Gavin Brown, owner of Dunbar T-Shirt Shop Ltd, explains why Steven Hill should win the Leader of the Year category of the Guardian Small Business Showcase competition:
Steven is an inspiring leader within our small family owned printing business. From the original concept to implementation, he has grown not only our local market share but also national recognition for our company.
He leads our digital marketing strategy, developing all our websites, and he networks and attracts new clients across the UK. He established our ‘on the road’ side of the business, trading at some of the UK’s biggest music festivals and he still prints 90% of all the products we sell.
Not only does Steven lead and focus our company to continually grow he has done this without a single penny of investment. The business has never relied on loans and all the growth is organic.
Beyond our business, Steven is the Chair of Dunbar Trades Association, our local business association with over 80 members. He has brought a calendar of events to the town, which attracts thousands of visitors and many new business to the local area. He has created collaboration that has helped nurture local music and artistic talent. VisitScotland last year recorded Dunbar as the most searched town in East Lothian (historically it is the third town in the county).
He has paved the way with development of the town website and the creation of the Dunbar Street Art Trail. He has improved security by introducing free CCTV to over 40 businesses and he always has time to help and support those other owners in the local area.
His vision and tenacity puts him above most self serving business people, but it is his willingness to take the hands of those around him that makes him a true leader.
All entries which meet the competition criteria are published and our judging panel select a shortlist of the top three for each category. Winners are announced at an awards ceremony in summer 2016.
