A NORTHWICH-BORN brand hoping to 'shake up' the outdoor lifestyle industry has been nominated for a prestigious award.
Ryde was founded by Larnia Ryder in 2021 and has since gone from strength to strength with its innovative products and inclusive designs.
And as a testament to its early success, the business has now been nominated in the retail category of this year's Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEA).
CEO Larnia was delighted with the nomination and believes this recognition reflects Ryde's 'exceptional' entrepreneurial spirit, dedication and achievements in its industry.
She said: "I am so grateful to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award.
"The founder journey is difficult, there can be a lot of self-doubt, isolation, and sleepless nights.
"To have such a dynamic and established array of judges give you the nod, is such incredible motivation.
"My aim with Ryde is to create an approachable, inclusive outdoor brand to shake up an industry that is obsessed with personal bests and six-packs.
"Ryde is more long nights around the campfire and enjoying the world around us. Being nominated feels like a huge step in that direction."
Described as 'The Grammys for entrepreneurship', the GBEA is now in its 11th year of celebrating outstanding individuals and businesses driving innovation, generating employment opportunities and contributing to the growth of the UK economy.
Founder of the GBEA, Francesca James, said: "Every year I am blown away with the quantity and quality of applications we receive, and this year is no exception.
"The Great British Entrepreneur Awards receives thousands of applications annually and the competition is tough.
"I am truly inspired by the remarkable accomplishments of this year's finalists.
"Their collective achievements of generating more than £2.7 billion in turnover and employing more than 33,000 people demonstrate the exceptional impact they have made in their industries and communities.
"These entrepreneurs exemplify the spirit of innovation, resilience, and growth that drives the entrepreneurial landscape in the UK."
A GBEA spokesman added: "Ryde has excelled in disrupting the outdoor industry with innovate products, inclusive design and according to Trustpilot, ‘excellent’ customer service.
"Its commitment to shifting the focus from less harm to more good has allowed it to make a significant impact in the retail and slow fashion sector and set new benchmarks for success.
"The team at Ryde is proud to have reached this stage and is grateful for the support received from their customers, partners, and the community.
"The recognition of their hard work by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards further motivates them to continue their journey of success and inspire others in the entrepreneurial ecosystem."
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Monday, November 20.
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