Putting yourself forward for recognition can feel surprisingly difficult.
I know, because I recently nominated myself for the Professional Services Powerhouse category at the Flamingo Business Awards 2026.
And then I found out I’d been shortlisted as a finalist.
I’m delighted. I’m also still getting used to saying it out loud.
The part that felt uncomfortable
I’m not someone who naturally talks about my own achievements.
When I considered putting myself forward, I had the familiar internal debate: Is this bragging? Should I really be nominating myself?
It felt easier to leave it to someone else. But small business owners can be very good at celebrating other people and very bad at recognising their own work.
I decided to give myself permission to try.
Not because I think I’m better than anyone else. And not because putting your name forward guarantees anything. I did it because I believe in the way I work with clients, and I wanted to acknowledge the care and thought I put into building this practice.
What I wanted to recognise
I’ve spent more than 25 years developing my technical experience as an accountant, and I’m a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA). But good accountancy, to me, is about more than getting the figures and filings right.
It’s also about helping you understand what those figures mean for your business.
At Claudia Sheena Accountancy Services, we aim to be proactive rather than reactive. We make time for monthly reviews and a month 9 tax-planning check-in, so you can consider your position while there’s still time to make informed decisions.
I explain things in plain English. And when you have a question, you shouldn’t have to spend days chasing an answer: we typically respond within 24 hours.
These are the standards I care about. I want you to feel that someone understands your business, knows your numbers and is there to help you think ahead.
You can read more about how I work and the practice.
Being shortlisted has made it feel real
Being named a finalist has given me a moment to pause and appreciate what I’ve built.
Running a small business takes a lot of work that isn’t always visible. There are decisions to make, relationships to build and plenty of days when you simply keep going without stopping to mark a milestone.
This shortlist is a chance to do that.
It’s also a reminder that it’s all right to put your work forward and let other people decide what they think. That still feels a little outside my comfort zone, but I’m glad I did it.
If you’ve worked with me, your vote would mean a lot
The public vote is now open. It makes up 20% of the final score, with the other 80% coming from the judging panel.
The rules are important: only people with first-hand experience of a finalist’s business may vote. That means clients, customers or collaborators who can genuinely speak to their experience.
If that includes you, and you’d like to support me, you can vote for Claudia Sheena in the Professional Services Powerhouse category. Please submit your vote by midnight UK time on Friday 6 November 2026.
The winners will be announced on Thursday 26 November at the Flamingo Business Awards night at Viva Blackpool.
I know asking for a vote is another small step outside my comfort zone. But I’m learning that recognising your work doesn’t have to mean boasting. Sometimes it simply means letting the people who know your work have their say.
So, if you’ve worked with me or the practice first-hand, I’d be very grateful if you’d vote before 6 November. There’s no pressure at all. Your support, in whatever form it takes, means a great deal.
If you’d like to talk with me about your business, you can book a discovery call, email me at claudia@cs-accountants.co.uk or call me on 07973 504511.
Best wishes,
Claudia
P.S. The public vote closes at midnight UK time on Friday 6 November. If you’re eligible and would like to vote, you’ll find the voting page here.
