By Louise Hale
21 June 2010
A budding entrepreneur is flying the flag for Stepney after securing her place in a national competition that rewards brilliant business ideas with free trading space at local markets.
Tabitha Potts, 39, was shortlisted to the semi-finals after her business www.mimimyne.com – an ethical online store for families who want to grow up green, wowed the judges.
Tabitha noticed a lack of online stores selling eco-friendly organic baby clothes so decided to set up her own.
Now she has won ten days free trading at Old Spitalfields Market as part of the competition Make Your Mark in the Markets, in which she was one of 71 shortlisted traders in the UK.
“This competition is a fantastic opportunity for me and the business, and could help propel it to the next level,” she said.
Tabitha’s success puts her in with a chance of winning the overall prize of six months’ free trading, and the support needed to set up their business.
During trading, she will be visited by the competition judges who will assess all aspects of the business.
Eric Graham, manager for Old Spitalfields Market, said: “Tabitha demonstrated that she has what it takes to turn an idea into reality.”
With the help and support from East London Small Business Centre, Tabitha won a start-up loan from Deutsche Bank to build her website.
Mimimyne has also been nominated for several business awards, including the Thames Gateway Business Awards, the Archant Enviromental Award 2009 and Women on their Way 2010 and will soon feature as a British Library Business and IP Centre success story.