WINNER :
BEST NEW BUSINESS
WINNER :
THROUGHFILM
Making films to encourage positive change earned a creative duo the Moonrise-sponsored Best New Business prize at the Tees Businesswomen Awards 2024 .
ThroughFilm co-founders Sian Davison and Judy Kulpa worked together for several years before deciding to set up their own film production company .
But it ’ s a company with a difference , with a desire to create films that make positive changes to people ’ s lives at its heart .
Sian explained : “ We ’ re a video production community interest company that aims to make film and high-quality storytelling affordable and accessible for the voluntary community sector .
“ We do that by working with corporates and public sector commissions to help us subsidise our rates for charities – so our whole ecosystem is based around helping charities to be able to tell their stories and us to see them thrive . “ It ’ s amazing and very rewarding .” After picking up the trophy from category sponsor Jessica Gwaringa of Moonrise 24hr Recruitment ( later crowned Business of the Year ), Sian admitted she was “ over the moon – really excited and shocked ” for ThroughFilm to be named the Best New Business winner .
She said : “ We ’ re delighted because we ’ ve worked so hard over the last two years .
“ I think our business has got its heart in the community and it ’ s a real achievement for us for that to shine through in the businesswomen awards .
“ We just plan to keep on doing more of what we ’ re doing . We ’ ve done 75 subsidised days for charities so far , which is amazing in the time we ’ ve been up and running .”
And for the time being at least , Sian and Judy plan to continue as a business duo .
Sian said : “ We ’ re both really happy with where we ’ re going with it . Maybe in the future we might bring someone in but at the moment , we ’ re doing really well with the two of us .
“ We ’ d worked with each other in the past doing film production for years , so we decided to come together and do this – and things like this show it has paid off .”
Sponsored by Moonrise 24hr Recruitment
Winner – ThroughFilm co-founder Sian Davison receives the Best New Business award from Moonrise 24hr Recruitment MD Jessica Gwaringa .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
SASS Media
SASS Media has achieved significant commercial success since its launch in September 2022 , with its directors , Sarah Walker and Sarah Dale , also laying the groundwork for future growth by attending several courses and embracing the successful female networking scene on Teesside .
Their first client , Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust , recently renewed after achieving 194 pieces of online coverage in 18 months , as well as several radio and TV appearances . SASS has worked with 34 clients since September 2022 .
Both Sarahs have a passion for promoting other organisations across the Tees Valley and beyond – and the need for women in the region to continue supporting other young women and girls .
Spear-heads
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
With an impressive track record in sales , Cheryl Spears set up Stocktonbased sales support firm Spear-heads in September 2023 and , in less than a year , has achieved a great deal of success , despite having to take time out from November when one of her twin baby daughter ’ s pacemaker failed .
With her daughter ’ s health thankfully in a more stable state , Cheryl relaunched the business in March and it has gone from strength to strength , with six freelancers and more staff likely to be taken on .
Cheryl now looks forward to developing Spear-heads to provide no-nonsense , straight-talking sales and LinkedIn training - and already has a great deal of demand to share her expertise .
Jessica Gwaringa , Moonrise 24hr Recruitment I ’ m inspired when businesses are starting out . Ten years ago we were in the same situation , so it ’ s good to give that chance for new businesses to be elevated in a different way . Being recognised can take you to a different level – you feel you are doing a great job and all the nominees on the list have done just that . They ’ re all amazing and to be on that list means a lot .
150 | Tees Business