Sara Davies: Crafter’s Companion

Sara Davies, 31
Company: Crafter’s Companion
Web: www.crafterscompanion.co.uk

Sara Davies started craft site Crafter’s Companion as a modest part-time business while studying at university. Now, 10 years on, the profitable company has hit turnover of £11m and has customers across the globe.

The arts and crafts marketplace, which employs over 66 staff, began in September 2005 when Davies and her father created The Enveloper – a tool which allows crafters to make envelopes to match the style and shape of their own cards.

Davies has since gone on to launch a number of innovative products for the trade, including papercraft tools Ultimate Pro and Rock-a-Blocks and digital guide CDs, which have enabled the County Durham business to go from strength to strength and expand operations to America, with offices in Silicon Valley hub California.

The female entrepreneur’s business success has also translated to TV screens worldwide with Davies making regular appearances on Ideal World, the Home Shopping Network in America, Home Shopping Europe in Germany, the Shopping Channel in Canada, alongside presenting her own national TV series ‘BE Creative’.

With projected turnover at £15m, Davies is continuing to scale Crafter’s Companion and has a signature range of craft products set to launch in Hobbycraft stores this year.

2016 update:

Davies was named haysmacintyre Top Gun of the year in the 2015 Young Guns index and was recently awarded an MBE for services to the economy in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours. She is also an active angel investor through Gabriel Investors and has participated in funding maternity clothing brand Bibee. Outside of this, Davies global success has led to a position mentoring growing firms as part of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and work on UKTI’s Catalyst group, which promotes UK export. In February 2016, Crafter’s Companion opened it’s first retail outlet next to its corporate headquarters at Aycliffe Industrial Park. The 7,000 square foot store offers supplies, the chance to learn about craft and the opportunity to socialise with other craft enthusiasts.