The Independent Awards 2021

Female Founder Award

This award was won by The Basket Room who received a cash prize of £10,000, and the Runner-up was Mutha.Hood who received £5,000.

As a reminder, this award celebrates those female founders who are smashing stereotypes, defining a new narrative and helping their fellow sisterhood, by paving the way and making that path an easier journey to tread for others. 

The Winner

The Basket Room

The Basket Room creates beautiful collections of handwoven, decorative storage baskets for the home, woven with stunning colours and unique patterns. Founders Camilla and Holly work with small craft collectives in Africa to share ethical, stylish accessories with a story.

The Runner-Up

Mutha.Hood

Mutha.Hood sells clothing and other products that promote female empowerment and boost self esteem. Creator of the original Strong Girls Club, this brand’s positive and powerful tees are an empowering and inspiring reminder of female strength.

Nominees and Finalists

Each of these independent business has been selected for being outstanding in this category. Which is your favourite?

Beyond Nine

Beyond Nine design and make clothes for all stages of womanhood. Clothing that is adaptable and well-fitting through pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, monthly bloat, surgery and day-to-day life.

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Shortlisted stamp

Dee’s Basement

Dee’s Basement specialise in unique cakes for special occasions, postal desserts, dessert experiences and event catering. Dee launched a collaborate initiative the ‘Black Business Dessert Box’, and promotes black owned businesses.

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Shortlisted stamp

The Flock

The Flock takes a kind, conscious approach to women’s media, supporting ethical creatives, businesses and movements. Completely ad-free, its unique Pay It Forward Wall generates free subscriptions for readers on reduced income.

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Shortlisted stamp

Abel and the Label

Abel and the Label create colourful products to help children’s mental health. They educate and bring awareness to kids by creating creative and interactive resources for children, marrying a passion for art and mental health.

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AviateHer

AviateHer design accessories to highlight diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and celebrate those who are smashing stereotypes whilst also giving back to good causes.

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Bettercup

Born from a desire to end period poverty, Bettercup sell ethically made, beautifully packaged menstrual cups. For each one sold, one is donated to a person in need. Bettercup provides donations and menstrual education globally.

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Black & Beech

Black & Beech create slow fashion for feminists; empowering the women who wear it and the grassroots charities supported by it.

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Boss Babs

Jenny at Boss Babs creates a range of inspiring children’s products to empower the next generation. Her bold designs have important messages and give them the belief that they can achieve anything, letting nothing hold them back.

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GirlBE

Determined to empower the next generation, GirlBE Club offers 7-12-year-old girls a big dose of positivity, mindfulness and inspiration every month straight through the letterbox with its monthly box subscription.

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Girls Who Grind Coffee

All-female coffee roastery, sourcing exclusively from female producers, seeking out coffee that creates positive change. They’ve launched an initiative putting 10% of their retail coffee sales back into the pockets of their producers.

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Hip Hip Hooray

Hip Hip Hooray is a social enterprise creating beautiful illustrated stationery and paper goods that celebrate and uplift women, while providing life changing employment for women rebuilding their lives after serious hardship.

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Kookie

Created by an all-female team, Kookie is an award-winning, ‘girl-powered’ magazine for pre-teens that champions inspiring role models, celebrates diversity and encourages creativity.

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Oh Mumma

Oh Mumma makes self-care simple for mums. They find the best mum-approved products to make life better. £1 of every box sold is used to create a box for a mum staying at Ronald McDonald House while her child gets medical treatment.

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PRICK

PRICK is London’s first boutique dedicated to cacti and other succulent plants. Based in Dalston, PRICK sees cacti and succulents as living sculptures that take years to fully develop and is the brainchild of Gynelle Leon.

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Rare Birds Books

Rare Birds Books is dedicated to celebrating and promoting women’s writing. For the last four years, their aim has been to help readers find books that they would never have picked and rediscover the joy of reading.

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Sojo

Sojo is helping to make our relationship with fashion more sustainable by revolutionising the tailoring industry. It connects customers to local seamster businesses through its app and bicycle delivery service.

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Valiant Lingerie

After her own mastectomy and frustration with boring clinical post-surgery lingerie, Eleanor created Valiant Lingerie that supports women in feeling confident again after treatment for breast cancer.

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Vestpod

Formerly working in private equity, Emilie Bellet launched Vestpod to change the conversation about money and empower women financially. They provide women with the tools and inspiration to make great financial choices.

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Share

Other Award Categories

Don't forget you can vote for one business in each category

Small Business of the Year

Exceptional all-round small business superstar

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Business for Good Award

Purpose led business bringing positive change

Vote Now

Modern Crafter Award

Pure creative crafter with skill, talent and technique

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High Street Shop Award

The heart of our high street, the soul of our community

Vote Now

WITH THANKS TO OUR AWARD SUPPORTERS

These awards would not be possible without our incredible small business supporters who truly believe in the power of small.

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