usinesses awards give rural women entrepreneurs a boost

14 February 2011

With the 18 March entry deadline looming, women running small rural businesses are being encouraged to enter the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2011.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for rural women entrepreneurs to boost their business profile, with extensive media interest in the award," says RWNZ National President, Liz Evans.

An exciting feature of past awards has been the sheer variety of entries. Past winners have included a farm animal homeopathic business, a three day farm walk, a forestry trucking company and a paddock to catwalk designer wool business.

Last year's South Island winner, Tracey Robinson of children's merino sock company Cosy Toes Ltd, says "Winning the South Island prize in the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award has had a positive spin off, especially increasing my local sales. I'm definitely busier because of it."

This year's Award is being sponsored by Telecom and Access Homehealth Limited, with prizes of $1,000 for each of the North and South Island winners, and a further $1,000 for the Supreme winner. The Award will be presented at the Rural Women New Zealand national conference in Auckland in May.

The RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2011 is open to small businesses with 10 staff or less, which have been operating for at least two years. Women must be an active partner of fifty percent or more if in business with a male partner. Past entrants are welcome to re-enter.

Entry forms and further information can be found on the Rural Women New Zealand website www.ruralwomen.org.nz.

ENDS

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