From celebration to connection
- Emily Hewett
- Nov 9
- 3 min read
Why community matters more than trophies
This week has been a proud one.I announced that I am Emily Marketing is a finalist for Best Graphic Design Business and Best Small Business at the Small Business Awards 2025 – another amazing milestone for the team.
But when I say “team”, I don’t just mean the freelancers I collaborate with. My team includes the incredible clients I work alongside every day – because when we work together, we don’t just tick boxes. We become an extension of each other’s businesses.
And this week, that couldn’t have felt truer.
Team Arella at the This is Manchester Awards
On Thursday, I travelled to Manchester with the brilliant Mandy, my PR collaborator, to support one of our amazing clients – Arella – who were proud sponsors of the Wellness Award at the This is Manchester Awards.
For those who don’t know, Arella is a plant-based supplement brand built around real wellness and whole-body support. Their collagen range is designed for both men and women, while Arella Pause specifically supports women through menopause – helping to balance hormones, improve sleep, and boost overall wellbeing.
(And if you fancy trying it for yourself, you can use code EMILY20 for 20% off at the checkout – you're welcome).
I’ve worked with Arella for a few years now, leading their marketing, strategy and design – and earlier this year, I proudly became Director alongside founder Laura Capewell. Laura’s one of those rare people with equal parts heart and business sense. She started Arella from a genuine desire to help people feel like themselves again and has built a brand that does exactly that.
So being there, surrounded by people who genuinely care about supporting others and celebrating community, was really special.
A night that brought everything together
It was one of those nights that reminded me why I love what I do. Around the table sat familiar faces, friends who started as clients, and two teams – Arella and IAE coming together as one.
The lovely Lucy-Jo Hudson joined us too. She’s an incredible actress and passionate advocate for Arella, and after finally meeting face to face we laughed discovering we’d once lived just down the road from each other in Leeds! Funny how life lines up the right people when you least expect it.
Why Arella chose to sponsor the Wellness Award at TIMA
Supporting businesses is part of what both Arella and IAE stand for. Between us, we’ve been fortunate to win countless awards – but this time, it was about giving back.
The Wellness Award felt like the perfect fit, not just for Arella’s mission but for what we both believe in: building strong communities and celebrating businesses that make a difference.
This wasn’t an industry-specific event – it brought together people from every sector in Manchester who are working hard to grow their businesses, create impact, and support one another. It was about connection, not competition – exactly the kind of energy we love to be part of.
The winners, The Manchester Mindfulness Festival, were so deserving and it was amazing to see wellness, creativity and community celebrated side by side.
More than awards
Awards are brilliant, of course – they bring visibility, recognition, and pride. But they’re also a reminder of why you do what you do, and who you do it with.
This week wasn’t just about celebration. It was about collaboration, community and connection. It was a reminder that the real win isn’t just the trophy – it’s the people, the partnerships and the shared purpose behind it all.
And I couldn’t be more grateful for mine.
Your task this week: Reach out to someone in your network who’s helped or supported you this year – whether it’s a client, collaborator, or friend. Say thank you, offer to support them in return, or even shout them out on your socials.
Because business growth doesn’t happen in isolation – it happens in community.
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