A PROMISING new business has been shortlisted for a national award.
Susan Bonnar set up BuyIndie last year, to create an independent, all-British alternative to selling sites like Etsy.
Only four months after its launch, it has been recognised by the StartUp Awards and has been shortlisted in the Rising Star category.
The StartUp Awards was launched by the founders of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, which receives over 5,000 applications annually, and the Wales StartUp Awards, the only national and regional awards currently celebrating new businesses in the UK.
The awards, which were initially launched in Wales but now operate in regions across the UK, recognise the achievements of people who have had an idea and have had the courage and entrepreneurial spirit to bring it to life.
BuyIndie has been shortlisted in the South East region.
Susan said: ‘It’s a great honour for BuyIndie to be recognised so soon after its launch. It goes to show that it was something that was needed for those talented makers, crafters and independent businesses in the UK who were looking for an affordable alternative to traditional websites and expensive selling platforms online.’
BuyIndie is the sister company of Susan’s first business, The British Craft House, which is a platform for some of the best hand-picked artisan makers to sell their wares.
Susan will find out if BuyIndie will take home the crown of Rising Star at a ceremony in Hayward’s Heath on June 1.
Professor Dylan Jones OBE, founder of the StartUp Awards said: ‘New firms are critical in generating economic prosperity, employment opportunities and innovation in every corner of the UK. In 2023, the StartUp Awards will again be celebrating the amazing contribution made by entrepreneurs and their new ventures across 10 nations and regions, and will recognise the tremendous impact they are having on the economy, society and their local economies.’
Susan said: ‘Hopefully this news will shine a positive light on BuyIndie and direct more talented creators our way. That way, we’ll be able to support more independent businesses and help the economy even more.’
