Posted on September 26th, 2022.

The UK is quickly becoming a leading hub for female entrepreneurs. From small businesses to major corporations, women are leading the way in terms of innovation and success. Women are excelling in every industry across the country, and there are now more female entrepreneurs than ever before.

In this article, we will discuss ten inspiring UK women-owned businesses. These businesses have a rich history, founded by innovative and hardworking women who have made their mark on the world. Each business has its own unique story, but they all share one common goal: success.

1. About Time Magazine

About Time Magazine is the UK’s number one online lifestyle magazine. It covers everything from fashion to recipes to business. The magazine was started by Angelica Malin in 2014 who joked she started her own business because it was the only way of guaranteeing she could never be fired. In 2015, Angelica was joined by Alicia Grimshaw and the business really began to take off.

Since then the magazine’s popularity has grown steadily both among UK readers and international fans. About Time Magazine now has a team of ninety writers based in thirty countries around the world and continues to go from strength to strength.

2. AllBright

AllBright is an amazing company that helps female entrepreneurs get the funding and support they need to succeed. The company was founded in 2016 by Anna Jones and Debbie Wosskow OBE, two of the UK’s most successful businesswomen. They wanted to create a company that could help the next generation of female entrepreneurs take their own careers to the next level.

AllBright offers a range of services, including funding, mentorship, office space, and networking events. The company has already helped dozens of female entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground. In 2018, they opened The Allbright, the first UK members club exclusively for women which is a fantastic place for businesswomen to network and socialise.

3. COMPASS Pathways

COMPASS Pathways is a very exciting company that is working to develop innovative treatments for mental health disorders. The company was founded in 2016 by Ekaterina Malievskaia and George Savvides, two of the world’s leading experts in psychiatric research. Both had family members who had suffered from depression and had found that there was a critical lack of accessible treatment. They were later joined by Lars Christian Wilde who helped to take the business forward.

COMPASS Pathways developed a new treatment called psilocybin therapy, which is showing tremendous promise in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction. It uses expert scientific research to provide affordable mental health treatment for anyone who needs it. The company has raised millions of dollars in funding and is poised for rapid growth. They have a team of over one hundred employees, and they are making real progress in improving mental health care across the globe.

4. Element

Element is a web-based software company co-founded by Amandine Le Pape in 2017. Originally called New Vector, the company provides a range of software solutions to businesses that make online communications easier, safer and quicker. Le Pape is also the co-founder of Matrix.org, a non-profit organisation that focuses on online innovations in IP messaging and ecosystems. Element users get access to Matrix with over 40 million people worldwide now using the software.

Element is one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK, with its technology now being used by many governments including those of the UK, US, France and Germany. In 2021, Element launched its app Spaces which enables users to create chatrooms to network and socialise with like-minded people. Since its launch, there have been chatrooms created for everything from business networking to knitting and veganism.

5. Goodbox

Goodbox is a charity-focused fintech company founded by Francesca Hodgson. The company provides an app that allows users to donate money directly to charities and social enterprises. It was founded in 2016 with the goal of making it easier for people to donate money to good causes. The company has already helped raise over £17 million pounds to provide business loans for women so that they can start their own social enterprises.

Goodbox is changing the way people donate to charity and helping to support some of the most important causes in the world. In 2020, they launched a new feature that allows users to donate money directly to good causes with just a few taps on their phones. This is being used in a huge range of settings including churches, schools, and workplaces.

6. KoruKids

KoruKids is a childcare company founded by Rachel Carrell after she struggled to access childcare in London. Backed by Gumtree co-founder Michael Pennington, the company provides an innovative new approach to childcare that helps working parents to balance their work and home life. KoruKids offers a range of services including flexible childcare, nannies, and after-school clubs. They also offer a unique KoruKare service that provides parents with access to childcare when they need it most. KoruKids has a training programme for new nannies and has already helped to create many jobs.

KoruKids is a company that is making a real difference in the lives of working parents. They offer flexible childcare that can be adapted to suit any family’s needs. In 2020, they launched a new service called KoruKare which provides parents with access to childcare when they need it most. Going forwards, they hope to continue expanding their services and helping more parents to achieve their perfect work-life balance.

7. LIMA

LIMA was founded by Lisa Thornton and Paul Almond in 1997 with the goal of providing IT solutions for businesses in what Thornton saw as a male-dominated industry. Based in Manchester with additional offices in Leeds, the company has a strong focus on customer service and adding a personal touch to its services. Lima provides customers with a whole range of IT solutions including cloud computing, data storage and website design.

The company’s first customer was Burtons Biscuits and in the twenty-five years since then, LIMA has grown steadily over the years. It has secured multi-million pound deals with customers including University Hospitals of South Manchester. Today, Lima is one of the leading IT companies in the UK and has won many awards for its innovative products and services. In the future, Lima plans to continue expanding its team and developing new IT solutions for its business customers.

8. MYLKPLUS

MYLKPLUS was founded in 2018 by then twenty-two-year-old entrepreneur Camilla Ainsworth, the youngest ever finalist on the UK version of The Apprentice. Based in Blackburn, the company produces a range of dairy-free milk drinks made from nuts, seeds, and oats. The head of health food and supplement giant Holland and Barrett was so impressed with Ainsworth’s products, that he agreed to stock them across all his stores. In its first year alone, MYLKPLUS sold 130,000 bottles and in 2020, Business Insider names Ainsworth in their “top 10 female entrepreneurs” and “top 10 women to watch lists.

Ainsworth is also the founder of VF Athletica, a new athletic wear brand that encourages women of all shapes and sizes to be active. At only 26 years old, Camilla Ainsworth is already a force to be reckoned with in the business world. In the future, she plans to continue expanding MYLKPLUS and VF Athletica and helping even more people to live healthy and active lifestyles.

9. Snoop

Snoop was founded by Cara Norton and Jayne-Anne Gadhia, two women entrepreneurs who saw a gap in the market for a financial technology company that focused on women’s needs. They launched Snoop in 2014 with the aim of helping women to make better financial decisions and achieve their financial goals. The company offers a range of products including an app that helps women to track their spending, a credit card with cashback rewards, and a savings account.

In its first year, Snoop was named one of the “Best New Startups” by The Observer and in 2020 it made the list of the “Top 50 Fintech Companies to Watch” compiled by WIRED. Cara Norton and Jayne-Anne Gadhia are two women entrepreneurs who are shaking up the UK’s financial sector. In the future, they plan to continue expanding Snoop and helping even more people to take control of their finances.

10. Spanx

Spanx is a leading manufacturer of women’s clothing and accessories. The company was founded by Sara Blakely, who invented the now-famous Spanx pantyhose. Blakely started the company because she was frustrated with the lack of options available for women who wanted to wear stylish clothing but also needed support and coverage. Since its founding in 2000, Spanx has become a household name and is worn by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The company has won numerous awards including the prestigious Forbes “Entrepreneur of the Year” award and is now worth an estimated £800 million making Blakely one of the most successful self-made women in the world. In the future, Spanx plans to continue expanding its range of products and helping women to feel confident and stylish.

Tips for Budding Female Entrepreneurs

So, there you have it: ten inspiring UK businesses that are owned by women. If you’re a woman entrepreneur who is looking to start your own business, then here are some tips to help you on your way:

Believe in yourself and your idea

This is so important because if you don’t believe in your idea, then no one else will. It’s also important to remember that even the most successful businesses have had their fair share of failures along the way. So, if you’re faced with a setback, don’t give up – learn from it and move on.

Do your research

Before you launch your business, it’s essential to do your research and make sure there is a market for your product or service. This will help you to validate your idea and give you a better chance of success. All of the women on this list spotted a gap in the market and capitalised on it, so make sure you do your research before you take the plunge.

Network, network, network

Networking is a great way to meet people who can help your business to grow. It’s also a great way to build relationships with potential customers and partners. The women on this list are all excellent networkers and it’s one of the reasons why they’ve been so successful.

Get mentored

If you can find a mentor who has experience in the business world, then do not hesitate to seek them out. A good mentor can offer invaluable advice and support, and they can help you to avoid making common mistakes. Camilla Ainsworth had the benefit of being mentored by Sir Alan Sugar while she was a contestant on The Apprentice and this kind of mentorship is invaluable to new entrepreneurs.

Build a strong team around you

No business can succeed without a strong team behind it. When you’re putting together your team, make sure you surround yourself with people who have complementary skills and who share your vision for the business.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

One of the great things about being an entrepreneur is that you don’t have to do everything by yourself. If you need help with something, don’t be afraid to ask for it – there are plenty of people out there who are willing to help. You may need someone to help you with bookkeeping, marketing, or even just finding a good accountant, but whatever your needs, there is always someone out there who can assist you in achieving your business goals.

Be prepared to work very hard!

Starting your own business is not a quick or easy process, so be prepared to work hard and persevere through challenging times. Remember that success takes time, so don’t give up if things don’t happen overnight.

Final Thoughts

The ten businesses featured in this article are just a small selection of the many female-owned businesses that are thriving in the UK. These businesses have all been founded by ambitious and determined women who have overcome adversity to build successful companies. If you’re a woman with a business idea, then don’t be afraid to take the plunge and follow in their footsteps.

Source: Real Business