‘Run your own country business’ winners

Many of you will remember that we ran a ‘Run you own country business’ competition in the March and April issues. We were looking for people who had a great business idea in need of a helping hand to get off the ground. I am delighted to say that we had an overwhelming response from many inspiring women who had a myriad of creative and exciting ideas.

Last week, the judges – myself; Simon Ellingworth and Sarah Warwick from Business Smiths; Christina Strutt, owner of Cabbages & Roses; Martine Joules and Dominie Cripps, from country clothing brand Joules; and Country Homes & Interiors publisher Belinda Cooper – sat down to judge the entries. After much heated discussion, the winner was:

Hayley Southwood from Bucks with her Vintage Scoops idea. Hayley said in her entry, ‘I have bought a 1973 Bedford ice cream van and am in the middle of renovating it in 1950s style decked out in Cath Kidston and kitsch! I plan to sell local ice cream, drinks and sweets at fetes, weddings, christenings. There are no other ice cream vans in the area and I know that mine will be unique.’

Hayley'sVintage Scoops ice cream van

 

The happy winner

 

Hayley wins a fantastic new business advice package from Business Smiths, worth £6000. Our runners up, who receive an hour of free advice from Business Smiths and £100 worth of  Joules shopping vouchers, were:

Emma Coulam from Bucks for her Illustrated Life handstitched cards. 

Harriet Campbell from Dorset for her Happier Planet linen bowl covers.

Vivien Jones from Clwyd for her Kidlet cushions and children’s accessories.

Carole Taylor from Rutland for her WIld Strawberry Picking recycled home products.

Jill and Robin Bradbury from Ross-shire for their Airstream Vacations.

Stella Carter and Pippa Wilson from Kent for their vintage Happy Hampers.

You can see all our winners and their ideas in the October issue (on sale 2 September).