A Bermondsey-based businesswoman has been named as one of the UK’s most inspiring and dynamic female entrepreneurs by a campaign that celebrates women running small businesses.
Alexandra Birtles, 36 – who founded an app that locates sustainable businesses – is being profiled alongside 100 female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of the campaign to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK today.
The f:entrepreneur Campaign was set up in 2017 to give more recognition to the women who run businesses in the UK. The aim was to raise awareness of the positive impact female business owners have, whilst inspiring the small business community.
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Alex co-founded In Good Company in 2021 – an app that shows you ethical, sustainable, for-good businesses in your local area. She has lived in Bermondsey for thirteen years and after doing a few different jobs, it was caring for her terminally-ill father that drove her to want to do something meaningful.
“I’d always been driven towards business as a force for good,” she said, “and there’s a real gap in the market for people spending their money consciously. So that’s where the idea came from.
“I had just spent six months caring for my father who was terminally ill and sadly passed away before the pandemic. When something like that happens, it reframes what’s important. I wanted to do something purpose-driven.
She explained that now more than ever is a tough time for small businesses: “We want to support the high street and smaller, more local businesses that are competing with online companies.
“We’ve spent the past year building the platform and now we’re almost ready to launch.”
In addition to the app, Alex was celebrated for her focus on supporting other female entrepreneurs and mentoring women who want to start a business. She also volunteers with a local environmental group and helped plant a new community garden, Octopus Garden, on Dunton road.
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On being named, Alex said: “It’s a bit unbelievable to be recognized in this way. But it’s not about me as an individual; I want to show that starting a business is an option no matter your age or gender. I wasn’t an entrepreneur and didn’t have friends who were business owners.”
She explained that through the award, there is the opportunity to get involved in further mentoring for other women who need support.
“I was so lost when I went into it – so it helps to have people you can reach out to in the same position.
Alex said doubts held her back at the beginning.
“My advice to women who want to start their own business – is just to start.”
“I spent a long time thinking about starting a business, I should’ve just got going with it. You can even start in a small way.”
As well as promoting sustainability, many of the businesses featured in this year’s campaign also demonstrate a huge commitment to championing diversity and inclusion.
Both f:entrepreneur was founded by Michelle Ovens CBE.
“Congratulations to Alex and each of the talented female entrepreneurs featured in this year’s #ialso100,” Michelle said.
“It’s so vital that we recognize and celebrate the phenomenal contribution that women running businesses are making across the UK, and the far-reaching, positive impact they are having, not just on the economy, but on wider communities too.”
To see the full line-up of the 100 women featured in this year’s f:entrepreneur #ialso100 list click here
If you have a sustainable business that you would like to be listed on their app, get in touch with them over Instagram or email hello@ingoodcompany.org.uk