Since my last blog post here (previous post is HERE) the whole effort to find the first successful winner of the Young Woman of Business award has moved on at a remarkable pace.
Possibly the most exciting thing is the passion of the nominees. There are childminders who want to move into premises rather than operate from home; photographers who want to create studios and employ others; interesting startup ideas and (yes) a few dreamers who think that getting the nomination in, is sufficient to create a future of wealth.
What is seemingly common amongst them all is the passion to make it happen. Passion is a much underestimated trait in business, and often is mistaken for being a bit brash or a bit over bearing, but I am a firm believer that if you are not boring everyone around you with the details of your business then you are almost certainly not passionate enough about it to be successful.
Sure, this can change later, but in those early days...
I am due to be speaking with some of the shortlist very soon, so I am really hoping that the passion they managed to express in a 1000 words or less, is still there when they are talking about themselves to me. It will be quite a let down if they just wrote good copy!
The most inspiring thing about the nominations that I have seen so far is the age range. Whilst this is the 'Young Woman of Business' award, the age range does extend to 35, and there are applicants across the whole age range from 18-35. The variation in experience, current circumstances, education etc is wide, but the universal desire to make a difference to their own life, regardless of the economy is wonderful.
When I have read some of the nominations, I've quietly been jealous of some of the excitement that is obvious in some of the candidates- it reminds me that (maybe!) I am going to be learning as much as I am going to be helping.
Local Press (Daily Post) have become very interested in YWofB and have arranged to speak with me next week, with a view to carrying an article - and with the first award to be given in early September, I am guessing it will be a busy few weeks ahead!