Episode 180: Holiday Clubs with a Difference with Amy Cunningham
The Business Awards Show
This week we discuss Holiday Clubs with a Difference with Amy Cunningham, founder of The Strings Club. Amy outlines how she built a successful childcare business centred around music and wellbeing. About The Strings Club Amy launched her business in 2012 after hosting a small holiday camp for six children in Camden. Today, The Strings Club operates in 22 locations across London and the Midlands. Each one offers holiday camps where children learn musical instruments, enjoy creative workshops, and participate in activities like yoga and dance. The week culminates in a Friday afternoon concert...
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Episode 182: Create Your Gameplan with Ceylan Boyce
The Business Awards Show
Create Your Gameplan with Ceylan Boyce sees the return of the founder of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs to talk about her live planning event in March. In this bonus episode of the Business Awards Show, Ceylan explains why planning is essential for business success. She shares why "winging it" leads to working harder for smaller results, and how proper planning gives you the freedom and flexibility to grow. Discover how Ceylan's quarterly planning events bring together 50-60 business owners in a safe, supportive environment where you can actually think strategically about your...
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Episode 179: Transforming the World of Medical Diagnostics with Bronia Thomas
The Business Awards Show
In this fascinating episode, we look at Transforming the World of Medical Diagnostics with Bronia Thomas, founder and CEO of Global Lab Expert Group (GLXG). The Genesis Story After experiencing burnout and chronic illness, Bronia found herself frustrated by the limitations of mainstream healthcare testing. When traditional systems couldn't diagnose her condition, she discovered a London doctor working with German laboratories who finally provided answers through specialised diagnostic tests. This personal journey revealed a massive gap in the healthcare market—patients desperately...
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Episode 178: How Awards Have Powered an Animator's Business with Emma Youell
The Business Awards Show
How Awards Have Powered an Animator's Business with Emma Youell, investigates the rise of the creative force behind Emma Youell Design. In this edition of The Business Awards Show, we discuss Emma's rapid rise from freelancer to award-winning business owner. As an introduction, Emma shares her fascinating journey, starting with her "accidental" entry into the world of motion graphics. Despite initially wanting to avoid the corporate world, she found her niche in the financial services sector, learning how to turn complex, "boring" subjects into engaging, spicy content. She also opens up...
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Episode 177: How a Coach Can Transform Your Working Life with Kate Bishop
The Business Awards Show
How a Coach Can Transform Your Working Life with Kate Bishop is the latest episode of the Business Awards Podcast. Kate shares her journey from burning out in the events industry to discovering coaching almost by accident. After attending a weekend coaching course on a colleague's recommendation (expecting just free coffee!), she found her calling and never looked back. Now specialising in career change and presentation skills, Kate works with people who feel stuck, lacking confidence, or unsure of their next steps. Whether it's toxic work environments, redundancy, or just feeling invisible...
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Episode 176: How a Qualified Marketing Expert Can Transform Your Business with Dee Blick
The Business Awards Show
Join Debbie Gilbert from The Business Awards Show as we discover How a Qualified Marketing Expert Can Transform Your Business with Dee Blick. Dee is a multi-award-winning marketing expert, and author of six bestselling books. Crucially, she is one of only 3% of marketers globally to hold Fellowship status with the Chartered Institute of Marketing. With 41 years in marketing, Dee evolved from working in "big glossy businesses" to becoming a passionate advocate for SMEs. A natural writer who "tumbled into marketing," she continues writing for magazines, as well as her books, combining her twin...
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Episode 175: Bringing Awards to The Isle of Man with Louise Wheeler
The Business Awards Show
This week's Business Awards Show looks at Bringing Awards to the Isle of Man with Louise Wheeler, founder of L C Consultancy and the Elevate You Awards. Originally from Essex, Louise ended up in the Isle of Man almost by accident. In her words it was because she and her now husband were offered a free lift from Guernsey! Louise's Journey: After 15 years in L&D, including four years in the gaming industry, Louise took the leap to establish LC Consulting. Starting with basic challenges like setting up professional email addresses and websites, she built a thriving consultancy specializing in...
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Episode 174: How to Win at Awards with Stephanie Brown
The Business Awards Show
Join Debbie Gilbert from The Business Awards Show to find out How to Win at Awards with Stephanie Brown. Stef is an expert awards consultant with an impressive 88% success rate across 500+ award entries. She shares her unique journey from professional dancer in Montreal to becoming a sought-after awards specialist in the UK. After working in creative agencies for 15 years, she discovered her talent for crafting winning award entries that combine creative storytelling with analytical thinking. Key insights from this episode: Why award strategy matters more than simply entering awards; align...
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Episode 173: The Joy of Real Indian Food with Roshni Ray
The Business Awards Show
The Joy of Real Indian Food is this week's brilliant discussion on the Business Awards Show. Founder of Tikka and Tadka, Roshni talks about her journey from NHS worker to award-winning Indian catering entrepreneur. Roshni's Journey: After years in the NHS, Roshni launched her authentic Indian home-style cooking business in April 2020 - right as lockdown hit. Instead of postponing, she pivoted to local curry nights in her village, which became so popular they evolved into her signature curry box service. The Mission: Roshni's passion is educating people about authentic Indian cuisine...
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Episode 172: Where's Your Social Proof? with Shehnaaz Latif of TOOT Services
The Business Awards Show
Where's Your Social Proof? with Shehnaaz Latif is the latest edition of the Business Awards Show. We talked to Shehnaaz, the founder of TOOT Services Limited, about the critical importance of social proof for businesses and award entries. She also told us about her annual event in December, The Impact Showcase. Shehnaaz's Journey: Despite being naturally shy, Shehnaaz built a 22-year career helping charities and businesses gather evidence of their impact. The name "TOOT" stands for "Tell Others Out There" - encouraging people to celebrate their successes rather than hiding their...
info_outlineThis episode of the Business Awards Show features an interview with Craig McMurrough BCAh, a leadership and culture consultant.The discussion covers Craig's professional life, his experience as a judge for the Best Business Women Awards, and his deeply personal and award-winning campaign to raise awareness for ovarian cancer.
Craig's sister, Cheryl, tragically passed away from ovarian cancer at the age of 43 after a delayed diagnosis. This devastating event inspired him to launch a unique awareness campaign. He created the persona "Mr. Ovary," dressing in a seven-foot-tall, bright pink ovary costume to spread information about the signs and symptoms of the disease while participating in marathons and other public events.
Through his efforts, Craig has raised nearly £100,000 for the charity Ovacome. He has run several London Marathons, numerous Great North Runs, over a hundred half marathons and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2018. His dedication has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. These include the Pride of Britain, the BBC Fundraiser of the Year, and most recently, the British Citizen Award for his services to healthcare.
During the podcast, Craig shares the key symptoms of ovarian cancer, using the acronym BEAT. Listen to find out what each letter signifies and when to get checked.
He emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and encourages women experiencing these symptoms to see a doctor. The episode concludes with a call to action for listerners to support Ovacome and to help spread the word about ovarian cancer.
{1:40} Craig's career in leadership consulting and change management.
{2:45} The experience of being a Best Businesswomen Awards judge.
{4:23} Craig's campaign to fight ovarian cancer and the accolades it has brung.
{5:35} Craig's sister Cheryl and a fatal misdiagnosis.
{7:08} A lifelong passion for runnning.
{8:29} The facts abouit ovarian cancer and when to get checked (using the BEAT acronym).
{10:00} The money Craig has raised for Ovacome.
{11:50} Busting myths about cervical smear tests and why CA-125 blood tests are so important.
{12:24} Craig's ignorance of ovarian cancer before his sister contracted it.
{13:08} More detail on the timeline of his sister's illness and a tribute to her life.
{15:50} Using professional experience in change management to drive charity work.
{17:33} The privilege in meeting the King and Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace.
{20:08} Craig's forthcoming races.
{21:05} How listeners can donate through the Ovacome Just Giving page.
{21:44} When Craig first connected with Ovacome.
{24:23} How you can help Ovacome and support Craig's efforts.
Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk
Connect with Craig: https://www.ovacome.org.uk/blog/longstanding-ovacome-fundraiser-craig-mcmurrough--aka----mr-ovary----set-to-receive-prestigious-award
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068688799125
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ovacomecharity/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmcmurrough/
Ovacome fundraising page: https://www.ovacome.org.uk/fundraisers/help-mr-mrs-ovary-to-make-a-difference