The Anglian Business Awards

Terry Hunt, my editor at EADT (Archant)

We had a fabulous night last week at the Anglian Business Awards.

It was a very smooth running evening with great Adnams Champagne, a guest speaker John Humphries from BBC radio four, who was very funny plus amazing food from trainees at Milsoms.

To see Archant put on such a wonderful event I felt very proud of my association with the EADT newspaper paper.

As some of you may know our Suffolk Creative Agency Apparition Marketing and Design were up for the best start-up business of the year along with my good friend Hayley Sparkes and Together Property also based in Bury.

Hayley and I decided to put on a united front and we went to the event together along with our partners Craig and James. In a professional way we agreed to be happy for who ever won and if it was one of the two of us it would be a win win!

Rachel and Hayley finalists for the start-up business award

Sadly we were not successful this time, however I am very proud to announce that Gorgeous Star PR set up by Hayley won the award.

Gorgeous Star PR announced as winner!

I first met Hayley she worked for SK spa in Bury St Edmunds, she really wanted to set up her own business and I said well why don't you?

So I referred Hayley to my accountant who helped her to set up the business and donated her a website. This was enough to get her up and running and the rest was down to her! She has a great way with people which is what judges commented on during the awards.

Also during the night I bumped into a few good friends of mine, my good friend Esther Ling who is an amazing wedding photographer in Suffolk, along with her husband Ed Ling (who most of you may know! I swear he is Mr Facebook!)

Rachel with Esther Ling

Rachel with Ed Ling

And lastly the end of the night ended with a catch up with my good friend (head of the IOD and Ipswich building society) Paul Winter who was shortlisted for business person of the year award.

Rachel with Paul Winter

Another highlight was meeting those Crafty boys and girls from Crafted Media, who very kindly poured me one more glass of champagne (that I probably shouldn't have had) to celebrate their success of winning best small business. Which is great for the design industry in the area! Well done guys and ps. Tom I am on to you!

Two of the Crafted Media team!

Finalist for The Anglian Business Awards

I have received the some wonderful news that my first company, Apparition Marketing and Design Ltd, has been selected to be a finalist for the best start-up business in the 2011 Anglian Business Awards.

I am delighted to share this news, as it has been a really hard working year for all of the Apparition team.

I would personally like to thank all of our clients, team and friends for their invaluable support.

The awards will be announced next week at the Trinity Park Conference Center on 7th July.

Tickets are available at a cost of £75+VAT from Archant Suffolk on 01473 324559 or from events.suffolk@archant.co.uk

I have to say I am delighted I have had a few personal struggles lately and this has been a little reminder that I am still on course with my plan. Win or lose I am proud to be in this position with a number of other fantastic business people.

Will let you know the outcome soon!

10 reasons I love being a businesswoman...

1. I love being able to help others grow their own businesses.

2. It excites me enough to get me out of bed every day!

3. I learn something new when I least expect it.

4. It has helped me to grow up.

5. It has brought to me many other opportunities including radio and TV work.

6. It has given me the chance to express my views in my own newspaper column.

7. I can help my family and friends through other  business ventures. 

8. I can act as a mentor to people who need a little extra help.

9. I have proven to myself I can do it without a degree.

10. I feel really happy about my life because it is part f it.

I have launched my second business...

A few weeks ago I decided to launch my second business 'Time2Shine.'

Time2Shine has been designed to help young people and first times businesses. Our goal is to support and encourage those who want to be able to work for themselves, providing them with the correct tools to steer them in the right direction for the future.

We aim to mentor those willing to learn, offering advice and guidance about the issues important in business, develop confidence and help every step of the way whilst offering a fundamental business package. 

I am very please with how the first few weeks have gone, there have been lots of interest and we have also teamed up with Suffolk EBP. We will be launching a workshop soon along with a competition to help local sixth formers in schools in Suffolk.

If you want to check out the new site visit www.time2shineltd.co.uk.

The Vanessa Show Reel

I have regularly appeared on Channel 5's Vanessa Show and some people have still yet to see it. So I managed to get some footage and put it into a show reel!

Enjoy!

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My business celebrates its second birthday!

So it is official my first company, Apparition Marketing and Design a Creative Agency in Norfolk and Suffolk, has now made it past two years in business.

I really can't say where the time has gone, but it has certainly been a busy two years for us.

Below we have listed just a few of the highlights...

Opening the Apparition Studio

Appartions Christmas open evening

Raising money for the Halesworth Christmas Lights

With T.Coffeey MP

Talking at the IOD inspirations event in Southend

Charity Fashion Show

Winning EEBW award

Talking at the Swan Hotel in Beccles

Promoting all over the place!

Writing a weekly business column Water off a ducks back in EADT

On a billboard!

Regular appearances on the Vanessa Show on channel 5

Working with some amazing international clients!

And some local ones!

Talking at WiRE and helping other women in business

Becoming Mark Murphys Apprentice Guru on Radio Suffolk!

Apparitions First Birthday!

Judging EEBW awards 2010

Fame comes again...

So yesterday was a very surreal day for me as I was invited back on Channel 5's "The Vanessa Show" this time not as a Sofa Surfer but as a main guest on the panel with Vanessa herself.

The topic was 'do you have to be tough as a woman in business and life'?

My answer to that was no.

I do not believe you have to be aggressive or bitchy to get to where you want d well in either. I live by the rule of treat people how you want to be treated. I think in business you can have a silent power. As Ben mentions on the show sometimes saying nothing is more powerful. Perhaps in some businesses you do have to be strong but there can be a nice way of doing this.

Along side me was editor of Real People magazine Samm Taylor. She had some great points and for her personally she felt she had to be tough as a woman in her industry.

Although this opposes my view I dont think there is a right or wrong answer - just a matter of preference and for me I can walk with my head held high knowing I have been a nice person.

Vanessa mentioned the fact I could be naive, which is a common stereotype for "nice people" however I disagree and thing this is a strength in itself as you can create lasting relationships in work and social life. After all without relationships and collaboration what are we working for?

The day was a whirlwind I have to say the most daunting part for me was having my make up done in Vanessa's make up room next to her! She was very nice and I joked 'You will be gentle with me on air!'

Vanessa's husband Ben was there, who I have been in touch with regularly and would love to say has become a friend of mine. He is very supportive and I love his songs from the Phats and Small days!

I was also lucky enough to meet some lovely celebrities.

Jenny Eclair is a famous Comedian and Star of ITV's 'Celebrity Get Me Out of Here'. In the Green room we had a bit of a chat and all helped her with her crossword (though I think I was the least helpful!) A very down to earth woman despite reputation.

After the show I also met ex UB40 star Ali Campbell, again another wonderful person. Not only does he have a voice that is kind on the ears but a kind heart, he gave me a signed copy of his new album "Great British Songs" which I highly recommend.

Adding to that list was a truly inspirational women, Katie Hopkins (from BBCs The Apprentice.) We chatted for quite some time about business, future growth and I can honestly say she is one switched on woman, someone who I hope I can aspire to one day and I wish her all the luck in the world (not that she needs it.)

Lastly the one we all know as Victor, Star of Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother. I have to say when you see him of TV you would think he might be quite intimidating, with his slick attitude and cool style, but a real sweetheart and someone who I know hope to be working with in the future.

So not often can I say I spent the afternoon with a room full of lovely celebrities and had one of the best afternoons of my life! *Starstruck!*

To view the show see here (only for 6more days):

http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-vanessa-show/episodes/episode-67-24

To view my channel 5 link see here:

http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-vanessa-show/articles/tues-12-april-rachel-ducker