What it’s like to win an award


Published: 6th December 2018



Enhanced were delighted to sponsor a new award at the Dorset Business Awards. The ScaleUp for Business Growth Award recognised growing businesses with solid strategic plans for the future. Just over a month on from the big night, we asked Elliot Lees-Bell from Beyond Retail, the winner of their award, how he felt being a winner. We’re thrilled with his response!

“That moment we heard our name announced as the winner of the ScaleUp for Business Growth award was one that we will treasure for a long time. Everything went by in a bit of a blur after the announcement. I remember the raucous cheers from the Beyond Retail staff at our table, then the walk up to the stage, and the immediate realisation that it’s rather nerve-racking standing up and speaking in front of 800 people. Next were the obligatory photos and then finally, finally, a moment to breathe and take it all in. We had won! 

The restless desire to constantly look to improve is deeply rooted in our company culture. It’s been an important driver of growth for us, but it also means that we rarely stop and take stock of what we’ve already achieved. Entering the Dorset Business Awards forced us to look away from the ‘next big project’ and instead properly assess what we’ve done and where we’ve come from. Discussing our business with the lovely team at Enhanced forced us to think not just about the future, but also to celebrate the past, and I think that is important. They say life is a journey, not a destination, and it’s important to spend time appreciating what is, and not just to focus on what’s next. I think this process helped us to do exactly that. Winning has fostered a sense of pride and brought us closer together. It is like a badge of honour, and the potential for opening doors, attracting top talent, and improving the bottom line isn’t lost on us either. We’re incredibly grateful and humbled that Simon and Gail at Enhanced saw something in us – all the more so given the strength of the competition.

So to all businesses out there that are doing great things, don’t underestimate the value of putting yourselves forward for an award, even if you think you’ve still got lots of things left to achieve. There are always things to do, but this is about much more than just a fancy night out and a trophy for the shelf. Take the time to take stock of where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished together. Celebrate your progress so far and don’t just dwell on all the things you’ve not yet done, because nothing is ever finished, and that’s fine. Maybe you’ll find yourself on the stage, staring out into a sea of bright lights, tuxedos and gowns. One way or the other, you’ll have learned something.”

Elliot Lees-Bell, Founder & Managing Director, Beyond Retail 

Once again, congratulations to the whole team at Beyond Retail, we hope your business continues to grow from strength to strength.