An Ashton entrepreneur experienced the opportunity of a lifetime after being shortlisted for a national award.

Moving to the UK from Florida 12 years ago to study for her degree, Brianna Harvey has worked incredibly hard to build her business to the standard it is at now.

Brianna is the founder of Digital Flamingo, offering bespoke social media marketing through coaching and training sessions.

“I work with businesses of all sizes to help them stand out in the busy digital world.

“After university I had a hard time finding work, so I started to do a bit of freelance work while I was looking for a job and it has suddenly boomed five years later into this award-winning business,” she said.

After meeting her husband in the UK, Brianna planted her roots in Ashton, where she has witnessed her company blossom with success.

However, nothing could’ve prepared her for the excitement she felt when she realised she had been shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

“Steven Bartlett has won this award before and he is about to enter Dragon’s Den as the youngest ever dragon, so I knew there were some big names attached to this.

“I entered very last minute and didn’t tell anyone about it until the shortlist arrived a month later,” she said.

Brianna says upon learning she had made the cut she was ‘jumping up and down with joy’ and was beyond shocked.

Her nomination was for Service Industry Entrepreneur of the Year for the North West, in which she was placed alongside some fierce competitors.

Despite not taking home the big prize, Brianna was proud to be the only woman in her category and returned home with a renewed sense of motivation to succeed.

The awards were held at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, an experience that Brianna will never forget.

Speaking on her experience, Brianna said, “It was stunning, and I’ve never seen anything like it. Everyone was dressed to impress, and the hotel was beyond beautiful.

“To be in the presence of great entrepreneurs, especially after how hard the last two years have been, was incredible.

“I may not have left with the big prize, but I still left with immense pride and I’m so motivated to keep going with my business.”

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