South West Small Businesses Recognized as Among the UK’s Most Inspiring

Two companies in the south west have been highlighted for their innovation and contribution to the community as part of Small Business Saturday (SBS).

The event on Saturday, December 6, encourages the nation to show its support for independent firms by “spending locally and shopping small”.

The campaign said it was showcasing “100 brilliant small businesses across the country”.

The small firms include Plymouth-based PUSHED and Megan Fatharly, from Falmouth, Cornwall, who were named among the UK’s 100 “most inspiring” small businesses for 2025.

PUSHED, which produces animated content for other businesses, was founded by Dave and Karen Meadows in 2005.

Mr Meadows said: “This recognition celebrates the work our team puts into every animation we create.

“We are proud to stand alongside so many inspiring companies and we’re excited to keep supporting clients.”

Megan Fatharly, founder of her own art business, described the nomination as “surreal and very grounding”.

She said: “As a neurodivergent founder running a small, all-female creative team in Cornwall, I often wonder if our work actually reaches people beyond the studio.

“To have it recognised on a national level means a huge amount.”

Megan said she was grateful that SBS also shone a light on “handmade work and slower creativity”.

Small Business Saturday said more than 10m people across the UK supported small enterprises on Small Business Saturday last year with a collective £634m spent on the day, either in-store and online.

Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “It is promising to see positive economic signs ahead of this year’s critical festive season.”

“Public support can make all the difference in helping them finally turn a corner as the year ends”, she added.