TWO mums teamed up and took a leap into business - and now their virtual outsourcing agency has been shortlisted for a national award.

Kristy Roff and Suzanne Evett of Get Ahead Berkshire, North Hampshire & Surrey, which is based in Tadley, have been shortlisted in the female entrepreneurs' category in the Great British Business and Community Awards.

Kristy is from Sherfield-on-Loddon and Suzanne lives in Bramley.

Excited to have made the shortlist, Kristy said business life has been a rollercoaster ride.

She said: “Covid hit us in March 2020. We both had to home-school our children, and we were ineligible for any government assistance, having only recently started our business. But we still welcomed new clients and delivered a huge online event."

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With restrictions eased, the dynamic duo were able to accelerate their business growth, including expanding into Surrey in 2022.

Kirsty said: “Suzanne and I are living proof that going into business with a female friend can be both rewarding and highly successful.

Basingstoke Gazette:

“We are both mums juggling work and family life. But we’ve boldly decided to put life in our own hands by starting our own business. It was a scary step, but we wouldn’t change a thing.

"There have been tough times for both the business and us personally, but it has all been part of the journey. We are immensely proud of how far we have come and everything we have achieved. Nearly four years later, we are still great friends and successful business partners.”

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The awards ceremony takes place on Friday, April 21, at The Hilton, Reading.

More than 350 businesspeople are expected to attend the evening of recognition and celebration.

Suzanne said: “We strongly believe that our friendship adds to our success and want to show other people that going into business with a friend might be risky, but it could also be the best decision you ever made.

“We are also passionate about setting an example for our children, showing them that women can make fantastic entrepreneurs and that running a flexible business around your family is possible.

"Finding the right balance is never easy, but we are determined to prove that female entrepreneurs bring unique value to the business world that should be celebrated and rewarded. We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for the awards night.”