According to Barclay’s, the huge British financial institute, the top candidates in each of ten regions competing for its 2008 Barclay’s Trading Places Awards, have been named. Among the entrepreneurial finalists in the Central Region, Lingerie Illusions Ltd. has won a spot for a chance to win the coveted prize, which will be announced in October 2008.

Lingerie Illusions was created after two of the three founders were diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently underwent mastectomies. Cath Stone, the third woman in the trio, was a friend of both Fiona Wright and Bernice Fletcher, supporting them during their treatments. Once the women recovered, they realized that shopping for bras was a challenging experience and they sought to change the situation for other women. Thus, Lingerie Illusions Ltd. was founded.

For a long while their products were only available in their own boutique. But ever since July, they now have their own webshop too. Check it out!

To be eligible for the Barclay’s award, UK entrepreneurs “have triumphed over personal adversity to successfully establish their own business”.