This November, Crush’s Founder and Creative Director, Natalie, had the privilege of attending 2024’s prestigious Novi Awards, having been shortlisted as a category finalist for Female Entrepreneur of the Year.
In its 14th year this year, Novi has just one purpose: To champion female business leaders who are breaking barriers across the business world.
As a female-owned design agency, initiatives like Novi are especially important to us here at Crush, and to be nominated has been a very proud moment both for Natalie and the entire team.
A moment to reflect and recognise women across the board
Although just pipped at the post for the coveted first place, Natalie was awarded a special prize of Highly Commended, for her 20+ years of business leadership and innovation within the design industry, along with her charitable activities outside of the workplace.
Starting out as a young designer within a sector so dominated by male leadership, in which 97% of creative directors are still male, Natalie began Crush out of pure determination to provide businesses – both small and large – with an authentic and honest approach to agency-client relationships. The result of this has led to over two decades of success as a team of designers and website developers that not only give guidance, as we should, but that also listen and truly understand our clients’ needs.
Over the past few years, we’ve welcomed and witnessed a steady rise in female representation and recognition within design, with projects and initiatives such as Design by Women and Mothers in Design showcasing the work of our industry’s most talented women.
Putting it simply, these initiatives just did not exist 20, even 10 years ago. But it is so important. Alongside business-wide initiatives like Novi, we’re making the working environment a fairer, more level playing field for women and men to thrive as equals.
“I am blown away with winning this accolade from Novi. The awards day was absolutely energising, an experience like no other for female business leaders. I had the privilege of meeting some awe-inspiring women who came from every walk of life.”
– Natalie Burkinshaw, Founder and Director, Crush
Find out more about the 2024 Novi Award winners here.
Support the Novi Awards here.
