Artist and publisher shortlisted in two national awards – and expands retail space
Artist and greetings and gift company founder Meg Hawkins is having a busy time of it with an expanded retail space showing off her licensed and in-house wares – and being shortlisted for two prestigious awards.
The founder of her eponymous company Meg Hawkins Art is up for the title in the Maker And Creator category at in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, as well as a Creative Businesswoman finalist in the Great British Businesswoman Awards.
And the recognition of her hard work on the business front, with the winners for both being announced in November, is perfect timing as Meg’s been showing off her products at the Labels Shopping outlet mall in Ross-On-Wye.
“We built our new retail space there a few weeks ago,” Meg said, “and they only went and asked if we’d like more space!
“Challenge accepted and delivered. Honestly, our exhaustion levels were through the roof but look how pretty it looks in the video (below). We’ve included lots of our licensed products too which was super exciting as we’ve not had them in for a while.”
As well as Meg’s greeting cards, the product selection on display includes luxury chocolates produced in collaboration with Gwynedd Confectioners, giftware from Widdop And Co, Farrah’s biscuits, and fudge by Gardiners Of Scotland.
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards have become a coveted accolade for entrepreneurs, and the awards ceremony takes place on 20 November at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, where industry leaders, innovators, and influencers will gather to celebrate the finalists’ achievements.
“The industry was hit hard over the past few years with Covid, with so many small independents closing so, to have recognition for all we do as a small family business is truly amazing,” enthused Meg.
Meg is also a finalist at the Great British Businesswoman Awards, with the ceremony just two days later at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in the capital, where the winner in the category will be recognised as a female leading a profit-making business in which the creative process has an economic, social and cultural impact, focusing in the areas of fashion, design, music, performing arts, arts and crafts, film and video.
Established in 2015, Meg Hawkins Art started life at her kitchen table, and she’s inspired by her surroundings, painting bright joyful artwork featuring animals from all over the world. From her initial greeting card ranges she’s expanded into licensing, and produces her own homeware and giftware.
