THREE East Lothian businesses have been recognised as among the best in Britain.
Raven Botanicals, The Cheese Lady, and Minato Sushi are finalists in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
The awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, will see each region give out 12 awards for a variety of categories, including Entrepreneur for Good Award and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year.
Raven Botanicals was set up by sisters Arabella and Charlotte Harvey.
The Gifford-based business is an award-winning skincare brand inspired by nature.
Galvanised by their mother’s encyclopedic knowledge of plants and a free-range childhood, the sisters turned their passion for plant-based potions into a small business at the height of the pandemic.
They said: “We’re thrilled with the recognition!
“Building a sustainable beauty business in a way that matches our ethical, social and environmental principles does come with its challenges and support like this is so encouraging to keep growing the business.”
Meanwhile, both Minato Sushi and The Cheese Lady are based in Haddington.
Minato Sushi, which is located in the former premises of The Cheese Lady on the town’s High Street, provides a range of freshly made sushi, including vegetarian options alongside gyoza, rice bowls and desserts.
Jen Kerr, co-founder of the business, said: “It’s been great to have our hard work recognised by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and gives us more motivation to keep improving and working towards future growth.
“It’s also great seeing other East Lothian businesses shortlisted too!”
The Cheese Lady, which is now based on nearby Court Street, is an award-winning specialist cheese shop.
Svetlana Kukharchuk is a professional cheesemonger, maturer and educator with over 15 years of experience.
She said: “Being shortlisted as a finalist is a huge honour for us.
“It is especially nice to be one of three East Lothian finalists and hopefully we can shine a light on our beautiful region, where so many exciting things are happening when it comes to entrepreneurship and artisan food and drink.”
This year’s awards will also feature a new award highlighting the organisations investing in the training and development of young people.
The John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award will recognise the businesses offering apprenticeships, vocational training, and diversity and inclusion initiatives to improve young people’s access to work.
The winners will be announced at a grand final, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London, on November 21.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
The awards’ alumni have collectively generated more than £30 billion in revenue and employed more than 450,000 people.
READ MORE: Minato Sushi and The Cheese Lady boost Haddington town centre
Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of entrepreneurship across the UK.
She said: “The quality of applications is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated this year.
“Shortlisting from so many inspiring contenders has been more challenging than ever, with many deserving cases put forward and an ever-growing business community thriving across the country.
“From the pandemic to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, business owners haven’t had it easy over the past few years, but it’s a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of these entrepreneurs that they have continued on their path and refused to give in.”
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