If ever there was anyone born to champion the UK’s creative small businesses (and women), it’s Holly Tucker MBE. Since founding Notonthehighstreet almost 20 years ago, the past two decades have given her the most unique, bird’s eye view of the dreams, resilience and remarkable talent of the UK’s independents — and she’s poured it all into Holly & Co. But how did this all happen?
It all started with a vegetable wreath… Holly has been championing small businesses since launching The Chiswick Christmas Fair in 2002. After being diagnosed with a non-malignant brain tumour at 25 and making vegetable wreaths as a distraction, she needed somewhere to sell them and invited some other incredible makers she had met to join her.
Her first business Notonthehighstreet made over £1bn… When Holly launched Notonthehighstreet in 2006 to connect small businesses with the world online, it was still only the third marketplace in the world after eBay and Amazon (and Amazon only sold books!). It supported more than 5,000 small businesses, many turning over millions each year, and generated more than £1bn for the UK economy.
Holly started Notonthehighstreet with a three week old baby... Harry was just born when her vision became a reality. So balancing a baby on her hip, she grew the business, helping others balance motherhood with entreneurship in the process. She was famed for creating 'A nation of mumpreneurs', mothers who could grow their craft businesses from their kitchen tables whilst juggling parenthood.
Dyslexia has been a superpower… Holly is a big believer in your school grades not determining your success (which makes sense as Holly got an E in Business Studies… but also an MBE in 2013, and was invited to become the UK Ambassador for Small Businesses. She is the only woman to have built two marketplaces).
Holly & Co has been 10 years+ in the making… Holly originally launched Holly & Co back in 2014 to offer ‘Instadvice’ and inspiration for other founders. Over a decade later, she has launched national campaigns, written a Sunday Times bestselling book, delivered an award-winning podcast and evolved the company into the purpose-led marketplace it is today.
Holly says, “My lifelong mission is to champion small businesses. But I am also a huge advocate of empowering women. I truly believe that running a business is the secret to living what I call ‘The Good Life’ — a life of purpose, a life of creativity and a fulfilling, colourful life where you get to do what you love and love what you do.
I found out a few years ago that we each have an average of just 29,000 days on the planet. I believe in making the most of these days, of living in gratitude and of working together to leave a legacy to be proud of — one that benefits our families, our communities and our planet. And I’ve committed to doing that until I am 90!” For more of Holly’s thoughts on life, business or creativity…
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There’s a reason it was a Sunday Times bestseller! The shortcut to everything you need to know about starting your own business, in bitesize chunks, from the Queen of Small Business herself.
Feeling stuck? Never forget that with the right mindset, we can do anything. Holly Tucker talks to the nation’s entrepreneurs and creative thinkers, and shares the powerful stories of those brave enough to follow their dreams.
