UnderTheDoormat CEO Merilee Karr Named Entrepreneur of the Year!

On the 16th November, a diverse array of local businesses came together at the exclusive Roehampton Club in South London to celebrate commerce in the area – and to find out who had been crowned ‘winner’ at the Wandsworth Business Awards.

Now in its sixth year, the Wandsworth Business awards was established to highlight the thriving business scene in the popular borough of Wandsworth. Following a competitive two-round application process, UnderTheDoormat were delighted to be announced as finalists in the Best SME Business and Entrepreneur of the Year categories. With so many influential local businesses in the running, we weren’t taking anything for granted, and arrived at the awards ceremony feeling grateful to have been nominated in the first place; indeed, as Steve Pinto (Chief Executive of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce) commented, the competition was particularly fierce this year: ‘We received so many entries from local businesses in the borough, large and small. To get to the finals is absolutely fantastic.’

As such, all finalists attending the awards were in the mood to celebrate! The evening began with a drinks reception before attendees sat down for a three-course dinner followed by the awards ceremony. David Blackmore, a London TV and radio presenter, was on hand to host, presiding over an audience of nearly two hundred people. Also in attendance were Wandsworth councillor Rory O’Broin, who declared the event an ‘amazing evening’ which showed that ‘Wandsworth is a great place to start and grow a business’, and Mike Smith from McDonald’s (headline sponsor of the event). Mr Smith extended his congratulations to all winners and finalists, adding that McDonald’s were proud to sponsor these ‘very special awards’ which ‘recognise the dynamism, diversity and entrepreneurial flair that characterises the business community in the borough.’

It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of the community, and really wonderful to be involved in an event that celebrates the outstanding work of local businesses as a whole. – Merilee Karr, CEO of UnderTheDoormat

The awards ceremony was split into twelve categories, including Innovator of the Year, Employer of the Year, and – of course – Best SME Business and Entrepreneur of the Year. Up against stiff competition from acclaimed local firms including Beaver Pest Control (eventual winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award), International Private Finance, and Minar Jewellers, we were delighted to win in the coveted ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ category, which recognised Merilee Karr’s groundbreaking work in the short-term rental sector.

CEO of UnderTheDoormat Merilee Karr pictured at the Wandsworth Business Awards: delighted to win ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’!

Speaking after the event, UnderTheDoormat CEO Merilee Karr said: ‘I’m so proud to accept this award on behalf of my whole team. UnderTheDoormat are dedicated to providing an exceptional service to clients and homeowners, and to set the standard for short-term rentals across the industry: not only is it wonderful to be recognised in this way, but it’s been brilliant to see how this commitment to excellence is mirrored in many other businesses throughout Wandsworth. It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of the community, and really wonderful to be involved in an event that celebrates the outstanding work of local businesses as a whole.’