Its almost a year ago that I got a message from Eve at True North Productions, inviting me to apply to be on a national TV programme with actual Holly Tucker MBE. My business was in a tricky situation: commissions were going well, workshops were selling out. But my ready to wear jewellery had stagnated. Things sold at markets and events, but my website was quiet and I rarely spoke about my designs in real life or on socials.
I knew I needed help, but I didn’t know what help. So, I tried to ignore the ‘being on tv’ bit and applied. I found out I’d been accepted whilst on the school run and I didn’t know whether to laugh or be sick.
Holly was in my house 6 days later. She’d done a deep dive on my business and had an action plan. I designed a brand new collection inspired by my own experience growing up with no fingers on one hand. The turn around time was insanely quick, so there was no time to think let alone over think.
The new collection launched on prime time ITV in front of millions of people. Orders started coming in and I even sent a phoenix to Australia!
What did I learn? When things get stagnant, look for the opportunities that terrify you - that’s where the growth lies.
What to shop the show? Find your Be Your Own Boss 2025 favourites here:
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After experiencing life changing injuries in a car crash in 2018, Leo turned to wood working single handedly at the suggestion of his therapist. What started off as a creative outlet soon became a side hustle, making small wooden items for friends and family. Fast forward to 2025 and Leo is the proud owner of ‘Single Handedly Made’, a bespoke woodworking company that specialises in custom kitchen accessories whilstshowcasing his single handed woodworking skills on social media. A proud advocate of disability in the workplace and speaking up about men’s mental health, Single Handedly Made aims to highlight awareness that if you suffer trauma or life changing events in your life, it is possible with the right help and support to adapt and change so you can still enjoy a life of fulfilment and purpose. |
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A place where imagination runs wild, mess is part of the magic, and playtime is anything but ordinary. I’m Kirsty, founder of Magic By Post – we create magical, handmade potion kits for kids. Remember making mud pies and petal soups as a child? Our kits bring that nostalgic, sensory play to life, without parents having to sacrifice their kitchen cupboards or expensive perfumes! They fizz, pop, smell amazing, and spark wild imaginations. It’s all about child-led, open-ended play and inviting little ones into a world of creativity. |
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The Bird Boys - George and Zac Two brothers who started their small business in 2020 when we were just 14 and 10 years old. Every one of our stoneware bird feeders is handmade with care and glaze-fired to 1220 degrees celsius, making them not only beautiful and stylish additions to any garden, but also incredibly durable - even in the harshest frosts. Most importantly the birds love them! |
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Lorna is the proud mum to a 31 week NICU Warrior and knows first hand how hard the journey of having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is. This inspired her and a neonatal nurse friend Beth to start SuperDinky; an independent brand which walks alongside your NICU journey. From 1.5lb preemie vests to 3XL adult t-shirts which celebrate our little ones strength. Our mission is to change the culture around prematurity NICU and reduce the shocking 40% PTSD rate which families experience. Every time you shop SuperDinky we gift to a family navigating the NICU right now. |
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Bon Mangé - Rochelle and Mandella founded by husband-and-wife duo Rochelle and Mandella—is a love letter to food, family, and their St. Lucian roots. From small-batch sauces to intimate supper clubs, our mission is to put St. Lucian food on the map. It all started with a family hot sauce recipe passed down from Rochelle’s mum, Aunty Val — everyone’s favourite aunt. Mandella also brought his twist with a bold green seasoning that quickly became a staple. Whether you’re cooking at home or joining us for a meal, we’re here to share the flavours and warmth of St. Lucia, one bite at a time. |
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What began as a few seed packets and a spare patch on a Kent allotment has blossomed into Seed Folk; a modern grow-your-own brand founded by Gemma Hudson to help people reconnect with nature, wherever they live and whatever their experience. Hand-packed in her garden studio using organic, open-pollinated seeds and sustainable materials, Seed Folk’s beautifully designed Seed Collection Gift Boxes are the perfect gift for both budding gardeners and seasoned growers alike. Choose from The Herb Garden, The Salad Bowl, or The Veg Patch; each featuring five curated seed varieties selected to inspire, nurture, and grow something meaningful long after the decorations come down. Give the gift that keeps on growing. |
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Brownie and the Bean - Charlotte and Luke With a shared passion for food and craft, we (Charlotte and Luke) left London in 2017 and set out to build something meaningful: a small family business rooted in quality, simplicity, and tradition. The inspiration came from Luke’s mother’s much-loved brownie recipe. We began with a mobile café and by 2019, were travelling all across East Anglia. When the world changed in 2020, so did we. Returning to the kitchen, expanding our range and offering local doorstep deliveries. The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading us to take the next step: offering brownie deliveries by post across the UK. Today, along with our wonderful team of bakers, we continue to bake each batch by hand, sending our brownies and sweet treats to homes and businesses nationwide. Our bakes are rooted in traditional techniques, using responsibly sourced ingredients from local producers: eggs from a nearby farm, Norfolk grown flour, sugar from Bury St Edmunds and British butter, and ethically sourced chocolate, produced chocolate in the UK. Wherever possible, we grow or forage the fruits used in our jams and toppings. |
