The journey of Ashley White and the power of purposeful support
There are moments within She Inspires that go beyond applause. Moments where recognition does not end on a stage, but quietly begins a new chapter. The story of Ashley White is one of those moments. At it’s heart, She Inspires Awards has always been about visibility with purpose. It celebrates women across sectors, yes, but more importantly, it creates pathways. Because recognition, on its own, is never enough. What matters is what happens next.
The idea behind the Stepping Stone
The Stepping Stone Award began as a simple but powerful idea by Jackie Hyde, a long-standing advocate for women in business. She understood something many systems still overlook. Encouragement matters. Visibility matters. But when a woman is building something from the ground up, what she often needs most is tangible support. That idea evolved into what is now known as Stacey’s Stepping Stone Award, renamed in memory of Stacey Withington. A young woman whose spirit, connection, and presence left a lasting imprint on the She Inspires community. The renaming was not just symbolic. It was a commitment to legacy, to continuity, to ensuring that her name continues to lift others forward. Today, the award is proudly sponsored by Stanmore Insurance, and remains the only She Inspires award that combines recognition with direct financial and developmental support. A £1,000 cash prize, alongside mentorship from Jenny Matthews. Because sometimes, what changes everything is not a programme, not a workshop, not a conversation. It is a moment of real, practical backing.
Why this award matters now more than ever
The reality is difficult to ignore. Less than 2% of funding goes to women-led businesses. And within that already limited space, grassroots businesses, the ones built from kitchen tables, spare rooms, and quiet determination, are often left out entirely. Support, increasingly, is offered in kind. Advice, sessions, webinars. All valuable. All necessary. But not always enough. When you are at the beginning, you do not just need guidance. You need momentum. You need belief backed by action. You need someone to say, “Here is something you can build with.” That is what Stacey’s Stepping Stone Award was created to do.
Ashley White’s journey
For Ashley White, receiving Stacey’s Stepping Stone Award was not the end of a journey. It was the beginning of one. With the £1,000 support, she made a decision that speaks volumes about both courage and clarity. She travelled to Thailand to train, fulfilling a lifelong ambition and investing deeply in her craft. It was not just about learning a skill. It was about stepping into a new version of herself. Her growth since then has been remarkable to witness. From building her confidence to expanding her professional expertise, Ashley’s journey reflects what happens when potential meets opportunity at the right moment.
There is something incredibly powerful about watching that transformation unfold. Not because it is extraordinary, but because it is possible.
As Gulnaz Brennan often shares, “We cannot talk about empowering women without addressing economic empowerment. Recognition opens the door, but it is what we place in a woman’s hands next that determines how far she can walk. Stacey’s Stepping Stone Award exists because belief must be backed by action. A small investment, at the right time, can change the trajectory of a life.”
Ashley’s story is a reminder of something simple, yet profound. That a little support, given at the right moment, can travel far.
It can become confidence.
It can become skill.
It can become a business, a voice, a future.
And perhaps most importantly, it can become a pathway for someone else. Because She Inspires has never been just about recognising women. It is about building an ecosystem where women rise, and then reach back. Ashley White’s journey is one of many. But it is a powerful one.
And it quietly asks a bigger question.
What more could happen, if more women were given not just recognition, but a real stepping stone?
Now it’s your turn
Nominations for Stacey’s Stepping Stone Award are now open.
This award is dedicated to women in business. Whether you are just starting out, finding your footing, or building your next phase, this space is for you. If you have a business idea, a growing venture, or a vision you are ready to take further, this could be your moment.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one step. One opportunity. One person believing in you.
Submit your nomination here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026steppingstone
Step forward. Step up. And let this be your stepping stone.
