Something to Shout About: The WeightLoss Company Nominated for a Flamingo Business Award 2026
I’m feeling incredibly proud, a little emotional and, if I’m honest, still a little surprised.
I’ve got some exciting news to share. I’ve been nominated for the Health & Wellness Warrior Award at the Flamingo Business Awards 2026, and I couldn’t let this moment pass without shouting about it.
When you spend your days doing something you genuinely believe in, supporting people, building a community and trying to make a difference, you don’t always stop to think about how far you’ve come. So, to have this recognition is a very special moment for me.
But although my name is attached to the nomination, this story has never been just about me. It’s about every person who has walked through the doors of The WeightLoss Company, every member who has put their trust in me, and the wonderful community we’ve built together.
More than weight loss
When I started The WeightLoss Company, my vision was to create something that went beyond simply helping people lose weight.
Of course, weight loss is an important goal for many of our members, but I have always believed that health and wellness are about so much more than a number on the scales.
It’s about confidence. It’s about feeling better in yourself. It’s about learning new habits, making healthier choices and discovering that you don’t have to do everything perfectly to make progress.
It’s also about having people around you who understand, encourage you and celebrate your successes, even when those successes might seem small to somebody else.
Sometimes, the biggest achievements aren’t reflected on the scales at all. They might be feeling confident enough to try something new, having more energy to enjoy life, or simply realising that you deserve to invest time in yourself.
That is what I want The WeightLoss Company to represent: a welcoming, supportive community where people feel valued, encouraged and never alone.
A community I’m incredibly proud of
Today, The WeightLoss Company supports over 100 members each week across seven meetings.
Behind that number are real people, real lives, individual challenges and some truly wonderful achievements.
Over the years, I’ve seen the friendships that develop, the encouragement members give one another and the way people come together to celebrate each other’s progress. The support doesn’t stop when a meeting ends. The connections we’ve built locally are a huge part of what makes our community so special.
I’m proud that we’ve created a place where people can come as they are, share their experiences, learn together and feel that they belong.
Running a business comes with plenty of challenges, and there is a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes. But when I see the difference our meetings make, and the community spirit that has grown around them, I’m reminded of exactly why I do what I do.
For me, success isn’t simply about growing a business. It’s about making a positive difference to people’s lives.
Why this nomination means so much
Being nominated for the Health & Wellness Warrior Award feels like recognition of the values I’ve tried to put at the heart of The WeightLoss Company from the very beginning.
It recognises the importance of community, encouragement and helping people make changes that work for their lives.
I’m passionate about creating an environment where health and wellbeing feel achievable, where people can learn without feeling judged, and where support is available through both the successes and the difficult days.
I’m also excited about continuing to develop the support we offer, always looking for ways to help people build healthier habits and feel more confident in managing their wellbeing.
To have that passion recognised through the Flamingo Business Awards is genuinely humbling. It has made me pause, reflect and feel proud of what we’ve built together.
And yes, I’m going to allow myself a moment to celebrate it.
A huge thank you to my members
There is one group of people I particularly want to thank: all my members, past and present.
Thank you for believing in me and trusting me to support you in making a difference to your lives.
Thank you for showing up, for sharing your experiences, for encouraging one another and for helping to create the community spirit that makes The WeightLoss Company what it is today.
Thank you for the conversations, the laughter, the honest moments, the achievements and the friendships. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives and for reminding me, week after week, why this work matters.
You have helped shape this business just as much as I have. Every member who has ever attended one of my meetings has been part of its story, and I will always be grateful for that.
This nomination may have my name on it, but I see it as a celebration of everything we have achieved together.
What’s next?
The Flamingo Business Awards 2026 ceremony takes place at Viva Blackpool on 26 November, and I’m looking forward to being part of an evening celebrating inspiring business owners and the positive impact they make.
There is also a public vote, which closes at midnight on 6 November. If you’ve experienced The WeightLoss Company first-hand as a member or collaborator and would like to support me, I’d be so grateful if you took a moment to vote.
You can find the official voting page here: https://flamingobusiness.co.uk/fba-public-vote-2026
There is absolutely no pressure. Your continued support, kind words and belief in what we do already mean an enormous amount to me.
And finally…
I’m proud of The WeightLoss Company. I’m proud of our members. I’m proud of the community we’ve created and the difference we continue to make locally.
Most of all, I’m grateful that I get to do something I believe in, surrounded by people who make it worthwhile.
Whatever happens at the awards, this nomination is something I’ll treasure. It is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come, recognise the people who have helped make it possible and look forward to everything still to come.
So, today, I’m going to let myself be proud, feel a little emotional and, yes, shout loud and proud about this achievement.
Thank you for being part of the story.
With gratitude,
Debbie Elder
Founder of The WeightLoss Company
Supporting people to make positive changes, one meeting at a time.
Find out more about our meetings and support at www.theweightlossco.uk.