What is it that makes people love a business? We use businesses every day and yet there are certain businesses that people seem to take to their hearts.

Take big brands out of the equation, and you’ll find that in nearly every case it comes down to the business owner – their drive, passion and personality.

During a recent national campaign 3 Norwich businesses were voted “the most loved” of their type in the UK, and a large number were runners up.

The campaign was based on people giving testimonials to the local businesses that they use and love.

Barn Therapy Centre was voted “the most loved” in the massage therapy category.

Linda Thursby of the Barn Therapy Centre, who describes herself as a “troubleshooter for the body and mind”  is the only practitioner in Norfolk to offer “Body Talk” therapy.

Anyone who may be slightly cynical as to whether this sort of therapy works just needs to read the many wonderful testimonials from Linda’s clients, most of them in a similar vein to this one:

“I had been suffering with an RSI type injury to my right hand. I was unable to even hold a hairbrush without this hurting and couldn't fully open my palm.
After a relaxing treatment with Linda I was then able to use my hand and wrist fully and after 2 days was totally pain free. I have had no re-occurring problem with this since.Thank you Linda the work you do is amazing.”

The Barn Therapy Centre has been described as an "oasis of calm" nestling in the Norfolk countryside, just on the outskirts of Norwich, near Eaton. With it's own pool and purpose built garden therapy rooms, the Barn Therapy Centre is able to offer a range of treatments for athletes and promote general well being as well as treating those in pain.

Charisma Beauty Salon in Cattlemarket Street was voted “the most loved” beauty salon for the second year running. Voting was based on testimonials received this year, so Charisma started from scratch again this year, along with everyone else, and still came top!

Charlotte, the owner of Charisma, is an amazing businesswoman, who deserves huge praise for her achievements. She opened Charisma 7 years ago, when she was only 17 and, as well as winning numerous awards, she has now opened a second salon in Norwich – Charisma Hair and Nails, near Vue Cinema. Charlotte, however, is quite coy about her success, saying that she couldn’t do it without her fantastic staff.

Turning from talking about beauty to talk of “beasts” – the creepy crawly kind, the third winner is a Pest Control company, Abate Pest Management. Jon from Abate is building a fantastic business. You may not think people would admit  to “loving” a pest control business, but Jon’s drive and personality shine through, as well as the great team he has built around him and the high standards that he sets.

Abate cover the whole of East Anglia providing the whole range of pest control services to homes, offices, schools and industrial premises. Jon has just invested in a re-brand, with a new website selling pest control products online. He is also an active member of the local community, both on the networking scene, where he entertains and endears people to him with his witty presentations, and raised £1500  last year for the Wymondham charity Starthrowers, with a sponsored rowathon.

The huge number of local people who took time to write testimonials goes to show just how important great local businesses are to this local community, especially during difficult economic times.  Small businesses, including those in Norwich, are the engine room of our economy and lots of local business owners in Norwich – and their loyal staff – are feeling great because their efforts have been recognised and appreciated by so many of their customers.

Nothing brings this home more than this heartwarming blog written by Dan Gavrovski, of Banana Fudge Studios - read it here.