The Experience: The Precious Awards 2009

I’ve just come back from enjoying the Precious Awards and could not sleep without writing a post on it… The whole evening was just fantastic and a great way to wrap up my very first day enjoying the wonders of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The Precious Awards celebrate the achievements of enterprising women of colour. Awards are given in categories which include online business of the year, creative business of the year and ethical business of the year.

So, in sticking to my ‘five things’ review technique (which is perfect when you’re as shattered as I am now) here are my highlights of the evening.

1. Seeing women like myself being rewarded for turning their ideas into a reality was completely inspiring and gave me a good nudge to get my own ideas going.
2. Meeting a number of fascinating characters and familiar faces. I was finally able to meet Foluke, the founder of the Precious Awards. She is such an inspiration herself and is now celebrating 10 years of Precious, a remarkable achievement. I also managed to catch-up with celebrated entrepreneur Jessica Huie who happened to work at Pride Magazine whilst I was an intern there. Her career has sky rocketed since then so it was great to finally be able to congratulate her in person.
3. Blogger spotting. I bumped into Eva, the blogger behind Pretty Stylish London who was nominated for an award herself *applause*. We were both disappointed at not being able to attend the blogger meet-up organised by Ondo Lady yesterday but should hoepfully make the next one.
4. Spotting an interview with the Ondo Lady herself in the Precious Awards magazine was a lovely surprise. Seeing that Ondo Lady mentioned Harlem Loves as one of her favourite blogs was a lovely shock! What a star she is!
5. Finally seeing the inside of Smollensky’s on the Strand for the after party. I’ve heard great things but never been myself. I was too tired to stay but I did catch enough of a glimpse to lay my curiousity to rest. Lovely venue.

Anyway I can barely keep my eyes open so I am off to bed to dream sweet dreams of becoming the CEO of something that sprouted from one of my great ideas. Night.