News
September 08, 2025
Dear Vicki: ‘My bakery has failed to win several awards. Should we bother entering any more?’
Q: I run a small bakery that I co-founded with two colleagues two years ago. We bake and sell artisan goods at our own premises and to local outlets. We are active on social media, but were advised to enter business awards to boost our profile. We’ve entered three over the past year but haven’t even made the shortlist, which has been disheartening considering the time and effort involved in the applications.
Is it worth continuing to enter awards if we haven't won anything?
The sweet smell of success can sometimes be elusive, especially in the competitive world of small business. One bakery owner recently reached out for advice after facing repeated disappointment in their pursuit of business awards. The query, posed to an advice column, highlights a common dilemma for many entrepreneurs: how much time and effort should be invested in award applications, particularly when the rewards seem out of reach?
The bakery, co-founded two years ago, focuses on crafting and selling artisan goods both at their own location and through local partnerships. Recognizing the potential of awards to elevate their brand, they followed advice to enter several business competitions. However, despite their efforts, they haven’t even managed to secure a place on the shortlist in any of the three awards they entered over the past year. This string of rejections has understandably left the owners disheartened, questioning whether the time and energy spent on applications is ultimately worthwhile.
The advice-seeker's experience reflects a broader concern among small business owners. While winning an award can undoubtedly provide a significant boost to a company's reputation and attract new customers, the application process itself can be demanding. It requires careful documentation of achievements, compelling storytelling, and a significant time commitment – resources that are often stretched thin in small businesses.
The question now becomes: should this bakery, and others in similar situations, abandon their pursuit of awards altogether? Or is there a strategic approach that can increase their chances of success and make the process more valuable, regardless of the outcome? The dilemma underscores the importance of evaluating the true value of awards and ensuring that the application process aligns with overall business goals and priorities. Perhaps a reevaluation of the awards being targeted, a refinement of the application process, or a shift in focus towards other marketing strategies might be the key to future success.
The sweet smell of success can sometimes be elusive, especially in the competitive world of small business. One bakery owner recently reached out for advice after facing repeated disappointment in their pursuit of business awards. The query, posed to an advice column, highlights a common dilemma for many entrepreneurs: how much time and effort should be invested in award applications, particularly when the rewards seem out of reach?
The bakery, co-founded two years ago, focuses on crafting and selling artisan goods both at their own location and through local partnerships. Recognizing the potential of awards to elevate their brand, they followed advice to enter several business competitions. However, despite their efforts, they haven’t even managed to secure a place on the shortlist in any of the three awards they entered over the past year. This string of rejections has understandably left the owners disheartened, questioning whether the time and energy spent on applications is ultimately worthwhile.
The advice-seeker's experience reflects a broader concern among small business owners. While winning an award can undoubtedly provide a significant boost to a company's reputation and attract new customers, the application process itself can be demanding. It requires careful documentation of achievements, compelling storytelling, and a significant time commitment – resources that are often stretched thin in small businesses.
The question now becomes: should this bakery, and others in similar situations, abandon their pursuit of awards altogether? Or is there a strategic approach that can increase their chances of success and make the process more valuable, regardless of the outcome? The dilemma underscores the importance of evaluating the true value of awards and ensuring that the application process aligns with overall business goals and priorities. Perhaps a reevaluation of the awards being targeted, a refinement of the application process, or a shift in focus towards other marketing strategies might be the key to future success.
Category:
Business