Make Your Mark - Previous Winners
2009 winner - Initially Yours
2008 winner - Daisy's Dog Deli
Initially Yours
The Mall, Make Your Mark and The Royal Bank of Scotland are pleased to announce that Terry Loran, the business man behind "Initially Yours" has won the Make Your Mark Competition, 2009.
Luton local, Terry Loran, a 59 year old father from Toddington, came up with the idea for 'Initially Yours' when his wife, Janis, noticed a gap in the market for flexible, personalised merchandise, such as cards, gifts and keepsakes for special occasions. Terry turned his attention to bespoke products after being made redundant, proving that it's never too late to make a fresh start in business. Janis, a former partner in a customer service consultancy and business development manager, writes all the original verses featured on the products, whilst the couple's grandchildren, nieces and nephews provide much of the inspiration for the company's illustrations.
Having operation from home for six years on a part-time basis, Terry identified the competition as an opportunity to gain valuable retail experience and develop the family business.
The local personalised gifts business beat 138 other nationwide entries and 20 finalists to win the competition.
Following the competition Terry says:
"We felt priviledged to be selected and encouraged that an objective third party identified the quality and value of our product range. We are looking forward to launching our full product range and offering each customer a quality product with excellent service and a shopping experience they will remember."
2008 Winner - Daisy's Dog Deli
Lisa won through her sheer innovativeness of product, producing gourmet food for dogs.
Lisa says:
"I'm so honoured to have won the Make your Mark Competition, I started Daisy's' dog deli because dogs and food are both my passions and I saw a gap in the ever expanding pet market for wholesome healthy treats & food and went for it. I always knew we could make it a success but to have been chosen out of 21 finalists by such an esteemed panel in my first year of trading is little short of amazing. I'm incredibly excited at the potential that this competition has opened up to me, and I look forward to working with The Mall and the other advisors to take Daisy's dog deli to the next level."
Visit her website at: www.daisysdogdeli.co.uk
Read our interview with Daisy's Dog Deli
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