Fruity Llama is pleased to celebrate our co-owner, Stephanie Ashcroft’s commendation in the Lancashire Business View magazine as an inspirational woman in business under 36.
Stephanie was acknowledged by Lancashire Business View, for her work in business which began back in 2010. At the age of 19, Stephanie launched her first business, a hair and beauty salon The Brookside. Located in Darwen, Lancashire, the business services over 500 customers each month and is growing year on year, with Stephanie at the helm.
Wanting to further challenge herself and to put her business and marketing skills to the test, Stephanie kickstarted her second company, this time with her husband, Stephen, as they burst into the Digital Marketing Services industry with their catchy name: Fruity Llama.
New industry, same results. With Stephanie leading the way, Fruity Llama surged out of the starting blocks and continues to be a rapidly-expanding digital marketing agency.
Based in Darwen, Lancashire, Stephanie has taken Fruity Llama from strength to strength picking up awards New Business of The Year with Hive, ‘Top 3 Web Designers’ in Blackburn 2 years in a row and this year a finalist in the design category at the prestigious Red Rose Awards 2024 and a growing client base (see Fruity Llama’s website).
Furthermore, Lancashire Business View recognised Stephanie’s commitment to supporting the local community with Fruity Llama already donating over £11,000 to charity in the last 24 months, including Blackburn with Darwen Youth Zone and ELHT.
Who is Lancashire Business View?
Lancashire Business View is a hub for the Lancashire business community. Their aim is to bring together the business community in Lancashire, to celebrate their success stories and to appreciate their hard work and commitment to completing excellent work.
They run an independently-owned magazine published every two months, overing the latest in commerce, industry and regeneration in Lancashire, and have been doing incredible work bringing the Lancashire business community together since 2005.
In 2011, Lancashire Business View established the Red Rose Awards: an event that celebrates the hard graft and tireless effort of all Lancashire businesses, commerce and industries. The occasion celebrates outstanding business achievements, offers further opportunities to exchange success stories, and encourages collaboration and trading among Lancashire businesses.
In 2024, Fruity Llama, was a finalist for the Design Award in an amazing night celebrating Lancashire businesses.
So this is a big deal?
Being acknowledged as a Rising Star by Lancashire Business View is a remarkable accomplishment to see Fruity Llama’s co-founder get a well deserved acknowledgement is a huge achievement for her and Fruity Llama.
Stephanie was nominated alongside other talented young businesswomen from across Lancashire from all types of businesses and organisations. An independent judging panel then chose a selection of businesswomen they believe are making a huge difference for the industry in Lancashire, and are paving the way for a brighter future for young women in business.
Stephanie was awarded the Rising Star Recognition by some fantastic judges – Amy Lancaster-Hall, Elizabeth Mcquillan, Amanda Meachin, Darshana Patel and Danielle Robinson.
Find out more about the amazing work Stephanie’s been doing with Fruity Llama on the Fruity Llama website.
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