Woman kissing pink bag
RedDog Design has been announced as a winner of the award ‘2012 Smarta 100, together with O2’, the ultimate index of the UK’s savviest, supremely disruptive, most resourceful and socially-beneficial small businesses.
Owner and Swedish Designer Marianne Sparrenius-Waters’ timeless, on-trend leather handbags and accessories are a combination of Scandi minimalist-chic with a hint of British flair. From luxurious handbags to leather iPad cases and their iconic ‘BagPod’, every item screams class and is here to stay.
Commenting on their inclusion in the Smarta 100, RedDog Design’s, owner Marianne Sparrenius-Waters said: “I am absolutely delighted to be included and recognised for this award. I feel as though all my hard work is paying off!”
In total, 2012’s Smarta 100 are generating revenues of over £200 million a year and employing more than 1,104 people. More than a quarter are female-run businesses and two thirds are self-funded, with just 9% borrowing from a bank. Over a quarter had taken angel, private equity or VC funding.
One of the judges of the award, Theo Paphitis, Dragons Den investor said: “The Smarta 100 has proven yet again how many exciting, innovative and successful small businesses and start-ups there are in the UK today, and I really find them inspiring. Some of the 100 are disrupting established industries, some are creating completely new markets, and others are simply doing an exceptional job in age-old marketplaces but knocking the socks off their competition. It just goes to show that in the face of challenging economic conditions, a credit crunch and reduced customer spending, entrepreneurs and business owners who work hard and think outside the box can still thrive in today’s world. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners.”
SHAA WASMUND, Smarta founder, said: “This year we had more entries for the Smarta 100 than ever before. There were hundreds of fantastic businesses in the running, but the final 100 are truly game-changing start-ups and small businesses, and I’m enormously proud of all of them. We’ve got everyone from entrepreneurs in their early 20s through to knitting grannies; people who started with only a few hundred pounds through to companies that received millions in VC funding. All of which proves that if you have a brilliant idea or a truly imaginative new approach, you can succeed against any odds.”
Voting is now under way to find the overall O2 Smarta 100 Business of the Year, winning £10,000 courtesy of O2. On Thursday 8th November at London’s Proud2, The O2, Greenwich, the winner will be presented with a 10,000 prize. All votes count and Marianne is asking the public if they can vote for RedDog.
“If I was able to win the overall O2 Smarta 100 Business of the Year, it will mean wonders for RedDog. My aim is to try and strengthen RedDog year on year and winning this award would mean 2013 would have a lot to do to compete with 2012!” added Marianne Sparrenius-Waters.
For the list of shortlisted companies visit smarta.com