WINNER: BETH WILSON EMBROIDERY
2025
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored and shortlisted by px Group
WINNER: BETH WILSON EMBROIDERY
Her stunning work has already earned her an army of fans – and now Beth Wilson hopes to make Teesside a creative embroidery hub.
Being named Small Business of the Year was, for Beth, validation of a decision she made when the opportunities to develop her skills on Teesside were limited to say the least.
She moved to London, graduated from the London College of Fashion and, after honing her skills in a London embroidery studio, returned to Teesside in 2020 to set up her own business.
Five years on, it’ s a decision that’ s clearly paid off, given her Stocktonbased firm’ s growing reputation, nationally and internationally.
And a“ buzzing” Beth believes winning the award will give her“ more confidence to shout about what we do”.
Beth, who was also a finalist in the Best Newcomer category, told Tees Business it was frustrating having to move to London because of the lack of opportunities on Teesside.
She said:“ Even when I came home in 2020, there was nothing much to come home to – no creative embroidery studios – so that’ s what’ s inspired me to go with it.
“ Now I’ ve got my intern, Ava, and Ellie, who’ s with me four days a week, so it’ s mint to be helping put unique, creative jobs into the area.
“ Ellie hadn’ t done digital embroidery before – she graduated from a knitwear course – so it’ s all about teaching her the skills that mean we can inspire the next lot of people and put Teesside on the map for digital creative embroidery studios.”
And her plans for the future? Beth, 31, said:“ We’ re going to keep growing, we’ re going to employ more people and the goal in my heart is to have a huge studio on Teesside where I can employ a lot of people.
“ We can do it here – we don’ t have to move to cities. I want to be a person who inspires others to stay.”
Winner – Beth Wilson, left, of Beth Wilson Embroidery, with Katie Woods-Ruddick, chief people officer at category sponsor px Group.
FINALIST: FINALIST:
My Brow Expert
A brow services business and developing beauty product brand, Darlington-based My Brow Expert has grown from a one-person start-up into a seven-strong, all-female team, breaking all expected revenue and profit goals.
With an unrelenting focus on client experience, it is committed to creating a safe, empowering space for women, challenging outdated norms in the beauty industry and providing lifechanging services for its clients. It has also created pathways for young women to enter the industry with the right skills and values.
With a second site planned and a blueprint for sustainable growth, My Brow Expert proves that small businesses can scale rapidly, maintain profitability and have a positive impact on the communities they serve. uGlow
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
uGlow Tan, founded by trailblazing entrepreneur Louise Cooper, is transforming the tanning industry with its Clear Water Technology – a completely clear, minimal-odour formula that delivers flawless, transferfree results. Over the past year, the Stockton-based firm has achieved record growth through exclusive partnerships with PURE Spa & Beauty and House of Sublimity, celebrity tanning at the BAFTAs and for Robbie Williams, and the launch of targeted retail products.
Beyond its commercial success, and with several awards to its name, uGlow has had a profound impact on women by training a network of female freelancers who now run independent businesses under the brand. Many have shared that their uGlow income has enabled family holidays and greater financial freedom.
Katie Woods-Ruddick, chief people officer, px Group: As a business, we’ ve experienced rapid growth, but we were once a small business ourselves and truly understand the dedication and innovation required to succeed. Judging this was no easy feat – each finalist has stood out for not only how they are growing their business but also for the incredible women at the heart of their success and the positive impact they’ re having on the region through employment, innovation and service.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 137