 HERE IS your chance to claim a first and become the inaugural sole trader of the year in the ECHO Enterprise Champions Awards. For our sixth annual celebration of innovation we have extended the categories to seven, including the new Best Sole Trader gong. The award, sponsored by 08businessconnect, aims to recognise the one-man/woman bands across the region. An 08businessconnect spokesman said: “We are proud to sponsor the Sole Trader category. Liverpool has always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and sole traders play a massive role in the region’s economy. “08businessconnect is Liverpool’s biggest business club with a membership of over 2,800 organisations. It is free to join and members enjoy a host of benefits.” This year’s competition also includes the Best Small Bus-iness category, won in 2006 by Birkenhead-based K Seal Glass. Boss Stephen Woolley said: “The award has established us as a key manufacturer. “Since we won we have grown by 22% and we have just taken delivery of a new £300,000 production line to keep pace.” Sponsor BusinessLiverpool said: “Our primary objective is to create a focused and effective support mechanism which fully meets the needs of clients.Š “The core activity of Bus-inessLiverpool is the prov-ision of support in the areas of property, finance and workforce development – and by working in partnership with other key public and private sector organisations to deliver a comprehensive business support package.” Find out more at www.businessliverpool.co.uk or call 0151-288 6677. BEST SOLE TRADER, SPONSORED BY 08BUSINESSCONNECT Do you run your own business single-handedly? Can you demonstrate good business practice? Have you achieved success by winning new orders or clients, developed strategies for overcoming difficulties or offer a second-to-none service? Enter now and tell us about your success. Judges will be particularly impressed with companies who have identified new opportunities from Capital of Culture status. BEST SMALL BUSINESS, SPONSORED BY BUSINESSLIVERPOOL If you have between two and 30 employees and can demonstrate all-round business excellence you should enter. The judges will be looking for specific achievements, evidence of business strategy, good financial performance and future potential. Entries must come from the Liverpool ECHO circulation area. Applicants must submit a written summary to demonstrate how they or their business meet the category requirements and stand out from others. Entrants must also complete the financial chart. Closing date for entries is July 6. For further information, call 0151-472 2570. Visit www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/enterprisechampions or email: enterprisechampions@icliverpool.net Entries must come from the Liverpool ECHO circulation area. Applicants must submit a written summary to demonstrate how they or their business meet the category requirements and stand out from others. Entrants must also complete the financial chart. Closing date for entries is July 6. For further information, call please contact: 0151-472 2570. Visit www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/enterprisechampions or email: enterprisechampions@ icliverpool.net neilhodgson@liverpoolecho.co.uk | 
