Jenny Dawson (pictured above with Harriet Green) is founder of Rubies in the Rubble – last year she won the 2nd annual Veuve Clicquot New Generation Award, and she now sits on the judging panel. The award celebrates up and coming female entrepreneurial talent in the UK who show a genuine commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices whilst optimising a gap in today’s market. Jenny was recognised for creating a successful social enterprise, not only by providing a solution to the issue of food waste, but also using her business model to provide jobs and skills to local unemployed members of the community.
“…Being part of a prestigious award such as this opens doors to a world that I would have struggled to access otherwise. There is a network of winners stretching back over 40 years from its big sister The Business Woman Award. And “big sister” is a very apt description. It’s like being invited into a big family…”
Excited and flattered
When I was shortlisted for the Veuve Clicquot New Generation Award, I was excited and flattered, but by no means thought I would win. The competition was fierce. Actually winning the award was a really special time. It was pretty overwhelming to think that the line-up of incredible business figures on the judging panel believed in me and my business enough to give us this accolade.
No substitute for hard work and tenacity
Since winning the New Generation Award, Rubies in the Rubble has more than doubled its sales. And whilst there is no substitute for hard work and tenacity, the benefits I have had from being part of this award are immeasurable.
Being part of a prestigious award such as this opens doors to a world that I would have struggled to access otherwise. There is a network of winners stretching back over 40 years from its big sister The Business Woman Award. And “big sister” is a very apt description. It’s like being invited into a big family. With a network of past winners from Carolyn McCall, CEO, easyjet to Prue Leith OBE, there’s so much knowledge and experience to be introduced to.
Kudos and respect
But it’s about so much more than networking. The kudos and respect you garner from these wonderful people recognising your brand is just invaluable. As an entrepreneur, you’re doing something that you love and feel passionate about, but you’re not always sure how the rest of the world perceives you. To have all these previous winners, who have all achieved so much, come together and agree that your business, your passion, your performance is award-worthy, is an exceptional feeling.
It gives you the confidence to carry on and pursue your dreams. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely and even hostile place. Winning this award confirmed that we were on the right track. It gave me the confidence to carry on with vehemence, and I feel like we’ve been accelerating ever since.
Going at 100MPH
At the moment, we’re going at 100MPH with the chutney business, and we’re also launching a new snack range. We’re focusing on the UK, as that’s the market that we know. But we have high hopes to expand the range so much further to highlight the issues around food sustainability. There’s a big attitude change going on in the UK, and we’re excited to be at the frontline, making it happen. We want food wastage to carry as much of a stigma as, say, littering. Knowing the previous winners of the Veuve Clicquot awards are behind us is a great confidence boost.
Just after winning the New Generation Award, we were able to strike a deal with Ocado, which really is a feather in our cap. This deal really sums up the benefits of the award, as whilst we had the product, we also now had the media presence and recognition to back up our story and our offering.
Keeping an open mind and learning from other people
Staying involved in the awards has been excellent as well. We’ve got our past winners dinner coming up, and I’m really looking forward to catching up with so many inspiring women, and listening to their experiences in business. It’s important to keep an open mind and learn from other people; how they overcome challenges in their businesses and careers.
This year I sat on the judging panel for the 2015 awards. It’s so exciting to think that I’m part of giving someone else this experience. Not only will they get access to the network, the exposure, the recognition and the confidence boost that I’ve had. They’ll also get the chance to be a role model for other young women in entrepreneurship. And that is a truly special thing.
I wish this year’s finalists, Smruti Sriram, Jude Ower and Emily Brooke, the best of luck. Enjoy the journey!
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