Hertfordshire's Noise Makers wins Vodafone Shout Out for Small Businesses campaign

A children's entertainment company in Hertfordshire has won a competition run by Vodafone to give vital support to small businesses across the UK.

Noise Makers, founded by children's education specialist Elise Betts, has won a bespoke social media marketing campaign on Facebook and Instagram, which will also be amplified across Vodafone'e own social media channels to potentially reach more than a million people.

The business, which holds classes in Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Croxley and Stanmore, will also receive online business strategy sessions with Vodafone’s V-Hub digital business experts.

Vodafone’s judging panel included former Dragons’ Den investor and entrepreneur Piers Linney, Enterprise Nation CEO Emma Jones CBE, and Vodafone’s Head of Small Business, Andrew Stevens.

The judges said Noise Makers had demonstrated an ingenious use of digital technology to attract customers during the pandemic.

Founded by former youth worker and children’s education specialist Elise Betts, Noise Makers has been running baby and toddler music classes for over two years.

Prior to the pandemic, the business conducted classes at its Hertfordshire based venues - Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Stanmore and Croxley.

Due to lockdown restrictions, the business shifted its operations online, conducting weekly music classes virtually on Zoom and creating content for YouTube for parents who wanted to continue sessions with their children at home.

Anne Sheehan, business director, Vodafone UK said: “I’d like to congratulate Noise Makers who were worthy winners of this competition and I hope will go from strength to strength as a result of this social media boost.

"We launched the Shout Out for Small Business campaign to continue raising awareness of the brilliant things small businesses have done to survive the pandemic.

"While the pandemic has presented many challenges, the ability to engage with and attract customers online opens up all kinds of business opportunities.”

Elise Betts, Founder and CEO, Noise Makers said: “During the last 12 months it has been so important for me to be able to stay connected with parents and their little ones, to keep them engaged, entertained and provide a lifeline for many families.

"From filming material in my garage to “zooming” live in my living room, it has been a steep learning curve but an extremely rewarding one!

“Winning the Vodafone Shout Out for Small Businesses campaign will give my business a helping hand in reaching more parents and children and spread the joy that my classes already bring to so many.

"It will also help my small business flourish. I am so excited to be supported by Vodafone for this next step!”