Merseyside has long been a home of innovation and young people from the area are keeping that tradition alive.
From fashion to food, to weddings and hospitality, there is an amazing range of great businesses led by talented and driven people from all walks of life. They have spotted a gap in the market and created a unique path for themselves.
We’ve decided to round-up some of the most exciting and interesting business owners we’ve come across. And we are sure there are plenty of others, so let us know in the comments below.
Charlie McDonough - The Block P
Charlie sold his first pair of trainers as a teenager but it wasn’t until a terrible car accident that he decided to pursue it full time. Despite starting from his bedroom with just £12 in his bank account, The Block P has delighted Scousers with its fine range of 110s, as well as its own brand t-shirts, hoodie, clocks and baby grows.
The shop can be found on Renshaw Street. Speaking to the ECHO recently, the 26 year-old from Aigburth revealed he plans to expand to either Milan or Amsterdam.
Charlie Harrison - Homebrew Tap
Charlie has lived in the beautiful village of Oxton in Wirral since childhood. Now 27, the businessman has tapped into the craze for unique beer.
Operating at the heart of Oxton Village, the small shop on Christchurch Road is a haven for beer drinkers. Homebrew Tap contains some of Germany’s finest craft lagers and IPAs from the nearby Glen Affric Brewery.
Ben Harris - Bennetts
Ben’s entrepreneurial career started by selling shoelaces to his schoolmates. Now the 23 year-old from Aintree runs Bennetts, selling Nike trainers and Windrunner jackets at hugely discounted prices.
Ben has even made inroads into the celebrity world by gifting a pair of 110s to Central Cee, an award-winning rapper. If you keep an eye out on Central Cee’s Instagram, you may well spot him sporting items he has picked up from Bennetts over the years.
Alex Carr and Florence King - Old Fruit Jar Productions
Alex and Florence have forged their own path in the exclusive world of theatre. They met while working on a Liverpool production of This Girl, a play about Cynthia Lennon, who was John Lennon’s first wife.
Finding opportunities in the arts world hard to come by, they founded their own production company, along with Jordan Barkley, Christina Rose, Anthony Roberts and Rachel McGrath. Now, Old Fruit Jar Productions have been behind several acclaimed plays. Their latest project, centering around the police hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, will premiere at The Black-E this June.
Ethan Woodroofe and Adam Taylor - Derek's Coffee & Sandwiches
Best friends Ethan and Adam fell in love with American culture while visiting Brooklyn, and decided to bring the taste of New York to Allerton Road. Derek’s incredible sandwiches have been very popular, and they have since expanded to a second site on College Road in Crosby.
Georgia and Jade Morgan - Propel PR
Georgia and Jade started Propel PR in March 2019, and have since been the driving force behind PR strategies from a plethora of Liverpool businesses. Propel has also worked with a local businesswoman Kate Stewart on her bid to help as many people in Liverpool during the cost of living crisis with complimentary Community Events each week at The Sandon Complex in Anfield.
Mollie-May Cartwright - CARAMELLA
Mollie-May started her fashion business from her mum’s kitchen table in 2017. Since then, CARAMELLA has become one of the North West’s leading fashion brands.
Focusing on empowering women to feel their best in her pieces, Mollie-May has recently changed the brand's direction by hiring a fashion designer and appointing UK production factories. CARAMELLA is now predominantly produced in the UK and size ranges ranging from XS to XXL with the aim to be a truly British label with exclusive and unique designs to fit all sizes.
Leanne Prescott - Cake Corner
Leanne is a self-taught baker who became the owner of two cake shops at just 21 years old. She spent most of her teenage life playing in different football academies across the North West from Manchester United to Everton.
After starting baking for family and friends, she soon started to pick up a clientele. Cake Corner opened on Liverpool Road in Birkdale in 2021 and opened a second outlet in Southport Market in November a year later.
Liam Quirk - Quirky Digital
Liam started his own business in his parent's box room during lockdown that has since turned over significant figures. After leaving school with three GCSEs, Liam, from New Brighton, started working for a company helping clients with search engine optimization (SEO).
Quirky Digital now operates from a bigger office in Oriel Chambers in Liverpool city centre and is expecting to make £500,000 in revenue at the end of this financial year. Speaking to the ECHO last year, he said: “I'm not good in a classroom with people telling me what to do. I've found something that I'm passionate about and I've completely committed my life to it.”
Kate-Molly Petrie - Cake Ninja
Katie starting decorating cakes fo fun at the age of 18. Now, her business Cake Ninja has made bespoke cakes for ITV's BAFTA win and a BBC wrap party.
From Southport, the businesswoman has made everything from realistic looking pizza cakes to a gigantic bespoke Peppa Pig cake costing a whopping £1,000. Photos on her Instagram show incredibly realistic cakes made to look like hotdogs, PlayStations and more.
Lee Morris - Well Liverpool
Scouser Lee Morris is the creator behind Well Liverpool, a shop supplying healthy food and drink. Based on Dale Street, you can find freshly prepared coffee, juices and food for on the go.
Ansil Kharel and Dhanpati Kharel - Momo's
Ansil and Dhanpati run Momo’s, an authentic Nepalese restaurant on Lime Street. At their establishment, Nepalese steamed dumplings are their specialist dish.
Ansil’s followed in his dad Netra’s footsteps who owns Da Gurkha in Waterloo. But he and Dhanpati have made Momo’s unique, serving exciting and distinctive food in a relaxed city centre setting.
Jamie Lee Blythe - MooBella
After the birth of her second child, Jamie, who has always had a passion for all things creative and crafty, decided to set up her own business.
Wanting something to fit around her family life, Jamie began creating invitations before expanding to offer personalised gifts such as pyjamas, clothing, water bottles, backpacks and more. She told the ECHO: "When I was really little I wanted to own a wedding dress shop and I always thought I'd like to own my own business, but I never thought it was something I'd actually do.”
Andrew and Phil Noon - Evolving Mindset
Brothers Andrew and Phil, from Halewood, decided to use their own skills and experiences and co-founded Evolving Mindset CIC, a non-profit mental health organisation. The pair both worked in the health sector and wanted to provide support for those unable to easily access it.
Andrew told the ECHO: "I was seeing a trend of people needing supporting and wanted to set something up for the community. I am very keen on providing opportunities, especially for young people in the area because I am the way I am because of the opportunities I had in Halewood.”
Carmel Donohue - Poppy Belle Florals
Mum-of-two Carmel, from Prescot, set up Poppy Belle Florals in 2016 and has since attracted a wave of celebrity clients, such as Stacey Soloman, Laura Whitmore, Mrs Hinch, Vicky Pattinson, comedian Katherine Ryan and more.
From Prescot, Carmel wanted to structure her work life around her two daughters. She has since described the decision as “the best thing I've ever done”.
Michael Barnes and Jack Stockton - Citrus
Both from Huyton, Michael and Jack are directors of Citrus, a combined electrical and mechanical contractor specialising in installation and maintenance of all systems including fire, security, renewables and electric vehicle charging.The pair have seen Citrus go from strength to strength.
Citrus has grown to have a huge client base across the North West and has been locally recognised for its success. The business received the Highly Commended for Developing Future Skills Award at the 2019 Knowsley Business Awards.
Imad Ali - World In One City
Imad, who was born in Liverpool of Yemeni heritage, brought communities from across Liverpool 8 together for The World In One City football tournament in 2021.
The tournament is still going strong two years later, bringing a mini-version of the World Cup to Liverpool. Imad has achieved his vision of using football to bring people together on and off the pitch.
Abbie Day - Gypsbella
Abbie took a huge gamble in 2017 when she started her own boutique. But the gamble paid off, with her business Gypsbella boasting over 200,000 Instagram followers and being featured in Vogue UK.
Harriet (Hat) Jefferies - Gym Bird
Hat was left unable to work after undergoing major surgery on her knee. While in recovery, Hat had sessions with a personal trainer to get fit and healthy, before deciding to train as a PT herself.
The Garston woman’s business took off during lockdown after her innovative 21-Day Fitness Challenge, and she is now helping hundreds of others adopt a healthier lifestyle. Speaking to the ECHO in 2021, Hat said: "I'm so proud of myself and my team and what I've built but to see what my clients have achieved - I fully cry every 21 days with the team when we see the before and after pictures.
Sophie Ackers - Secret Garden
Sophie is the owner of Secret Garden, an online boutique which sells vintage bohemian unique items such as handbags and jewellery. Her love of travelling led to the creation of her business, which features items from skilled artists all over the world.
Amy Bellis - Knowsley Bridal Suite
Amy, from Kirkby, opened Knowsley Bridal Suite after becoming determined to make sure every bride found their dream dress. Speaking to the ECHO in 2017, she said: "Since I was young I was involved in pageants so wearing evening dresses was always a part of my life, evening dresses quickly became my passion.”
Adam Cummings - Tribal Society
Adam, from Old Swan, is the shareholder and operations manager at Tribal Society in the Metquarter. Established in 2021, Tribal Society aims to produce clothes classed as "affordable luxury", namely jeans but also a range of hoodies and t-shirts too.
Adam’s TikTok videos showcasing how the business operates has given him a unique following and helped grow his brand. He plans to expand Tribal Society to other locations across the country.
