Bos, as part of the Newspaper Society, launched a Local Business Acclerator Scheme, aimed at offering companies the chance to win free advertising and mentoring.
LAWRENCE JOHN caught up with our successful entrant.
What started out as a ‘one man band’ has scooped a prestigious business award in the county.
JDC Gardens Ltd, which has offices in Upper Dean, Beds and in Kettering, was selected by the five judges as the winner of a Local Business Accelerator scheme.
Bedfordshire on Sunday, as a member of the Newspaper Society, is part of the LBA, which is concluding across the country.
The project saw up-and- coming companies get the chance to be offered mentoring by industry experts as well as free or competitive advertising in BoS.
It was open to all firms which have been trading for between one and three years.
Winner James Checkley had been operating as JDC Garden from 2002 – 2010 before establishing the new company as a result of its expansion plans.
James, 37, said: "I completed my very first landscaping project ten years ago, after my father recommended me to one of his customers. The client already had a design and needed someone to build the garden. I remember building a large railway sleeper wall single handedly - looking back I don't know how I managed it! The project went well, the customer was pleased and I met a garden designer for the first time. I still build gardens for that designer to this day and we have a lovely project booked in for spring - so I guess I must have done something right.'
"Two years ago I took the decision to expand the business - it's taken a lot of hard work - but we have now moved to a large commercial premises in Kettering that is well suited to the businesses future needs. We have a fantastic design department and are producing some great designs for clients. With a busy start to 2012 we are about to take on two new members of staff and plan to employ another two to four people by the end of the year.
"Last year we were asked to build a garden at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show by a garden designer who was very pleased with several gardens we had built for his clients. The garden was sponsored by UK drinks company 'Fever Tree' who produce a range of natural premium 'mixers' including tonic waters and ginger ale. The 'Artisan' garden was named 'Fever-Tree's' Tree House Garden and it was awarded a Silver Medal - which we were very pleased with as it was our first time building a show garden and the competition was tough.
James added: 'Building a show garden is a unique experience and you are under pressure to produce something great. We thoroughly enjoyed though and hope to build many more in the future!
Speaking about entering the LBA competition, he said this was something he wanted to do as he has big plans for the business and how he wants it to grow.
He added: "We filled in the application form before Christmas, sent them off and then forgot all about the competition. After receiving a phone call out of the blue, to say we had reached the final 6, I was delighted.
"I attended an interview last week with the five judges and the following week received the good news that we had won! I'm absolutely delighted, it's one of the best things I have ever won!
"Winning the local advertising campaign is a fantastic prize as we are launching new landscaping services this year. In addition to providing garden design and landscaping to private clients, we now provide landscape design and landscaping services to commercial clients and after years of being asked to come back and look after gardens after we have built them - we will be offering maintenance packages to both our private and commercial clients.
The judges said: “The entries were of a very high class quality and it was hugely difficult to separate the finalists.
“It was marvellous to see so many businesses with such grand plans and ambitions - moreso in the midst of the economic crisis.
“It was a tough call but James Checkley provided an outstanding scheme for progress and we wish him and the others the best with their ventures.”
Winner:
James Checkley. JDC Gardens Ltd. Offices in Upper Dean, Bedfordshire, and Kettering. Telephone 01536 510883 or 07887 847756. Email info@jdcgardens.co.uk Website www.jdcgardens.co.uk
Finalists:
David Rosnovanu.
Blaze Fire and Security in Bedford. Telephone 0844 335 0842. Email info@blazefireandsecurity .co.uk. Website www.blazefire-security.co.uk
Heather Webb. Nude Ewe. Wool business based in Cranfield. Email nudeewe@yahoo.com and also at info@nudeewe.
co.uk. Website www.nude-ewe.co.uk
Roseanne Aitken.
Medira. Medical specialist medical supplier.
Telephone 0800 292 2014. Email info@medira.co.uk and raitken@medira.co.uk.
website www.medira.co.uk
Nicky Dawson. Design Hog Ltd greetings cards.
Telephone 01234 364188 or 07786 433277. Email sales@designhog.co.uk.
Website www.designhog.co.uk
Ashley Yeates. Toy importer/distributor.
Telephone 01234 346638.
Email ash@asholay.com.
Website www.asholay.com
Panel of Judges
Nick Kier, a partner in Lane & Holmes
Neil Atherton, FD of Autoglass, Bedford
Atul Kariya, Principal with Macintyre Hudson, Bedford
Chris Gill, Editor of Bedfordshire on Sunday.
Jonathan Cropley, publishing director of Bedfordshire on Sunday
PM backs initiative
David cameron has highlighted the role of the local newspaper industry in supporting British business as regional and local newspapers announce the winners of Local Business Accelerators.
The Prime Minister (pictured) extended his congratulations to the winning businesses who will receive a substantial allocation of free advertising in their local newspaper and mentoring from local business leaders.
He said: “Congratulations to all the winners of the Local Business Accelerators scheme. It’s brilliant that so many promising young companies, from such a wide range of sectors, are benefitting from this excellent initiative.
“Entrepreneurship, creativity and ambition are essential for our economic recovery and through Local Business Accelerators, newspapers such as the Bedfordshire on Sunday are supporting some great new British businesses to grow, and helping to boost their local economy.
“I wish the newspapers, businesses and their mentors every success over the coming months.” Later in the year, one business will go on to be crowned the overall Local Business Accelerators winner and receive mentoring from the campaign’s national ambassador Deborah Meaden, of Dragon’s Den.
Backed by high profile figures including the Prime Minster and the CBI’s John Cridland, the campaign has seen the local newspaper industry come together to deliver a shot in the arm for British business.
