News: Determined Deborah wins Rotherham entrepreneur award

Deborah Bailey has won the Business Most Determined to Succeed category at the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2010 with her enterprise, Aardvark Display Lighting.

Deborah, 29, of Wath upon Dearne, set up the successful exhibition lighting manufacturing company within 72 hours of being laid off from her management job at a Sheffield light specialists.

Deborah had managed one of the retail outlets for the exhibition lighting company. But when the business collapsed - she took over the manufacturing arm, now performing all the industrial jobs herself.

Deborah managed to strike a deal with administrators, persuading them to sell her the company's existing leftover stock so she could set up her own enterprise. Within three days she was pulling in orders from the company's old client base.

Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE), provided a workshop unit at Century Business Centre rent free for six months to support the business.

Deborah said: "When I was made redundant it came as a huge shock. I went home and thought it through - I knew the manufacturing side of the business was making a profit so I looked at the figures and the next day I put in an offer to buy the business.

"They accepted and although I had only worked on the retail side, I taught myself the manufacturing skills, got some contacts together, rebranded and here I am. It's good to be recognised for all that!"

Deborah picked up a £500 award for winning the Business Most Determined to Succeed category, sponsored by Voluntary Action Rotherham.

The overall winner of the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010 will be announced in October.

Aardvark Display Lighting website
Rotherham Investment and Development Office website

Images: RiDO