24 Jan 2024
A St Albans businesswoman has been named one of the UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs in the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100′ 2024 line up.
The f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100′ campaign is run by Small Business Britain and aims to showcase trailblazing female founders who lead purpose-driven businesses alongside a roster of other responsibilities, such as volunteering, mentoring and community support.
Alex Hamilton-Bray founded Heartwood Glass in 2015 with her husband Gavin to improve her mental health and do something completely different to her high-pressure corporate job.
The business has gone from strength to strength, gaining recognition for its inspired range of workshops, giftware products and bespoke commissions and its commitment to being a caring company, with sustainability and community at its core.
Since its launch, Alex and Heartwood Glass have helped thousands of people of all ages improve their mental well-being through the mindful practice of glassworking by attending creative workshops or via their ‘make-at-home’ kits.
Alex was recognised for her dedication and devotion to mental wellbeing. She said: “It’s incredible to be included on the list and to be part of a like-minded community that champions diversity, creativity, innovation and resilience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect and learn from others on the list and for the Small Business Britain team for taking the time to shine a light on our work!”
Alex joins many Herts-based female business leaders featured in previous #ialso100 line ups, including Ruby Raut (WUKA) Cheryl Luzet (Wagada Digital), Jen Smith (The Curious Mentor) and Virginia Cinquemani (Green Gorilla Consultants).
Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of both f:Entrepreneur and Small Business Britain said: “It is so important that we call out the incredible contribution of women running businesses across the UK. As well as growing economic prosperity across the UK, they are also having a tremendous, wider positive impact on local communities too. Despite all of the challenges of recent times, it is fantastic to see female entrepreneurship continuing to grow and flourish in the UK, and we must do all we can to encourage and build this further.”
