We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for three prestigious awards at the upcoming Sunderland Business Excellence Awards.
We’re up for Best Business Transformation, Business in the Community, and Entrepreneur of the Year. As a Sunderland-born-and-bred business, this recognition means so much to us and represents a significant milestone in our journey.
Each nomination reflects a different facet of who we are as a company, the challenges we’ve overcome to get here, and the impact we aim to have on our community.
To shed a little light on the awards and our submissions, we thought we’d provide summaries of each entry, hopefully showcasing we’re very worthy winners – if we win! – or at least strong contenders if we don’t!
So why not grab a cuppa and dive in with us…?
Business Transformation: Navigating Change
Our Business Transformation entry tells the story of MMC’s evolution over the past few years. Like many businesses, we faced incredible challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overnight, we lost 80% of our planned work, a devastating blow to our operations.
Instead of giving up, we saw it as an opportunity to pivot. MMC swiftly transformed from a marketing agency into a full-service market research firm. At the time, our focus was needed on COVID-19 and reopening the high streets safely, focusing on public health.
Since then, we’ve had the pleasure of working with a mix of the public and private sector, including clients such as Bernicia, Sunderland BID, Healthwatch, fast-growing tech firm, iamproperty, the Durham Police & Crime Commissioner and so many other extraordinary organisations.
This shift was a turning point for us, and we haven’t stopped shifting! By integrating advanced AI tools and adapting to the needs of both public and private sectors with the introduction of new services, we not only recovered but this year we’ve doubled our business.
This nomination acknowledges our resilience, adaptability, and our ability to remain nimble in a rapidly changing business environment.
Business in the Community: Giving Back to Sunderland
The Business in the Community nomination holds a special place in our hearts.
MMC was founded in Sunderland, and we’ve always been committed to giving back to the local community that has supported us.
Each year, MMC donates 8% of our profits to local charities and causes. We also provide pro bono market research services to organisations like the Foundation of Light, which helps the charity evaluate its impact and tailor its programs more effectively.
This kind of support means that charities can focus their budgets on helping more people, extending the reach and efficacy of their work.
MMC has also supported Smart Works Newcastle, an organisation helping women enter or re-enter the workforce. Through donations, MMC has contributed to the charity’s mission of providing professional clothing and coaching to unemployed women, aligning with our broader focus on empowering women to balance their careers with caregiving responsibilities – a key belief of founder Natasha McDonough.
We’ve also recently begun working with Impact Family Services, a domestic abuse support organisation working across the region.
This partnership will include both financial contributions and the provision of MMC’s research capabilities, helping the charity better understand the needs of those impacted by domestic abuse.
To make the shortlist for this category celebrates our dedication to using our resources, time, and expertise to help those who need it most and we are thrilled to receive this recognition, hopefully inspiring other organisations along the way to be more community-minded.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Natasha McDonough’s Leadership
Finally, the Entrepreneur of the Year shortlisting celebrates the vision and leadership of our founder, Natasha McDonough. Natasha’s journey from redundancy to establishing a thriving business is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and innovative mindset.
After building a successful career in marketing, Natasha started MMC in 2015 with a mission to create a supportive workplace that could balance professional success with personal well-being.
Under her leadership, MMC has grown from a one-person operation into a market-leading research firm with a team of 10, delivering high-impact projects both locally and internationally.
Beyond running the business, Natasha plays an active role in the wider business community, serving as Vice President of the North East Chamber of Commerce, is a board member at the Beacon of Light and mentors a number of emerging females in business. She’s also a busy Mum of two boys.
This very worthy nomination is a recognition of her hard work, her commitment to the Sunderland community and wider North East, and her ability to inspire others.
Why These Awards Matter to MMC
Being shortlisted for these awards means so much to us because Sunderland is more than just our headquarters. It’s our home.
We’ve grown here, supported by the local community and fellow businesses, and now we’re in a position to give back and contribute to the region’s economic and social development. These awards celebrate the spirit of innovation, resilience, and community; values that are deeply embedded in our company culture.
Being shortlisted in all three categories is both an honour and a validation of the hard work and dedication of the entire MMC team. It highlights our adaptability, community spirit, and leadership, and it encourages us to continue pushing forward.
Let’s hope for a win on the 14th of November at the upcoming awards ceremony!
Thank you to the organisers of the Sunderland Business Excellence Awards 2024, the judges and our fellow nominees.
Whether we win or not on the night, being shortlisted feels fantastic and inspires us to keep growing, innovating, and making a positive impact on our region and beyond.