Lancaster mum builds award-winning business without social media
A Lancaster mum-of-four who runs her business during school hours with no team and no social media has been recognised at two national business awards - less than two years after launching.
Lisa York, of Sell More Stuff™, won Silver in the Best New Business category at the Best Businesswomen Awards 2026 on Friday 16 October. A day earlier, she was named a finalist in the New Business and Sales and Marketing categories at the Female Business Awards.
While many small businesses spend hours a day posting online, Lisa built hers on email. When she launched in January 2025, just eight people had signed up to hear from her. Four of them bought from her, at £250 each.
She now teaches women who run their businesses alone - whether they sell skills, expertise or products - how to turn emails into income. She runs it all in around 20 hours a week.
Lisa York says: “I wanted a business that fitted around family demands, not one that kept me glued to my phone. Email lets me do that. A small group of people who trust you, and emails they actually want to read, can bring in more sales than thousands of followers ever will.”
The Best Businesswomen Awards, now in their 12th year, recognise women in business across the UK, from sole traders to large companies. Winners are selected by an expert judging panel from hundreds of entries, with entrants required to back up their achievements with supporting evidence.
Debbie Gilbert, founder and organiser of the Best Businesswomen Awards, says: “Behind every winning business is a woman on a mission who has taken risks, solved problems and worked hard to make her vision a reality. These awards recognise what those women have achieved and receiving an award is a significant endorsement of the business each winner has built.”
Sell More Stuff is not Lisa’s first venture. She previously ran a holistic therapy practice, followed by The SuperMum Podcast and an online membership for mums. Along the way, she and her family have moved eight times across different cities and countries in three continents.
Looking ahead, Lisa plans to share her approach with more women through podcast interviews and speaking on stage, helping them build simple businesses that make sales more easily. She will also sponsor next year’s Female Business Awards.