WHAT exciting times for Ruth Snowden in her 29th year – a successful business, her marriage in August to businessman Nicholas Snowden, and places in the finals of two categories of The Press Business Awards.

And now The Press Young Business Entrepreneur of the Year.

Ruth was at one time a teenage rebel, a world roamer, selling oil in Norway, an agricultural student, a car saleswoman, and at 21 was called up by the Government to help farmers in the foot and mouth crisis.

But when she went to work for Easingwold Bathrooms and Interiors, she was so impressed that she bought the company and made it boom.

All her experience seemed to combine in this one venture, which became a going concern when her parents helped by remortgaging their home.

But all that has been repaid now, and with the business expanding to having four employees and investment in computers to help with bathroom designs, it’s an upward graph all the way.

Ruth was described variously by our judges as one who “combines entrepreneurial flair with an extremely level head”, also as “a driven individual with an eye for a good product and a good market opportunity”; and as one “who is committed to excellent customer service, successfully differentiating her business from other bathroom showrooms in the area, targeting the top end of the market”.


Young Entrepreneur Of The Year

Winner: Ruth Snowden of Easingwold Bathrooms and Interiors

Finalists: Laura Cowlbeck of Purple Haze and Sadie Hopkins of York Coffee Emporium