Charlotte Stagg and Jessica Lancaster, co-founders and CEOs of Coconut Lane UK and Cocopup London, won the Next Level Award at the Tide everywoman Entrepreneur Awards.
Celebrating their self-funded business journeys, they were among the female founders recognised for their resilience and progression in 2025 despite financial challenges, inflation and political instability.
Charlotte and Jessica chose entrepreneurship over traditional careers from the outset.
Their determination was fuelled by a desire to create a business that would inspire them every day, leaving behind the so-called ‘Sunday scaries’ of a typical 9-to-5 job.
By gaining in-depth knowledge on the go, they ran an e-commerce lifestyle accessory business that didn’t rely on any external investments.
Within the last three financial years, they achieved an impressive 93 per cent increase in turnover, showcasing their innovation, flexibility and long-term success despite the challenges of the retail landscape.
Charlotte and Jessica credit their success to their ability to build community-engaging brands that resonate with specific audiences.
Upon winning their award, Charlotte and Jessica said: “This is the cherry on the cake on an amazing year. Coconut Lane has turned 10, Cocopup turned five.
“If 11-year-old us could see where we are now, they would be so proud.
“We are so honoured – thank you to our team and customers, they are the reason why we are where we are today.”
Nicole Goodwin and Sophie Catto, joint managing directors of AllBright everywoman, praised the winners, saying that UK female entrepreneurs exemplified ‘extraordinary perseverance, optimism and ambition’ despite a challenging business climate.
“This year’s finalists and winners are bold innovators, breaking down deep-rooted barriers for the next generation of female founders,” they said.
UK/Europe’s Tide CEO, George Schmidt, said: “This year’s winners and nominees capture exactly what makes female entrepreneurship such a powerful force in the UK.
“Many women have been navigating tougher conditions, yet the founders recognised today have shown remarkable ambition and creativity in how they are building and growing their businesses.
“The Tide everywoman Entrepreneur Awards do more than celebrate individual success stories.
“They help create the conditions for those successes by giving founders greater visibility, stronger networks and access to opportunities that too many women are still denied.”
The event at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square was attended by over 300 industry leaders, investors and supporters of female entrepreneurship.
Echoing George Schmidt’s sentiments, Gemma Hamilton from BGF reiterated their commitment towards promoting and supporting female entrepreneurship.
BGF has pledged a minimum of £300 million towards female entrepreneurship over the next five years, recognising the substantial contribution women make to the wider economy.