Pioneering pet product manufacturer Tracey Voss has marked her 25 years working in the sector by being shortlisted as a Finalist for one of Britain’s biggest and most prestigious business awards.

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2022, a glittering, star-studded event to be staged at London’s 5-star Grosvenor House Hotel in November, attracted over 5,300 entrants nationally, the biggest number ever to apply for the awards.

During Lockdown Tracey, Nottinghamshire-based MD of pet product company Tailor-Grace, created a new pet concept, Huskaloo, the world’s first eco-friendly, compact cat litter made from coconut husks.

Last year, Huskaloo was named ‘New Product Showcase Winner’ at PATS Telford 2021. And it also won Gold at the PetQuip Awards 2021 in the ‘Innovations In Lockdown’ category.

Now a third ‘feather in her cap’ has come with Huskaloo earning Tracey a Finalist nomination in the category ‘Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year’ – and she is hoping she will be “third time lucky” on Finals night.

Notable winners from previous years include Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC Television’s hit business series ‘Dragons’ Den’. Bartlett was a special guest at last year’s awards.

Held in partnership with Starling Bank, The Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledge and champion the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements.

Tracey told Pet Trade Xtra today: “I am absolutely blown away to be shortlisted as a Finalist amongst what has to be considerable talent.

“We’ve already enjoyed great success with Huskaloo winning two awards in the past year. Now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will be third time lucky again.”

‘Made possible by collective team effort’

A ‘pet parent’ herself for 30 years, Tracey used Lockdown to create Huskaloo at the peak of the Covid pandemic when many cat owners were extra-reluctant to visit High Street stores and carry home heavy sacks of litter.

With most brands producing clay-based litter, created by the environmentally destructive process of strip-mining, Tracey invented a 90% smaller, 90% lighter and more ecologically sustainable alternative.

The eco litter is 100% biodegradable, can be put onto garden compost heaps, and is also odour-free. Coconut husks are super-absorbent and friendlier both to the environment and to cats.

Tracey added: “It has long been an ambition of mine to be involved in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. I’ve always kept a close eye on the event and, having seen previous years’ applicants, I’ve dreamt of being a finalist myself.

“Now that day has come and after the year we have had, this is the icing on the cake. I am thrilled for the whole team because this achievement has only been made possible by a collective team effort.”

On Finals night, November 21, 12 awards will be given out per region for categories including Disruptor of the Year, Entrepreneur for Good Award, and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year.

This year marks a decade of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and, over the years, the ever-growing network of alumni has collectively turned over £30 billion and employed around 450,000 people.

PATS Telford launch due

Great British Entrepreneur Awards Founder, Francesca James, said: “From the pandemic to the ongoing cost of living crisis, business owners haven’t had it easy over the past few years, but it’s a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of these entrepreneurs that they have continued on their path and refused to give in.”

Huskaloo isn’t the only pioneering product Tracey has created. Ten years ago, she also pioneered a new pet product concept for dogs – Oggi’s Oven, a bake-your-own-biscuits for your dog brand that was the first of its kind. As well as being Britain’s “first ever”, Oggi’s is also now the leading No.1 product in this field.

The original idea for Oggi came from a conversation Tracey shared a decade ago with leading UK canine geneticist Dr Malcom Willis. Chatting at a dog show, Tracey spoke of her desire to create a character who could educate families and children about how to keep dogs healthy.

Now, to mark Oggi’s 10th birthday, a new product, ‘Oggi’s Birthday Gift Box’ is to be launched at PATS Telford 2022 in September.