A successful entrepreneur has been shortlisted for the Guardian’s Small Business Showcase Award.
Victoria Olubi, 26, of Islip Manor in Northolt, started TheTutoress.com four years ago, which specialises in tutoring English and helping children pass the 11+ exams.
Ms Olubi, who also has her own line of natural hair products called My Curls, is in the top three people up for the award.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday at The Small Business Showcase Award Ceremony in central London.
The competition asked entrepreneurs from across the country to write a 250 word article explaining how they had made smart decisions to grow their business.
These techniques included publishing books, blogging and networking on social media channels such as LinkedIn and Twitter.
Ms Olubi said: “I know there’s a lot of competition and I’m up against some of the fastest growing startups in the country but my business stands out because it makes a difference in children’s lives.
“Those children started off not doing very well in school and with me they make progress.
“I hope that my article and ideas are enough to wow the judges.”
The young businesswoman has big dreams for her one-to-one tutoring venture and hopes to launch an online course for 11+ students as well as a two week English Summer course which will help students improve their reading, writing and public speaking skills.
She added: “I did not think of it as a business at first, it was something on the side but I was getting a lot of demand.
“Now I hire other tutors and currently have four working with me.
“I think I’m a good example of someone who started their business on their own using their own innovative thinking and I will be so happy if I win.”
