A family coffee business has come through “a tough few years” to be shortlisted for an award.
Mini & Mighty was founded by Westhoughton born Mark Shea, who drew upon his many years working in the coffee trade.
The Haslingden based company has battled through the pandemic years to make it as a finalist at this year’s North West Family Business Awards, to be hosted at Bolton’s Toughsheet Stadium.
Mr Shea said: “We are so humbled and grateful for the nominations, after what has been a tough few years.
“Navigating, not only business challenges but health challenges too, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our great customer base and other businesses and teams that we work with.
“It really is a collaborative effort and shows what small businesses can do.”
Mr Shea set up the company alongside wife Joanna having first worked for Tchibo Coffee and Coffee 1652.
Previously based in Oswaldtwistle, they now operate from Blackburn Road in Haslingden having emerged strongly from the hard pandemic years.
It was this and their close relationship with customers that saw the company lined up for the award.
Awards co-founder and director, Sue Howorth said: “With another year of increased entries we have been working with our 23 judges which are representing all 5 counties of the North West, and we know they have had extremely difficult decisions to make.
“Our finalists should be extremely proud of themselves for being recognised in this year's shortlist.”
Mini & Mighty along with the other finalists will now be visited by a panel of judges before the final winner is announced.
One of the judging day hosts for Mini & Mighty was Sue Baguley of Siemens UK.
She said: “The number and quality of applications from across the North West region has been outstanding, the businesses are clearly proud to be family businesses and the detail in many of the entries has demonstrated that they are very progressive and innovative.”
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Fellow judge, Tom Mathew, group commercial director of Dunsters Farm, agreed.
He said: “As always, it was fantastic to hear the stories of the resilient and ambitious businesspeople working in family-run businesses across the region.
“The judging day is an opportunity for me to contribute to the vibrant family business community but also to go away inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by the applicants.”
The winner will be unveiled at a ceremony on Friday May 10 this year.
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