💔 I launched something I was so proud of… and it kinda flopped a little bit.

And you've probably read that and are wondering why the hell I am telling everyone all about it!

But here's the thing, I have always been, and will always continue to be open and honest about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I simply don't know how to be anything other than that. It's who I am, plus, I'm an absolutely terrible liar, so pretending everything is wonderful when it's not would be a disaster.

As much as I now dislike using the word authenticity because it's been thrown around by anyone and everyone, often when they are trying to prove their authenticity by saying it enough times they believe it to be true, when in fact, they are anything but authentic, ever; I am truly authentic.

I also know that sharing this will reach other people who are struggling with something.

The people who feel they are alone. Who feel like they are failing while everyone else is doing spectacularly well. Those who don't really know where to turn for a little bit of support.

Back in April, I announced the EBN Awards, something I’d poured so much thought, care, and planning into.

It was to mark the first anniversary of me owning Effective Business Network (ebn) and to give all the wonderful members a big thank you for sticking with someone new.

It was to be a celebration of the brilliant business owners within the EBN network who show up every day and do amazing work, often without recognition, often while juggling everything else life throws at them. And we all know how challenging that can be!

• And then…

• Nothing.

• No flurry of entries.

• No rush of excitement.

And I’ll be honest, I've cried more than a little bit over the past few weeks.

I questioned myself, about anything and everything. I felt like I’d failed the very people I wanted to celebrate.

But after sitting in the mess for a bit, pondering what to do and how to do it, I put on big girl pants and reminded myself of something I have said to other people so many times.

When something doesn't go to plan or you're hit with something unexpected that knocks you off your feet, that's when bright new opportunities start peeking through the darkness.

And they're easy to miss, because your head is down and you're feeling rather shitty about everything.

But if you keep your mind open, you can come out of the whole situation with more than you could ever have imagined.

Sometimes, when something doesn’t work, it’s just because it’s meant to become something else. So something else is what I've done!

✨ The EBN Awards are no longer just for members.

✨They’re open to everyone.

✨ You can nominate someone brilliant (because we all know someone who deserves it but won’t put themselves forward).

✨ You can enter yourself (yes, you absolutely should).

✨ And there are new award categories which are more industry specific so there really is something for everyone!

✨This isn’t just a sparkly night out. It’s about visibility.

It’s about recognition and celebration, especially for the micro businesses, sole traders, and self-employed heroes who rarely get the spotlight.

📆 The new deadline for entries is 18th September

📍 The awards night is 2nd October in Chelmsford

💛 You can enter. Nominate. Sponsor. Or just come and celebrate.

If you’ve ever felt like awards were only for the people who’ve already made it, who are in the big boy, or girl league, then this is for you.

Because sometimes when the plan breaks…

it’s only clearing the way for something even better.

You can see all the award categories and sponsorship packages on the website, take a look and think about all the fantastic people in business you know who deserve to be winners; then get nominating them!

I may have taken a little tumble, but I got right back up again and I'm taking everyone along with me, are you coming?

https://effectivebusinessnetwork.co.uk/awards