SME footwear brand, Cocorose London, will be heading to two Wembley finals before the end of the year, having received three award nominations across two different award schemes.

The North London-based business is firstly shortlisted in the prestigious SME National Business Awards 2023, in which its founder, Janan Leo, is a finalist for the title of Business Woman of the Year.

This is a major feat, with the SME National Business Awards having received a record number of entries this year, as they celebrate the world of female entrepreneurship and dynamic women business leaders. The final for these awards will be held at Wembley Stadium on December 1.

Before that, Cocorose London will be heading to the Hilton, Wembley, on September 22, to pick up either a gold or silver award in two different categories in which it is shortlisted in the Best Businesswomen Awards 2023. These awards recognise the achievement of female entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries and have focused on the resilience of women business leaders in the very challenging business environment of recent years.

The fashion brand, founded in 2007, is shortlisted for Best Product, whilst Janan Leo is a finalist for the Most Inspiring Businesswoman accolade.

The awards shortlistings are just reward for a brand that has forced a major rethink within the world of women’s footwear, ever since Janan invented the world’s first foldable shoe. Since then, Cocorose London has empowered women worldwide to make a fashion choice that suits their authentic self, by offering them a range of ultimate-comfort footwear that is also stylish and anything but frumpy. It has encouraged women to wear what is comfortable and makes them feel good when it comes to footwear choices, rather than continuing to be bound by stereotypes that dictate they should only be seen teetering around in heels.

The brand’s journey may have started with the foldable shoe, and launching a product that experts decreed could never be brought to market, but it has come a long way since. Cocorose London now has a full range of super-comfy flat footwear, encompassing hugely popular über foot-friendly trainers, stylish leather loafers, eye-catching ballerina pumps, sandals and boots.

It also operates a range of sustainable initiatives, from a recycling scheme for its pre-loved footwear, to a plant-a-tree initiative linked to purchases.

More exciting developments are in the pipeline for the last quarter of 2023, as Cocorose London continues to set, rather than follow, the footwear trend.

Janan Leo says, “We are so delighted to have the recognition that these awards are offering, which is a massive boost for a dedicated family business like Cocorose London. We have always focused on the needs of our Cocorosers – our loyal and passionate customers who have helped make our brand successful and much-loved. If we are able to win an award, it will be thanks to their continuous belief in what we do and how we do it.”

Janan’s story – and that of the brand – have been documented in a podcast that covers all the ups and downs of running a small but dynamic fashion footwear business. To listen to this and gain inspiration for your own enterprise, head to bit.ly/3PJePaz