Hey lovely,
I'll keep this short because I'm asking you for something, and I know you're busy.
I'm a finalist in the Female Founder Awards England 2027, in the Yorkshire Area Award.
I didn't enter. Somebody nominated me, and I genuinely have no idea who. I found out over my morning brew and cried into it.
Now it comes down to one thing. The founder with the most public votes wins. No judges. No panel. Just you.
That's it. Done. You're a legend. 馃挆
Voting closes on Wednesday 27th January 2027, so please don't leave it for later. Later is where good intentions go to die. 馃槈
There are 10 brilliant women in the Yorkshire category. Every single one of them has people cheering them on.
Public vote awards are won by the founder whose people actually turn up and click. Not the biggest business. Not the loudest marketing. The one with the community behind her.
So if I've ever helped you, made you laugh, sat with you at an event, answered a voice note at 10pm, or simply made you feel less alone in business, this is the moment. Your one vote genuinely matters here.
My first ever networking event was in an old working men's club. I'd taken 2 buses to get there with my baby daughter, Ruby.
A room full of men in suits. Tea in cups and saucers. Me with milk leaking through my blouse.
When Ruby made a noise, I got shushed. So I fed her hiding behind a roller banner.
Teenage mum. Uni dropout. Hiding.
I never forgot that feeling, and I've spent the 14 years since making sure other women don't have to feel it. Along the way I've:
For years I built rooms for other people. Then I finally put my own name above the door. That's EMpowered: a place where ambitious women show up unapologetically as themselves. No judgement. No ego. No comparison.
A Yorkshire win says something bigger.
It says the mum taking calls with a toddler on her hip belongs on that stage. It says you can be a present, loving mum and an ambitious woman in business. It says Yorkshire's women in business are every bit as brilliant as the London lot. 馃挭
When you vote for me, you're voting for every woman who's ever been told to be quieter, smaller or more "professional".
Share it. Honestly, a share is worth 10 votes, because it reaches people I'll never reach on my own.
Copy and paste this into WhatsApp, Facebook or your group chat:
I've just voted for Emily Mallender in the Female Founder Awards England 2027 (Yorkshire). She's spent 14 years championing women in business and it's decided purely on public votes. It's free and takes 60 seconds 馃挆
Vote here: https://www.femalefounderawards.co.uk/england#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1792933379582_3881
Choose Yorkshire, then Emily Mallender, EMpowered With Emily.
On Instagram? Pop an "I voted" story up and tag me @emily.mallender. I'll reshare every single one and give you a massive shout-out back.
I pinky promise that if I bring this home, I'm bringing all of you with me.
I'll keep showing the real, raw side of business, not the highlight reel. I'll keep opening doors for women who've been made to feel they don't belong in the room. And I'll be flying the Yorkshire flag on that red carpet at St Mary's Marylebone in London.
Thank you for every vote, every share and every bit of cheerleading. It means more than you'll ever know.
Em x
P.S. To whoever nominated me: thank you. If you fancy owning up, message me. I owe you a very large glass of something. 馃
Emily Mallender is a Sheffield based business and marketing coach, speaker and founder of EMpowered With Emily Mallender. She has 14 years' experience in business coaching, events and community building, has supported 30K+ business owners, and is a 2027 Yorkshire finalist in the Female Founder Awards England.
Go to the Area Awards voting form, choose Yorkshire, choose Emily Mallender, EMpowered With Emily, complete the security check and press vote.
Voting closes on Wednesday 27th January 2027.
No. Voting is completely free.
The finalist with the most public votes in each category wins.
The 2027 ceremony is at St Mary's Marylebone, London.
