I found out recently that I’ve been shortlisted as a finalist in the Female Entrepreneur of the Year category at the Official UK Small Business Awards 2026, representing Coventry.
This is a different award to the UK StartUp Awards 2026 shortlisting I shared earlier this month. Two separate awards…two separate shortlists. April has been a lot (in the best way!).
The UK Small Business Awards recognises the people building and running small businesses across the country – producing results you can measure. Being shortlisted in the Female Entrepreneur category means something to me because of what Bearhat has had to be to get here.
Bearhats humble beginnings
I started Bearhat in 2024 from nothing. I didn’t fully know what I wanted it to be. But I soon discovered that I want it to be a business for small and medium businesses who didn’t want to pay high agency fees, but they also weren’t in a position to hire a senior marketer in house. I wanted Bearhat to bridge the gap.
Bearhat exists to give owner-led businesses access to a senior outsourced marketing director – someone who owns the strategy, leads the execution, and is accountable for the results.
And look, I didn’t start Bearhat to win awards. I started it because ambitious small businesses deserve access to senior marketing expertise, and most of what’s available to them is either too expensive, too junior, or too disconnected from how their business works.
Being shortlisted here – representing Coventry, in a category that recognises what female entrepreneurs are building – feels like confirmation that the model is working. And that the businesses benefiting from it are proof enough.
The ceremony takes place in December 2026 – and I still need to buy tickets! You can buy yours here.
Until then, I’ve got more work to do and more clients to help.
