A few weeks ago, I shared that I’d been nominated for the Woman Who Achieves Awards 2026. Now, I get to say something even better: I’m a finalist.
Out of every amazing business woman who entered, the judges have shortlisted me as one of the finalists – something I didn’t see coming, and I’m letting myself be proud.
What the Woman Who Awards Are
The Woman Who Achieves Awards, founded by Sandra Garlick MBE, celebrate female entrepreneurs, founders, and leaders across the UK. What sets the award apart is the approach – there are no categories, no public votes, no popularity contest. Every entry is judged on merit – on their story, on their achievements, on the real and often unglamorous work of building something from scratch.
What This Means to Me
Building Bearhat hasn’t been a straight line – in fact it’s been down right messy. It didn’t start with a clear vision, but it soon built into one: to give owner-led businesses access to serious, senior marketing leadership without the overhead of a full-time hire.
There have been many moments of doubt. Many time when I wondered whether I was building something genuinely different, or whether I was just another marketing person with a website and a lot of opinions. This finalist status is a reminder that what I’m doing is working, and that the work has value, and that other people can see it too.
It also means something to me as a woman in business. I’m a wife and a mother running a company just outside of Coventry. I’m not in London and I’m not backed by investment. I built this on expertise, relationships, and persistence. Seeing that recognised is genuinely moving.
What Happens Next
The next stage is a finalist interview on 23rd March – an online interview where I’ll get to tell my story directly to the judges. Then the awards lunch takes place on 8th May 2026 at the National Conference Centre in Solihull.
Win or not, I’ll be in that room. Because one of the things I’ve learned about building a business is that showing up matters – not just for your clients, but for yourself.
A Thank You
To every client who has trusted Bearhat with their brand and their growth. To the people who have supported, referred, and cheered me on: thank you. You know who you are.
