Swindon & Wiltshire News
Local names among f-entrepreneur’s #ialso 100 list of inspiring female entrepreneurs
Local businesswomen have been recognised as being among the UK’s most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs by the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign.
The list of 100 leading female entrepreneurs features a host of businesses, from AI companies to female-run tradeswoman platforms and sustainable fashion designers.
The lineup showcases trailblazing female founders who lead purpose-driven businesses alongside a roster of other responsibilities, such as volunteering, mentoring and community support.
Among the winners is Jo North, founder of Maidenhead-based Shine Books, an ever-growing 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.
Since self-publishing the first four books in April 2021, Jo has sold over 2000 books through social media alone and Jo was inspired to start Shine through her job as a teacher.
Kimberley Shamtally is the founder of Bracknell-based Muscle Mechanics who create natural body repair kits for everyday aches and pains.
The company is largely sporting orientated, they span across many high impact disciplines like martial arts, football, hockey, running, marathon running, cycling and swimming.
Pippa Birch is the founder of Wiltshire-based Pipster Solutions, which offers practical help for winning public sector work in the highways industry.
From her HQ at Heywood House in Westbury, Pippa said: “This is such an amazing honour. Our clients are winning the work they need to flourish, and my team is thriving personally.
“This #ialso award celebrates these achievements, not just for our clients but for our profession. The other #ialso women are inspirational, and I look forward to getting to know them this year, and celebrating together.”
Sarah Webb is the founder of Swindon-based 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.
Sarah was also featured for her role locally within the NHS, providing support to staff at Great Western Hospital as well as membership of the Women’s Equality Party & Abortion Rights UK.
This has been a fantastic high to start the year on, especially after being recognised by the prestige awards last year,” said Sarah.
“I feel incredibly grateful for all the support and encouragement I’ve been given to grow my business, as well as the amazing feedback received from my clients.”
Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, which runs the f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign, said: “It is so important that we call out the incredible contribution of women running businesses across the UK.
“As well as growing economic prosperity across the UK, they are also having a tremendous, wider positive impact on local communities too.
“Despite all of the challenges of recent times, it is fantastic to see female entrepreneurship continuing to grow and flourish in the UK, and we must do all we can to encourage and build this further.”
