Business of the Month Winner Announced: Hazel Bee

Hazel Batten, a BA(Hons) Illustration graduate from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), has been presented with December’s Business of the Month Award from Northern Lights, UCLan’s business support initiative.

Hazel’s degree and hobby of sketching and drawing moved her into the world of business after securing her first contract with a Preston-based gift company.

Hazel Bee, an eco-friendly greetings card company, has been trading since the spring of 2008.  Soon after she joined UCLan’s business support programme, Northern Lights and has taken advantage of the support, including business mentoring, networking opportunities and business advice workshops and seminars.

Commenting upon her success, Hazel said: “We ensure that all of our greeting cards are eco-friendly, we work only with materials that are recycled, fair-trade and biodegradable.  The most inspiring thing about winning this award is the proof that my years of hard work is paying of, I am delighted me and my business is being recognised.

“The help and support I have received from Northern Lights has been second to none and a key ingredient to my success.  The thriving business community is truly inspirational, and as such I have recently commissioned a graphic design company, registered with Northern Lights, to design my new website”.

Peter Rawling, UCLan Business Incubation Manager adds,: “The progress Hazel Bee  has made in several business areas, within a short space of time, was the deciding factor in winning this award.   The judging panel were very impressed with her sales distribution success and more recently securing contracts which will take her trade international”.

Hazel plans to remain trading within the region and develop an on-line shop as well as expand her range of products.  She is intending to use her prize money to fund her new website and attend business networking events.

29 January 2009