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Cambridge satchel maker wins business award | |
(4 days later) | |
A woman who started a business from her kitchen table in Cambridge to help pay school fees has been named RSM Entrepreneur of the Year at the European Business Awards. | |
Julie Deane and her mother Freda Thomas started the Cambridge Satchel Company with just £600 in 2008. | Julie Deane and her mother Freda Thomas started the Cambridge Satchel Company with just £600 in 2008. |
She now employs 90 people and has shops in London and Cambridge. | She now employs 90 people and has shops in London and Cambridge. |
Mrs Deane said: "Never underestimate a determined woman," and added she hoped her success would inspire others. | Mrs Deane said: "Never underestimate a determined woman," and added she hoped her success would inspire others. |
More than 150 judges including European business leaders, academics and entrepreneurs were involved in whittling down an initial 15,000 companies before deciding on 100 finalists. | More than 150 judges including European business leaders, academics and entrepreneurs were involved in whittling down an initial 15,000 companies before deciding on 100 finalists. |
'Guerrilla marketing' | 'Guerrilla marketing' |
Members of the public were also involved in judging entrants' videos. | Members of the public were also involved in judging entrants' videos. |
Mrs Deane's company was one of 10 category winners. | Mrs Deane's company was one of 10 category winners. |
She began designing her vintage school-style satchels in her own kitchen, and said she wanted to create "something that would last and keep looking good". | She began designing her vintage school-style satchels in her own kitchen, and said she wanted to create "something that would last and keep looking good". |
"I thought I could get it under way by using the 'Harry Potter would have had one of these' line," she said. | "I thought I could get it under way by using the 'Harry Potter would have had one of these' line," she said. |
She did her own marketing, using a "guerrilla marketing" book, put posters in local shops and organised photo shoots in lifestyle magazines. | She did her own marketing, using a "guerrilla marketing" book, put posters in local shops and organised photo shoots in lifestyle magazines. |
She now sells her bags in more than 120 countries. | She now sells her bags in more than 120 countries. |
"Looking at a £600 start to where we are now, using the web... you can build a global brand," Mrs Deane said. | "Looking at a £600 start to where we are now, using the web... you can build a global brand," Mrs Deane said. |
"I remember our humble beginnings, though. I still have my kitchen table in the shop." | "I remember our humble beginnings, though. I still have my kitchen table in the shop." |
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