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer's and breast cancer, and her an her husband's unexplained infertility, all hitting within the same period. What came out the other side was a coaching business built entirely on lived experience. In this episode they talk about what a soul aligned life actually means in practice, what holds women back from becoming who they truly are, and why acknowledging what is wrong is always the first step forward. Sophie also shares honestly about losing both parents within five months and what that taught her about looking after yourself first. Warm, thoughtful and genuinely moving. About Sophie Sophie Watson is an award-winning intuitive guide and transformation coach with over a decade of experience helping women navigate change, rediscover who they truly are, and build lives that feel genuinely fulfilling. She specialises in supporting women who appear fine on the outside but feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or at a crossroads beneath the surface. By uncovering deeper patterns and blocks, Sophie helps her clients reconnect with their clarity, confidence, and sense of direction. Alongside her coaching work, Sophie serves as Regional Director for The Athena Network – SW Oxfordshire. Here, she champions women in business through connection and collaboration. She is also the founder of Marvellous Marvin's Fur Baby Art, creating bespoke artwork that captures the personality and spirit of beloved animals. {2:12} How Sophie became a coach. {5:18} The AThen Network and what it means to Sophie. {5:55} What holds women back from who they really are. {8:02} Why Sophie entered the Best Businesswomen Awards. {10:23} What the soul laigned life actually means. {13:20} Typical challenges faced by clients. {14:40} How long transformation takes. {17:01} BEcoming an Athena Regional Leader. {20:42} What Sophie has gained through networking. {24:11} The one step you can take to get unstuck. {25:20} What helped Sophie overcome her challenges. {28:41} Plans for 2026/7. Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/ Connect with Sophie: http://www.sophiewatson.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sophie-watson-create-a-life-you-love Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SophieWatsonTimeToCreateALifeYouLove Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiewatsonsoulcoach/ The Athena Network SW Oxfordshire - https://theathenanetwork.com/sophiewatson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-athena-network-sw-oxfordshire/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AthenaSWOxon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena.southwestoxfordshire/ Marvellous Marvin's Fur baby Art: https://www.marvellousmarvins.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarvellousMarvinsFurBabyArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvellousmarvinsfurbabyart/
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    32 mins
  • Episode 196: Your Cat Deserves a Hotel Not a Cattery with Abi Purser

    Episode 196: Your Cat Deserves a Hotel Not a Cattery with Abi Purser
    May 13 2026
    This week's Business Awards Show discusses why Your Cat Deserves a Hotel Not a Cattery with Abi Purser, founder of Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel. An award-winning entrepreneur, Abi turned a frustrating search for somewhere premium to leave her rescue cat Norman into a nationwide franchise with nearly thirty locations. Abi's story is fascinating from start to finish. A chance visit to a local cattery, a nudge from her mum, two years of planning battles, and a Daily Mail feature that went global before she had even finished decorating. She covers the realities of building a franchise, why picking the right people matters more than anything, and how awards have helped build the credibility that keeps customers and franchisees coming through the door. And let's not forget those luxuries that sets Longcroft apart from the rest. Wrought iron beds for cats. Obviously! About Abi Abi Purser launched the world's first five-star luxury cat hotel from her garden in Welwyn Garden City in 2010 — just six suites, individually tailored care, and a standard that redefined what cat boarding could be. What began as a boutique concept is now a thriving franchise group of 30 locations across the UK, each run by genuinely cat-obsessed owners who share Abi's exacting standards and commitment to animal welfare. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur — recognised at the Best Businesswomen Awards, twice named SME Hertfordshire Entrepreneur of the Year, and featured by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and The Guardian — Abi is also a respected mentor and coach for independent business owners looking to scale sustainably. Mother of three, Abi is Hertfordshire-based, and happiest with a cat on her lap. {2:15} The journey to building a multiple franchisee business. {7:47} How a cat is treated at Longcroft. {10:30} The challenges of franchising a business. {14:16} A business you can fit around children. {15:11} Abi's awards journey. {17:18} How awards strengthen customer demand. {18:10} Yes, awards attract more franchisees. {19:19} Becoming an awards judge. {21:30} Creating brand awareness as an award sponsor. {22:58} The requirements of growing a franchisee network. {25:30} Recruiting new franchisees. {28:47} The Longcroft franchise framework and package. {31:01} Abi's plans for the coming years. Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/ Connect with Abi: https://www.longcroftcathotel.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/longcroft-luxury-cat-hotel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longcroftluxurycathotel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longcroft_luxury_cat_hotel/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNbsmwFp9byFcj2GS8p6FQ Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/luxurycathotel/
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    34 mins
  • Episode 195: Tell a Better Story Through Brand Photography with Hetal Trivedi

    Episode 195: Tell a Better Story Through Brand Photography with Hetal Trivedi
    May 6 2026

    Debbie Gilbert discusses how to Tell a Better Story Through Brand Photography with Hetal Trivedi, founder of The Beautiful Moments. Hetal is a strategic brand photographer and videographer working with female led businesses in health, wellness and beauty. She won three awards in a single month last year, two of them on the same day!

    A former primary school maths teacher who fell into photography by accident, Hetal built a five figure business from scratch after leaving teaching, encouraged every step of the way by her family.

    In this episode they cover how she helps camera shy business owners relax. Vitally, Hetal believes brand photography needs to tell a story. That's why she brings creativity to her shoots to achieve that. Furthermore, she emphasises why visual consistency matters more than constantly refreshing your images, and how going through an awards application made her realise just how far she had come.

    About Hetal

    Hetal is a multi-award winning brand photographer and founder of The Beautiful Moments photography services. I help female business owners step outside their comfort zone and embrace visibility through professional photos and videos.

    Most brand photos look good, but they don't convey any meaning. Therefore, she helps female business owners turn their ideas, beliefs, and offers into visuals that people instantly understand. Using simple concepts, thoughtful planning, and meaningful props, she creates both photos and videos that clearly explain the business and bring its essence to life. Longevity is central to her work. Therefore, her aim is that one brand shoot can create months of content, allowing business owners to show up clearly, consistently, and confidently online. This in turn helps them increase their visibility, attract ideal clients and achieve business growth and success.

    {2:14} How a passion for photography became a business.

    {5:51} How Hetal makes people comfortable in front of the camera.

    {9:16} How often people should have new brand photos.

    {11:34} Adding videography to photography.

    {13:16} What to do if your visuals aren't working for you.

    {15:18} Hetal's thought processes for entering awards.

    {18:18} The differences awards have made.

    {19:24} Challenges Hetal has overcome to run her business.

    {21:16} Combining motherhood and running a business.

    {23:44} the next twelve months.

    Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

    https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

    Connect with Hetal: https://thebeautifulmoments.co.uk/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebeautifulmomentsuk/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeautifulmoments07

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeautifulmomentsuk/
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    27 mins
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