NEWS
Shock – Chris says he never expected to be nominated for such an award , let alone to win it .
DRIVEN TO SUCCESS
Best New Entrepreneur creates thriving vaping business
Former sales executive Chris Kelly has taken the fast lane to success since launching his own business .
Hartlepool-born Chris started vape product supplier Phoenix 2 Retail just before the pandemic , but in under two years has been able to turn it into a £ 100m-plus company .
His stunning start was recognised when he scooped the Best New Entrepreneur Award at the Best New Tees Business Awards , which were held in the Pavilion , at Kirkleatham Walled Garden , in November .
“ I was shocked when I received the email from Vicky Thomas at Resolution Publishing informing me I ’ d been nominated in the Best New Tees Business Awards ,” says CEO Chris , who started his career in the finance and insurance industry with Drive Vauxhall in 2006 .
“ Never did I expect to be in the position to even be nominated for an awards celebration like that , let alone to win one .
Celebration – the Phoenix 2 Retail team , who Chris credits with the business ’ s success .
106 | Tees Business
“ I still think of myself as a young lad from Hartlepool , and I feel so grateful that I ’ ve managed to grow and run a successful business in a town where entrepreneurs don ’ t always prosper .
“ But the business and I are nothing without the team behind us , and I would like to say a massive thank you to the whole team and my management , who make this machine move and live in the chaos I sometimes bring !
“ I would also like to thank the organisers of the awards . It was an amazing event , and we had the best time celebrating the success across Teesside .”
Phoenix was founded in 2020 , initially with the aim of bringing new vape products from Asia and overseas to the UK .
The firm hit top gear in October 2021 when it started to supply Booker Wholesale with Geek and Elf Bar , the two fastest-moving disposable vape brands at the time .
That breakthrough instantly boosted turnover from £ 5m to £ 150m in its most recent figures .
Phoenix specialises in total category solutions , bringing brands to independent retailers and making it easier for them to invest in the category without the risk of having slowmoving and non-selling lines . More recently , Phoenix took the same category
Winner – Chris Kelly ( left ) with his Best New Entrepreneur Award , presented by Andy Fay , MD of category sponsor Enterprise Made Simple .
solution model into the grocery sector and has seen unprecedented sales across the nationwide Morrisons supermarket chain .
“ We ’ re now building on our success in independent retail and grocery , where we started ,” said Chris , who has unrivalled knowledge of the vaping sector , its consumers and the retail industry in general .
“ We ’ re working with Morrisons Wholesale to deliver a unitary and category-led solution to McColl ’ s and Morrisons Daily stores .
“ At the same time , we ’ re continuing our work within independent convenience stores , helping retailers grow their vape category and unlocking its potential .”
And Chris says having their achievements recognised at the Best New Tees Business Awards has given the whole Phoenix team a huge lift .
“ We would like to thank everyone behind the organisation of the event ,” he says . “ Our team had a brilliant time .
“ Hopefully , we ’ ll continue to grow as a successful business and will be able to return next year for a different award .”
Visit phoenix2retail . co . uk or call 03333 050981 for more information .