ARTIST, author and illustrator Laura Wall, from Kingsteignton, has been voted Britain’s Entrepreneur of the Year at a national awards ceremony dubbed ‘the working women’s Oscars’.
She was one of more than 1,300 applicants vying for honours in the Venus Awards which celebrate women in business.
Laura, who operates out of Teignmouth, is best known for her Goose children’s books which sell in 40 countries and have been translated into 11 languages.
Their success is about to rocket even further with a merchandise deal and a one-minute animation which could flower into a TV series in the next two years.
The Goose parade doesn’t stop there. Also in the pipeline is an all-singing international touring stage show featuring the popular character and chums.
And later this month the tireless businesswoman will launch her next Goose book at the Eden Project.
Laura said of her successes: ‘This year has been a real whirlwind, and ridiculously exciting. I am thrilled to be recognised not just for my artwork, but approach to business too.’
She added: ‘I have had to take risks along the way, but that is the definition of entrepreneur, so to win this award nationally is truly the ultimate accolade.’
Laura’s category was second to last at the awards ceremony in Basingstoke where she admitted ‘it was very nerve wracking waiting until the end – but worth it when the result was read!’
Laura also owns an art gallery with husband David Butt in Teignmouth, and supplies fine artwork to galleries around the UK.
Her fine art series Love at the Seaside features areas along the south west coast, as well as characters from the Goose books.
Last month she had a sell-out exhibition of 20 original pieces with buyers bidding on artwork from around the UK.