Two of Suffolk’s finest female entrepreneurs are today celebrating after striking gold at last night’s 2010 Anglian Business Awards.

Karen Finch, Managing Director of The Hearing Care Centre, and Amy Melhuish, Owner of The Moorish Lounge both won awards in their respective categories, and shows that women power in business, is stronger than ever.

At the glitzy ceremony, held at Trinity Park in Ipswich, The Hearing Care Centre won the award for ‘Outstanding Customer Service’, whilst The Moorish Lounge walked away with ‘Start Up Business of the Year’ award. Amy’s business was also highly commended by the ‘Business of the Year’ judges.

This was the 14th time the Anglian Business Awards has been held, with 41 East Anglian businesses fighting it out in 14 different categories.

Karen has been running The Hearing Care Centre since 1998, providing independent, holistic and ethical services to the hard of hearing in Suffolk.  As well as its premises in Ipswich High Street it operates from 12 further centres across the County.

In contrast Amy is just starting out on the road to becoming a very successful entrepreneur, with her new venture being open for just over 6 months. The Moorish Lounge is an inspiring, informal artisan café, based in Woodbridge. They serve Mezze & brunch menus as well as coffee and cakes (including gluten free), with influences from across the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Karen was so delighted to have been recoginised for their customer service, “I am still shocked that we have won an award after being up against some very tough opposition”, said Karen.

“I would like to dedicate the award to my whole team, because without them we wouldn’t be currently creating the excellent standards of customer service for our patients”.

She went on to add, “It’s great to see women in business doing so well, especially Amy. I know what it was like when I first started out on my own – it’s very tough!”

Amy is still totally overwhelmed after last night’s ceremony. “I would like to thank everyone for their continued support and encouragement – our fantastic Moorish Mob, our lovely regulars, all the other local business owners for their advice,” said Amy.

“I would urge anyone with a dream to go for it! Do your research, make it an educated-a-risk as you can: take full advantage of the wealth of information on offer from local organisations such as Business Link…and be prepared for some sleepless nights & long hours!”

The Hearing Care Centre had also been chosen as a finalist in for the Training and Skills Development Award, for their dedication to treating staff training and development as a priority within the business.

Check out this EADT article.

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