Alumni Business Person of the Year
Category criteria
- Entrants for this category must be Staffordshire University alumni.
- Entrants could be employed or self-employed but should be directly responsible for the success of their enterprise.
- The judges will be looking for evidence of the entrants’ determination to make the most of new opportunities to help fuel their company’s success.
Lilija Bekisa
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Lilija Bekisa’s business is all about helping other people to launch and develop a business.
The 33-year-old originally planned to become a content photographer then discovered a talent for developing brands through visual content.
Photography is still a key part of her work but Lilija also specialises in marketing and branding including using Instagram, creating visual content strategies and supporting clients with their business development.
Lilija, who moved to the UK from Latvia in 2010, is also working on plans to open a creative hub in Stoke-on-Trent which will offer workshops, networking and a place where fellow creatives can practice and grow.
“My work is all about showcasing businesses from the inside and the outside,” said Lilija, who was part of the first cohort of the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship.
“I’m bringing them into the market and helping them to grow. I do a deep dive into the business I’m working with and we grow together.”
At the moment she works primarily with start-ups but offers her skills to businesses of any size and at any stage in their journey.
Lilija qualified in interior design in Latvia then launched a successful laser engraving business after moving to the UK.
But she says she is a people person and needed to work in a creative business that allows her to work alongside other people.
“I love what I do now,” she said. “I enjoy my work and feel fulfilled.”
Lilija has entered the Young Business Person of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Daniel Hatton
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
A sports coaching business founded by Staffordshire University alumni Daniel Hatton now has 10 franchises around the world including in Dubai, Singapore and Northern Ireland.
The 30-year-old launched Little Athletes eight years ago after graduating in Physical Education and Youth Sports Coaching. He believes it’s the first business started in Stoke-on-Trent to have been franchised globally.
“When I was younger, I failed at school. I wasn’t academic.” said Daniel, from Maybank. “I was really good at sports but wasn’t given the opportunities to work with it.
“So I decided the only way to work in sport was to start my own business. It’s gone from strength to strength.
“Little Athletes was initially set up to give me an opportunity to work in sport and to reach as many children as possible. Now I’m giving other people an opportunity to start their own business with a franchise.”
Little Athletes is a specialised physical activity provider for early years, working with nurseries, schools, children’s centres and sports centres.
Programmes include toddler football, a soccer school, multi-sports holiday camps, dance mania, fit for a quid and more.
The aim is to become the UK’s leading early years physical education provider.
Daniel added: “There’s still a long way to go. I want to get Little Athletes into more locations, but for a business started in Stoke-on-Trent it’s already travelled a long way.
“As a company, we believe all children should have access to extra-curricular physical activity outside of school and nursery hours. We aim to make our sessions accessible to all children across the UK through our different programmes and initiatives. Exposure to physical activity at a young age is vital to a child's physical, social and emotional development and wellbeing.”
Daniel has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards and has entered Little Athletes into the Growth and Business in the Community categories of the awards.
Adele de Caso
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Adele de Caso is testament to the fact that shy people can be just as successful in the business world as extroverts.
The 52-year-old runs three businesses, is a published author and gives talks and workshops to help other people become successful - including mentoring young people who are about to set foot in the workplace for the first time.
Adele, from Trentham, founded the personal development and mentoring brand The Shy Entrepreneur after writing her first book in 2009. She writes books, writes and delivers training courses, has a blog and records YouTube videos.
She also runs a network marketing business with a team of several hundred people and owns dog daycare and boarding business Paco’s Place which has 50,000 social media followers and has attracted more than two million views for some of its social media reels.
The Staffordshire University alumna graduated in Biology and Environmental Science and began her career working in the haematology department at what is now the UHNM.
She joined a network marketing business as a side hustle but reached a point where her income from that part-time job was more than her day job at the hospital.
“It was network marketing that introduced me to personal growth and development,” said Adele. “I began doing little talks which got bigger and bigger until I was speaking on stage in front of thousands of people at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.
“I remember thinking that this doesn’t happen to people like me. So I decided to write a book to share my story with other people that are shy and lacking in confidence or that may not believe in themselves.
“My first book is a very simple, straightforward and easy to read. I share my story and positive changes that people can make.”
Adele says she loves running her three businesses in tandem and that each draws on different skills and passions.
“Every day is different. If I have a quieter day with one business then I focus on the others.
“The key is to find things that suit your personality and things that you are naturally drawn to that you love doing.”
Adele is currently working on a book proposal for a publisher and has the long-term aim of opening a personal development café where people can enjoy a coffee while they read motivational books.
She has been nominated in the Entrepreneur of the Year, Alumni Business Person of the Year and Skills for the Future categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Lissy Taylor
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Music artist Lissy Taylor doesn’t just front her band, she’s the business brains behind it too.
The 24-year-old, from Trentham, has performed on the main stage at music festivals, shared a bill with Noel Gallagher, sung for thousands at the opening of a Manchester City FC match and her last three singles have had airtime on BBC Radio 1.
She has been the support artist for international touring bands such as The View, Sea Girls and The Lottery Winners and has been known to turn up at venues ahead of gigs and talk herself into being given a supporting slot that evening.
She has performed live on TV in the US and UK including Sky Showcase presented by Glastonbury Festival host Mark Radcliffe.
Lissy isn’t signed to a record label and, unusually for an artist achieving this sort of exposure, she doesn’t have a manager – because Lissy manages her career herself as a business.
Alongside performing Lissy is a music lecturer at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group after taking teaching qualifications at Staffordshire University.
She also finds time to study for a Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship at Staffordshire University, which she says is giving her a support system and a place to share ideas with likeminded people.
Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, as a teenager Lissy studied and graduated with an A+ in the United States where she also had various performances in Nashville and New York City at The Rockwood Music Hall.
Lissy said: “I run the band as a business. At the level I’ve got to, most other people would be working with a team at a label or an agency. I represent myself and build my own strategy.
“You have definitely got to have the confidence and belief you can do it and also the balls to just go out there and get it done.”
Lissy’s ambition is to become a household name and to be seen as a success story for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
She added: “I see Robbie Williams as a success story to aspire to. His brand is international and he does a lot for the area and also through education.”
Lissy has entered the Young Business Person of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Birgit Allport
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Staffordshire University alumna Birgit (Bridge) Allport has transformed Better Together Community Support Group from a small social group into a registered charity with nine members of staff in the space of just over five years – despite being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2019.
Bridge, now 54, moved to Stoke-on-Trent from her native Germany in 2010 after meeting her now husband Colin – and was surprised to find that he didn’t know his neighbours.
Inspired by her own experience of homelessness following a breakdown in family relationships as a young woman, she was driven to find ways to connect with the people around her. In 2018 she set up a social group for older people from her Trent Vale home while she was a mature student at Staffordshire University studying international history.
Bridge says: “I was lucky because there were people who supported me and let me use their shower and so on while I was living in my car in my early 20s. A friend helped me to find a room in a shared house and I have never forgotten what a difference his help meant to me.
“That experience made me the person I am. I’m not always the most diplomatic person but my heart is in the right place. I have been vulnerable; I have needed help. I know how important it is to have a friend there when you need it most.”
The group’s popularity soared, with people attending from across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, but in 2019 Bridge was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, which she has nicknamed Hugo, wrapped around her optic nerve. In the best-case scenario operating would leave her blind; or in the worst outcome, surgery could be fatal.
“When they told me, I responded in very strong language – too strong to repeat here – that I didn’t have time for this. My first thought was that if I’m not here anymore, who will help everyone? I put my affairs in order and then I just got on with things.”
When the Covid pandemic hit, Bridge and Colin started providing and delivering emergency food parcels for residents in need seven days a week, as well sourcing equipment such as fridge freezers and PPE and making hand sanitiser. In the beginning the couple funded everything themselves and even gave away their own clothes to people in need.
In 2021 Better Together became a registered charity to help more people and opened its headquarters in a row of shops in Trent Val, in October 2022, as a hub for activities and a warm space for the community. In March 2024 the charity expanded its HQ into the adjacent disused shop to offer more activities for the community and bring a long-vacant unit back to life.
The charity now runs a wide range of activities, including a warm space which is open six days a week, drop-in advice sessions, emergency food and hygiene parcels, four weekly playgroups in different locations across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle, a weekly community café, a book club, men’s group, youth group and a community garden.
In 2023 Better Together provided 1,890 emergency food and hygiene parcels to people in need, with 3,952 people attending activities in the same year and 208 people signposted to other services for additional assistance. Year-on-year this represents a 30 per cent increase in emergency parcels, a 27 per cent increase in attendance at activities and a 14 per cent increase in signposting to other services.
In December 2023 Better Together was given £338,000 over four years by the National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities England programme to employ five additional staff members, taking the total number of employees to nine.
Bridge was invited to the Queen’s last Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and afternoon tea with the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire in 2022, and to 10 Downing Street in 2023, in recognition of her charity work, while Better Together won the Breakthrough Award: Organisation at Voluntary Action Stoke-on-Trent’s Totally Stoked awards in January 2024, in recognition of its ‘significant growth’.
Bridge says: “Hugo [her brain tumour] is driving me on – helping others makes me forget my own health issues.
“I work stupid hours even when I’m dead on my feet. I look at the people who come to our warm space and our groups and they make it all worth it. What we do makes a big difference to their lives and that is my reward.
“What we do is life-saving – one of our community members told us that he had considered ending his life before he found us.
“Sometimes a cup of tea, a smile or a friendly word is all it takes to make someone’s life better. Doing good is wonderful – for the person doing it and for the person receiving it – and I just like to see people happy.”
Better Together now aims to continue to serve people across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, by offering new activities in the extended headquarters, such as sessions aimed at people with special educational needs and disabilities. The charity is also planning to launch a new group and café in Chell Heath, and is exploring new partnerships across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, while in the longer term there will be an increased focus on building the charity’s supporter base and expanding fundraising from individuals, trusts and foundations.
Bridge’s brain tumour has continued to grow slowly and she is set to have a scan in the summer to identify the next steps, which could include a course of radiotherapy.
She adds: “Our aim is not to become the biggest charity, but to work hard to make individual lives better and easier. If we can lift people’s spirits and create a sense of belonging where people feel comfortable to ask for help – and can receive that help – we will have achieved our aims.”
Birgit Allport has been nominated as Alumni Business Person of the Year and has entered Better Together into the Business in the Community and Growth categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Amanda Redford
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Registered midwife Amanda Redford set up a business combining her medical knowledge with her lifelong interest in complementary therapies.
Amanda, from Bagnall, was Senior Research Midwife at the UHNM where her work included clinical trials using acupuncture.
Her business, Women’s Natural Health, sees Amanda supporting women with their fertility and pregnancy journeys using her knowledge of reproductive health and complementary therapies.
She works with couples who need help with their fertility, helps women to go into natural labour and avoid induced birth, encourages breech babies to turn and much more.
Amanda estimates that she has helped thousands of women over the years by using techniques that may not be available in a more traditional setting.
She has a clinical space at Brampton House in Newcastle-under-Lyme and has ambitions to put together a team of practitioners offering the likes of massage, hypnotherapy and nutritional advice under one roof.
Amanda, who left her role at the hospital in 2019, is also looking to develop online packages and to deliver community programmes.
“My mum used to blend essential oils and she introduced me to aromatherapy,” said Amanda. “I used to do complementary therapy alongside my day job and set up a therapy space about 10 years ago while I still worked full time. Whenever I could I would find a way to bring in complementary therapies.
“I taught midwives for around 10 years and I was always passionate about promoting natural birth. I never really thought that it would be a business or that I would be running a business but when it happened I never looked back.”
She added: “I’m pretty niche in the work that I do. There is nobody else locally who offers what I do and I have people travelling a distance to see me, mostly because of word of mouth.”
Amanda is studying for the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship, which she says is helping her to develop her ideas for the business.
She has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards and has entered Women’s Natural Health into the Small Business of the Year and Skills for the Future categories.
Layla Hashim
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Entrepreneur Layla Hashim feels such a connection with clay that she moved to Stoke-on-Trent to live in the spiritual home of the pottery industry.
“I moved to Stoke-on-Trent because of pottery,” she said. “I’m from Liverpool and I was in Birmingham before moving here. In contrast Stoke-on-Trent has such a real sense of community and so many pockets of creativity.”
The 42-year-old is the founder of Box O Fun Ltd, a multi-stranded business that began with Layla teaching pottery techniques remotely during the pandemic and now sees her working to improve processes within the ceramics industry.
Current projects include Layla working with Innovate UK and a data scientist to build a machine learning model.
She also creates geometric forms using CAD software and algorithms as part of the design process.
Another recent project saw Layla working with a Staffordshire University engineering student to create modelling tools using less material as part of a wider concept of bringing tool making back to Stoke-on-Trent.
She is also working on developing ceramic glazes for use in healthcare settings using nano-materials.
Layla is not traditionally trained in pottery but developed a passion for ceramics and its various processes after starting to handmake pottery as a hobby.
She said: “I started off with pottery as something to get me out of the house and being creative. I learnt very quickly and really got into the material science side of things.
“There was a point where I was thinking of doing a research degree even though I didn’t have an undergraduate degree. That’s how far my interest and research had progressed.”
Layla was part of the first cohort of the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship. She has entered the Innovation Award and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Evelyn Howe
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
The seemingly simple act of going outdoors and walking has been transformative for former corporate sales specialist Evelyn Howe and now she has turned it into a business.
Daily walks in the forest after taking a career break to be a full-time mum helped her rethink her future work plans. The idea for what would become Stride Revive started to form.
The 45-year-old now combines working as a life coach with building her walking business and studying for the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship.
Stride Revive sets out to educate people about the healing benefits walking can have physically, emotionally and mentally.
Evelyn’s business has a number of strands including a WhatsApp group, organised walks and collaborations with local authorities and organisations such as the Staffordshire Moorlands Walking Festival.
“When I started talking to people about my plans and putting out polls I found that 40% of people don’t walk during the day when they’re at work and that many people don’t move away from their computer every few hours,” said Evelyn, from Stafford.
“It quickly became apparent that people don’t walk enough and that people feel lonely when they’re homeworking.
“So I started working on ways to gamify walking to make it fun to walk and started organising group walks including mindfulness walks.
“It’s all about connecting with nature, connecting with one another and looking after your own wellbeing.”
Evelyn has an undergraduate degree in Design Management from Staffordshire University and has worked as a client specialist for the likes of Vodafone and BT.
She added: “I’m trying to re-educate people and give them the tools to access the healing benefits of walking.”
Evelyn has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year, Skills For the Future and Business in the Community categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Clover Douglas
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Whether it’s helping employees in the workplace or online individuals anywhere in the world, Clover Douglas’s business is all about wellness and empowerment.
Based in Stoke-on-Trent but potentially working with people anywhere around the globe Clover organises retreats, runs group healing sessions, yoga classes, online sleep sessions and much more.
Her business, I Am Warrior Now, runs sessions at venues including This Girl and Valentine Clays and is increasing working online so that Clover can literally help anyone based anywhere.
The 44-year-old moved to Stoke-on-Trent from London to study Sport, Recreation and Tourism at Staffordshire University and decided to stay living and working in the city after graduating in 2001.
She initially worked in the education sector creating and delivering projects for colleges, prisons and housing organisations before founding her own business in 2016.
“2018 was a time of real change for me,” said Clover. “I went to India to study yoga, shaved my hair off and fixed my back as I’d been having problems with it after a car accident.
“Then lockdown happened and I couldn’t touch anyone or practice the breathwork that had been a significant part of my business. So I ventured online and changed the name of my business from Natural Rays to I Am Warrior Now, because it felt like I really was a warrior.
“I’m giving people practical exercises and ways to reduce their anxiety, concentrate more clearly and come back together. I help people to feel better.”
Clover is currently studying for the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship.
She said: “It’s really nice to be back at University and to be able to focus on my own dreams. It’s helped me to take more manageable steps forward.
“I also put my big picture down on paper and it felt really good to get it out of my head and into the world.”
Clover has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Business in the Community categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Joe Ndilla
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
As a founder of social care and training companies Joe Ndilla realised many of the carers he works with suffer from loneliness and isolation – so he has designed a tech solution to help them.
The 37-year-old, who employs a team of 10 staff in Burslem, has created We Talk Care – a social network for both paid and unpaid carers.
Joe’s digital platform works to address the mental health issues faced by carers by bringing them together and empowering them with resources.
We Talk Care already has 500 users following a soft launch in December and former NHS health care manager Joe is working on a Staffordshire pilot ahead of a national launch.
We Talk Care sits alongside Joe’s other two businesses, Nest Social Care and Ask Training.
Joe, who has a Staffordshire University degree in Applied IT, developed his social network project after joining the first cohort of the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship.
He said: “My work as an NHS manager and then working within my own two businesses showed me that there was a gap. My wife is also a carer and we both work in the care sector so we understand the impact that caring has.”
He added: “Our ethos revolves around providing ongoing support to caregivers at every stage of their journey. We Talk Care goes beyond being a digital meeting place; it is a comprehensive knowledge hub offering practical resources on various conditions.
“We are not only supporting caregivers of all ages but also fostering partnerships with local organisations that share our commitment to providing care and support to those facing life-changing diagnoses, creating a unified digital front.”
Joe has entered the Young Business Person of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards and has entered We Talk Care into the Innovation Award category.
Mel Osborne
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Mel Osborne has created a business that not only fits around her family’s needs but combines her experience of working in social care with her love of drama.
The 47-year-old moved to Stoke-on-Trent in 1995 to study Film, TV and Radio at Staffordshire University then went back to Staffs Uni in her 30s to study Social Work.
Now a freelance creative, she combines both those areas of study in her work as an actor, drama teacher and the owner of The Little Fidgit Theatre Company.
The mum-of-two often works with schools, community groups such as The Indi Club and has a particular specialism in working with adults and children with learning disabilities.
“I’ve definitely got a good understanding of special educational needs because of both personal and work experience,” said Mel, who is based in Sneyd Green. “I’m now planning to run workshops for support workers so they can understand the benefits of drama for the people they work with.”
Keen to ensure drama is available to as many people as possible, she is also setting up a drama group for home educated children.
Mel’s Little Fidgit Theatre Company takes its name from her observation that young children often find it difficult to sit still while watching theatre performances.
“What I offer is an immersive and interactive puppet theatre,” she said. “I let the children play with the puppets and get involved in the storytelling. I never tell them not to touch.
Mel added: “I’ve engineered a career around my kids and their various appointments that involves doing things I love, is of service to the community and brings people together.
“I made the decision that I wasn’t going to do any job that I hate, so that means I love everything I do.”
Mel has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Maria Brown
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Homemade remedies that Maria Brown created for her own family are now helping other people with sensitive and eczema prone skin.
Maria, who has just completed her third Staffordshire University degree, launched skincare brand Callidora in 2023 while studying for the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship, holding down a full-time job in project management and raising her family.
She still personally handmakes all her products at home using her own carefully formulated recipes but now sells them through a website and at events.
“I do everything myself, from the initial concept to the end product,” said the 40-year-old, who has an undergraduate degree in Product Design and an MA in Creative Futures.
“Everything I sell is homemade by me rather than being bought from another manufacturer. It’s made with care, with love and with good intentions.
“I’ve dedicated a lot of time to working on the right formulas, initially with my own family’s needs in mind. I’ve tried different natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter and mango butter and made sure that everything I make and sell is effective.”
It was only after joining the MSc course in January 2023 that Maria developed her skin products into a business and launched Callidora.
She’s now aiming to move production from her home to a commercial premises and to collaborate with other businesses.
Maria hopes to grow the business so that it can become her full-time job and she would like to recruit a team.
She has entered the Innovation Award, Alumni Business Person of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Anna Morrallee
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Anna Morrallee has set up a business using art to empower people to think positively and to improve their mental health.
Anna, who is also known as Mora, is the creative force behind Moonbow, a one-of-a-kind Neurographica service based in Stoke-on-Trent.
A multifaceted artist, positive mindset champion, writer, poet and environmental advocate, she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in April 2022 driven by the desire to bring Neurographica to the local area.
Neurographica is a form of therapeutic art that combines elements of psychology and neuroscience. It involves creating abstract visual representations to explore and express emotions, thoughts and subconscious patterns. This creative practice is used for self-discovery, stress reduction and personal growth.
Moonbow offers a unique approach to success by unlocking the potential of the subconscious mind through the simple act of drawing.
Mora, who has just completed the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship at Staffordshire University, said: “I empower people through art to create positive changes in their life.”
Mora's offerings include a diverse range of workshops, training courses, webinars and podcasts tailored for those who aspire to build confidence and make incremental changes in their lives.
Mora is currently the only provider of Neurographica in Staffordshire. Her vision is clear – to elevate the visibility of Neurographica in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, fostering confidence and self-belief.
“I want Moonbow to be visible to the city because I can help those who are struggling with confidence and stress” she says.
With a canvas of possibilities before her, she looks forward to shaping a future where Moonbow continues to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those seeking transformation and empowerment.
Mora has entered the Young Business Person of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Andrea Harrison
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
An award-winning couture designer who won Collection of the Year at Graduate Fashion Week is making her one-off, bespoke creations in the heart of Burslem.
Andrea Harrison has been commissioned by The British Council, styled a fashion shoot for a pop singer and had a fashion show in Hong Kong.
After working as a fashion designer in London the 45-year-old moved back to the Midlands to set up her own business in 2017.
From her base in Price Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, she designs and makes wedding and special occasion wear.
“What makes me different is that I’m a couture designer,” said Andrea, from Biddulph. “I make one off pieces for customers who often can’t find what they are looking for elsewhere.
“My customers are often women who don’t want to go to bridal stores and want something personal to them. A lot of the time they want something a bit different, sometimes in different colours. They come to me because they can’t find what they’re looking for or want something more luxurious.”
Andrea began by customising clothing for herself and friends when she was still at school then took a BTEC in fashion and textiles at Mid Cheshire College.
“I realised I absolutely loved fashion. I loved all the aspects of it. It kept my interest because it’s so broad based.”
After graduating from a fashion degree at Northampton the mum-of-one exhibited at Graduate Fashion Week and won the prize for Collection of the Year.
That led to her being commissioned by The British Council to travel to Egypt to style a fashion shoot for the singer Natacha Atllas.
The British Council also later commissioned her to put on a fashion show in Hong Kong, after earlier flying her out for a research trip.
When Andrea completed an MA in women’s wear at Central Saint Martins in London she thought she’d completed her university education. But at the end of 2022 she heard about Staffordshire University’s Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship.
As part of the first cohort of the course she has been working on plans to scale her business.
Andrea currently designs and produces all of her own pieces but is now looking to recruit a team of pattern cutters and seamstresses to support her work.
She added: “I wasn’t planning on doing anything like this course at all but after I heard about it I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s given me the time and space to work on my business instead of in it.”
Andrea Harrison has entered the High Street Impact, Alumni Business Person of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Kirstie Ash
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Kirstie Ash’s Saturday night live streams regularly attracted more than 1,000 viewers during lockdown – which led her to launch a business to empower women and help them to network.
The 45-year-old Staffordshire University alumni, who graduated in fine art in 2001, runs Pink Women Networking and recently held the first of a series of events for women to empower other women.
It was weekly live streams, initially broadcast through the dating app Plenty of Fish, that gave the mum-of-one the confidence that she could hold an audience and had the ability to inspire and encourage others.
“I’ve met a lot of women who have encouraged me and have given me the confidence to pass that on to other women,” said Kirstie.
“This is not just a business for me. I am very much an empath. This is about giving out love and support. It’s about creativity and confidence. It’s about inspiring people.”
Kirstie, from Stoke-on-Trent, has a strong social media following including more than 20,000 followers on TikTok.
She has held women-only networking events at venues including Capella Lounge in Newcastle-under-Lyme and The Potbank at Spode.
Her first women empowering women event was held in the LRV at Staffordshire University and a second event, coinciding with International Women’s Day, will be held at Pathways in Burslem on March 8.
Kirstie added: “I work with women of all ages and from different backgrounds. I already have a global audience on TikTok and have thought about taking my events to different cities to empower different women.”
Kirstie is currently studying for the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship.
She has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Emma Priestman
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Emma Priestman’s shoe shop is based in the Staffordshire Moorlands but its reputation is international.
Footprints, in Derby Street, Leek, regularly attracts customers from as far afield as the US and Denmark who make the most of the sort of service they tell Emma they simply can’t find back home.
A former children’s day nursery manager, Emma opened her specialist children’s shoe shop in 2006.
18 years later the business that was originally designed to fit around her young family is still going strong and Emma is diversifying.
After nearly two decades of focussing on children’s feet she’s now branching out into adult footwear too with a particular focus on ‘good shoes for the elderly’ and shoes for medical staff, hairdressers and others who spend their working life on their feet.
Emma is also working on a community element to her business where she takes her expertise into the likes of retirement villages, GP surgeries and mother and toddler groups to ensure people understand the importance of wearing correctly-fitting shoes.
“I’m really proud about what I do and the service I offer. I like to think our customer service is second to none,” said Emma, who currently has one member of staff but is looking to recruit a team to work for her expanded business.
“We have a lot of customers from Leek and the surrounding areas but people also travel to us from Cheshire and Derbyshire.
“We also have repeat customers from overseas who buy from us when they’re visiting family in the UK and say there isn’t a shop like ours where they live.”
Emma is currently studying on the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship, where she is honing the expansion plans for Footprints.
“It’s a fantastic course. It’s been like a breath of fresh air for me to be exposed to other entrepreneurs and so many inspirational speakers,” she said.
Footprints has been entered into the High Street Impact and Small Business of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards and Emma has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category.
Martin 'Mr Bigz' Mwale
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Community cohesion is every bit as important as flavour combinations for restaurant owner Martin ‘Mr Bigz’ Mwale.
Staffordshire University business management alumni, Martin is the owner of Mr Bigz Flavours restaurant and cocktail bar in Alsager.
“What I run here is much more than a business,” said Martin, who is also a DJ and cake baker.
“When people come in they want to know more about the food, the flavours and where it originates from. I give them food for thought and the history behind every dish.
“People always learn something when they eat here. They learn more about different cultures.”
Martin, originally from Etruria, has been running his Alsager business for a year and a half and is now hoping to open a second premises in Crewe.
“We get really good community support from people in Alsager. It’s about community cohesion – we’re bringing different types of backgrounds together,” he said.
“We did a Christmas event in Crewe and a huge crowd of people were saying we should open up there too. I’m hoping we can expand in a few months time.”
Martin completed a foundation degree in business management at Staffordshire University, a course which he says ‘changed his life’.
Martin’s other ventures include a cake business, he has worked in the care services sector and he mentors young people.
Martin Mwale has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Business in the Community categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Natalie Jenkinson
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Sculptor Natalie Jenkinson created some ghost figurines for Halloween that proved such a success she launched The Little Ghost Company and now has more than 55,000 Instagram followers.
Natalie, who is Staffordshire University sculpture and creative technologies alumni, now sells her work as far afield as the US, Singapore and Australia.
Everything is made in small, limited edition batches by the 32-year-old from Park Hall, who previously worked at Madame Tussauds in London sculpting life-sized bodies.
“It’s all stemmed from my time at Staffordshire University,” said Natalie. “I already had a first degree in special effects but at Staffordshire University I moved into ceramics and was also able to join a business course which helped me to get started with my own business. I owe my business to Staffordshire University.”
Natalie’s ghosts sell all year round – she jokes that a ghost is for life and not just for Halloween. Every piece is sold online by Natalie rather than through stockists and distributors.
She said: “When I started the business I was making ceramic jewellery but when I made some ceramic ghosts I was inundated with messages. It evolved from there. The jewellery wasn’t selling well but the ghosts really were.”
She added: “Being from Stoke-on-Trent, I grew up surrounded by the pottery industry and I always had an interest in it but it wasn’t until I was older that I had my first experience in ceramics as I took a night class which really inspired me.
“I am so proud to be from such a creative city and to be a part of keeping the tradition of ceramics made in Stoke alive.”
Natalie has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Clare Challinor
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Karate champion Clare Challinor has turned her lifelong passion into a business.
The gold-medallist, who still competes at world championship level at the age of 43, has launched Self Defence with Clare.
She wants people to be able to defend themselves if necessary but also to feel confident and empowered.
Clare, who started her karate training at the age of six, has a Staffordshire University sports scholarship and is currently studying on the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship programme.
She said: “My lightbulb moment came when speaking with a friend about self defence. Although it’s second nature to me, my friend said she would panic and wouldn’t know how to protect herself.
“Self defence with Clare was built on the foundation that anyone can learn and apply the techniques taught in the classes.”
Clare teaches one-to-one classes and group sessions, leads sessions in schools, works in conjunction with the police and runs sessions in corporate settings. Her clients include women in their 70s.
She offers private sessions for survivors of abuse meaning they can learn in a safe environment, often their own home.
She’s developing online sessions for people who would rather train remotely or are based in other parts of the UK.
Claire, from Sandbach, started working on her business during lockdown, launched it in 2021 and left her career in corporate sales in 2023 to work on her business full-time.
She also runs a karate dojo in Nantwich, where she has special educational needs classes for children who learn at a different pace or need a quieter space to train.
She added: “My mission is to build a society that is not afraid to live their lives to the full because of fear.
“Self defence extends beyond the physical realms. It creates a resilient mindset that proves invaluable in facing life’s challenges.”
Claire has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
Alan Graham
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Circuits designed by Alan Graham through his company Blackstick Ltd have gone to the deepest parts of the ocean and are currently orbiting Earth.
Largely self-taught after leaving school at the age of 14, Alan has been working at the cutting edge of design and technology since setting up his business 19 years ago.
Now Alan, from Leek, has turned his attention to AI and has partnered with Staffordshire University AI academics to launch a second business, AiDenVi.
AiDenVi is currently at the development stage and Alan, who is also studying for an MSc in Entrepreneurship at Staffordshire University, is hoping to roll out the first of his AI-driven tools to a group of beta testers by the end of March.
He said: “The ultimate dream is to have a complete AI-driven electronics design tool set, made in Stoke-on-Trent and sold to the world.
“The tools that are available now are fantastic, they’ve come a long way in a short space of time. But they are still lacking in useful automation. We know how to solve this. We know how to make it better.”
Having designed printed circuit boards for more than 25 years, Alan has always looked for better ways of working.
He said: “I have always been aware that the process had areas that needed to be improved. I started looking at AI six or seven years ago, thinking it could probably help. But the infrastructure and technology weren’t quite at the stage to be useful easily. They are now.
“Data shows that at the start of most designs, engineers are wasting between 10 and 20% of their time creating CAD models for their designs. This is quite a menial task that should, and can, be done instantly.
“Our tool enables engineers to ‘drag and drop’ datasheets, to instantly create these CAD models and their supporting information.”
“The feedback from the industry has been extremely positive, particularly from electronics design companies who see this as a boost in both engineering resources saved and time to market.”
“We have a lot of interest from PCB designers for our early beta program but would also like more electronic engineers to sign up.
“Having a more diverse talent pool using the tool at this stage will allow us to better tailor it for everybody’s needs.”
Alan has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards and has entered his businesses into the Innovation Award category.
Melanie Sheldon
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Surface pattern design graduate and former youth worker Melanie Sheldon has combined her two callings in a new business.
Melanie, who is currently on the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship course at Staffordshire University, has set up MsheldonDesigns to deliver workshops where people can design their own customised cups.
She uses digital software to create personalised vinyl stickers which she then applies by hand to cups, bags and T-shirts.
Melanie, from Leek, worked at YMCA North Staffordshire for seven years before stepping away from her youth work role to concentrate full-time on launching her business.
She said: “Last year I decided to take the plunge and focus on what had been my side hustle. I make custom cups which are personalised for people and also personalise T-shirts and bags.
“I do pop-up events and workshops, had a pop-up shop in Hanley and have had my products at a fashion show.
“I did a marketing apprenticeship so have a strong social media presence for the business and do a lot of social media creation.”
She said the MSc course is giving her a good grounding in how to run and grow a business.
“It’s really inspiring being around likeminded people. I particularly enjoy the group work where we bounce ideas off each other and just work together.
“It’s a really good network of people and I’m learning so much. It’s giving me a good grounding into how to run a business.
“I currently work from home but one day I would love to have my own shop and I’d like to deliver workshops around the UK. My dream is having my products in a vending machine.”
Melanie has entered the Young Business Person of the Year and Alumni Person of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards and has entered MsheldonDesigns for Small Business of the Year.
Rob Fenton
Alumni Business Person of the Year nominee
Graphic artist Rob Fenton has been called a true visionary who is leaving an indelible mark on Stoke-on-Trent’s physical and cultural spaces.
The Staffordshire University alumni, who graduated in Graphic Design in 2007, has been nominated as Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year in the Staffordshire University Business Awards.
The Longton-born artist was put forward by Charlotte Pearce, who has commissioned Rob for projects in her role as the BID Manager of Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District.
She said: “I’d like to nominate Rob in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the creative landscape of Stoke-on-Trent. Rob has played a pivotal role in transforming the city through his artistic endeavours, leaving an indelible mark on both its physical and cultural spaces.
“Rob’s journey began with Ntrprnrs in Hanley, where he co-founded a venture that not only sold clothing and artwork but became a cultural hub for the community. This early initiative laid the foundation for Rob’s entrepreneurial spirit, and his subsequent ownership of We are Culla brought about some of the most breathtaking pieces of art that have graced our city over the past few years.
“I don’t think there’s a single town in the six of Stoke-on-Trent that hasn’t witnessed the magic of Rob’s paintbrush. And if it hasn’t - it will!
“Since embarking on his solo endeavour in 2023, Rob Fenton has not only elevated his artistic skillset but has become a catalyst for positive change within our community. His reputation has positioned him as a key player in numerous small and large-scale projects, from impactful workshops with refugee groups to the creation of murals addressing the crucial issues of men’s mental health and women’s safety.
“Rob’s art is a powerful medium that communicates, educate, and fosters dialogue on topics that matter.
“Moreover, Rob has been instrumental in projects that celebrate the rich history and culture of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The collaborative and self-funded Captain Smith mural in Hanley is a shining example of his ability to intertwine art with heritage, creating visual stories that resonate with the community.
“What sets Rob apart is not just his artistic talent but his dedication to nurturing emerging talent within the city. By championing and providing opportunities for local artists, he is actively contributing to the reanimation and regeneration of Stoke on Trent.
“Rob understands the transformative power of art and its ability to make creativity accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of art appreciation or socioeconomic background.
“Rob’s entrepreneurial journey is not just about artistic expression; it is about community building, social impact and cultural enrichment. His work goes beyond aesthetics, breaking down barriers and creating a sense of inclusivity in our city.
“Rob is a true visionary whose contributions deserve recognition.”
Rob was the co-founder and managing director of Ntrprnrs then the founder and creative director of We are Culla. He left We are Culla at the end of 2022 to focus on his freelance graphic, graffiti and illustration work.
Rob said: “Being nominated for an award is pretty overwhelming. I never really thought I’d be considered. It’s a really nice feeling – it’s made my day.”