Shropshire's young entrepreneurs are hailed at ceremony
[gallery] Shropshire's brightest young entrepreneurs have been recognised at an awards ceremony in the county.
Organised by the Telford-based Young Britain campaign, the Young Brit Awards at Hadley Park House Hotel recognised the achievements of entrepreneurs who have started and grown their businesses.
Organiser Fay Easton, from the Young Britain campaign, said: "The business owners and community and council leaders who attended were inspired by the stories of young people tackling the youth unemployment crisis and making their own jobs."
The Change and Adapt award was won by Jake Messer, the founder of Shrewsbury-based clothing brand UN:IK, while the Act Big, Think Small, Move Fast award for adaptability and business growth went to Jay Nash of Fortis Sport Solutions in Tibberton near Newport.
Fitness trainers Danny Robb and Maurice Cooney of The Body Barn in Newport won the Monetising The Passion category for turning their passion into a business opportunity, while Doing Good Along The Way was won by Kelvin Currens of Shifnal vehicle valeting service Water Forces, a supporter of Help For Heroes.
Bradley Hodson, co-founder of the Nick Nack Crafts pop-up shop in Wellington was handed the We're All Entrepreneurs Now award for his support of other start-ups, and You Are Your Brand, handed out for an entrepreneur reflecting the spirit of their business, was won by Sam Avery and Natascha Hirst of bouncy castle sales and repairs company Premier Inflate in Telford.
Kay Jawad of Telford beauty company Be Younique won the Business is Customers Award, Michelle Childs of mums' networking company Bizmums won the People Power category, It's Not Always 9 to 5 was won by Bamboombox, a Young Enterprise winner, and the Keep Learning Young Britain award was won by web architect Nisa Mendez of Mendez Moment.
Finally, the John Clayton Entrepreneurial Medal, named in honour of the late Chamber of Commerce president, was won by Alex Colley of Initial Designs.
Ms Easton added: "The evening was a real success for the trailblazing entrepreneurs who became an integral part of the local business community."
