BEST NEW CREATIVE BUSINESS
AWARDS 2022
SPONSORED BY TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
FINALIST
Juiced
Recognition – Sophia Gowland , founder of the Petite Agency , is presented with the Best New Creative Business award by Professor Craig Gaskell , pro vice-chancellor at category sponsors Teesside University .
WINNER
Petite Agency
Begun during lockdown , in just two years the Petite Agency has risen from one ambitious director to a team of three skilled women who have 25 retained clients and offer leading social media and personal brand services .
Founder Sophia Garland recalled how she had taken the plunge into starting her own business , saying : “ I was a marketing manager for a really big construction company and I just thought , ‘ Do you know what , I want to do this myself ’.
“ I was 29 , just turning 30 and I ’ d always wanted to have a business and I thought , ‘ You have to have the courage – the world ’ s upside down , turn your career upside down as well ’, and it ’ s the best decision I ’ ve ever made .”
Based in Teesside University ’ s Victoria Building , in Middlesbrough , and with a doubled turnover , new clients onboard and ambitions quickly being realised , the agency is facing 2023 head on . And they ’ ll do that having completed an awards double after also scooping the Standout Achievement gong . The award was an accolade for an idea Sophia had to help worried small business owners during lockdown by creating an online family of support .
Using her social media skills and network of contacts , she brought together business leaders using LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook videos , meaning they could access help and support , and gain insight into how to diversify and survive .
Sophie recalled : “ I didn ’ t think I was going to start a business – it was just meant to be a campaign of mine and do some videos and it ’ s turned into this , which is crazy .”
SPONSOR MESSAGE
Steven Dougan , head of enterprise at Teesside University , said : “ We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the category for Best New Creative Businesses . As the university ’ s head of enterprise , I couldn ’ t be prouder to see the best of the region ’ s creative startups being celebrated through these important awards . Both the category winners , Petite Agency , and finalists , Juiced , have received Teesside University support , while Styled Interior Design was equally deserving of a place in the final three . I hope this proves to be a launchpad to further success .”
Specialising in brand development , illustration and merchandising , Juiced works with a wide variety of companies – from start-ups right at the beginning of their journeys to organisations looking to take their brand to the next level .
Founded by Rob Bedford in October 2019 after a long-standing freelance career creating design for the music industry , Juiced believes there ’ s no client it can ’ t collaborate with – from small scale start-ups to multi-million viewed brands .
Based in Middlesbrough but working worldwide , Juiced always want to forge a relationship with its collaborators and clients , bringing visions to life around the world .
FINALIST
Styled Interior Design
Styled Interior Design provides end-to-end interior design services for various sectors , including accommodation , residential , commercial and hospitality .
The team – which has grown from two to four in just over a year – works alongside sister companies within the SDDE Smith Group on a range of projects , most recently including a collaboration with Middlesbrough FC on one of its main hospitality suites and a block of luxury apartments in Scarborough .
As well as commercial successes such as new contracts , the firm – based in Skelton – has also invested a lot of time in developing the skills of its team and refining its offering .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 127