De Montfort Graduates set to bag small business award?

We always love to celebrate local goings-on, but even better when those goings-on involve shoes, shoes, shoes!

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have announced that online designer shoe retailer Kindred Sole is a finalist in their Small Business Awards for ‘Recent Graduate’ category. This award will celebrate the best small business start up by entrepreneurs who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree within the last three years.

Kindred Sole was established in 2009 after Beth Widdowson (23 years old) and Lizze Leary (22 years old)  graduated from Fashion Retail Buying at De Montfort University in fair Leicester with First Class Honors. In the company’s first week of business, the website www.kindredsole.com was viewed in 76 countries, which led to international shipping being introduced earlier than planned. Kindred Sole is now shipping to customers as far and wide as Untied States of America to Japan. Kindred Sole was also a runner up in the Women On Their Way awards 2010 for Start Up business.

So not only have the girls’ had an extremely busy few months (since launching in late 2009) and a plethora of national and international recognition but they have fought off tough competition to be short-listed for the FSB award.

Kindred Sole is an online women’s shoe boutique specialising in designer statement making shoes from up and coming designers as well as established brands. They provide a massive range of the finest designs, crafted from premium materials and sourced from around the world.

There are nine awards this year including Best New Business, Best Use of Technology, Service Excellence, Enterprising Business, Contribution to the Community, Employee of the Year, Environment Responsibility, Recent Graduate Award and Overall Business of the Year.
There are three short-listed candidates for each award and the winner will be announced on Thursday 15th July 2010 at the FSB Small Business special Gala Award dinner taking place at the Barcelo Hinckley Island Hotel.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed here at 69 Towers for Lizzie and Beth. Good luck girls!

Get yourself over to www.kindredsole.com to have a look at all their gorge items.