Basingstoke, UK, 12th December 2013 – Mitch Lloyd, Owner and Director of family business, Petra Jewellery receives The Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2013. Petra Jewellery provides exclusive, luxury jewellery from thriving international designers as well as creating their own bespoke designs. The award was presented to Mitch during The Entrepreneur’s Circle’s glittering Christmas party at The Newbury Manor Hotel in Berkshire.
2013 has been a turbulent time for Mitch. The year began with a bold and courageous plan – to take her jewellery business to the next level whilst expanding the family with another child. A particularly emotional and challenging proposition for Mitch, being the owner and main decision maker of the business and facing an unknown journey into the world of IVF.
The first step towards growing the business was to join Nigel Botterill’s Entrepreneur’s Circle. Mitch explains, “I joined the Entrepreneur’s Circle as I needed a mentor. Running a business can be lonely and I was finding it tough, making decisions on my own. My approach to marketing was transformed by what I learnt and the decision to join was beginning to pay off. I was embracing my growth plan!”
Progress continued throughout the year, with Mitch running exclusive events, developing social media presence, grasping new technology and employing additional staff for the shop. At the same time, 8 rounds of IVF and an exhausting period of time took its toll. In September, a nine week miscarriage coincided with the National Entrepreneur’s Conference at the ICC in Birmingham. Despite the physical and mental trauma, Mitch was driven on by the positivity and enthusiasm of the event and the support of friends and family.
Mitch’s determination, coupled with her newly developed skills drove the business successfully through the rest of the year with an exclusive proposal pack, enhancing Petra’s unique engagement ring service, innovative new advertising methods, glamorous festive events and even corporate charity runs.
Tim Savage, award-winning Business Growth Advisor for The Entrepreneurs Circle in Basingstoke, Newbury and Andover commented, “Mitch has demonstrated an extraordinary amount of courage, desire and energy to ensure that her business has thrived, even during this so-called downturn. She has shown that delivering amazing customer service and modern effective marketing can take a business to wherever it wants to go.”
Tim continues, “Mitch and her brilliant team have a vision for making Petra Jewellery the number one choice for high quality Jewellery, especially engagement rings in southern England. Mitch has a fantastic work ethic and no matter what the challenge, she simply gets on with it and makes a success of whatever she is doing. Mitch is an inspiration for other business owners and thoroughly deserves this award – she is a true entrepreneur.”
In response to receiving the award Mitch explains, “My vision for 2013 may not have gone entirely to plan. Despite this, I’m enormously proud of the work that the team and I have achieved. Anybody out there who thinks it’s impossible to juggle running a household, being a mum and running their own business – you can. It takes drive, enthusiasm and real support from others. Being awarded Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 feels amazing. I’m now really excited about 2014 – I feel like I can deal with pretty much anything!”
Note to editors:
About Petra Jewellery
Petra Jewellery is an independent family jewellers based at Viables Craft Centre in Basingstoke. In February 2007, Mitch Lloyd took over the running of the business from her mother, Petra who continues to maintain regular involvement. Petra Jewellery boasts over 30 years experience in all aspects of jewellery making, ranging from simple Jewellery repairs to high end bespoke commission work. As well as offering customers a comprehensive range of jewellery services, they also sell their own designs and have collections from other inspiring designers. For more information email @petrajewellery.com or call 01256 355945.
2013 has been a turbulent time for Mitch. The year began with a bold and courageous plan – to take her jewellery business to the next level whilst expanding the family with another child. A particularly emotional and challenging proposition for Mitch, being the owner and main decision maker of the business and facing an unknown journey into the world of IVF.
The first step towards growing the business was to join Nigel Botterill’s Entrepreneur’s Circle. Mitch explains, “I joined the Entrepreneur’s Circle as I needed a mentor. Running a business can be lonely and I was finding it tough, making decisions on my own. My approach to marketing was transformed by what I learnt and the decision to join was beginning to pay off. I was embracing my growth plan!”
Progress continued throughout the year, with Mitch running exclusive events, developing social media presence, grasping new technology and employing additional staff for the shop. At the same time, 8 rounds of IVF and an exhausting period of time took its toll. In September, a nine week miscarriage coincided with the National Entrepreneur’s Conference at the ICC in Birmingham. Despite the physical and mental trauma, Mitch was driven on by the positivity and enthusiasm of the event and the support of friends and family.
Mitch’s determination, coupled with her newly developed skills drove the business successfully through the rest of the year with an exclusive proposal pack, enhancing Petra’s unique engagement ring service, innovative new advertising methods, glamorous festive events and even corporate charity runs.
Tim Savage, award-winning Business Growth Advisor for The Entrepreneurs Circle in Basingstoke, Newbury and Andover commented, “Mitch has demonstrated an extraordinary amount of courage, desire and energy to ensure that her business has thrived, even during this so-called downturn. She has shown that delivering amazing customer service and modern effective marketing can take a business to wherever it wants to go.”
Tim continues, “Mitch and her brilliant team have a vision for making Petra Jewellery the number one choice for high quality Jewellery, especially engagement rings in southern England. Mitch has a fantastic work ethic and no matter what the challenge, she simply gets on with it and makes a success of whatever she is doing. Mitch is an inspiration for other business owners and thoroughly deserves this award – she is a true entrepreneur.”
In response to receiving the award Mitch explains, “My vision for 2013 may not have gone entirely to plan. Despite this, I’m enormously proud of the work that the team and I have achieved. Anybody out there who thinks it’s impossible to juggle running a household, being a mum and running their own business – you can. It takes drive, enthusiasm and real support from others. Being awarded Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 feels amazing. I’m now really excited about 2014 – I feel like I can deal with pretty much anything!”
Note to editors:
About Petra Jewellery
Petra Jewellery is an independent family jewellers based at Viables Craft Centre in Basingstoke. In February 2007, Mitch Lloyd took over the running of the business from her mother, Petra who continues to maintain regular involvement. Petra Jewellery boasts over 30 years experience in all aspects of jewellery making, ranging from simple Jewellery repairs to high end bespoke commission work. As well as offering customers a comprehensive range of jewellery services, they also sell their own designs and have collections from other inspiring designers. For more information email @petrajewellery.com or call 01256 355945.