Celebrate International Women's Day with female founders thriving in London

If you're a female founder in London, you're probably familiar with the challenges unique to entrepreneurship as a woman.

For this International Women's Day, take inspiration from some of the women entrepreneurs we have supported.

Why International Women's Day is celebrated

Women-led businesses contribute to a stronger and more inclusive economy.

Despite the challenges faced, female founders show us that where there's a will, there's a way.

With access to the right support and community, we believe that every female entrepreneur can thrive in the city.

Our inspirational founders

We're celebrating inspirational women who have turned their passion into a business to mark International Women's Day.

In this photo: Harley with one of her flower arrangements (copyright: Elliott Wilcox, image courtesy of Harley's Flowers)

Meet Harley from Harley's Flowers

@Harleysflowers is a wedding and event florist based in London, Surrey and Kent.

Harley sets a great example of how creativity and resilience work together to bring a business idea to life.

Read more about how she's building community, overcoming supplier challenges and her advice for other female founders.

What has been your proudest moment in business so far?

I've been running this business for more than 15 years now, having launched it immediately after completing a floristry course.

Over time, it became clear that weddings and events was where my passion truly lay.

I'm incredibly proud of how far we've come. Being selected as a south-east regional finalist in The Wedding Industry Awards was a real milestone for us. A reflection of the care, creativity and dedication we pour into every event.

Alongside this, achieving consistent five-star Google reviews means the world, as it shows that our clients value not just the finished florals, but the experience of working with us from start to finish.

It's been a journey built on hard work, resilience and genuine love for what we do and I'm so grateful to every client who has trusted us to be part of their special moments.

"If you consistently deliver excellence and remain resilient, growth will come." – Harley, founder of Harley's Flowers

What has been your biggest business challenge – and how did you overcome it?

Over the past five years, we've seen a significant rise in the cost of flowers and a major impact on supply chains, import costs and availability.

British-grown flowers have become more widely available, with an impressive improvement in both variety and longevity, giving us greater creative flexibility without compromising on quality.

Sustainability continues to be a key focus for us. We are embracing more environmentally responsible techniques and mechanics that align with our values.

Balancing rising costs, environmental responsibility and exceptional design is not without its challenges, but we remain dedicated to creating beautiful floral work in a way that's thoughtful, transparent and environmentally conscious.

What's your advice for other female founders looking to start or grow a business in London?

• Actively seek out connections and community from the very beginning!

  Building strong professional relationships not only opens doors to new opportunities but also ensures you're visible within your industry.

  London has such a diverse and dynamic business landscape. Putting yourself out there, attending events, collaborating and having conversations can make a real difference.

• I'd also strongly recommend accessing the free support available through organisations such as Grow London Local.

  There's a wealth of expertise, mentoring and guidance available, often at no cost, and it can be incredibly helpful when navigating the practical and strategic side of building a business.

• Most importantly, persevere if you truly believe in your product or service. Progress is rarely linear. Stay committed to quality, remain adaptable and keep faith in your vision.

In this photo: Shanice Allen at the UK Black Business Show (copyright: Shanice Allen, image courtesy of SENPower Tutoring)

Meet Shanice from SENPower Tutoring

SENPower Tutoring provides tutoring and mentoring services to students with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), aged four to 25, from Black and minority backgrounds in the UK.

With more than 20 years of combined experience, the organisation creates a culturally responsive and inclusive space that meets students' needs.

Shanice's business really highlights this year's International Women's Day motto: give to gain. She's using her expertise to help empower and elevate people living with disabilities.

Read more about her fantastic achievements and the people who inspire her to keep going.

What has been your proudest moment in business so far?

Supporting children with SEND and their families from diverse backgrounds and different walks of life.

My goal is to empower young minds and help break down barriers to learning and education, which is something that these children may not have in their current learning environments.

"There are always ways to achieve your goals. It's all worth it once you're at the finish line." – Shanice Allen, founder of SENPower Tutoring

What has been your biggest business challenge – and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge has been acquiring funding for potential business growth as a minority-led SME.

With sheer belief and determination that SENPower Tutoring has a great purpose and mission to support students in the communities we serve.

There's high demand for what we offer, so I believe we can face these obstacles.

Who is your female inspiration or role model?

I have two female inspirations.

• My late and beloved grandmother, Mary Allen. She showed me how to love and enjoy each other's company in our community, faith over fearing about the unknown and bravery coming to England.

• My aunt Angela, the first professional Black woman in my life growing up as a child. She showed me possibilities entering the corporate world, not letting my race or gender stop me achieving my dreams.

What's your advice for other female founders looking to start or grow a business in London?

Keep pushing forward no matter what naysayers may say or how many doors may be closed in your face.

In this photo: Lior shows some of her tasty food dishes (copyright: Lior Berman, image courtesy of Lior's Kitchen)

Meet Lior from Lior's Kitchen

Lior is a private chef who focuses on artisanal, diverse cuisines with a side of creativity – her mantra is "zero waste with maximum flavour".

Chef Lior's story highlights how often women entrepreneurs need to wear multiple hats (not just her chef's hat!). Other than food, Lior handles customer care, social media promotion and logistics.

She prides herself in delivering high-quality food that is personalised to each customer and occasion, which in turn brings loyalty to her business.

Read more to learn how creativity and a relentless drive to self-improve play a big part in getting the job done for Lior.

What has been your proudest moment in business so far?

Starting from zero and building a thriving private chef business is my proudest achievement because it required me to be more than just a chef.

I've successfully scaled this brand by managing the entire operation – from high-end culinary execution to administration, social media and customer care.

My secret is a relentless, out-of-the-box approach to reaching new clients while delivering a level of personalised service that keeps my existing ones loyal.

I've turned a solo passion into a successful, self-managed reality through pure adaptability and drive.

"Starting from zero and building a thriving private chef business is my proudest achievement." – Lior Berman, founder of Lior's Kitchen

What has been your biggest business challenge – and how did you overcome it and keep going?

The biggest challenge was mastering the balance – managing high-level cooking, administration and social media while ensuring a consistent flow of income.

I navigated this by committing to long days and staying laser-focused on my targets.

Even in the toughest moments, I never stopped thinking outside the box to reach new clients, and I always listen deeply to my existing clients' needs to ensure they receive 200% every single time.

Turning that solo hustle into a sustainable, self-managed reality is what I'm most proud of.

Who is your female inspiration or role model?

Clare Smyth, the world-renowned chef behind the restaurant Core. As a fellow professional in the food industry, I find her story inspiring.

She's the first British female chef to hold and retain three Michelin stars. Her success is a perfect example of thinking outside the box.

She's famous for taking humble ingredients – like a single carrot or a potato – and turning them into world-class signature dishes.

Conclusion

With these inspiring stories and plenty of support available out there for your small business, it's time to get your idea off the ground. Everyone at Grow London Local is passionate about seeing local businesses thrive.

You could have a business you'd like to set up, or you're looking to grow your existing company, but even though there's plenty of support out there, you may be unsure where to start.

Grow London Local has always championed the women entrepreneurs we've had the privilege to support, with 56% of our SMEs supported being female-led.

If you're a female founder in London and looking for support to start or grow your business, we want to be part of your journey as an entrepreneur.

• Join an event to meet like-minded founders and understand the support available to your business.

• Get in touch by booking your free consultation with us or start your business success check today – it takes five to 10 minutes, and you get personalised recommendations for your business or advice on how to start a business and take it to the next stage.

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