WINNER : BASE FITNESS
2023
Sponsored by Double Eleven
BEST NEW BUSINESS
WINNER : BASE FITNESS
The Best New Business has a female founder , more than 70 women on its books – and a rescue dog called Jake !
Within two years of opening , Norton ’ s Base Fitness , set up by Jen Hebron , is helping dozens of women transform their lives , physically and mentally .
And “ super proud ” Jen thinks her four-legged lucky mascot could have had something to do with her winning .
Jen smiled : “ I ’ m so proud we ’ ve managed to win , but it might have been thanks to Jake , my little rescue dog – he ’ s the figure I hide behind .
“ I think a blind rescue dog might have got a few sympathy votes !”
Jen , who takes Jake to the gym every day , found her love for fitness while working in recruitment .
She explained : “ I was going to the gym regularly , so I did a part-time course at Redcar College .
“ I loved it so much I just started taking on a few clients by word of mouth . That built up into a small independent gym in Normanby in 2018 , which is where I built most of my client base .
“ When lockdown hit , I ended up turning my garden into a gym . Then an old St John Ambulance building came up for sale , so I bought it . It opened in April 2020 and it has just gone from strength to strength since then .”
Base Fitness prides itself on its community feel , with social outings organised away from the gym .
But when asked the secret to its success , modest Jen said : “ There ’ s no secret to it – I ’ m absolutely winging it every day !
“ It ’ s just all about being around the best , most positive , most uplifting women . It ’ s about being around women who are all for building women up , and that builds the best environment to work in .”
Best New Business winner Jen Hebron , of Base Fitness left , with Kimberley Turner , of category sponsor Double Eleven .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
MY MARKETING BUTTON
My Marketing Button is a software as a service ( SAAS ) product developed solely by Margaret ( Mags ) Bradshaw , allowing businesses and marketers to plan , track , manage and measure their marketing plans and results .
Mags took a risk at the start , using her own savings to bring to life an idea that can simplify marketing planning and activity for thousands of small and micro business owners – but it ’ s a risk that ’ s paying off handsomely for the Darlington-based firm , which is on target to triple its initial predicted income .
Instantly recognisable and always on brand , right down to her lipstick , Mags is showing the world that a midlife woman can shine in the digital software space .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
SASS media
Launched in September 2022 by company directors Sarah Walker and Sarah Dale , SASS media provides a range of PR and media services , including journalism , public relations , communications and copywriting .
The two Sarahs , who met while working at the Evening Gazette , create press releases to promote clients , write business features for magazines , provide media relations support to regional and national organisations and offer writing services , including ghostwriting blogs and website copy .
Passionate Teessiders , they have achieved media coverage for their clients on TV , radio and websites , and in newspapers and magazines . Their warmth , strong work ethic and loyalty have earned them clients who return again and again . Highly ambitious , they want to grow further and employ more staff .
Kimberley Turner , CFO of Double Eleven , said : “ It ’ s always great to see entrepreneurs set up business in Tees Valley and thrive . Base Fitness stood out for me because it ’ s more than just a business . Jen Hebron is committed to fostering a supportive environment where women empower each other . And it ’ s lovely to see she has built a community of clients who like to also hang out outside of their workout sessions .”