Holistic skincare range secures ‘The Ultimate Pitch’ in Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon

A Dollingstown woman who creates skincare and holistic therapy products from natural ingredients has won the local heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch.

Margaret McKee of Humble Bee Therapies secured £1,000 investment for her business, and a place in the regional Ultimate Pitch Final next month, where she’ll be in with the chance of winning an additional £5,000.

The competition is organised by the government-backed enterprise support service Go Succeed.

Humble Bee Therapies offers holistic treatments and a handcrafted natural skincare range. Margaret, a therapist and beekeeper, said she started the business because she wanted to create products that were as kind to the skin as they are to the earth.

Margaret was among several entrepreneurs to pitch at the local Ultimate Pitch heat at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, with others including Carter Wilson, who runs a 3D printing business and won the Rising Star Award, and Victoria Fratescu, who runs an IT/coding academy for kids and won the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Jessica Johnston said: “The Ultimate Pitch is a fantastic celebration of innovation and ambition, and the calibre of entrepreneurs at our local heat has been outstanding. Huge congratulations to all the finalists on their impressive pitches.

“We wish the overall winner every success at the regional final and look forward to seeing all the participants continue their entrepreneurial journey.”

Heat winners from each of Northern Ireland’s 11 councils will progress to The Ultimate Pitch regional final in Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co. Derry on 19th November.

The overall winner at the regional final will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, £5,000 investment, and a prize package including a photography session supplied by Brian Thompson Photography, podcast recording session supplied by Attention X Studio NI, membership of Toastmasters, and a media training session supplied by LK Communications.

Winners of sub-categories at the regional final, which include the Go Succeed Impact Award for the best social enterprise, the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award, and the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16–25-year-old entrepreneur, will also receive £1,500 towards their business idea.

Meanwhile, members of the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite regional finalist to win the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Ardmore Group, with the winner also receiving a £1,500 cash prize. Go Succeed (www.go-succeed.com) is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils. The service supports entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses with easy-to-access advice and support – including mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks, access to grant funding and business planning – at every stage of their growth journey.