Recognition Matters: Being Nominated for the West Country Women Awards

When I opened my inbox to find that RO Property Staging had been nominated for The Women in Property and Construction Award at the West Country Women Awards 2026, I had to read it twice. Then three times. As a startup founder who's been building this business from the ground up for just eight months, this nomination feels like something much bigger than recognition – it feels like validation that every early morning, every weekend worked, and every leap of faith has been worth it.

The Journey from Idea to Reality

Starting a business while working full-time isn't for the faint-hearted. Since January, I've been living in a world of split schedules - my days dedicated to my day job, my evenings and weekends poured into building RO Property Staging. It's meant designing a brand identity at 6am, taking client calls during lunch breaks, and spending annual leave days staging properties rather than lying on beaches.

But here's what this nomination represents to me: proof that people notice when you're quietly building something meaningful. It says that the work I'm doing (transforming properties into places people genuinely want to call home) is making an impact, even in these early stages.

What This Recognition Means for a Startup

As a startup founder, you spend a lot of time wondering if you're on the right track. You make decisions based on instinct, research, and often, pure determination. You celebrate small wins - your first client, your first five-star review, your first referral, but sometimes you question whether the bigger vision will ever become reality.

This nomination is different. It's external validation from industry professionals who recognize not just what RO Property Staging is today, but what it has the potential to become. For a business that's been entirely self-funded and built during evenings and weekends, being acknowledged alongside established companies feels surreal.

The Power of Purpose-Driven Business

What I think sets RO apart, and perhaps what caught the attention of the person who nominated me, is that we're not just staging properties, we're revealing potential. Every project starts with understanding the story a home wants to tell and helping it tell that story better.

When I worked in magazine production in London, I learned that thoughtful design has the power to change how people see a space and, crucially, how they feel about it. That philosophy drives everything I do at RO. Whether it's helping a homeowner see their property through fresh eyes or creating that 'heart flutter moment' when a buyer walks in and instantly imagines their future there, it's about emotional connection.

Building Something Bigger Than Staging

Perhaps what I'm most proud of is that RO has always been about more than beautiful interiors. From day one, I've been committed to supporting other local businesses and creatives. Whether it's collaborating with talented women in branding and marketing or showcasing local artists' work in staging projects, I believe that supporting one another creates stronger businesses and stronger communities.

This award nomination feels like recognition not just of what I've built, but of how I've chosen to build it, with kindness, collaboration, and a genuine desire to lift others up along the way.

Looking Forward

Right now, I'm just weeks away from taking the biggest leap yet, transitioning from full-time employment to running RO as my full-time business. This nomination couldn't have come at a better time. It's given me a confidence boost exactly when I need it most and opened doors to conversations with estate agents and developers who are now taking notice.

Whether I win the award or not, being nominated has already been transformational. It's reminded me that sometimes the biggest recognition comes not from what you've already achieved, but from people seeing the potential in what you're building.

To Anyone Building Their Dream

If you're reading this and you're in the early stages of your own business journey, remember this: every big success story started exactly where you are now. What matters isn't how long you've been in business or how big your team is, it's the passion, purpose, and persistence you bring to what you're building.

Sometimes recognition comes when you least expect it and exactly when you need it most. Keep building, keep believing, and keep being brave enough to create the opportunities you want to see.

Here's to revealing potential, in our properties, our businesses, and ourselves.

The West Country Women Awards take place later this year. Regardless of the outcome, being nominated has already been one of the most meaningful milestones in RO's journey so far.