A digital advertising agency started by a husband and wife team in a café has taken out top honours at the Sydney City Regional Business Awards, winning the micro business and regional business of the year awards.
The Darlinghurst-based enterprise, Murmur, was the first to win the new Excellence in Micro Business category for companies with up to five employees as part of the 2019 NSW Business Chamber's awards program.
Presenting the City of Sydney-sponsored awards at a gala ceremony at Sydney Town Hall last night, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City was proud to support local businesses and provide new opportunities for micro enterprises.
"Sydney's small, and extra small, businesses give character and life to our city streets and our local villages," the Lord Mayor said.
"I am honoured to celebrate our homegrown businesses at this year's awards ceremony, including our new awards category recognising 'micro businesses' with less than five employees.
"Micro, small and medium businesses are the powerhouse of our local economy, representing 85 per cent of all businesses in our area and contributing around $20 billion to the economy.
"I am also thrilled to see The Freedom Hub, which operates an ethical café in Waterloo to raise funds and support survivors of modern slavery, receive the Excellence in Social Enterprise award, and Bitton, serving wonderful French food in Alexandria for almost twenty years, recognised for Excellence in Business."
Murmur managing director, Dave Levett, launched the Sydney advertising and marketing agency with wife Marija in 2016 when they moved back to their hometown after working in London for several years.
"We started the business with a laptop in the bedroom of my family home in Dural and the next door café that had great wifi and decent coffee. I got two clients in the first two weeks of being back in Sydney and that put us on the journey we're on today," Mr Levett said.
"We now employ three staff and, to date, we've worked with over 70 clients here and overseas, devising marketing strategies, managing digital media and creating advertising campaigns.
"Working and living in Sydney has been incredibly rewarding and provided a lot of freedom, but along with that comes long hours that no one sees, including late nights and working through the weekends.
"For our business, being recognised at these awards really helps build our credibility and tells us we're on the right track and doing exceptional work.
"The award helps build morale in the business and gives justification to the staff for all their hard work.
"Being able to say that you've been recognised as a winner really helps build a lot of PR, and is a great message for new business pitches."
NSW Business Chamber Board Director, Judith Field, said the awards attended by 50 local inner-Sydney businesses was a great opportunity to celebrate and showcase their success.
"This program highlights the dedication and hard work of many business owners and their employees who are providing the great products and services that are helping strengthen the economy," Ms Field said.
For the third consecutive year, the City of Sydney is the proud principal partner of the Sydney City region, committing $80,000 a year for three years to support the program. The City also sponsors the Excellence in Small Business Category for NSW.
The City congratulates all the 2019 Sydney City Regional Business Award winners:
Excellence in Small Business – SalDoce Fine Foods
Excellence in Micro Business – Murmur
Excellence in Business – Bitton
Outstanding Young Employee – Matthew Millar, Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust
Outstanding Young Entrepreneur – Amy Kate Travers, Amy Kate
Outstanding Business Leader – Corinne Bot, Polyglot Group
Excellence in Social Enterprise – The Freedom Hub
Start Up Superstar – SustainHealth Recruitment
Excellence in Innovation – CancerAid
Excellence in Export – Australian Institute of Company Directors
Outstanding Employer of Choice – Finstro
Regional Business of the Year – Murmur
The Sydney City Regional Business Award winners will progress as finalists to the NSW Business Chamber State Business Awards, held on Friday 22 November in Sydney at the International Convention Centre.
