Shortlisted for the Small Awards 2025 – Sole to Sole Category!

I’m absolutely thrilled (and still slightly in shock!) to share that I’ve been shortlisted for the Sole to Sole category at this year’s Small Awards 2025.

This particular category is dedicated to sole traders – the one-person powerhouses who wear every hat in their business. From designing and making to packing orders, marketing, and customer service – it’s about celebrating those of us who do it all, day in and day out. To be recognised among this incredible group of hardworking, passionate individuals is a huge honour.

For me, it’s especially meaningful to be recognised not just as a sole trader, but as someone representing traditional crafts. Leatherwork is an age-old skill, rooted in heritage and care, and I’m so proud to be keeping those techniques alive in a modern world. Every product I make is handstitched using methods that have been passed down through generations – slow, deliberate, sustainable, and made to last.

Running a business solo is no small feat – and doing it through the chaos of COVID added a whole new layer of challenge. Like so many others, I was balancing homeschooling, nap times, and endless snacks with running a business. There were days where I stitched in the early hours or packed orders at the kitchen table after bedtime. It was relentless – but it was also driven by passion.

What kept me going through all of it was the belief that craftsmanship still matters. That there’s real value in something made with time, intention, and integrity. And now, to have that journey recognised by the Small Awards feels incredibly special.

Thank you to the judges and sponsors, to my amazing customers, and to everyone who has supported me along the way. Whether you’ve taken a course, ordered a bespoke piece, or simply shared words of encouragement – you’ve helped make this moment possible.

The awards ceremony is just around the corner, and I’ll be heading there with my proudest smile and the spirit of every handmaker stitched into my soul.

Here’s to resilience, tradition, and all the brilliant sole traders out there making magic happen – one step at a time.

Naomi x