People’s Champion finalist 2016: MyShowcase

Start-up name: MyShowcase
Founder: Nancy Cruickshank
Started in: 2012
Based in: London
Business description: Personal beauty shopping service selling online and through a network of direct sellers

Shortlisted category:

Women in Business

The MyShowcase story:

With multi-million revenues and a number of award wins, MyShowcase is intent on simultaneously shaking up two industries; beauty and direct selling.

A personal beauty shopping service, MyShowcase gives over 56 independent beauty brands a route to market with sales via its online platform and its network of over 1,400 trained direct sellers– dubbed ‘Stylists’.

Launched by e-commerce mogul Nancy Cruickshank in 2012, the start-up is determined to “empower women to become entrepreneurs” by giving them a flexible business opportunity where they can work as and when they like.

It says this approach, combined with technology which provides a personal, “contemporary social” shopping experience, offers a new way of selling beauty to customers which isn’t often seen within the sector.

Thanks to its Stylists and 22-strong team which includes Kate Shapland (pictured with Cruickshank); former beauty editor of Telegraph Magazine who personally selects and curates each beauty brand, MyShowcase has enjoyed growth of 55% from 2014 to 2015. This growth is set to soar over the coming year with an upcoming app launch and pilots of the service in France and Spain.

Despite the start-up’s busy plans, founder Cruickshank works as a mentor for the company’s network of Stylists; leading mentoring and training sessions to help inspire women to run and grow their own businesses.

Why MyShowcase made our shortlist:

With a focus on helping women flexible businesses while giving independent brands a platform for exposure, it’s easy to see why MyShowcase has achieved tremendous growth. Named one of Europe’s most inspiring women in tech, Cruickshank’s drive to give back to the entrepreneur community is highly-commendable and this passion can be felt through the brand and its story.

Where to find out more about MyShowcase:

Website: https://www.myshowcase.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/myshowcase