A Cumbria-based businesswoman has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award.

Asha Marie Richardson, Razzamataz Penrith owner, has been shortlisted for the lifestyle franchise category of the British Franchise Awards (BFA).

Asha Marie was 23 when she started to work as a teacher for Razzamataz Penrith but straight away she knew that she wanted a bigger challenge and believed that she could offer so much more as a franchisee.

Growing up in a rural area as the only mixed-race family, performing arts played a huge part in Asha Marie’s and her siblings’ life, she said.

Known by some as the ‘Oscars’ of the franchising industry and set to take place on November 24 in Birmingham, the BFA evening is the flagship event in the franchising calendar and finalists are ones to watch.

This year saw a record number of entries submitted across all categories, leading to an overall increase versus 2021.

Asha Marie will be battling it out against two other business women to take home the coveted Lifestyle accolade in November.

The Lifestyle category represents franchisees who may have bought into franchising to get a better work life balance or be their own boss and have a determination to stand out from the crowd.

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchising Association, congratulated finalists:

“It is fantastic to see the strength and determination of finalists in this category and goes to show what can happen when the right franchisee owner meets their right business opportunity, fantastic work.”

Gillian Morris, Head of Franchising, HSBC, said:

“The annual awards are a celebration of the achievements of the franchise sector, as well as the high standards of the finalists, their innovation and resilience demonstrated over the past year.

"We look forward to celebrating success with Asha Marie.”

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