I've only gone and become a finalist!
I've only gone and become a finalist!
So I was minding my own business [literally] on a standard Tuesday afternoon, when suddenly an email came in … not just any of the usual 20 emails that come in daily, but an award nomination one. At first I thought “Ah here we go, what spam delight have we got today then” deep down feeling gutted the Nigerian prince hasn’t contacted in many years to give away his millions of money.
But. After reading through, I realised this was rather genuine and started feeling very humble and rather euphoric! I couldn’t believe I had been nominated, I didn’t really care if I’d win because that’s a massive massive long shot and thought “I’ve just been bloody nominated for an award. This is insane”. So imagine my further disbelief when I got another email saying “Congratulations TCQC, you’re a finalist!” … sorry, what?
Hard work pays off?
Like I said already, I couldn’t believe I had been nominated for an award, let alone reach the finalists section of it. It’s every business’ dream to be, let alone actually eventually win it. Imagine. I was told by many of my lovely clients that I deserve it, but it’s always difficult to give yourself praise or sit back and think “I’m doing brilliant at my job” … all I think is “that client’s happy, good.” “This other client loves their new website now it’s live, excellent.” and so forth.
I do the job I do because it’s a massive passion of mine, and I know I do it right, I love designing and being creative, being organised, working with top companies and organisations and of course I have an immense drive to build my business to be the or one of the best around. Also, I come from a community appreciative family who have always given back to our town Watton and local villages/communities. If you’ve read my past blog posts, you’ll read there’s a theme of a hero of mine: my late grandad Philip Quantrill, a huge inspiration to me who I looked up to all of my life. His aura of being an amazing people person, family man with a switch to change to an incredible business mind – I truly admired and aspired to replicate to be him (my logo colours alone are inspired by the ol’ Griston based Quantrill Industries logo).
Community wise, I love to give back. And I’ve built various websites for communities and schools and some of those set ups are not money driven and usually get quoted normal, expensive build fee amounts, whereas yours truly would offer an attractive discount, just so I can feel warmth in knowing they’re happy to have a professional website built and run efficiently (they love the fact it’s by a local designer too). It pays to be human. My dream for the last nearly 4 years as a business (and 14+ years of experience and web design – it’s currently December 2024 for this post essay by the way folks) is to turn my business from part-time to full-time (fingers crossed early 2025).
Despite working mostly up until 3am most nights (that’s an early night) to meet deadlines and make sure any updates promised to clients are fulfilled, I wouldn’t do it if I weren’t passionate and determined and have a love for it. Therefore, in my mind it’s just me being me and going along minding my own business (again, literally), thinking I’m not doing anything massively special to be an award nominee, and now a finalist … or am I?
Not just one, but two categories *carries on pinching*
*The arrows weren’t really needed were they*
Clearly I’m doing something right, as to receive an email with a ‘Congratulations TCQC, you’re a finalist!’ subject, surely I AM doing right in my industry and for my business and most importantly my clients. When I read carefully through the email details I found I’ve been narrowed down as a finalist in two categories for The East Of England Small Business Awards 2024:
Professional Services Small Business Finalists
Business Hero Finalists
Further reading through, it details that they received an overwhelming amount of entries this year (over 400+) which really hit home as I was narrowed down to the final 9 in both categories (out of 400+… I mean, that’s ridiculous). So next I have to optionally [definitely doing it] send in a video of myself explaining my business and so they can see the man behind the designs [this is my about page just so you know] ready to send to the judging panel early next year. Gulp. More importantly the public vote (I sound like Davina McCall now) will be from the 15th January to 15th February 2025, so I’ll be sure to let all of my wonderful clients and fans know to vote for yours truly then when the time comes.
Win, win
I genuinely mean it when I say I’m at peak happiness currently just to be considered a finalist above hundreds of other brilliant small businesses, so I honestly don’t mind not winning, it’d be an immense bonus and honour however this feeling alone can’t be matched … the award ceremony will be a top treat for myself and my Kayles to attend regardless and it will hit home at some point soon that I’m a finalist I’m sure, or it never will, just shows how humble I feel.
Anyone remember that Friends episode with Joey being nominated for an award? I’m practising my gracious defeat clap like his (not including the swearing and overreaction part); otherwise if I win, there will be a genuine Michael Scott surprise face incoming.
