Creative Woman of the Year - Bolton Women In Business Awards!

I'm officially an award winner!

In 2024, I found out that I had been nominated for "Creative Woman of the Year" at Bolton Women in Business Awards. Shortly after, I found out I'd made the final!

After only a year in business, I couldn't believe I'd even been nominated but I was really looking forward to being in a room full of inspirational women. I also couldn't wait to see so many women from Ladies Empowerment Circle who I've been networking with since I started my business.

I clapped and cheered for every woman, regardless of whether I knew them or not, because that is what these nights are about!

So when it came to the finalists being read out for Creative Woman of the Year, I clapped and cheered each one, because I absolutely didn't expect to win. Every woman in that category deserved to win! But to hear, "And the winner is... Leanne Smith!" I was gobsmacked. I also had a mouth full of food because I really thought there was no way this was happening.

I still am shocked but the night as a whole was absolutely fantastic, thank you to Anita for putting on such an incredible night. My favourite thing was seeing so many ladies who I know and so many of my own clients WIN!

I've now got memories from this night that will last forever. Especially staying on the dance floor with so many women I know until we physically had to leave. (Sorry Maria for taking 3 weeks to get to our taxi with no shoes on!)

But I cannot stop thinking about the teenage version of me who knew she wanted to do something creative, but never really knew what that was. I've always loved art but it didn't feel like a career. I was introduced to Graphic Design and fell in love with it but never thought I'd end up with this as my career. From social media management, content creation, logo designing, branding and video editing, how is this now my life?

And now I'm award winning at it!

Wow.