Member Article

Another WIN for young entrepreneur

ONE of the region’s youngest entrepreneurs has been recognised for her outstanding achievements in business.

Alice Blackie, 26, received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for her online retail business, Pink Boutique.

The ceremony hosted by Women into Network (WIN Awards) is eagerly anticipated by women entrepreneurs all over the North East. The annual event which recognises, rewards and promotes achievement of women in business this year celebrated 15 years.

Alice said: “It’s an honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award but going ahead and winning is truly outstanding and humbling.

“I started Pink Boutique as a small home-run business and although its growth has taken me by surprise it’s incredible to see the brand become increasingly popular and my efforts being noticed by the North East business community.

“Pink Boutique is now worlds away from my daily routine of running to the post office in my lunch break with 40 parcels. I’m extremely positive for the future and very thankful for all the support.”

After noticing a gap in the market for glam party dresses, Alice started to sell through eBay in 2012 before setting up a website six months later.

She calculated that if she sold 250 dresses a month she could quit her other jobs as a full time supply teacher and bar worker.

Today, Alice and her staff of 40 sell more than 2,000 dresses a day worldwide and has 500,000 social media followers contributing to 95% of her sales.

The company has achieved a 300% increase in sales on 2013 with turnover this year of £4.5m and predicts a forecast of £10m next year.

This is the third award Alice has won at the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, following the Best Retail Business and Best Use of Technology in 2013.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Pink Boutique .