Above: Emma Filby: founder of Anglian Dog Walks
Small Business Britain has revealed this year’s most dynamic female entrepreneurs, highlighting a line-up of 100 women running some of the UK’s most impressive businesses.
Showcasing the phenomenal contribution to society, economy and communities from the rising tide of female founders across the UK, this year’s f:Entrepreneur ‘#IAlso100’ campaign includes women business owners leading the way in everything from AI and sustainability to art, law and engineering.
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- Adaku Parker: founder of Dovetailed London, an African fashion and sewing brand on a mission to encourage and inspire women to add colour and print to their wardrobes and homes.
- Alex Hamilton-Bray: founder of Heartwood Glass, creating glass sculptures from her studio in Hertfordshire, and holding workshops for her community.
- Amanda Harris: founder of ALH Legal, based in Nottinghamshire. Specialising in Wills, Trusts, and Lasting Powers of Attorney, Amanda is also a keynote speaker, delivering motivational talks focusing on visual impairment.
- Amy Yip: founder of Eco Twenty, focusing on sustainability and reducing waste from the mass production of clothing and textiles, encouraging more eco-friendly shopping.
- Ana Cantu: founder of Little Green Paper Shop, a seed paper printing business using cotton waste and recycled paper, dedicated to fostering sustainability.
- Andrea Boughton: founder of Beehive Green, a boutique brand and design studio based in Welwyn Garden City, which aims to make good design more accessible
- Anila Arshad-Mehmood: founder of Welfare Way, which delivers training and consultancy to education institutions, championing safe working practices and support for students and young people in our communities.
- Anna Stella: founder of BBSA, a full-service outsourced marketing agency that supports clients with both cost-effective marketing strategy and implementation, started in the UK and is expanding internationally.
- Ashley Costello: founder of The Resilient Kid, a programme supporting young people and families with various issues from everyday family life and mental health.
- Asmae Chtou: founder of Modviva, an online boutique specialising in pre-owned luxury handbags and shoes, catering to fashion-conscious individuals.
- Becci Coombes: founder of Hygge Style, an online shop selling Scandinavian gifts and homewares inspired by her Danish grandmother.
- Betsy Benn, left:
designer of luxury personalised gifts, making everything in-house and sending out about 20,000 gifts per year. - Carol Vickers: founder of Created by Carol, designing and making sterling silver jewellery with a purpose; by upcycling redundant antique silver cutlery, creating easy-on and adjustable jewellery for people with arthritis or hand problems, and sensory jewellery for people with anxiety or neurodivergent conditions.
- Christina Valentine: founder of Tradeswoman Extraordinaire, undertaking residential/commercial projects, restoring or refurbishing them.
- Claire Gardner: a branding photographer working with entrepreneurs and small business owners to make sure that they are attracting their ideal clients.
- Claire Worthington: founder of Village Web Company, a small social enterprise that primarily works with small businesses to help them make the most of the internet.
- Connie Smith: founder of Wild About Britain, a British wildlife education business, raising awareness for the importance of conservation for native wildlife.
- Crystal Dias: founder of Lawyery, a virtual boutique family law firm specialising in immigration, especially for vulnerable clients within the Filipino community.
- Daphne Pena-Higgs: founder of Classical Pilates, one of the largest classical Pilates studios in London, founded after Daphne suffered injuries during her career on London’s West End.
- Dina Bahrami: co-founder of Nutri Beauties, with a mission of promoting inner beauty and wellness sustainably, particularly among young adults.
- Donna Laine: founder of a boutique jewellery shop in Winchester, full of exquisite handmade and pre-owned, pre-loved and antique jewellery.
- Ebony Bain: founder of Braids and Beauty London, a natural hair salon specialising in braids and natural hairstyles. Alongside this, Ebony has founded Afro Coils, a natural hair care line providing natural oils that combats hair loss, dry hair and scalp.
- Eilidh Jamieson: founder of Ejay Designs, crafting watercolour maps, using gold acrylic and gold dust for accents.
- Ela Teague: founder of Cook Eat Joy, an Indian cookery school with classes that highlight the regional foods of India as well as embrace true home cooking.
- Elena Sinel: founder of Teens in AI, a social impact-driven initiative inspiring teenagers to explore a future in tech and AI through collaborative, hands-on learning experiences.
- Emma Clarkeis a multi-faceted creator providing voiceover services to media organisations and businesses, with her voice being heard across radio and TV commercials, games, apps, talking toys, and public transport.
- Emma Filby:founder of Anglian Dog Walks, offering general dog training as part of a mission to help as many people and pets as possible with tried and tested techniques from her own working dogs.
- Emma Webster: founder of Haus Dahlia, a sustainable size inclusive handmade clothing brand made from a variety of sustainable materials and fabrics.
- Erin Thomas Wong: Small Business Mentor helping women to adopt a life-friendly approach to their business. This means building it on their own terms, at their own pace and to their own measures of success.
- Frankie Gray: founder of Harmony at Home, providing recruitment services for parents and child carers with outstanding levels of service and care.
- Hayley Kellard: founder of Dotty About Braille, producing a range of personalised braille greetings cards, letters, labels, based on her experience with visual impairment.
- Helen Holt: founder of Styled Home Studios, a platform where independent brands and creative professionals can book uniquely styled locations for photoshoots, film and content creation by the hour, directly with the homeowner.
- Helen Massy is a medical and health journalist and content writer with a mission to break down taboos and promote informed discussions on crucial health topics.
- Helen Neal: founder of HN Communications which specialises in sustainability communications, to help the planet get closer to net zero.
- Helen Smith runs a coaching business, helping women transform entrepreneurial journeys into paths of clarity and self-celebration.
- Helen Tonks: founder of Hydraulics Online, an award-winning hydraulic equipment and solutions provider, working across a portfolio of over 150 hydraulic manufacturers and suppliers.
- Janan Leo, left:
founder of Cocorose London, an independent women’s footwear brand and ecommerce business, inspired to realise her dream of launching the foldable shoe. - Jannicke Ive: founder of A Family’s Best Friend, a domiciliary care provider for children and adults with disabilities.
- Janthana Kaenprakhamroy: founder of Tapoly, a platform that harnesses big data and artificial intelligence to precisely match insurance products with customers’ requirements.
- Jayda Zaman: founder of Once Upon a Dua, the UK’s and the world’s first Scandinavian-influenced, faith-inspired baby lifestyle brand.
- Jen Parker: founder of Fuzzy Flamingo, editing, design and publishing services, working with authors to achieve their publishing goals.
- Jessamine Hislop: founder of Little Pickles Markets which facilitates ‘nearly new sales’, keeping good quality baby and children’s toys, clothes and equipment in the loop and out of the landfill.
- Jo North: founder of Shin Books, a series of inclusive children’s books which raise awareness, remove stigma and normalise a range of conditions and disabilities such as dyspraxia, ADHD and Tourette’s.
- Jo Smedley: founder of Red Herring Games, an international gaming business, regularly working with charities to help them raise funds through hosting murder mystery events.
- Joanne Lo is an education consultant, focusing on delivering workshops in Social and Emotional Learning.
- Joanne Munis, founder of Vested Woman, which provides financial education to help women become financially independent and build wealth through coaching, workshops, courses, webinars and tips.
- Julie Begbie: founder of Happy Side Hustle, empowering individuals, particularly women, to forge their own paths to success and happiness through side hustles.
- Karen Holden: founder of A City Lawfirm, an innovative law firm that offers advice and support in innovative areas such as tech law, Blockchain and AI, drones, surrogacy and help businesses and individuals alike.
- Katie Killip: founder of Mantra, a branding agency, helping businesses that work in social impact, sustainability, or are purpose-driven.
- Kavitha Soundararajan: founder of Isifiso, which promotes eco-consciousness through its sustainable fashion workshops.
- Kimberley Shamtally: founder of Muscle Mechanics, which creates natural body repair kits for everyday aches and pains.
- Lara Omoloja: founder of Greenwich Pantry, an independent food business which runs cooking schools for kids and adults, beginner or advanced.
- Laura Barker: founder of Popili Home, which specialises in crafting handmade luxury wax melts, candle gift sets, and personalised gift bags.
- Leah Holroyd: founder of White Bicycle, which works with people that want to make a difference through education and training.
- Linda Blanchette: founder of Consciously Clothed, a unique mobile preloved boutique, helping the local community to resell and buy quality preloved clothes, keeping clothes in circulation and out of landfill.
- Lindsay Hayman: founder of Ojewellery, a jewellery brand using natural gemstone jewellery set in precious metals.
- Liz Price: founder of Full Frame Coach which helps women who feel marginalised to meet their leadership potential.
- Louise Plunkett: founder of IMPACT with Lou and a digital accessibility and inclusion educator, sharing her lived experiences, tips and knowledge via social media, as well as coaching, courses or workshops for businesses to deepen knowledge
- Lucinda White: founder of Pure Awards, a business award writing and content creation agency based in Derbyshire.
- Lydia Berman: founder of Creative Stripes, a design and marketing agency based in Hertfordshire, working with business across the UK and Europe.
- Lydia McDowall: a confidence coach helping women find the confidence and courage they need to live fulfilled lives.
- Lyndsey Clay: founder of Connected Brighton, a concierge service dedicated to introducing people to places and products to make the most of Brighton life.
- Maggie Trevillion: founder of Callen Olive, a luxury ethical skincare brand for legs and feet in the aesthetic, beauty and podiatry industries.
- Maisie Stanyon: founder of Rework Vintage Wholesalers, a solution to reduce textile waste and change the way new clothing is manufactured globally.
- Marian Bruce: founder of Highland Boundary, a botanical spirits business working to restore biodiversity across Scotland and reconnect people with the lost knowledge, flavours and culture of its wild plants.
- Maylene Seah: a branding expert working to transform visionary Muslim businesses into captivating brands.
- Milly Fyfe: founder of No Fuss Meals for Busy Parents, a social enterprise that provides a connection between food produced in the UK and cookery guides.
- Nazia Anwar: Social Blox on a mission is to provide the digital tools, skills, and knowledge that communities and non-profits need to create lasting transformations.
- Nicci Simpson: founder of Devon Eco Boutique, a lifestyle store in Devon catering for an eco-friendlier lifestyle.
- Nicola Twiddy:founder of Little Twidlets, a sustainable shop in Shropshire, selling a whole range of eco-friendly products.
- Nikki Butler: founder of The Autistic Joyologist, which provides online courses, digital downloads, and guest speaking, to help female neurodiverse women align their lives to their values, passions, and goals, and redefine success on their terms.
- Nikki Strand: founder of The Natural Crayon Company which make vegan- friendly natural wax crayons, handmade from scratch using sustainably sourced waxes and food grade pigments.
- Nina Fuller-Shavel:founder of Synthesis Clinic which is a specialist-led practice where the best of contemporary, cutting-edge precision medicine and health is interwoven with evidence-based nutrition, lifestyle, psycho-emotional wellbeing, and complementary therapies.
- Pippa Birch: founder of Pipster Solutions, providing practical help for winning public sector work in the highways industry, offering versatile and bespoke solutions.
- Pippa Moyle: founder of the City Girl Network aiming to support, connect and empower women living all over the UK.
- Promise Okoye: founder of D’lux Gift Box, a personalised gift box business which hand-packages confectionery and self-care treats.
- Rachel Collar: founder of Haus of HR, a human resources consultancy that specialises in providing comprehensive HR solutions to small businesses and start-ups.
- Rachel Harvey, left:
founder of The Paint Box,a 13-year-old paint-your-own pottery studio open to all ages. - Rakha Madahar: founder of desgn.prnt; a Surface Pattern Designer and Illustrator, producing and selling bold and vibrant digital patterns and prints.
- Rhea Freeman is a small business coach and mentor, an NLP Master Practitioner and Coach and a multi award winning PR adviser, brand and social media expert.
- Sally Pierse: founder of The Chai Bike, a hot drinks delivery business with the ‘communi-tea at its heart.’
- Samantha Engleby: founder of Eckersleys Blinds, which manufactures and supplies window coverings and awnings in Southport and surrounding areas.
- Sara Chandran: founder of Fresh and Fearless, a diversity, equity and inclusion consultancy which provides bespoke guidance to organisations to create a workplace culture where all its people can be seen, heard and valued.
- Sara Kedge: founder of Preponderant, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultancy, making the queer and neurodivergent experience visible.
- Sara-Louise Ackrill: founder of Wired Differently, serving people who are neurodivergent and professionals, leaders or students and drawing on her own experience of having ADHD and being autistic.
- Sarah Ellis: founder of Theatre Inspiring Changea national touring company with a mixture of a play and interactive workshops.
- Sarah Hodgkins is a mural and scenic artist, sign writer, and faux finisher who also restores historic murals.
- Sarah Kingston: founder of In Good Company, a new platform that helps people quickly find the best ethical, sustainable and socially conscious small businesses in their community or when they are visiting somewhere new.
- Sarah Webb: founder of MHCAT, teaching inclusive mental health training and education programs including Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid, as well as bespoke workplace health and wellbeing initiatives.
- Sharon Farley-Mason: disabled entrepreneur and founder of Glamsticks, offering bespoke mobility aids for people with disabilities.
- Sophie Crabb:founder of Sew Sophie Crafts, her own collection of beginner-friendly cross stitch kits.
- Sophie Lee: founder of Electric Peach, a brand storytelling and impact agency.
- Sophie Spillett: founder of So-Phi Tuition, teaching maths, English, and creates textbooks that are accessible to students with dyslexia and autism.
- Sybz Mickson: founder of Sam II, which provides underwear suitable for periods, menarche, postpartum and medical conditions that cause heavy menstrual bleeding such as PCOS, Endometriosis and Fibroids.
- Tanya Petherick: founder of Club Central, which provides an annual conference for the out-of-school sector.
- Tina Kad: founder of Speech Therapy Interactive, a private speech therapy practice based in Loughton, Essex.
- Vanessa Barzasi: founder of BioBright, which offers algae plants as an interior design decoration.
- Victoria Ajoku: founder of Fan The Glory With Tori, which seeks to revive the concept of the fan right across the UK.
- Vie Portland: founder of VieNess Discover You You Love, teaching self-esteem and confidence workshops to children, teens, and women in schools, groups, organisations, and libraries.
· Zoey Hughes: founder of Business Bee Services, offering a wide range of business support services from strategic support, business growth consultancy, business mentoring, executive assistance, SEO, and marketing support
The campaign follows findings from the Government-backed Rose Review showing over 150,000 new companies were started by women in 2022 – more than twice as many as in 2018. Research from Small Business Britain last year also showed over a third (39%) of female entrepreneurs did so for greater flexibility and to improve their work-life balance, with 86% saying they felt happier as a result.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of female entrepreneurs in the UK over the past few years—women who make essential contributions to our economy, and who inspire so many along the way,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain. “Despite the challenges they face every day, these women are extremely resilient and continue to represent the future of the UK economy. Through the f:Entrepreneur campaign, we want to shine a much-deserved light on the successes of female business owners in this country and the immeasurable impact they have on their communities.”
The f:Entrepreneur campaign was launched in 2017 to raise greater awareness of the impact of incredible female business owners across the country, who often lead purpose-driven businesses and support their communities along the way through volunteering, mentoring, and other community support.
Delivered by Small Business Britain—the leading champion of small businesses in the UK—the f:Entrepreneur campaign offers a host of events, training, and networking opportunities to boost skills, capability, and confidence.
To see the full line-up of the 100 women featured in this year’s f:Entrepreneur #iAlso100 campaign visit f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2024.
