Emma and George Crawford, Cupsmith

Emma and George Crawford live with their children Hugh, six, Forbes, three, and Sibby, one, plus greyhound Wagger and cat Finca in Surrey.

Speciality drinks business Cupsmith came about after former marketing director Emma and George, who used to work in property, moved from London to the country. ‘I loved the coffee scene in London,’ says Emma. ‘When we moved, I couldn’t find anywhere to buy decent coffee or beans, so I decided to learn to roast my own beans.’

Emma and George took a coffee roasting course and started the business in November 2015. A barn at home became a roastery with a pop-up café, where beans are roasted in a coffee machine that was hand-built in the US. ‘We’re different to other coffee businesses out there, bringing colour to the rather masculine world of coffee.’ Coffee has been the starting point, but teas and hot chocolate are on the way.

‘Winning an award like this is so important for a small business. It’s brilliant that we’re going to be mentored by Yeo Valley.’

CUPSMITH, 01252 712630, CUPSMITH.COM.