THREE Dorset business women came away with trophies in the finals of the National Venus Awards.
The national titles were competed for by 124 winners of regional Venus contests.
They represented the cream of 13,225 nominations and applications around the country.
Simone Thomas, who drew on her own experience of the trauma of hair loss when setting up her own business, won the national ward for marketing and PR.
Simone, who was a TV, film and magazine model in her early 20s, lost her hair twice before establishing MWAH and Hair Loss Bournemouth in Westbourne.
She put her empathy to use by setting up a business which creates hair pieces and wigs free of paraben chemicals, glue and adhesive.
She relocated to a new ‘super salon’ in Poole Road in December and has won a string of awards, including Best Wedding Hair at the 2014 Wedding Supplier Awards.
She is director of three brands: Simone Thomas Salon, Hair Loss Bournemouth and Wigs by Simone.
She said: “I am absolutely over the moon.
“To me, PR and marketing are essential in building your business, especially within my industry where profile is everything.”
Pippa Latimer-Harris won the Small Business Category, which was sponsored in Dorset by Dutton Gregory Solicitors, for her business Latimer House in Christchurch.
The business is a Downton Abbey-style department store over three floors, selling unusual, unique, painted furniture, pianos, rocking horses, driftwood mirrors, fabrics and the work of local artisans. It also offers one-day workshops in skills such as painted furniture and sewing, as well as vintage birthday and hen parties.
Pippa had the idea two years ago when Pippa was an unemployed single mum.
Anna-lee Kewley won the New Media Category, sponsored locally by Rocket Digital Media, for her online business Baby Moos, whose story was told in the Daily Echo’s Tuesday business section The Briefing last year.
She had recently had her first baby when she started the business in 2010, with £230 raised from selling possessions on eBay.
The business has since attracted attention from top brands as well as celebrities such as Kirstie Allsopp and the late Peaches Geldof.
The Venus Awards started in Bournemouth six years ago as the Langtry Manor Women in Business Awards. More regions are set to be added and the organisers are looking for a national title sponsor.
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