The founder and owner of a paddleboard school near Witney has been named as a finalist in the Best Businesswomen Awards 2024.
Moi Blackledge, founder and head coach at stand-up paddleboarding school, Moi’s SUP School, is a finalist in both the Best Consumer Business and Best Solopreneur categories.
The awards acknowledge the achievements of female entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, selecting based on the impact they have had in their respective fields.
Since its inception in 2021, Moi’s SUP School has grown and currently stands as Oxfordshire's top paddleboarding school.
The business, based at The Rose Revived in Newbridge near Witney, has offered lessons and tours to more than 1,700 people, all in search of the opportunity to take part in the rapidly growing sport.
Professional tutorials, unique experiences such as SUPYoga, and a range of tour formats are some of the offerings from Moi’s SUP School.
Customer service has been a key focus from the start for Ms Blackledge, creating an engaging yet understanding environment for those looking to learn.
Being a low impact exercise, paddleboarding is known for offering excellent health and wellbeing benefits.
Because of this, the company also supports charity Oxfordshire Mind by providing monthly complimentary 'therapy paddles' to its users, alongside charitable donations and sponsorship.
Ms Blackledge has developed the UK's only indoor swimming pool clinics for the winter months, in partnership with Better Leisure.
These clinics provide opportunities for both experienced and new paddlers to improve their 'self-rescue' skills.
They run in Carterton, Chipping Norton, Didcot and Thame from November, and have regularly attracted guests from inside and outside the county,
Debbie Gilbert, the organiser of The Best Businesswomen Awards, said: "This is the 10th year of these prestigious awards, and despite tough trading conditions businesses have faced over the past few years, these businesswomen have powered forwards.
"Our judging panel, all business experts, were impressed by the quality of the entrants.
"All our finalists are incredible examples of successful female entrepreneurs who have proved their success to our judges."
Moi Blackledge added, "I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to be selected as a finalist in both Customer Service and Solopreneur categories by these prestigious awards.
"Providing excellent customer service is paramount to business success and I believe that my passion to deliver the most professional, safest, memorable and enjoyable paddling experiences is what gives us this welcomed recognition in what is predominantly a male-dominated business sector."
The Gala Awards night will be held at the Hilton Syon Park in London on October 11, when winners for each category will be announced.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here