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Double award winner Alison Taylor from Food Local Food.com talks to Bdaily

Alison Taylor has experienced winning Women Into the Network awards on two occasions; she won the Best New Business award in 2009 and Best Use of Technology award in 2010. Angela tells Bdaily about her business, Food Local Food.com, what winning the award meant for herself and the business whilst she also explains what benefits her association with WIN has brought.

Can you tell us a little bit about your business?

Food Local Food.com is an online grocery service selling local and regional food to residents in the North East, North Yorkshire and to visitors to those areas. We employ 7 staff at present, and are in the process of looking for a final stage investment to open 10 more hubs across the North of England and into Scotland.

What winning the award did for you on both a personal and company level?

The first award helped to attract investment to allow us to expand. The second year it raised our profile further in the area. It was a big confidence boost.

What benefits do you receive from WIN and why should others get involved?

It gives credibility to the business, it’s a great way to thank staff and people who have worked alongside you. It’s also a great night out and a pat on the back - everyone needs one of those! For us, it helped to attract investment and a new strategic team.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think that what WIN does is excellent. The Susan Dobson Award is something to really aspire too. Women need a boost juggling children, especially when one of them is disabled, and a full-time business is hard work and stressful. It’s really nice to look back at what you have achieved and WIN helps you to do that. It also has helped me with networking. The team I have working with me now - bar one company - have all come from WIN contacts.

Tickets to attend the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards evening are £75 + VAT (£65 + VAT for WIN members), including a drinks reception, a three-course meal and live entertainment.

To book tickets, please e-mail awards@womenintothenetwork.co.uk, call 0191 385 6619, or visit: http://www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk/awards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jonny Marshall .