Kate Bell (businesswoman)
Kate Bell is a British businesswoman and founder of Zip Us In.[1] In spring 2020, she was featured on BBC's Dragons' Den television program.[2][3]
Kate Bell | |
---|---|
Born | Katrina Louise Bell Southampton, UK |
Alma mater | Southampton City College |
Occupation | Businesswoman |
Career
She took a role with Newsquest and stepped into media sales with the Southern Property Advertiser.[4]
In 2004, she registered her first company Fate Promotions Limited.[5] In 2013, when Kate was pregnant, she developed an idea for a new and innovative product; a panel of fabric that could expand her own jacket, saving on the cost of a maternity coat. She formed a business named Zip Us In to start production.[6][4][7][8]
She continues to run both business, as well as being an active director for NIPA Baby Limited, a non-profit organisation that works to support independent Nursery brands across the UK.[9][10]
In 2017, she won the Barclays Entrepreneur of the Year Award.[4] In the same year she also won the VentureFests Innovator of the Year.[11] In 2019, British magazine the Business Game Changer listed her on the UK's Top Ten Women Entrepreneurs.[12]
References
- Spencer, Samuel (11 August 2019). "Dragons' Den 2019: Who is new Dragon Sara Davies? Meet youngest-ever Dragon on BBC series". Daily Express.
- "Dragons' Den stars all said "I'm out" – but Kate attracted four investors of her own". Bournemouth Echo.
- "BBC One - The Customer Is Always Right, Series 2, Episode 7". BBC.
- "Kate Bell, designer of award-winning maternity wear, crowned South East Entrepreneur of the Year". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "We are your voice". Official website. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "Zip Us In - New Forest Business Partnership" (PDF). www.nfbp.org.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "Why late payments need to be tackled now for the benefit of SMEs". Bdaily Business News. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "Make your management fit for growth". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "Prompt Payment Code should be made compulsory and payment terms halved". Association of Accounting Technicians.
- "Kate Bell of Zipusin on Becoming a Mumpreneur". Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "Mum zips up top business award with maternity wear". Daily Echo.
- "#VFS19 'Innovator of the Year' listed in the UK's top ten women entrepreneurs". Venturefest South 2020. 23 September 2019.