Personal message to all those considering entering the Gravesham Business Awards

Head judge Keith Mason offers a personal message to all those considering entering the Gravesham Business Awards

In 2022 we completed the round of the awards that was kicked off at a launch in Gravesend covered market in February 2020. I remember at the time the various conversations I had with would-be entrants and fellow committee meetings regarding a highly contagious and unusual illness that was on the march elsewhere. We wondered what, if any, effect it would have on us and we hoped that it would all turn out to be a storm in a teacup.

30 months later I stood in front of a room full of finalists in our gala celebration of their various achievements. The fact that they were there at all after all that had gone before was astonishing – I don’t mind admitting feeling unusually (for me) emotional as I stood there. I feel the same way now as I am typing this. Despite all that had happened, these businesses and loads of others had found a way to get through. Yes we had furlough, yes we had bounce-back loans, yes we could take finance for our VAT liabilities, but it was more than that that had got people through. In many cases entire business models had been rewritten; entirely new product offerings devised; entire new services created.

It is that spirit of adventure, that diversity of offering, and that adaptability that we celebrate with these awards – the qualities of true entrepreneurship! That said, we don’t need nor want another pandemic to bring out the best in us. It’s just that it did serve to highlight what unites small businesses, and it was truly inspiring.

If you want to be part of the awards this year, please do consider entering. It is not an awards scheme for big businesses only. It is for every business, big or small. What is important is the opportunity to showcase your own firm’s excellence, passion, and willingness to go that extra mile.

With this in mind, we have made some changes to the awards this year. There are many more categories including retailers, hospitality venues and healthcare providers (to pick a few) as well as larger type concerns.

The reason for this is simple. All our local businesses contribute tremendously to the community we all share and work in and all should have the chance to enjoy their place in the sun.

As before, the judges try and look at a range of measures that would be relevant to most businesses irrespective of their size, but with a greater emphasis this year on some industry specific factors as well as the perennial search for sparkle!

So please enter. The awards are for you too.

KEITH MASON