We have some thrilling news to share!

Athena Magazine has been nominated as a finalist in the Start Up Business of the Year category at the Devon Women in Business Awards!

We’re beyond excited to be part of this incredible event, and it’s such an honour to be recognized alongside so many amazing businesses in the Devon community. As you can imagine, we’ve been grinning from ear to ear ever since we found out. Not only is it a huge milestone for us as a young business (we’ve only been trading since Sept 2024!), but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible women entrepreneurs right here in Devon.

What Does Being a Finalist Mean for Athena Magazine?

To be considered for the Start Up Business of the Year award, we had to show the judges that we have a solid business idea, a plan for growth, and that we’ve hit the ground running since our launch earlier this year. We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved already with Athena Magazine, from building a dedicated readership to partnering with incredible local businesses (stay tuned for more about that soon!). We’ve worked hard to bring our vision to life, publishing a regional magazine that’s not just about business, but about inspiring and empowering women in every area of life.

The judges will also be looking at how we’ve taken Athena up to date, making sure it’s relevant to our audience and has a clear path forward. We’re super excited to keep growing and evolving, and it’s wonderful to have this recognition from such an esteemed group of business leaders.

The Awards Ceremony: A Night to Remember!

The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, 14th November at Sandy Park in Exeter, and we couldn’t be more excited. Not only are we finalists (which is already amazing), but it’s also a fabulous opportunity to meet and connect with so many incredible Devon-based women in business. It’s going to be a night full of inspiring stories, great conversations, and a whole lot of celebration for the women making waves in their industries. We can’t wait to soak up the energy and share the evening with some seriously talented, like-minded entrepreneurs.

Supporting the Event: A Little Athena Touch!

As part of the event, we’re delighted to be contributing to the evening’s fun! Fran has kindly donated a shoot for a business to the raffle (perfect for any business looking for fresh photos!), and Stacey has donated use of the Tribe coworking space for the shoot, which will be such a great space for taking fabulous photos for the winner’s business, without having to worry about the aesthetics of the place they usually work.

Additionally, we’ve put together some cute little affirmation cards to include in the goody bags for all the attendees. It’s just a small gesture, but we wanted to share some positive, uplifting vibes with everyone at the event. After all, it’s all about supporting and uplifting each other, right?

A Big Thank You to Our Supporters

We wouldn’t be here without the support of our readers, partners, and community. Thank you to everyone who has believed in Athena Magazine since day one. Being nominated for this award feels like a reflection of all the hard work we’ve put in so far, and we’re so grateful for the love and encouragement we’ve received.

Whether we win or not, just being part of this amazing event is a huge win for us. It’s a testament to what women in business can achieve, especially when we lift each other up and create a community of support.

We can’t wait to share more about the awards night with you all, and we’ll definitely be celebrating with a big glass of something bubbly!

Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being part of our journey!

For more information on the Devon Women in Business Awards, visit Devon Women in Business.