Meet the entrepreneurs creating a positive shift in the UK and across the world.

Going from employee to founder was a huge leap of faith. I announced the agency just a few days after turning 26 and like most 26-year-olds, I hadn’t ever owned or run a business before. 

I’m Melissa Gauge, founder of SpareMyTime. I left my corporate role in 2016 to set up a City-based business with a couple of partners and another business by myself, an online platform. 

Chris Adams and his international luxury hospitality consulting firm Ellis Adams Group (EAG) have opened hundreds of hotels partnering with Marriott International to transform locations for The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W, Westin and Renaissance among others all over the world.

Ceri’s 20+ years of experience working in the commercial and public art realms have inspired her to share her arts industry expertise and guidance to artists and creative professionals via her online coaching, mentoring, courses and community platform.

Twice As Hard is an exploration of Black identity in the workplace as well as a blueprint for success, written by entrepreneurial husband and wife Raphael and Opeyemi Sofoluke.

Unsah Malik Author of Slashed It. I’m Unsah Malik. Most people know me as the author of my ebook SLASHED IT: The Ultimate Social Media Guide. I’ve recently created a two-in-one motivational and inspirational journal, INVITE THAT ENERGY too.

I studied history and political science and got my first doctorate in history. My doctoral dissertation dealt with Adolf Hitler’s worldview with a particular focus on his social and economic policies and was awarded the best possible grade, “summa cum laude.” I then worked as a historian at the Free University of Berlin for a few years before switching to the world of book publishing.

KBF Enterprises was established in 2008 by Managing Director, Kieran Fisher and is the business behind two of the most recognised sports nutrition brands in the UK – Bodybuilding Warehouse® and Warrior®.

Sebastian Ferarri is the founder and CEO of FITSTUDIOZ. Seb proved himself to be a driven entrepreneur at a very young age, launching his first motor sport business, Bubble & Kick Racing, in partnership with his brother Nico back in 2008 when he was just 18 years old.

Taking first dates to new heights, in 2012 Radha Vyas and Lee Thompson went on a date that resulted in more than just a wonderful relationship and marriage, but an innovation startup called Flash Pack.

I’m Karen Kirkness, founder of Meadowlark Yoga. I was a freelance artist and self-employed yoga teacher on the move! My interest in anatomy and healing led me from Florida to Scotland to pursue two master’s degrees: one in fine art and the other in human anatomy from the biomedical sciences department.

I’m Simon Goodman and I started out in PR, where I was introduced to the noble Choc Ice working on the Cadburys account. At the time they were looking to upgrade the humble choc ice.

I’m Diana Babics, founder of Nourish Awards. I began in finance (accounts and auditing) before deciding this simply wasn’t for me. I then headed off to university as a mature student, initially to study art and design and latterly interior architecture.

Co-founded by Nisha Ramisetty and Sam Williams, the idea for Naksha was born in 2020 when cooking became an escape during lockdown.

In North America, Iced Teas (Coldbrew) is a bustling £2bn marketplace. Yet, in the UK, despite being the second fastest-growing soft drink sub-category (after cold brew coffee), there is still a lack of appreciation for brands like Kaytea.

In 2017, Matt launched Borrow A Boat, aka the ‘Airbnb’ of boats, making waves in the charter industry by offering a modern marketplace solution with the aim of making boating more accessible, affordable, flexible and inclusive for all.

Samantha Gilchrist, co-founder and CEO of The Gilchrist Collection, shares her life as an entrepreneur.

After a lifetime working as a project manager for some of the world’s largest tech companies, Jeb Buckler set up Startup Giants PLC to ensure that no good tech concepts should go to waste.

So, I encouraged Ben to officially incorporate The Handbag Clinic as its own independent luxury handbag offshoot in 2013 – all still operated through our ecommerce platform at the time.

Charlene Hurlock was inspired by her daughter and her best friend who independently started swapping their pre-loved clothes. Aside from being a Mum, Charlene's background is predominately in global exhibition sales and media advertising.

Founded in 2006 by Amelia Peckham and Clare Braddel, Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks aims to empower those who need support to walk.

My name is Lucy Bramley and I'm the founder of Ruched & Ready, one of the UK's leading size inclusive fashion labels helping women embrace their curves and feel confident.

The Natural Love Company was founded by friends and wedding photographers Ben Foster and Barney Walters. The Cornwall-based business was launched as a result of their previous careers being put on halt by the pandemic.

It was more of a gut feeling that led us to the intersection of digitalisation, mobiles and the democratisation of payments. Paynetics felt strongly about making moving and managing money right for everyone and started building a platform that covers it all.

Founded in 2021 by Alisa Patotsakaya, Immersive Fox is a text-to-video generation startup that specialises in providing businesses with AI-generated videos for sales and customer communication.

Co-founded by Conrad Poulson in 2014, Huq has been at the forefront of utilising cutting- edge technologies and innovative mobility research methods.

Patchwork Health was co-founded by Dr Anas Nader and Dr Jing Ouyang with the mission to make truly flexible and sustainable working a reality for all healthcare staff, amid the current workforce crisis.