Gemma Lessinger Named One of the UK’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses 2026

Four years ago, I took a leap. Today, my little creative business has been named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses in the UK.

I am incredibly excited to share that I have been selected as one of just 100 Nation’s Favourite Businesses for 2026 by Small Business Saturday UK.

Following a nationwide search, businesses from across the country have been chosen to represent the incredible diversity and importance of the UK's small business community. And somehow, my art business here on the north Cornish coast is one of them.

It feels particularly poignant because almost four years ago to the day, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. After 20 years working in the fashion industry, I decided to back myself and see whether I could turn my art into a full-time business. At the time, I couldn't possibly have known where that decision would lead.

More than paintings

What began with my love of painting the ocean has gradually grown into something much bigger.

Today I create original textural seascapes and deeply personal commissions inspired by people's favourite places and memories. I run creative workshops and retreats designed to help people step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with their creativity. And increasingly, I'm working with businesses, hospitality spaces and other brands on commissions, collaborations and creative projects.

They might look like very different parts of a business. But I've realised that the thread connecting all of them is exactly the same: Connection.

Connection to the ocean. Connection to places and memories that mean something to us. Connection to our creativity.

And connection to that feeling we can sometimes lose when life gets very, very busy. That has become the reason behind what I do.

From Cornwall to the House of Lords

As if being selected wasn't quite surreal enough, I've also been invited to an official Nation’s Favourite Businesses gathering at the House of Lords on 30th November, alongside other businesses selected from around the UK.

There are certain sentences I never imagined I'd write when I first decided to give this a go. That is definitely one of them.

The Nation’s Favourite Businesses will be showcased as part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday on 5th December 2026, a national campaign celebrating and encouraging people to support independent businesses across the UK.

But this recognition isn't really just mine

One of the things I've learnt about running a small business is just how personal it is. There isn't a huge company sitting behind the scenes. It's me.

But there is also an extraordinary community of people around it. Every person who has chosen one of my paintings for their home. Every family who has trusted me to turn a special place or memory into a commission. Every person who has walked nervously into one of my workshops saying “I'm not creative” and left clutching something they've made. Every business that has collaborated with me. Every person who has shared my work, recommended me to a friend, replied to an email or sent me a message telling me to keep going.

You have all helped build this.

So being named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses feels like a pretty special moment to stop for a second and appreciate how far this slightly terrifying decision four years ago has taken me.

Thank you for being part of it.

And I have a feeling there is still rather a lot more to come.

Gem

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