‘UK’s premier business awards for women’
Case Studies : James James Kitchens
James James Kitchens – Finalist
James James Kitchens, a long-established kitchen company founded in 1953 and based in West Kirby, found themselves in the spotlight when Maria Challis, Director, was anonymously nominated for the EVAs. Going through the awards process had a profound impact on Maria, who discovered the importance of regularly acknowledging her own accomplishments. Being a finalist encouraged her to reflect more often on her personal and professional achievements, adding a fresh perspective to her journey with the company.
Why did you enter the EVA’s
“I was completely taken by surprise when I found out I’d been nominated anonymously. It was such a touching gesture, and reading the kind words in the nomination was truly heartwarming. I only wish I could thank them personally for their support and encouragement.”
Maria Challis, Director
How did you hear about the awards?
I hadn’t even heard of the EVAs until I was nominated, so the whole experience was completely unexpected – and incredible! I had no idea how big the EVAs were until I became involved. None of my contacts had mentioned it before, and I didn’t know anyone who had participated.
When I took part, it was amazing how many people I connected with through mutual acquaintances. Out of the three contacts I made during the process, two had actually nominated themselves, which I only discovered later. It just shows that even when you think you’re well-connected, there’s a whole network of inspiring people still out there to meet!
“It was a brilliant experience… It was a really good process to go through. It definitely made me inwardly reflect a huge amount.“
Have you entered any other awards?
We’ve entered industry awards before, and my team members, particularly our designers, frequently nominate themselves. I always encourage this – it’s a fantastic way for them to grow, challenge themselves, and build confidence in their abilities.
This year, I was anonymously nominated for Cheshire Woman of the Year and made it to the finals, which was an honour. However, the EVAs really stand out in terms of scale and impact. Being part of such a large and supportive community has been an inspiring experience.
Personally, I’ve never really thought about putting myself forward for awards; I usually focus on promoting the company rather than myself. Maybe it’s something many women relate to—feeling hesitant to give ourselves the recognition we deserve. But this experience has reminded me of the value of stepping up and celebrating our achievements.
What did it mean for you and your team to be shortlisted?
It was truly touching to know others saw qualities in me that I hadn’t fully recognised. Through the EVA process, I realised how much I’d been driving community-focused initiatives and fundraisers without fully appreciating my own role in them.
When discussing our history and my journey over the last five years, I was reminded of the initial challenges in gaining local support. Taking over James James Kitchens was about respecting our heritage as much as running a business, and the community’s loyalty over the past 53 years has been invaluable – they’ve been our foundation.
The awards process was also a powerful reminder of what my team means to me. As leaders, we can lose sight of the bigger picture, but this experience helped me reflect deeply on what matters most. It wasn’t about our turnover; it was about our connection to the community and the impact we’ve made together. The whole experience made me proud of what we’ve built – something I hadn’t acknowledged fully before.
The EVAs night
The evening was absolutely fantastic – exciting, nerve-wracking, and unforgettable! I was thrilled to run into a few familiar faces I hadn’t expected to see, and the venue was incredible. Having my partner there for support meant a lot to me. I loved every minute of the night and, in hindsight, I wish I’d brought my whole team along so they could have seen the business represented. It was truly a night to remember!
What’s been the impact of entering?
The experience has made me much more self-aware, especially about the importance of acknowledging and celebrating my own achievements. I’ve realised that it’s okay to promote myself a bit more and appreciate the small wins, to really own what I’ve accomplished.
As women, we’re fantastic at lifting each other up when the opportunity arises, but it’s easy to overlook this in our day-to-day lives. I’m all about empowering others, and while I readily give others praise, I’ve had to learn to receive it as well.
Now, I feel more comfortable putting myself out there and giving myself credit, without feeling egotistical. I’ve become more vocal, celebrating even the small successes and recognising that sometimes it’s okay to say, “Yes, that was my idea.” This experience has really encouraged me to own my contributions and step into my achievements more confidently.
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