Member Article

30-Year-Old Berkshire Businesswoman Gears Up For Major Franchising Awards Night

With less than a month to go until the 2019 bfa HSBC Franchise Awards takes place on the 27th of June at The Vox, Birmingham, Charlotte Eames, owner of The Creation Station South West Bucks & Maidenhead, Berkshire, an arts and crafts class franchise for children with 113 franchise units across the United Kingdom, is looking forward to the event, where she is shortlisted with two others for Young Female Franchisee of the Year.

Charlotte, who has been diagnosed with an extremely rare lung condition, explained that this actually motivated her to succeed.

She stated: “Once I was diagnosed, I thought it was a sign that actually I should start living my life and fulfilling my dream of running a business. There was a lot that stood in my way, but it was a case of now or never.

“To say that I am delighted and honoured to receive this nomination would be an understatement. It feels absolutely incredible to be a finalist for such a prestigious award.”

Her business quickly grew from weekly classes from around six youngsters to over two thousand children and adults in just one year. She also launched Art in the Park, a six-week programme during the summer holidays, which encouraged children to get creative in the outdoors.

As well as managing the Creation Station, Charlotte still finds time to raise funds for charity, running the London Marathon in 2018, to raise money for Children with Cancer UK after her younger sister was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the age of four.

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the bfa, said: “Even without previous business experience, Charlotte has managed to grow a successful business and find innovative ways of reaching out to families such as her Art in the Park programme. “She is the epitome of a franchisee who has utilised their passion and turned it into a profitable and thriving business.”

Her story shows that no amount of adversity can get in the way of dreams and ambition. I look forward to meeting her again at the 2019 bfa HSBC Franchise Awards.“

Charlotte will compete against two other franchisees, one from domiciliary care provider Home Instead, and the other from Rainbow International, a disaster recovery and specialist cleaning service, for the award

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Lumley .