A Melksham entrepreneur whose business has helped thousands of families save money while reducing waste has been named a finalist in the 2026 Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS).
Jessamine Hislop, founder of Little Pickles Markets, has secured a place in the national finals in the Sustainable Business category. The awards are the UK’s largest celebration of women in business.
What started 15 years ago as an idea to help families buy and sell children’s items locally has grown into one of the UK’s leading nearly new market franchises. Little Pickles Markets helps keep baby and children’s items in circulation for longer, saving families money while preventing thousands of products from going to waste.
Today, the business operates across more than 60 venues throughout the South of England and South Wales, supported by a network of 16 franchisees. Last year, Little Pickles Markets ran hundreds of events and welcomed more than 40,000 shoppers.
Jessamine’s success has earned her recognition in the Sustainable Business category, which celebrates organisations making a positive environmental, social and economic impact through the way they operate.
Founder of the Enterprise Vision Awards, Coral Horn, said, “Every finalist has faced moments where it would have been easier to stop, scale back or play small. Instead, they’ve kept going. These women have backed themselves, taken risks and shown strength when many would have given up.”
The awards final will take place in Blackpool in October.
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