North West based luxury dog bedding company Charley Chau has been shortlisted for the 2018 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year category.
Christine and Jenny Chau, the two sisters behind Charley Chau, have beat off some tough competition in order to make the shortlist, with a record number of businesses entering the awards nationally across the wide range of categories.
Now in its sixth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards has celebrated some amazing entrepreneurs over the years, many of whom are now household names. Past winners include David Buttress of Just Eat, Julie Deane OBE of The Cambridge Satchel Company, James Watt of BrewDog and most recently, Hannah and Sophie Pycroft of Spectrum Collections.
Co-Founder Christine Chau said: “I am thrilled to bits that Jenny and I have been shortlisted for the Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year category in the 2018 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards. We never dreamed that an afternoon spent making our first dog bed on the sitting room floor would lead to us founding and running Charley Chau together. Setting up Charley Chau and growing this business with my sister has been an incredible experience. I left the security of a long-term career and six-figure salary for no income and an uncertain future and it has been scary at times, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so proud of what we’ve achieved together. We are so lucky to have created a successful business based on our love for dogs.”
Founded in 2010, after endless frustrating searches for comfortable, stylish dog beds for their own Italian Greyhounds, the Manchester-based sisters have attracted legions of Charley Chau devotees and now have happy customers in over forty-five countries around the world.
Creator of the Awards, Francesca James, said: “We have been inundated with some incredible entries this year, and all shortlisted applicants should be extremely proud of themselves! This year has yet again seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been absolutely blown away by the strength and diversity of applications.”
“We cannot wait to celebrate entrepreneurship across Great Britain with them and put a spotlight on the incredible talent within the British entrepreneur ecosystem.”
Gordon Merrylees, Head of Entrepreneurship at NatWest, said: “Following another record-breaking year, I want to thank all of the entrepreneurs who entered and congratulate those who have been shortlisted, I look forward to seeing them at the regional finals.”
“Entrepreneurial spirit is still clearly alive and well, and NatWest is thrilled to be able to continue to support these awards to celebrate success with the businesses that are the lifeblood of the UK Economy as they start, scale and succeed.”
