About Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Against the Odds
Celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Week (NWEW) with insights from Inspiring Entrepreneurs at this powerful panel discussion. Featuring women who have challenged conventions, broken barriers and built impactful businesses on their own terms, this event addresses a critical gap: currently only 1 in 5 UK businesses is women-led (The Gender Index).
Hear honest stories of resilience and the determination required to turn a spark of an idea into a thriving enterprise. At the Business & IP Centre, we are proud to support underrepresented founders — a commitment reflected in the fact that over 60% of our users are women.
Come along to gain fresh perspectives, connect with like-minded people and be part of a community changing the face of entrepreneurship. You’ll leave with real-world lessons you can apply the very next morning.
Who are the featured speakers?
- Alison Cork MBE – Founder of LEKA LEKA and National Women’s Enterprise Week
- Eshita Kabra-Davies – Founder & CEO of By Rotation (Circular fashion)
- Victoria Jenkins – Founder & CEO of Unhidden (Adaptive clothing)
- Yandis Ying – Founder & CEO of Dot Dot Bubble Tea (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods)
- Dr Roni Savage OBE FREng – Founder & CEO of Jomas Associates (Engineering & Environmental consultancy)
- Moderated by Leanne Pero MBE – Founder of Black Women Rising and The Movement Factory
What are the key takeaways for entrepreneurs?
- The Founder Blueprint: How to navigate industry barriers in fashion, retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
- Mindset: Practical mindset strategies to sustain motivation during difficulties and how to build founder confidence.
- Networking: Dedicated time to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs.
- Direct Access: A live audience Q&A to ask the panellists specific questions about your business.
Who should attend?
Inspiring Entrepreneur events are designed to inspire pre-start and early‑stage founders, but they also offer fresh perspectives and connections valuable for businesses at any stage
Alison Cork MBE
Founder of LEKA LEKA and National Women’s Enterprise Week
Alison Cork MBE is the founder of LEKA LEKA and National Women’s Enterprise Week, entrepreneur, author and broadcaster.
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Alison is an entrepreneur, author and broadcaster, and has been founding businesses since she was a student. She most recently launched a new sugar free snack brand called LEKA LEKA.
Eshita Kabra-Davies
Founder and CEO, By Rotation
Eshita is the Founder and CEO of By Rotation, the social network for renting lifestyle premium goods.
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Eshita launched By Rotation as a side hustle while working as an investor, growing it into a leading platform in the circular fashion space. A Forbes 30 Under 30 and Drapers 30 Under 30, she also writes for Condé Nast Traveller and serves on boards including Women for Women International, Eco-Age and Alike. Eshita is on a mission to transform global consumption through community-led, sustainable fashion.
Victoria Jenkins
Founder and CEO, Unhidden
Victoria Jenkins is the Founder and CEO of Unhidden, an adaptive clothing brand reshaping fashion through inclusivity and design innovation.
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Victoria launched Unhidden after becoming disabled in her 20s, using her lived experience to create stylish, functional clothing that is accessible to all. Before Unhidden, she spent over a decade as a garment technologist working with Victoria Beckham, AllSaints and Sweaty Betty. In 2023, she partnered with Primark as adaptive co-designer on its first inclusive range, bringing adaptive fashion to the high street at scale. Her work has been recognised by the British Fashion Council, Vogue 25 and Drapers, and she is a TEDx speaker and author of The Little Book of Ableism.
Yandis Ying
Founder and CEO, Dot Dot Bubble Tea
Yandis Ying is the Founder and CEO of Dot Dot Bubble Tea, the UK’s first premium ready-to-drink bubble tea brand for retail and foodservice
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Yandis founded Dot Dot as a small café in North London, growing it into a fast-scaling FMCG brand stocked nationwide across retailers including Selfridges and Wasabi. Yandis is on a mission to redefine bubble tea as an everyday drink and build a globally recognised brand celebrating culture, creativity and togetherness.
Dr Roni Savage OBE FREng
Founder and CEO of Jomas Associates
Dr Roni Savage is the Founder and CEO of Jomas Associates, a leading engineering and environmental consultancy.
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A Chartered Engineer and Geologist, she has delivered major UK construction projects and was named the Most Influential Woman in Construction in 2022. Roni serves as a government Non-Executive Director and an advisor for His Majesty’s King’s Awards for Enterprise. A Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, she is a dedicated champion for diversity, youth, and community initiatives within the industry.
Leanne Pero MBE (Moderator)
Founder and CEO, Black Women Rising and The Movement Factory
Leanne Pero MBE is Founder and CEO of Black Women Rising and The Movement Factory, an award-winning social entrepreneur, speaker and breast cancer survivor.
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Leanne founded The Movement Factory at 15, growing it into a Nike London partner and raising over £500,000 to deliver dance programmes for young people across London. After her breast cancer diagnosis at 30, she founded Black Women Rising, supporting over 800 women of colour affected by cancer and raising over £1.1 million. She was awarded an MBE in 2023 and a Pride of Britain Award in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is National Women’s Enterprise Week?
Founded by Alison Cork MBE, National Women’s Enterprise Week (NWEW) is a UK-wide campaign dedicated to closing the gender gap in business ownership. It empowers women entrepreneurs through high-profile storytelling, skill-building and networking, addressing the fact that around 1 in 5 UK businesses are woman-led.
Who should attend this event?
Inspiring Entrepreneur events are designed to inspire pre-start and early‑stage founders, but they also offer fresh perspectives and connections valuable for businesses at any stage.
What time should I arrive if I’m attending in person?
We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early to allow for check-in and to secure your preferred seat. Please have your Eventbrite QR code ready for a seamless entry.
Will this event be available online?
Yes, the event will be live streamed on the British Library platform. The viewing link will be sent to registered attendees shortly before the event.
Is there a networking opportunity for in-person attendees?
Yes, the event will be followed by a networking reception with drinks for in-person attendees.
Is this event accessible?
We are committed to making this event inclusive for everyone. Our venue features:
- Full step-free access and accessible seating options
- Dedicated accessible toilets on-site
- An induction loop is available in the auditorium, and we provide live captioning of the panel discussions.
You can see the British Library’s accessibility details on: Visit Us: Opening Times, Facilities & Accessibility.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your participation in this event, please contact bipcbookings@bl.ukso we can discuss this with you.
About the Business & IP Centre
The British Library Business & IP Centre supports people to start, protect and grow their businesses. More information is available on our website.
You are welcome to take part in our regular programme of workshops and events. View our full programme of events.
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