Director of Literally PR & Founder of food&drink towers announced as a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Wednesday 16^thSeptember 2015, Kent, United Kingdom: Helen Lewis is one of just 15 people shortlisted in the prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Awards (Small Business category).

The full list was unveiled last night (15^thSeptember 2015) and can be viewed here:http://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com/2015-shortlist-gbea/

Born in Yorkshire, raised in Kent, educated at City University in London (Journalism) and now living in the Kent countryside with her two young daughters, 35-year-oldHelen Lewishas built up two successful businesses from scratch over the past decade and is working on a third -The Author School- with co-founder (former Literally PR client and YA fiction author Abiola Bello), which has already attracted attention from Sir Richard Branson and is part of the Virgin StartUp scheme.

Helen Lewis says: "My businesses have been self-funded from very small pots, and been built up through years of hard graft - plenty of blood, sweat and tears, erratic working hours and incredibly supportive friends and family. To be recognised for my efforts by such a prominent award panel and make it to the shortlist is the icing on the cake for me - this has been an incredible year including a trip to New York for the Book Expo America, having a stand for the second time at the London Book Fair and celebrating the successes of our clients at the annual Literally Summer Media Party in Chelsea. "

food&drink towers was founded in 2006, when Helen worked as a freelance food journalist. Keen to speak to small and start-up food and drink brands rather than the huge multinationals with their ‘cut and paste' answers, it became clear that there was a major information gap. Small producers and brand owners didn't have the PR budget or know-how to get the press coverage they deserved. With a budget of just £800, Helen createdwww.foodanddrinktowers.com, which - nine years later - continues to provide free services connecting journalists with food and drink brands of all shapes and sizes. The site now has more than 6000 members and Helen is currently seeking an investor to help her revamp and refresh the site ahead of its 10^thbirthday next year.

Literally PRhas grown from small foundations to be an internationally recognised publicity agency - working with food and drink brands, authors, indie publishers, self-publishers and traditional publishers. LitPR has been fortunate enough to work with big name authors such as New York Times bestseller John Gerzema, actor and playwright Steven Berkoff, comedian Dylan Brody, Great British Menu & Winteringham Fields chef Colin McGurran and critically acclaimed writer Sibylle Berg.

Keeping costs realistic and competitive, supporting authors throughout the journey - not just at the end - and providing a personal, bespoke service has meant that Literally PR is the ‘go-to' publicity agency for authors and publishers. Understanding the challenges of indie and self-publishing and the complexities of producing quality books in a fast-paced industry, Literally PR provides an honest, effective, reliable and personable service to its clients.

Helen Lewis adds: "I've never really considered myself an entrepreneur - I've just cracked on with what needs to be done - but I'm overjoyed with this accolade. I love working with different people around the world, I'm mad about travelling, reading a book so good it consumes you, trying new foods and enjoy my ‘job' every day. My ultimate goal is to create a business that my two girls might want to be a part of when they're older. I want them to have options and I want to show them that as a woman you can have both a career and a family - it doesn't have to be one or the other no matter what anyone says - I am living proof of that. I do the majority of school runs in the week, help them with their homework and take them to their classes and parties. I also attend meetings around the world (Skype is wonderful!) and work almost every day (including weekends!). For me, it's all about balancing - and staying focused and happy."

--Notes to editors--

Helen Lewis is available for interview and editorial commissions about being an entrepreneur, the awards, building her businesses, managing expectations of her as a Mum and a business woman, and much more!

To arrange please contact Samuel Batt or Diana Ashlee on info@literallypr.com.

A Shortlist Celebration party will be held on October 7^that RBS Headquarters. The winners will be announced on November 25^th2015 at a black tie reception in the Ballroom, Southbank.

Information about the awards:http://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com/celebrating-entrepreneurs/awards-ceremony/

The shortlist:

http://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com/2015-shortlist-gbea/

Testimonials for Helen's businesses:http://www.literallypr.com/public_relations/file/testimonials.php

Social media links:

https://twitter.com/literallypr

https://twitter.com/fdtowers

https://www.facebook.com/Literally-PR-342794935782744/timeline/

https://www.facebook.com/Food-and-Drink-Towers-140496282647865/timeline/

https://www.facebook.com/The-Author-School-631207493676644/timeline/

https://twitter.com/theauthorschool

Literally PR:www.literallypr.com

food&drink towers:www.foodanddrinktowers.com

The Author School:www.theauthorschool.com

--Ends--