Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time and meet your 20-year old self? Would you recognise each other, and the priorities around which you’d built your life? Have your 20-something goals changed massively, and if so, why?

Keira O’Mara is the winner of the 2009 PR competition run by Mumsclub in co-operation with ACPR. Keira impressed the judges both with the volume and quantity of coverage that she generated in the first year of her business. She made a great start with some national television and followed that up in every sort of media, from national newspapers and magazines to international blogs. In this short article she shares her tips and experiences which will help if you decide to enter your business in this year’s competition.

Today we’re talking to Sam Willoughby of What’s On 4, one of the winners of the Mumsclub PR challenge 2009. If you feel inspired by Sam, you can enter this year’s competition here. The competition will reward your every PR success. You can get points to help you win for anything from a mention in a playgroup newsletter, while top scores got to daytime TV coverage.
Sam, how long has your business been running? Nearly 4 years

This week I’m featuring the fabulous business women who won the 2009 Mumsclub PR competition. Each of them will share their tips. If you feel inspired, you can enter this year’s competition here and get the chance to win:

Editorial in Prima Baby & BabyExpert
Feature in the next Business Mums Journal
One-to-one consultation with Antonia Chitty of ACPR to help you improve your own PR.
Profile on MumsClub
Profile on Family Friendly Working

Louise Prunty of Caledonian Therapy Academy Ltd was Highly Commended in the competition. Here is the interview with Louise:

Pip Wheelwright of Boobie Buddies  has made it to the finals of the Business Challenge. She says, “It was an amazing evening. I did not win my category, but hey to be a finalist was brilliant, and I am very proud of what I have achieved so far.” Pip’s prize included advertising via the Kent on Sunday paper. She says, “This makes me more determined to apply again another year! I was up against some large, well established companies, some who had already received funding from Dragons Den, so felt justifiably …

Mimimyne, the kids eco store based in East London and retailing organic baby clothes, eco toys and funky kids furniture to help families grow up green, has been made a finalist in the Thames Business Gateway Awards in the Green Business Category. The results will be judged on Friday 6th November and winners will recieve a share of £100, 000 in Marketing and PR spend as well as publicity from one of the UK’s leading independent publishers.
Entries for this category will be judged on their overall approach towards off-setting their carbon …

Abbe Martin was stunned to find out that she had been crowned with The Helen O’Grady Special Award and the winner of her very own home based business worth £15k in the prestigious Remote Worker Awards Ceremony at the spectacular Cliveden House in Berkshire.
Abbe, who found out about the awards through Family Friendly Working, says, “I am extremely lucky and it is like winning the lottery! This is the start of something big for me and I am so overwhelmed to be a part of the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy. This …

Everywoman In Retail Award Winner Wendy Hallett
Winners of Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards 2009 Announced
Wendy Hallett founder of Hallett Retail, from East Finchley, London is the winner in the ‘Innovator of the Year’ category, sponsored by IBM
There was optimism about the recovery of the economy at the annual Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards, held last night at the Marriott hotel, Grosvenor Square, London. Industry pundits joined the UK’s largest network for women in business, everywoman, for the second year to celebrate the most inspiring and pioneering women working in the …

Amanda Farren, of Ella Announcements has scooped the Vivid Green Award in the Remote Employment Awards and has been Highly Commended in the BT Home Business Award alongside Wendy Shand of Tots to Travel
Ella Announcements was launched in early 2007 when young mum, Amanda, was looking for a way to stay at home with her children yet keep working. She had spent the previous year learning graphic and web design and used these skills to set up Ella Announcements, an online business offering announcements and invitations for any occasion, focusing on …

Jane Hopkins has won The Open University Skills Award in the Remote Employment Awards. Jane entered this award to take her online business to the next level. Jane has developed www.mumsclub.co.uk, a unique business club for mums and is the woman behind Business Mum Week 2009. An Open University professional qualification will provide additional skills to further her business success.
Jane is profiled on Family Friendly Working next week.