Nectar award is sweet success for Mask-arade: updated with video

Raffy Duffy of Mask-arade receives the Homegrown Business of the Year prize from Karen Brady CBE at the Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2014. Picture by David Parry. jg9xDfvM4_6oOYx8KvEj

Southam-based mask company Mask-arade has beaten hundreds of other companies to win the Homegrown Business of the Year prize at the Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2014.

The awards were judged by a panel of experts including star of BBC1’s The Apprentice, Karren Brady CBE.

Mask-arade produces celebrity and personalised masks, desktop cutouts and life-size cutouts, which are ideal for stag and hen parties, birthdays and corporate events.

The company won the Homegrown Business of the Year Award due to its overall performance, with a particularly strong demonstration of being able to secure business exclusives for growth.

Mask-arade’s founder Ray Duffy said: “Winning this award is a great honour for our company, which has grown up from humble beginnings at our kitchen table.

“The award win has already given the team here such a boost as it recognises all the hard work that each staff member has put into the company.

“I’m really looking forward to attending the round table and being able to get first hand advice from the likes of Karren Brady about our business – it will be really valuable in taking Mask-arade to the next level.

“The £2,000 prize money and 50,000 Nectar points will go towards expanding our range.”

Karen Brady said Mask-arade was a very worthy winner.

She said: “The company is a shining example of what this category stands for and a great business to inspire others to do something similar, to grow and to be a success – especially in the current economic market.

“This year’s Awards have given me the opportunity to meet some of the UK’s brightest business stars and I hope seeing the success of these engaging and insightful winners will inspire others to start up the business they have always dreamed of, but never acted upon. It’s not easy running your own business but these six winners have proven that it’s possible with a clear vision, determination and hard work.”