BEST NEWCOMER
WINNER :
KIRSTY
HAYWARD
( ECO MADE SIMPLE )
Despite being on the frontline of efforts to combat Covid-19 , Kirsty Hayward also has an eye on an eco-friendlier future through her new business .
Microbiologist Kirsty juggles her job at Fujifilm Diosynth Technologies – one of the firms making the coronavirus vaccine – with developing her own business Eco Made Simple , an online shop and blog of eco-friendly lifestyle products .
It ’ s a market which is currently booming with products like reusable nappies and wipes , soap shampoo and wooden toothbrushes .
And for mum-of-two Kirsty , who set the business up from her home in Marske in 2020 , it ’ s an area she knows well as she also volunteers at Teesside Cloth Nappy Library , helping local families convert to using reusable nappies and wipes .
Eco Made Simple was born in late 2020 out of Kirsty ’ s desire to live a more sustainable lifestyle and to create a better world for her two young children , aged four and two .
Kirsty spotted a gap in the market . And in less than a year – and despite having a full-time job as senior production technologist at Fujifilm ’ s mammalian cell culture facility – she ’ s managed to spread the word about eco-parenting through her website and regular blogs .
But despite her drive and enthusiasm , modest Kirsty still couldn ’ t quite believe her award win .
She said : “ There were some fabulous people in the category so I ’ m really shocked . I can ’ t believe the hard work has paid off . It ’ s my passion that drives me really .”
Sponsored by Durata
Winner – Kirsty Hayward ( left ) from Eco Made Simple receives the Best Newcomer award from Alison McGee of category sponsors Durata .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
KAY TARRY
( SUGAR NOMS )
Vegan Kay Tarry struggled to source ethically-made , organic sweets and treats – so she founded Sugar Noms from her spare bedroom !
The ethical vegan sweet supplier , which Kay began in May 2020 with partner Marc , has grown so quickly that it ’ s now in its fourth premises – Redcar ’ s Palace Hub . And for Kay , who is also a trained trauma therapist , it ’ s been a sweet return to her first love , business , having started out running campsites .
To help grow Sugar Noms , she launched her own website and social media pages and received two grants from Santander Seed and another grant and enterprise package , for which she had to pitch in a Dragon ’ s Den-style scenario .
ABIGAIL ALLICK
( A & N SAFETY CONSULTANTS )
After seven years in the health and safety industry , Abigail officially launched and became a director of A & N Safety Consultants in April 2021 – and in doing so , gave the ultimate answer to the negative perceptions of women in the construction industry that she used to come across .
After graduating from Teesside University in 2014 , Abigail secured a week ’ s work experience with a local health and safety consultancy and has never looked back .
The goodwill and trust she ’ s built up has already stood her in good stead and means the company is off to a flying start , with its mission statement to always provide the highest standard of health and safety support and advice to clients .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Alison McGee , quality director at category sponsor Durata , said : “ Although our projects are spread worldwide , Durata has its roots firmly placed in Middlesbrough . Passionate about supporting everything locally , Durata sponsored the Best Newcomer Award at the Tees Businesswomen Awards during lockdown , so when the opportunity arose to sponsor them again for
2021 , obviously we jumped at the chance .
“ The calibre of nominees was exceptionally high and everyone nominated should be extremely proud . It was an honour to present the award to Kirsty Hayward of Eco Made Simple . Kirsty aims to help families live greener and cleaner , something we all should be working towards .”
34 | Tees Business