A BUSINESSWOMAN who would not take no for an answer when it came to saving her business has been entered for The Press Business Awards 2012 by her staff.

Julie Dodsworth, founder of Dodsworths plant display business, based in Cundall, near Thirsk, has developed the venture from a standing start more than 22 years ago into one of the largest companies in the field.

During 2010, and the onset of the credit crunch, Julie recognised the need to use all the skills available within the team to diversify into new markets.

The company looked into homeware products, but research soon showed the market was dominated by long standing high-street brands. But undeterred, Julie’s “let’s-make-it-happen” ethos went into gear.

Julie took her designs to Belfast, Southampton, London, Norwich and the West Country, sitting and waiting in receptions all day in the hope of getting a meeting.

Chris Cassar, general manager, said: “It took real guts and determination. Even if she was seen, there were a lot of noes and bluntness. But the perseverance paid off and in only 12 months Julie has signed nine major licences with global coverage.”

Julie said: “I knew it would be a mixture of perseverance and working through it methodically. It was a bit like singing on a street corner and trying to get a part in the West End.”

But she persevered.

“I promised myself I would keep going until I had gone through all the possibilities, so I would have known I couldn’t have tried any more and couldn’t have done better.”

All the hard work paid off with the company launching 157 products this year and selling into more than 500 high-street stores in seven countries.

Julie has now been nominated for Women In Enterprise and Business Personality Of The Year categories at The Press Business Awards 2012.