Entries Open for Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2014

Entries are now open for the Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2014, offering women running small rural businesses the opportunity to boost their profiles and gain recognition for their achievements.

“This is the sixth year we’ve run the awards, and we’re already fielding enquiries from women keen to enter,” says Rural Women NZ national president, Wendy McGowan.

Last year’s supreme winner, Diane Coleman of Treeline Native Nursery in Rotorua, says business is booming after the publicity that followed her win.

Though entering the awards may be outside some people’s comfort zone, Diane encourages rural businesswomen to pluck up the courage, as she did.

“Winning this award has been a once in a lifetime opportunity that was challenging, exciting, scary, fun, humbling and has really put my business on the map.”

There are four award categories in 2014:

• Love of the Land – sponsored by Agrisea – for all land-based business, from animals to agriculture.
• Help! I need somebody – sponsored by Access Homehealth – for businesses providing any type of service – from retailers to agricultural contractors.
• Making it in Rural – sponsored by Telecom – for businesses that involve manufacturing or creativity.
• Stay, Play Rural – sponsored by Xero – for businesses engaged in rural tourism or hospitality.

To enter the awards, women have to own and operate a small business with less than 10 full time equivalent staff, based in a rural area. The business must have been running for at least two years. If in partnership, women must be an active partner of 50 percent or more in the business.

Entries close Friday 5 September. For more on the Enterprising Rural Women Awards, get the information sheet, and download your entry form here.

The awards will be presented at the Rural Women NZ national conference in Rotorua on Saturday 15 November.

Each category winner will receive $1,000 in prize money and a trophy, with a further $1,000 going to the supreme winner.

Watch a brief video from last year’s ceremony for a better idea of what to expect.

With thanks to our partners:

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