Press Release
Release Date: April 2009

A Buckinghamshire businesswoman has won a major national award in a UK-wide scheme recognising the business of mum-entrepreneurs.

Gemma Johnson of Blueberry Card Services Ltd in Great Missenden (http://www.paybyblueberry.com) was voted the ‘most outstanding Mum-Entrepreneur of 2009’ at the Women’s Business Mastermind Awards 2009, by an expert panel of judges.

Gemma said, “I am absolutely delighted to have received this important accolade, in a world where an increasing number of mums are taking the route of entrepreneurship to fit around their family.”

Gemma started her business in 2007 when she was 5 months pregnant. With the benefit of working in the prepaid industry for a major processing company, Gemma combined her industry knowledge with her experience of becoming a first time mum to create a financial tool that would help mums regain control of their finances whilst saving money. Gemma faces challenges everyday but is determined to overcome all obstacles put in her way to continue delivering a service she is passionate about.

The awards, facilitated and judged by successful mumpreneur, Carmen MacDougall of The Virtual Assistant Coaching and Training Company (http://www.vact.co.uk) and cma coaching and training (http://www.cmacoaching.com), other judges included Jane Hopkins,
Founder of Mums Club (http://www.mumsclub.co.uk) and Robyn Hatley of Mums the Business (http://www.mumsthebusiness.com).

Carmen MacDougall, who has been coaching and training mums around the UK and Europe over the last few years, to create and run their own business and coaching them in areas of confidence to communicate and present their business effectively, launched this award as part of her initiative to support mums in business around the UK.

Ms MacDougall says, “It is great to witness an increasing number of mothers who are confidently realising that they have valuable skills to offer and a great idea and so are now taking the plunge and establishing their own successful businesses which allows them to have more time around the family. With many being made redundant they are taking this opportunity to launch right it.”

Jane Hopkins, Founder of Mums Club, said: “On behalf of the judges, we were delighted to be able to award Gemma as a winner in her category, she has worked so hard beyond all challenges to establish what is a fantastic business concept. Along with the other nominations, Gemma’s submission reflected the high standard she had set herself, and had achieved, and is an excellent benchmark for Mum-Entrepreneurs everywhere."

Gemma walked away with prizes including a professionally designed winner’s logo and a business coaching programme, courtesy of Carmen MacDougall of cma coaching and training (http://www.cmacoaching.com), one year’s free membership on the Athena Connection site courtesy of The Athena Network (http://www.theathenanetwork.com), Champagne courtesy of Crispin Rhodes (an HR company for small business owners, corporate and high profile celebrities http://www.crispinrhodes.co.uk), a book titled ‘Do Your Own PR’ by PR Coach, Paula Gardner (http://www.doyourownpr.com), free advertising on Mums Club courtesy of Jane Hopkins (http://www.mumsclub.co.uk), and a leather filofax courtesy of Filofax (http://www.filofax.com).

Gemma said, “I was just so surprised to hear my name called out and it just all seemed so surreal. “I called my family and my clients to announce the wonderful news and they were all delighted for me”.

“Since winning the award I have been forging ahead even more, totally confident in my ability to create a business that is seen as a valuable family finance tool that can really make the difference to those who need to reduce their outgoings the most..”

“Future plans for the business will see the formation of a club whereby cardholders will get access to premium health information centred around mother & baby, highly discounted goods purchased directly through the site and tailored rewards for usage.” added Gemma.