Holly Tucker MBE

Holly Tucker is many things; mother, MBE, founder, philanthropist,  ambassador; but the thing she is above all, is passionate. Founder of Not on the High Street and now Holly & Co, Holly has made small  business her lifeblood.

Holly says, “for as long as I can remember, I’ve marched to the beat of a different  drum. Throughout my life, I’ve been eternally inspired by the talent, creativity and  determination of the makers and creators who bring so much colour to a grey  world.”

In 2003, Holly started ‘Your Local Fair’ in Chiswick, west London, after a  fruitless search for a place to sell her ‘less ordinary’ wreaths. Inspired by the  sight of creative businesses selling side by side, an idea was sparked.

Indeed, Holly made it her life’s mission to help this remarkable group;  creating Not on the High Street to give small businesses a collective home,  where their products could proudly sit alongside fellow makers, and find  their way to loving homes around the world.

Thirteen years, 5,000 brilliant businesses and millions of happy customers later, Holly was set to do it all over again. In 2015, she founded Holly & Co,  a new business that exists both on and off the high street.

As well as being a coffee shop that changes monthly to support creative  groups and industries, Holly & Co is also a brand consultancy specialising in  creative businesses. The digital side of the brand is a fully accessible advice  and inspiration hub; aimed at supporting those she calls the dreamers,  dabblers and doers, the makers and creators, at all stages of the small  business journey.

Holly adds,”Holly & Co is a place where weaknesses are celebrated as much as  strengths; where you can be your whole creative self, nurture your skills and allow  your business to blossom – whether it’s still a seed, or a well rooted tree. We’re here  for the whole journey.

Holly & Co are the tireless cheerleaders for creative small businesses, for now and  forevermore; encouraging dreamers to become doers, inspiring new ideas and  helping people live more colourfully.”

Holly’s dedication and contribution to business has been recognised through a number of awards over the years, most notably by her MBE for services to small businesses and enterprise as part of Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2013, as well as her appointment as the UK Ambassador for Creative Small Businesses by the Prime Minister in 2015. Other awards include: Entrepreneurial Woman of the Future Award, EY Entrepreneur of the Year (London and South Region winner 2014), Management Today 35 Women Under 35 Award, Media Momentum Women of the Year, The Google Award for Women in Digital at the Digital Masters Awards, and many more.

Holly believes that everyone has the potential to life their very own ‘Good Life’, and so in 2012, she published her first book with NOTHS co-founder, Sophie Cornish, titled ‘Build A Business From Your Kitchen Table’, which topped the Amazon and Sunday Times Business bestseller charts. Their follow-up book, ‘Shape Up Your Business’, published in 2014, achieved equal success. Holly has plans to release more business books in the near future, to help demystify business and inspire ideas in us all.

As part of Holly’s mission to support independent enterprises, she’s also Chair of the St Margarets Traders Association in Twickenham, West London. The Association aims to build a town of merit, protect independent high street, and act as a model that all high streets can seek to emulate. Holly is a firm believer that change starts at a grassroots level, and she hopes to keep changing forevermore.

“Holly was the most popular speaker of the day!  She was upbeat and energetic and seemed to engage the room to a high level.  Many of the women identified with her message about being true to yourself and how this can have a positive impact on your business life too.   The audience left feeling very inspired.”  Newable Limited