Becki Higgins is a Dawlish-based entrepreneur and the owner of Becki Leigh Studios, an online shop that specialises in handmade gifts. She started her independent business post-pandemic after changing her career as a supported housing officer, and had developed enough of an audience to work on her business full-time. However, she found herself burnt out at the start of 2024 and needed additional support. 

Then she found out about the 2024 Women in Business course through her Facebook feed; a free business advice course led by Clare Palmer designed to empower Devon’s female-founded businesses. Since then, Becki has become a frequent attendee of our various courses, and has gone on to further develop her business along with her network. This eventually led her to win the 2024 Sole Trader of the Year award from Devon Women in Business. 

What have we helped you and your business with through the course? 

Before BIPC Devon, I was at quite a low point with my mental health. Over time, working on my own in the kitchen wore away at my confidence, and I even started questioning if this was what I wanted to with my life. It was really scary going into the Women in Business course as I felt like an imposter, but once I went through the door, I was like ‘oh my god, this is brilliant!’ I loved Claire and all these women around me, and I very quickly knew I was in the right place. 

My confidence in that moment just continued to blossom, and having people around me who believed in me just brought me back to life. I came out of the course alive with ideas and energy. 

What have you gained by attending the workshops? 

My people skills really improved through the sessions by learning to speak up and be myself to other people, since that was a real challenge for me. I feel more confident to raise my hand and talk freely to sell myself a bit more.  

From a practical point of view, I learnt more about visions and business plans through the course. I knew what I was doing, but it was all in my head, so through Claire’s sessions, I learnt how to formulate an actual business plan with real tangible goals written in front of me, so those were great skills to have. 

How have you expanded your operations and found new customers since the course? 

Before the course, I was just this solopreneur within my kitchen. I had a national presence, but the Women in Business and BIPC Devon courses have enabled me to build up more of a network locally, which is invaluable. I’ve got this huge amazing community now, and I’ve made genuine friendships out of this too. 

Taking the course made me have the confidence to become a member of the Devon Women in Business, which led me to getting my award, then led me to being on a radio station then in the paper, and it’s just snowballed! 

Visit Becki Leigh Studios below: https://beckileighstudios.com/  

Read more about Becki’s story in our January High Street Heroes blog: https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/januarys-high-street-hero-becki-leigh-studios/  

View the recordings for our 2024 Women in Business course here: https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/courses/women-in-business-2024/

BIPC Devon are proud to continue to support small businesses with free advice, events, and coworking spaces as well as our fantastic business-boosting resources.