From spare room idea to Yorkshire-wide platform
My entrepreneurial journey started back in 2016, when my youngest started school. The business was born from a love for Yorkshire and a frustration with the impersonal gift-buying found on the large gift experience websites. I could see there were brilliant small businesses, makers and experience providers in our region, but no one was pulling them together into something curated, thoughtful and easy to buy from.
So I started Uniquely Local as a way to champion Yorkshire’s talent and give people an alternative to ‘stuff’ when gifting.
Over the years, we’ve gone from operating out of my spare room to collaborating with over 150 local businesses. We’ve weathered the pandemic, grown our customer base across the UK and beyond, and diversified into home experience kits, corporate gifting and tourism. It’s been a steep learning curve, but I’ve (mostly!) loved every twist and turn.
Business Challenges and how we’ve grown
Raising brand awareness in a crowded market with limited resources has definitely been one of the biggest hurdles. Competing with national brands with big budgets meant we had to be creative, lean and incredibly focused.
We’ve overcome this by:
- Building strong partnerships locally
- Showing up consistently on social media
- Attending fairs and events
- Staying true to our values
Being small business has actually become our strength – we’re able to offer that personal touch and shine a spotlight on stories big brands often overlook.
We’re now expanding our offering for corporate gifting and tourism partnerships while strengthening our presence in Yorkshire and beyond!
Personal challenges and finding community
Starting a business as a woman in my 40s, while balancing family life and a freelance career, definitely came with its own set of challenges – especially around confidence and visibility. When I started out, I didn’t know many people like me running businesses, so I often felt like an imposter.
One of the things that has helped overcome this and given me huge strength is building a network of other female founders and leaning into communities that champion women in business. That’s been a game-changer for me.
Role models and inspiration
I’m always inspired by local women doing amazing things – those who start small, grow intentionally and stay true to their purpose. People like Calypso Rose from The Indytute, Lisa Shepherd and Saskia Roskam from The Biskery, or more locally Emma Godivala from York Gin – women who saw a gap, trusted their gut, and built something impactful with integrity.
I also really admire the makers and artists we work with. Many of them are quietly running incredible businesses on their own terms. Their creativity and resilience constantly inspire me.
Words of advice
One thing I wish I’d known sooner is that it’s okay not to do everything yourself. Delegating isn’t just about time-saving – it’s about recognising your strengths and giving others space to bring their own magic to the business. Concentrate on the things that you are really good at.
Also, networking gets easier the more you do it and is so important for your business. You never know who is going to be in the room!
-218x218.png){kind=logo}