ENTERPRISE

There’s a chance to see 10 local businesses in the Enterprise Zone, which comes to the show for the first time this year. Show organisers gave free stand space to each firm - next to Catering Court A - as part of its celebration of the best of which have all been trading for less than a year. Tunbridge Wells-based Autism Threads, was founded by Trish O’dwyer, whose seven-year-old son has non-verbal autism. In a bid to raise awareness in support of her son and the National Autistic Society, her firm produces a clothing and accessories ra ange with discreet messaging showing how best to interact with the wearer. Ra ainham-based bespoke design service Designed By Esther, by y Esther Johnson focuses on the unique qualities of historic bu uildings and places in Kent, including art inspired by Chatham His storic Dockyard, and a project with the Royal Engineers Mu useum. Em mma Stokes Photography was established by mum Emma wh ho turned a hobby into a business Emma selling prints of Kent lan ndscapes, which will be for sale at the show. Jul iet and Jon Sawyers from Margate run bespoke entertainment ser rvice Jules and Feather specialising in music, dance, and circ cus. Lus shcards and Papercrafts was started by Sam Wareham who des igns and creates cards and table sets working from her front room m in Tonbridge. She does commissions and is keen to use recy ycled tiles where possible to make hand made table sets and coas sters.

Liz Wwheeler from Maidstone sells headbands, clips and gifts for child dren with her business Rockabowbaby, including matching items s for mums and daughters.

Shiv_ _Textiles by Siobhan Martin uses high quality natural fibres to weeave and print her own materials to make blank kets, ccushions,hi scarves andd purses inspi red byy the Kent countryside. Simp ply Thee Bees Knees was started by Sara h Evanns in Ashford using beeswax to prroducee products offering a susta ainablee alternative to single use pplasticcs and other polluting mateerials including candles, woodd butteers, leather balms and beesswrap – a reusable alternative to cliingfilmm.

Stemms & Son from Orpington produce silk flowers for all occaasions for weddings and sspeciaal occaasions.

The Mmilky

Tee Ccompaany from

Maiddstone speccialisess in uniquue T-shirts that allow new mothhers too breasstfeedd discrreetly foundded byy mumm of two Laurenl n

Hampshiree.

Laurren Hammpshire has ffounded the Mmilky Tee Commpany whicch makes breaastfeeding T-shirts