All Star Award - Wigs Up North - Wigs Up North was established in 2004 by Jackie Sweeney, Liz Armstrong and Vicky Holmes who all have a background in theatre and television. Jackie and Liz, met while studying Theatrical Make-up at The London College of Fashion. Liz went on to be a wig mistress on touring productions for some major West End shows including Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, and Jackie became a make-up artist at Granada. Vicky, also with a background in theatre, joined the company as the third partner in 2005.

"We've always wanted to win this award because it's locally focused which makes it even more special. New East Manchester have really supported our business right from the start and this just reinforces this. This money will make a massive difference. We feel like we've been wading through treacle and now we can purchase an e-commerce site and an EPOS system allowing for seamless sales and stock taking. The money will also help us employ our first member of staff giving a college leaver the chance to get their first step ion the career ladder"

Finalists

The Little Greene Paint Company - Manufacturer of premium paints and wallpapers who supply interior designers and architects. They employ 61 staff And their products can be found in most independent paint retailers and through-out Europe
Scott Hughes Design - a civil and structural engineering design consultancy employing 16 people in the Flintglass Works in Ancoats.
Transfixed - A wig and beauty salon for the trans-gender community with an online store that was set up 9 months ago in Beehive Mill on Ancoats.
Pageplay- Offers easily up-datable website design paid for on monthly fee which is aimed at start-ups and smaller businesses. Based in the Express Networks Building in Ancoats, the small company of four staff, started in 2008.
Acid Computer Services - Bespoke software and database company based in Ancoats with clients ranging from organisations such as the NHS to small businesses.

All 5 finalists

First Place- Barking Barbers - Angel Dominic Moore, Owner of Barking Barbers said: "I feel elated to have won £10,000 in the EnterPrize competition. The prize will help me develop a new online Dog Forum providing advice for dog owners and launch a new holistic dog grooming salon. I want to be part of the changing face of dog grooming in the UK by encouraging better care and understanding of pets through knowledge."

Second Place - Hound Helpers - Managing Director of Hound Helpers, Sarah Roper said: "I'm so excited about where this £5,000 prize will take my business. Buying a larger van alone will help double my projected turnover for next year. I wouldn't have been able to develop Hound Helpers without the advice and support from New East Manchester."

All 5 finalists

First Place- Built-Up Signs (www.built-ups.com) Peter Potts, 26 and Westley McKay, 27, began their Newton Heath-based business, Built-Up Signs, in January 2007 after losing the jobs they had held for ten years at a local sign-making shop. Determined not to let their expertise go to waste, the two friends succeeded in buying the equipment of the failed business that had made them redundant from the liquidator. On hearing they had come first, Peter Potts said: “We are shocked and over the moon to have won this award – it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind. The £10,000 prize will help us buy new machinery and equipment and training for our employees. The advisers at New East Manchester have been brilliant - like project managers, setting us goals and helping with our business plan. We’d encourage other local businesses to enter – even if you don’t win, the advice you get is really useful.”

Second Place - Dream Clubs - (www.dreamclubs.co.uk) Sharon Calvert, 25, set up Dream Clubs in order to expand her nails and beauty firm to provide well-being classes that boost the confidence of her customers. As a mobile beauty therapist she realised there was demand for advice on healthy diets and suitable exercise regimes alongside the waxing, massage and pedicure treatments she offered. Sharon was a finalist in the first EnterPrize competition and further development over the following months allowed her to pick up the second prize