By VANESSA CHIRCOP
WHEN Maureen Bourke’s business took out best new/start up business at last year’s Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards, it gave the dressmaker the confidence to start stocking her own designs in her shop.
Her business, Elle and Stuart, located on Pier St, will be opened for two years this September but Ms Bourke only recently started stocking her own collection.
“As a result of the awards I had the confidence,” she said. “They’re (my designs) are doing really well.
“You get a bit of buzz when you come up with something yourself and someone likes it.”
Ms Bourke said she would encourage other Hobsons Bay business owners to enter this year’s awards.
“I think it should be compulsory for all businesses to enter,” she said.
“It really makes you look at your business differently.”
Nominations for the 2012 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards are now open.
The nine categories include new/start up business, retail, hospitality, tourism, transport and logistics, manufacturing and industrial, professional services, not for profit/community service, and home-based business.
Ms Bourke said she would be entering Elle and Stuart again in this year’s business awards.
To help businesses with their nominations, the council is hosting free workshops to provide entrants with advice and tips on how to put forward an award-winning application.
These workshops will be at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre.
For details on dates and times of the workshops, as well as information on nominating for the awards, contact Sally Curtis on 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
Nominations close on Friday 20 July.
For more information on Elle and Stuart visit www.elleandstuart.com.
