Wigan based entrepreneur snaps up UK’s most prestigious business recognition
Well what a night on Tuesday!! After months of nervously waiting it was finally time for prestigious National Business Awards in partnership with Orange. Leaving the bright lights of the North, the Better Bathrooms team began their journey down to London, in the hopes of returning with a shiny new award.
Sitting in the Great Hall itself was a fabulous occasion, never mind being surrounded by a host of Britain’s best business talent. The event opened with a video address from Mr Prime Minister himself, yet it was a long, nail-biting wait until Colin’s Award.
Short-listed for Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 saw Colin up against a host of top business leaders including the likes of Caroline Redman Lusher of Rock Choir and Malcolm Bell of Zaggora. After witnessing a wealth of successful talent collect their prestigious accolades, we couldn’t have felt any more nervous when it came to Colin’s category. Simply reading out his name during the nominations list was enough to set the Better Bathrooms team off with cheers and whoops and then it came to revealing the winner….? And 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year Award goes too….COLIN STEVENS OF BETTER BATHROOMS!
The table erupted, our Founder and MD was being crowned the UK’s number one Entrepreneur. It was truly a momentous occasion, who would have thought, a 21 year old Wigan lad simply trying to fund his budding golfing career would 11 years later will be walking on stage to collect the UK’s top business accolade.
Colin, give us a wave!
We caught up with a shell shocked Colin after being whisked away for numerous interviews and photo’s, where he explained: “I’m stunned to have won; I never imagined that in just 11 years Better Bathrooms would be a multi-channel, nationwide retail business achieving such phenomenal success. To be surrounded by the UK’s top leaders and talent at the National Business Awards was an achievement in itself, yet winning Entrepreneur of the Year really is like a fairy tale. With receiving this award I hope to inspire budding entrepreneurs across the UK, after all, I started out with little opportunity, simply selling taps from my bedroom in Wigan. Anyone can create a hugely successful business, entrepreneurialism isn’t something you’re necessarily born with, it’s all about learning and being truly dedicated to what you believe in”
So where now for Better Bathrooms? “The journey doesn’t stop here, in my eyes it’s still early days and with such extensive expansions plans on the cards it really is going to be another exciting decade.” And that it is!
Colin’s journey with Better Bathrooms truly is one of admiration and determination, which has seen him take a small business idea and transform this into a nationwide business. He’s held onto the same vision from day one, to offer customers the very best value in a competitive industry, which sees Better Bathrooms’ entire business model built to achieving this key goal. By continuing to reinvest profits year on year, has helped Better Bathrooms grow at a staggering rate; from a tiny eBay shop, we now boasts a hugely innovative online store via www.betterbathrooms.com, three showrooms in Manchester, Warrington and Wigan, two trade counters in Leigh and Glazebury, alongside two warehouses and two offices.
Colin Stevens has created a solid brand, with global potential. Giving jobs to over 156 individuals from around the region, a number that’s every growing, his story is one that every budding business start up wants to mirror. It really is all about motivation, dedication and hard work, which are three main traits all the BB employees possess, after all, we believe in the business and Colin.
The National Business Awards judges said: “Fizzing with ideas, counter-intuitive and disruptive, Colin proves that entrepreneurship is something you’re born with. Having started with nothing, Colin has achieved success through resourcefulness and brains – and stands out as a role model for entrepreneurs.”
Colin Stevens, Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. Not bad for a young chap from Wigan 
We want this one!
About the National Business Awards
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange is the UK’s most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business. Now in its eleventh year, the National Business Awards connects the nations’ professionals through its annual awards ceremony; year-round thought leadership and round table events; and is UBM plc’s flagship awards programme. Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for further information or follow them on Twitter @businessawards.