Meet the York-based web designer who is providing £10,000 boost for female entrepreneurs

After winning a prize in a national competition through The Bring It 2020 Crowdfunding campaign, York graphic and website designer Gemma Thirsk is giving away almost £10,000 worth of branding and marketing services to female start-ups.

Ms Thirsk, 25, from Haxby, York, won a £5,000 silver award in The Bring It 2020 contest run by Crowdfunder and NatWest bank after judges were impressed by her proposal to help women in business.

The £5,000 will be added to the £4,652 she raised during the competition, which saw entrants compete in a Crowdfunding challenge.

Ms Thirsk said: “We have been giving away entire packages to female entrepreneurs where we’re doing everything from designing their website, looking at their branding, creating logos – and when the lockdown is lifted, offering a professional photoshoot too. Currently, we’re working with clients in York, Manchester, London, Grimsby, and Norwich.

“Offering a full online business package is a great way for us to give back to the business community whilst at the same time getting female start-ups prepared and ready for success for when businesses reopen.”

Ms Thirks set up That’s Her Business in November last year. It’s a collective of female entrepreneurs who are offering a range of services to start-ups.

She hopes to provide an economic boost for the region by increasing the number of female entrepreneurs.

She added: " “According to the Alison Rose Review 2019, only one in three UK entrepreneurs is female. This review suggests that up to £250 billion could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled business at the same rate as men.

“The aim is not to bring men down, it is to bring women up and add value to the UK economy.”

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