It’s an exciting time for us at SheInspires! We’re thrilled to announce that Stacey’s Stepping Stone Award is evolving into something even more impactful—a seed grant initiative to support women-led businesses.
For the past four years, we’ve celebrated and uplifted women entrepreneurs through cash prizes designed to help them take their first steps. Time and again, we’ve seen how even a modest amount can spark incredible transformations: a new product launch, a business expansion, or simply the confidence boost to keep going.
Now, we’re taking this initiative to the next level.
Why Microbusinesses Matter
Microbusinesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy. Together, they create innovation, jobs, and a sense of community. Women-led businesses, in particular, are making waves, contributing a staggering £105 billion annually to the UK economy—an increase of 40% over the past decade. Women are starting businesses at a faster pace than ever before, defying challenges and breaking barriers.
Yet, despite these strides, many women entrepreneurs—especially those running microbusinesses—struggle to access the funding and support they need to thrive. This is the gap we aim to bridge with the Stepping Stone Seed Grants.
Small Steps, Monumental Change
At its core, this initiative is about more than just business—it’s about empowering women to change their lives and their communities. Microbusinesses may be “small” in scale, but their potential to drive growth, foster innovation, and create opportunities is anything but.
With these seed grants, we’re not just supporting businesses; we’re fuelling dreams, igniting ambition, and creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Guided by Passion and Generosity
We are delighted and very fortunate to have an incredible advisory council guiding this initiative. Their expertise and dedication are instrumental in shaping the impact of Stacey’s Stepping Stone Seed Grants. The members of the advisory council are:
- Liz Hardwick
- Sally Fletcher
- Councillor Linda Thomas
- Jenny Matthews
- Jackie Hyde
- Sandra McManus
In addition to this, we are incredibly fortunate to have angel benefactors who are not only supporting this initiative but also embodying its spirit of empowerment and generosity. A heartfelt thank you to:
- Jackie Hyde
- Preeti Choudhury
- Julie Robinson
- Faz Patel
- Alison Marsh
Their contributions and unwavering support are helping us transform this vision into reality, one step at a time.
What’s Next?
While we’re still fine-tuning the details, we couldn’t wait to share this exciting development with you. This initiative represents our commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in tangible, transformative ways—and it’s just the beginning.
We’ll be sharing updates soon, so stay tuned to learn how you can get involved, whether as an applicant, a mentor, or a supporter of this vital work. Together, we’re proving that small steps can lead to monumental change.
Thank you for walking this journey with us.
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