One hundred inspiring female entrepreneurs, including several from the children’s sector, were recently spotlighted by Small Business Britain at an International Women’s Day celebration at the House of Lords as part of the annual f:Entrepreneur campaign.

Celebrating the powerful contribution of female entrepreneurs to the UK economy, society and communities, Small Business Britain hosted over 100 inspirational women driving change across sectors including AI, sustainability and engineering, who were selected for its 2024 IAlso100 line-up.

Forming part of Small Business Britain’s f:Entrepreneur campaign, IAlso100 champions the unique impact of multi-achieving female business owners who lead purpose-driven businesses and support their communities along the way through volunteering, mentoring and other community support.

The impressive impact of the rising tide of UK female founders was spotlighted at a special International Women’s Day reception at the House of Lords.

Among the 100 women celebrated at the event included Nicci Simpson, founder of independent baby and lifestyle store Devon Eco Boutique, which caters for an eco-friendlier lifestyle with new baby gifts, organic clothing and everyday essentials for 0-5 years, a pre-loved clothing collection for kids, homewares, stationery and skincare for the whole family.

Also, Nicola Twiddy, who runs Little Twidlets, a sustainable shop in Shropshire selling a range of products for the whole family that are as eco-friendly as possible, including a wide offering for babies and children; Jayda Zaman, founder of Once Upon a Dua, which is a Scandinavian-influenced, faith-inspired baby lifestyle brand, and also Jessamine Hislop, founder of Little Pickles Markets, which facilitates baby and children’s nearly new sales, keeping good quality baby and children’s toys, clothes and equipment in the loop and out of the landfill.

Data from the Rose Review last year shows that over 150,000 new companies were started by women in 2022 – more than twice as many as in 2018.

Research from Small Business Britain in autumn 2023 shows that the desire for greater flexibility is the biggest driving force behind women starting businesses in the UK, with over a third (39%) listing this as the primary factor followed by 36% who said they were motivated to pursue a passion. Despite the challenges of running a business during the cost of living crisis, most female founders (86%) say they are happier since starting up. Three quarters (74%) report greater flexibility and almost half (48%) say their work-life balance has improved.

This year a group of young female founders working with The Prince’s Trust were also invited as special guests at the event, where they had the opportunity to meet and network with other female entrepreneurs, as well as hearing a powerful speech from guest speaker Grace Graham, founder of WorkSpa, herself an alumna of The Prince’s Trust, on the importance of International Women’s Day.

Small Business Britain is now an official patron of The Prince’s Trust’s ‘Women Supporting Women’ campaign, which supports young women from disadvantaged communities and facing adversity to transform their lives by building the confidence and skills to get into work, self-employment, education or training.

Commenting is Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain and the f:Entrepreneur campaign.

“Women are starting businesses in greater numbers than ever and making an essential contribution to our economy, so it is vital that we celebrate and support this. So much has been thrown at women running businesses over the past few years and they have fought back with impressive resilience.

“This campaign underlines the importance of nurturing female entrepreneurship so it continues to flourish in the UK, playing a key role in driving growth and recovery. An important part of this involves encouraging the next generation, so we are thrilled to be working with the Prince’s Trust to support the amazing work they do with young people.”

The f:Entrepreneur campaign offers a host of events, training and networking opportunities to boost skills, capability and confidence. It will also be supporting a series of special events in partnership with The Prince’s Trust. To see the full line-up of the 100 women featured in this year’s f:Entrepreneur #iAlso100 campaign, please click here.