The founder of Aycliffe-based Lox of Love, Victoria Mavin, has won the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for the north east at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Lox of Love is an award-winning hair extension specialist with two salons on Aycliffe Business Park and Leeds.
Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in partnership with Starling Bank celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs in the UK, rather than the business’ balance sheet.
Victoria began Lox of Love as a mobile hair extension service in 2012, having written a business plan for the idea whilst studying business at university.
The business has grown tremendously since then, and Victoria now has a team of 16 as part of the Lox of Love brand.
Lox of Love has won multiple industry awards, most recently being voted Best Salon for Hair Extensions at the Yorkshire Salon Awards 2019.
Victoria said: “I am incredibly proud to have won the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
“I lost my sister Anna to a brain tumour 4 years ago. She was 25. After being given a terminal diagnosis she championed the charity that helped support her treatment, raising £100k before she died.
“Having been so in awe of her spirit, drive and endless positivity, I promised myself that I would do everything I could to make her proud, continue her fundraising legacy and be a positive role model for my children.
“This award certainly proves I am heading in the right direction and has made me even more determined to succeed!
“Thank you to the Great British Entrepreneur Awards for this exciting opportunity. I cannot wait to see what the future holds!”
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award celebrates entrepreneurs who have overcome hardship either in their personal lives or business careers to be the driving force behind their business’ growth.
With Covid-19 restrictions preventing the regional finals taking place at a live event, Victoria won the award during a virtual award ceremony joined by finalists across every region.
In a video message to finalists, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Entrepreneurs [have shown they] stay strong, even during a global pandemic. Coronavirus hasn’t stifled enterprise.
“Entrepreneurs are creating new businesses and adapting to the crisis, as seen in this year’s entries. And that’s what we need to happen if we want our economy to bounce back. We need all of you to keep inventing, keep taking risks, keep creating new businesses.
“It’s my job as Chancellor to celebrate, champion and support you.
“Congratulations to all the winners. Thank you to all of you for everything you’ve done.”
Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “Victoria has a wonderful entrepreneurial story and I’m delighted for her to win this award.
“I’ll be keeping a very close eye on what she does in the years to come and look forward to welcoming Victoria to the community.”
The winners of each category will now go to the National Final of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, with a date to be announced due to restrictions on large events.
