The Sunderland woman who was on 40 medications a day - and now she's turned it all round to become a top business boss

Kirsten Lapping, 49, has a number of heath conditions including ME and fibromyalgia. For more than 16 years, she was on prescribed medication which included steroids and spinal nerve injections.

But in 2017, Kirsten dramatically changed her life and used holistic methods with crystals to do it.

"Now I work full-time and I take no prescribed medication,” said Kirsten who added: “I feel the best I have ever felt.”

She spoke to the Echo after her business – the Frederick Street-based Crystal Moon Emporium – was nominated for the Portfolio Awards for the way it had helped people during lockdown.

The nomination said: “Kirsten has invisible illnesses and yet has a smile on her face and will chat to anyone and help them with their own problems.”

Crystal Moon is a shop downstairs which sells everything from crystals to incense, aromatherapy to cauldrons and gifts such as unicorns and dragons.

Upstairs, there is holistic wellbeing centre which is a community interest company. It has offered vital support to Wearside people during the lockdown.

The nomination added: “They need to blow their own trumpets a little more to get the recognition they deserve as they have honestly been a lifesaver to a lot of people during this pandemic and it is a shame that a lot of people in charge of our city don't even know how much Crystal Moon does to help us vulnerable folk.

"They have given free meditation videos to a lot of mental health groups and are currently working hard to deliver more free guides, workshops, treatments and products to those who need it.”

Despite her own ongoing health conditions, Kirsten – who won the Judges Choice Award at the 2019 Wearside Women In Business competition – still remained modest about her own role.

She praised the hard work and support of her family and described her customers as ‘amazing. It is them that this represents.”

The latest Portfolio Awards were launched in November last year when Coun Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council which is once again the headline sponsor of the Portfolio Awards, said Wearside had ‘faced economic crises head-on and come through them with the same steadfast focus and work ethic’.

We are also delighted to welcome on board the partner sponsors for this year’s awards and they include Gentoo, the Autism Society, Station Taxis and Bradley Hall.

To enter the competition, follow the details below.

HOW TO ENTER.

All of the chosen finalists will get to attend the grand finale in November.

To nominate, email [email protected]. You can also find out more at https://www.portfoliobusinessawards.co.uk/portfolioawards2021/en/page/home

THE CATEGORIES.

Small Business of the Year (under 10 Employees).

Medium Business of the Year (11-50 employees).

Large Business of the Year ( over 50 employees).

Employer of the Year.

Apprentice of the Year.

Technology of the Year.

City Centre Business of the Year.

Creative Industries Award.

Sole Trader of the Year.

New Business of the Year.

Special Community Business Award.

Best Green Business Award.

Social Enterprise Award.

Best Training Provider Award.

Exporter of the Year.

Women in Business Award.

Leisure Business Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award.

Overall Business of the Year.

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