On the 26th of September, in a moment that still feels wonderfully surreal, I was honoured to take home the Enterprise Vision Award in the Creative Industry Category.
The moment of the announcement was a whirlwind, but what this award truly means on a deeply personal level is the ultimate validation. It is the boost that both my business, Sarah Epsom, and I needed to truly be seen.
The journey to the final was an experience in itself, and the encouragement from the incredible Pink Ladies team has been nothing short of remarkable.
Being selected as a finalist provided wonderful opportunities including an invitation to the House of Commons. This was a magnificent networking event where key speakers shared honest, powerful words of wisdom about the true reality of running a business—the significant highs, and the necessary lows. Being in that room with other female founders, all united by shared challenges and ambitions, allowed me to realise that I’m not alone in this journey. That sense of community is rare, and it is a powerful force.
The awards night itself was the perfect celebration: a night of sparkle, laughter, dancing, and, most importantly, a collective sense of everyone genuinely rooting for one another. It was recognition for all the hours of hard work—from figuring out how to design a simple tea towel or greeting card to finding the courage to pitch to shops. Every single setback, every stumble, felt worthwhile in that moment.
To me, this business is so much more than just art; it has been a saving grace. In 2017, the joy of welcoming our first son was soon overshadowed by a series of significant and unexpected health challenges. Navigating through those events fundamentally transformed my perspective on life and led me to where I am today. Through those experiences, I was diagnosed with PTSD.
It was in creativity that I found solace. Painting became my sanctuary—a safe place to explore and express my emotions. As I began to recover, I gained an appreciation for life’s beauty and the power of resilience, recognising the preciousness of time.
In 2020, amidst the blur of nursery runs and a full-time job, I started painting in earnest. My art was a way to slow down, to get lost in nature and the beauty that surrounds us every day. The idea to share it with the world came from a dear friend, who, inspired by my work, suggested creating a greeting card line. She offered invaluable guidance.
Just before the arrival of my second son, my first card range, “Meliora”—Latin for ‘for the pursuit of the better’—was produced. Since then, I’ve been carefully growing the range and the business, balanced alongside my family life, which none of this would be possible without the incredible support of my family.
This journey has been transformative. It enabled me to find the courage to do something I never would have attempted before.
The Enterprise Vision Award is a shining validation of the entire, messy, beautiful, resilient journey that led me here. It is a light on women in different sectors who work so hard to make a difference - to build something from nothing and to carry on even through the hard times. Thank you to the judges, the Pink Ladies, and everyone who believes in the power of art to heal and transform.