• Spalding-based business, Jackalope Joe, is calling for support as it reaches the final with a chance to be voted national winner of O2 Everyday Heroes Awards
  • Hannah Joe, Founder of Jackalope Joe, is one of five regional business owners with the opportunity to win the £5,000 cash prize
  • Known for championing the community as well as quality coffee and sustainable packaging, Hannah has brought joy and support to all her customers in the region
  • Voting is now open over at @o2businessuk on Twitter until the 21st September for the public to vote Hannah as their winner

10th September 2021 – Small business, Jackalope Joe, a local micro-roastery based in Spalding, Lincolnshire, is calling for support as it reaches the final stage of O2’s Everyday Heroes Awards.

Founder, Hannah Joe, has been crowned one of the regional winners of this year’s awards – celebrating the independent and small businesses, and the individuals behind them, who have adapted and flexed their business to go above and beyond to support their communities or have remained resilient and resourceful in the face of adversity.

Hannah was nominated by members of the public who wished to acknowledge her dedication in providing the community with fresh, specialty coffee and a slice of normality during a turbulent year.

Following a lifelong love for coffee, Jackalope Joe was born. The micro-roastery opened in November 2019 as a way for Hannah to share her passion for true artisan coffee with Lincolnshire and for consumers to truly understand the background and the supply chain behind their favourite drinks. A one-woman show from the beginning, Hannah sources, selects, grinds, roasts and packages all her coffee whilst raising two kids alongside a part-time job. She has overcome Brexit, a pandemic, the blocking of the Suez Canal and the trials and tribulations of home-schooling to create a much-loved local business that has been a rock for many.

When asked what being named a regional winner meant to her, Hannah said: “I run my business on my own but the support behind me is incredible. I’m so grateful for my wonderful customers, friends and family and it means the world to me to know my business has made a positive impact on my local community.

“Technology is the foundation of Jackalope Joe as I had to shift entirely online during lockdown, so the £5,000 prize for being crowned the national winner would mean that I could upgrade my equipment and bring even better roasted coffee to everyone.”

During the pandemic, Hannah donated her coffee towards food packages in partnership with a local building company, as a pick-me-up to those shielding. A regular at artisan fairs and markets, customers have commented on how Jackalope Joe has been essential in helping them get through lockdown, providing much needed comfort.

Hannah is one of five regional winners battling it out to be crowned this year’s Everyday Hero who will receive the £5000 cash prize. Public votes will account for 50 per cent of the final outcome, while the other 50 per cent will be determined by the O2 panel who will be joined by internationally renowned interior designer and entrepreneur, Kelly Hoppen, MBE.

Members of the public have until Tuesday 21st September to head to @o2businessuk on Twitter to like and retweet to vote for their winner.

Jo Bertram, Managing Director, Business & Wholesale at Virgin Media O2 said: “Hannah is a great example of someone who has been a friendly face and a pillar of their community during this time. Her commitment to her business and her customers in the face of so many obstacles is indicative of the tenacity of many during this time. Hannah deserves her place as a regional winner of O2’s Everyday Heroes award.”

Other regional winners include @indytute from Kent, @loveyourdoorstep from London, @yasin_hq from Leicester and @boo_hq from Bolton. To find out more about their stories, visit https://www.o2.co.uk/business/everyday-heroes.

The tools available through O2 Business can help firms continue to adapt and grow their business as the UK continues to head out of lockdown.  As flexibility continues to be more important than ever, customers can choose the ultimate flexible package with tariffs that give them the control and confidence to suit their evolving company needs.

The market-leading suite of flexible solutions includes automatic data rollover and flexible tariffs so customers can flex their data allowance up and down each billing cycle. As well as flexible add-on business apps such as Microsoft Office 365 so customers can stay productive no matter where they need to work, plus a range of business contract lengths, from a rolling 30-day plan, through to three years.

O2 Business packages also offer greater network security, with experts on hand to help with any technical issues.

To learn more about O2 Business, visit ttps://www.o2.co.uk/business/why-o2/flex-your-business

Terms and conditions apply see https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/o2-everyday-heroes-terms-conditions

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Notes to Editors

The regional winners were chosen from a selection of the best entries by a panel including independent judge Gavin Ellis, Director and Co-Founder of the charity Hubbub, and judges from O2: Jo Bertram, Managing Director, Business & Wholesale at Virgin Media O2; Allie Lawson, Head of SMB Brand & Marcomms; and Sandeep Raithatha, head of 5G, New Product Innovation and Wayra Engagement at O2.

Journalists can contact the Virgin Media O2 press office on:
press@virginmediao2.co.uk 01753 565656
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