Star of The Apprentice Karren Brady visited entrepreneurs in her role as the government's Small Business Ambassador.
The successful businesswoman, who is vice chair of West Ham United, addressed an audience at Chester's Amber Lounge and met a jeweller, a baker, a butcher and a gift shop owner in the nearby town of Frodsham.
A highlight was meeting Gary Adamou, owner of Monogram Dry Cleaners and Launderette, in Dicksons Drive, Newton.
She presented him with a winner's award, sponsored by Chester MP Stephen Mosley, for "competing against many large companies and succeeding by remaining customer and community-focused".
Karren said: "It's great to come and meet people like Gary. One of the really important things for me and my role is to raise the profile of small business owners.
"I think a lot of people have lost a bit of trust with the big businesses and the banks. Generally the atmosphere towards big business owners is not as good as it could be. But with small business owners, I think it's not only the personal service but the work they do in the community, the life they dedicate, the hours they put in, the way they miss their family.
Known as The First Lady of Football, Karren is a canny business operator herself who was only 23 when she began working as managing director of Birmingham City FC, which she later sold for £82m.
Asked about the qualities needed to be a successful business person, she said: "I think the most important thing is you have to spot the gap in the market or a service you think you can do better than your competitor and you have to be able to communicate what's different about your business.
Launderette owner Gary, 58, from Hooton, who is from a Cypriot background, was delighted to meet Karren and receive the award.