Holly Tucker MBE

Holly Tucker is a highly respected British entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker whose passion lies in championing creativity and small businesses. Known for her honest, warm, and engaging delivery, she uses her platform to inspire audiences—especially women and budding entrepreneurs—to follow their passions and embrace the power of purpose-led business. With a career that spans nearly two decades, she brings authentic insight into the realities of entrepreneurship, resilience, and success. Her popular podcast, “Conversations of Inspiration”, regularly features in the iTunes Top 10 business charts and is a testament to her ability to connect, uplift and educate.

Her entrepreneurial journey began with a desire to support local makers, which led to the co-founding of Not On The High Street in 2006—a pioneering online marketplace that helped thousands of independent businesses reach national audiences. This venture transformed the UK’s small business landscape and established her as a leader in creative commerce. In recognition of her impact, she was appointed MBE in 2013 for Services to Small Businesses & Enterprise, and just two years later, she was made the UK Ambassador to Creative Small Businesses, further solidifying her role as a national advocate for independent enterprises.

In recent years, she has continued to build on her legacy. In 2014, she launched Holly & Co, a platform dedicated to advising and inspiring small business owners through storytelling, guidance, and community events. She is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller “Do What You Love, Love What You Do”, a powerful book aimed at encouraging people to turn their passions into meaningful work. That same year, she appeared on The Diary of a CEO podcast, where she candidly shared the emotional toll of rapid success. Her charitable spirit shines through initiatives like The Happy Bricks Foundation, and she has received numerous accolades, including The Google Award for Women in Digital and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Holly is regularly invited to speak at conferences, businesses, and educational institutions because of her rare ability to combine heartfelt storytelling with practical business wisdom. Whether sharing her personal highs and lows or offering actionable advice, she leaves audiences feeling empowered and encouraged. She is a sought-after speaker for organisations seeking to inspire innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.