Cork Based entrepreneur shortlisted for National Awards
A Passionate fight for Fashion
A Cork based entrepreneur, has been shortlisted
for Business Newcomer of the Year in Pitman Training’s SuperAchievers Awards
2015. Josephine, who decided to fulfill her dream of starting her own fashion
business, and embark on specialist training in order to reach her goals and
fulfill her career ambitions, has been confirmed as a finalist in the National
Awards. She will now face a high profile judging panel before the winners are announced
on Friday 27th February 2015.
Identified, alongside just one other
nominee in the Business Newcomer of the Year category, Josephine was chosen for
her incredible perseverance and determination to succeed in fulfilling her
career ambitions and dreams. Full details of the shortlisted entrants for each
of the five award categories can be found at: www.pitmansuperachievers.com
.
Josephine had always been involved in
fashion, and decided she wanted to set up a new business with would encompass
her love and passion for the industry. Realising her skills were quite limited,
she decided the only way she would stand any chance in setting up her own
business was to upskill in a number of areas. Taking the initiative, Josephine
decided to update and learn new skills with her Local Pitman Training centre In
Cork. Studying the Business IT Diploma with Marketing and PR and also a Diploma
in Event Management, Josephine received a distinction in both courses, and went
on to also gain an Honours in a Diploma in style Coaching with the Style
Coaching institute in London.
Utilising her newfound skills and
knowledge, Josephine set up her business as a style coach and retail
consultant, launching her business, Style Coach Cork, in Autumn 2014, with a
studio on Cook Street in Cork.
Josephine said: “It had been several years since I studied full time and I found it
difficult in the beginning to concentrate, but I found that by increasing my
study time gradually, I quickly got used to it and in time it became easier. I
found some of the modules very difficult but I was determined to stick with it
as I knew it would all be worth it as I was very much focussed on opening my
business at the end of it all. I also faced a challenge as my dad was very ill
in hospital for several months in the early part of the year and as I was in
the hospital every day it was very difficult to stay focused. When he passed
away I had to motivate myself again to go back to study and finish the
Diploma.”
With their credentials ranging from being a
former BBC Dragon providing support and investment for budding entrepreneurs;
encouraging and inspiring academic success; and being recognised as one of the
Top 20 Young people in the world, the high profile panel of SuperAchievers
judges have
first-hand experience of how motivation and resolution is required to reap the
rewards of successful careers.
SuperAchievers judge and former Dragon,
Hilary Devey said: “As a strong believer
in goals being achievable by anyone, regardless of their background, I am proud
to be on the judging panel for the Pitman Training SuperAchievers Awards 2015.
Super Achieving is about working hard, remaining focused and never giving up. Perseverance
and harbouring an entrepreneurial spirit to get you through the testing times
is key, and believing whole heartedly in yourself and your abilities to push yourself
forward.”
“Having
overcome many obstacles both in my professional and personal life, I feel
extremely passionate about how important acknowledging your achievements is and
reflecting back on how far you have come, and by what means! These awards not
only celebrate the sheer determination of people in society who are working
tirelessly to reach their goals, support their families and grow the economy, but
encourage and inspire others to strive for more, and actually think about what
they can achieve in their lives – it’s a powerful cycle, and one which I am
very proud to be part of.”
Ireland and the UK’s leading independent
training provider Pitman Training, launched the SuperAchievers Awards, now in
its 4th year, to show anything is possible and to help reward people
committed to driving their careers forward in a bid to inspire workforces to
strive for more. Tomás Finnernan, Centre Manager of the local based Pitman
Training Cork centre who nominated Josephine for the award said: “It was clear from the initial meeting with
Josephine that she was determined, business savvy and dedicated. She had a
clear goal in mind to open her own image consultancy business and nothing would
get in her way to stop her achieving that goal. Despite some personal setbacks
she stuck to the task and graduated with 2 distinction Diplomas in Event
Management as well as Business IT with Marketing and PR. She has now realised
her goal and owns an award winning image consultancy business in Cork
(www.stylecoachcork.ie), she is a Southern Brides Gold Supplier and the
business is growing from strength to strength. We wish her the very best and
continued success for the future.”
Pitman
Training in Cork offers flexible, tailor-made courses and qualifications with
one-on-one student support in subjects including Office, IT, Administration,
Finance and Business, which are recognised by employers. The teams also offer
free career clinics and CVs advice. For more information visit: www.pitman-training.ie
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ENDS -
Pitman Training:
Pitman Training is Ireland
and the UK’s most established, franchised training provider, helping the nation
transform careers and change lives through self-paced vocational training.
Leading the way for growth in development and efficiency within the workplace
since Sir Isaac Pitman's invention of shorthand in 1837. The business has
continued to evolve, incorporating modern technologies and advances in order to
arm students with the skills they need to get the jobs that they want.
Specialists in Office, IT,
Administration, Finance and Business skills training, with over 100 franchise
partners in the UK, Republic of Ireland and international territories.
Pitman Training Group, trains over
25,000 individuals each year, achieving unparalleled completion rate of 98%
with an impressive 80% positive job outcome within 6 months of training.
Hilary Devey:
Businesswoman, television
personality and entrepreneur as seen on Dragon’s Den and the Intern.
Entrepreneur and television presenter Hilary Devey CBE is the
multi-award-winning Chairman and CEO of Pall-Ex Group. An advocate of hard
work, self-improvement, and the pursuit of ambition, Hilary is known for her
support of community initiatives and her appearances on television in
programmes including Dragons’ Den and The Secret Millionaire. Hilary has
frequently been recognised for her tireless and on-going contribution to the
transport industry and to charity, and was awarded a CBE in 2013. Vice-President
of Carers Trust and a Patron of the Stroke Association, Hilary and her
international Pall-Ex network have raised and donated many hundreds of
thousands of pounds to a wide range of good causes.
“I’m delighted to be able to lend my support to Pitman
Training’s SuperAchiever awards. As a single mother, I overcame countless
obstacles to realise my goal of building a multi-million pound, international
company. I’m inspired and encouraged by the commendable vision, motivation,
dedication and achievement of these talented and ambitious students, whose
passion and drive are absolutely outstanding.”
Jonny Mitchel:
Headteacher of Thornhill
Community Academy, as seen on the BAFTA award winning documentary Educating
Yorkshire.
“I am delighted to have been asked to be a judge, as it will give me
an opportunity not only to see some of the outstanding contributions made by so
many professionals but also to play a small role in ensuring their hard work is
acknowledged and rewarded. Although few people ever get into their lines
of work for the accolades and recognition, I know from personal experience that
such vindication of how we operate is always a welcome boon which ensures
continued determination and passion to do the best that we can do and to be the
best that we can be.”
Lucy Brazier:
CEO
Marcham Publishing. International Speaker and Conference Chairperson.
“As Global Brand Ambassador for the International Year of the
Secretary & Assistant, as well as Publisher of Executive Secretary
Magazine, I spend most of my life on the road explaining to Assistants all over
the world how to find their voices within their corporate business environments
& how to push themselves forwards for the recognition they deserve. I am
delighted to have been asked to be on Pitman's judging panel for these awards.
It encapsulates everything I keep pushing home at the conferences I speak at.
Assistants are a core part of the strategic business team within their
businesses and it is time the business world caught up with this reality.”
Dalya
Bernstein:
EA to CEO and winner of
SuperAchievers PA of the Year 2014
“I entered the Pitman Training
SuperAchiever’s PA of the Year Award because I felt I had achieved so much as a
PA throughout my career. When I found out I was shortlisted I was ecstatic, I
couldn’t believe it, and I also knew the two shortlisted people as well and
they were such fantastic PA’s, I was really glad to be alongside them. When I
actually won I was elated and I couldn’t believe it considering who I was up
against as well, so I was absolutely delighted to have won it and also very
shocked as well. My family and friends have been really supportive, along with
my work colleagues and of course my CEO as well. I did get quite a lot of press
coverage – I had national coverage with eh Jewish Chronicle Paper and also
local coverage with the Jewish Telegraph as well so they have all been very
supportive. “
“If you’re thinking about entering the
awards next year, I would definitely say go for it. You’ve got absolutely
nothing to lose; you don’t have to tell anybody you’re entering, just enter and
see what happens.”
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