Community Voices: How Small Businesses in Cumbria Are Making a Big Impact
In an area like Cumbria, where over 89% of businesses are small or micro enterprises, local entrepreneurs truly form “the heartbeat of our economy”. These small businesses aren’t just about turning a profit, they drive growth, strengthen communities, and shape the local culture. Through Sukany4 – The Podcast, I’ve had the chance to walk and talk with some of these inspiring changemakers right in their element (often literally on Cumbrian fells and footpaths!). Community Voices is all about sharing those stories.
For this post, let’s meet three remarkable women from different corners of Cumbria who show how a small business can make a big impact: Anne Sowerby, Katy Murray, and Rachael Parkinson. Each of them, in her own unique way, is turning personal passion into community progress, whether by revitalising a town with creative enterprise, empowering others to lead with confidence, or inspiring healthier, happier lifestyles.
Anne Sowerby: Creativity and Community Spirit in Maryport
Anne Sowerby embodies the idea that “a house is only bricks and mortar; it’s the people who make it a home. And that’s true for communities too”. A dynamic entrepreneur based in Maryport (a coastal town she lovingly calls a “hidden gem”), Anne’s career has been all about creativity and community from the start.
She opened her first business, a toy shop, at just 22 years old, showing entrepreneurial spark at a young age. From there, she took on roles like town centre manager and led community training projects, even organising large festivals and Christmas markets that brought new energy to the town. (Fun fact: she once booked the legendary singer Dionne Warwick to perform at a local festival!)
After a life-changing injury in 2011, Anne reinvented herself by pursuing her passion for interior design. She trained with TV’s “House Doctor” Ann Maurice and launched Sassy Property Styling, her own home staging and interior styling business.
Today, through Sassy Property Styling, she not only transforms homes across Cumbria but also continues to uplift the community around her. Her knack for blending creativity with business savvy has earned her multiple accolades, including recognition from Houzz and the North of England’s Rural Business Award for interior design excellence. That award was a real turning point, shining a spotlight on her business and its mission.
Through it all, Anne has remained grounded in her people-first philosophy. Whether she’s beautifying a living room or spearheading a town event, her goal is the same: to create a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Anne’s passion for creating beautiful, practical spaces is infectious, and the legacy she’s building by transforming spaces across the community speak to her love for the area.
Katy Murray: Empowering Women Leaders and Embracing Change
Katy Murray is another Cumbrian trailblazer making waves far beyond her home base. As a leadership coach and author, Katy creates empowering spaces where women leaders find their strength, focus on what matters, and elevate their impact, all while staying connected to their well-being.
Our stroll through the market streets of Kendal was filled with insightful, down-to-earth conversation. Katy spoke passionately about the power of women supporting women, challenging the notion that we must compete with each other to succeed. In fact, she has actively cultivated networks that celebrate connection and shared success instead of comparison or rivalry.
Her coaching encourages women to trust their own intuition and “inner compass” rather than constantly seeking external approval. In other words, Katy helps leaders reclaim their agency, guiding them to rediscover their personal power and step into authentic leadership roles aligned with who they truly are.
One of Katy’s most refreshing philosophies is “living seasonally”. She believes that just as nature cycles through seasons of growth and rest, people and businesses also need periods of downtime to recharge and reflect. She spoke about honouring those “business winters”, times when you intentionally slow down, step back, and refill your cup, so that you can return stronger and more focused. (Every summer, she practiced what she preaches, taking time out for dancing at festivals and enjoying the outdoors to rejuvenate her spirit!) This seasonal mindset helps prevent burnout and keeps the creative energy flowing.
Katy has also put her insights into writing: her book Change Makers (published in 2024) reflects her belief that small, consistent steps can lead to transformative change. Through her coaching programs and the community she’s building (like her Change Makers Collective), Katy is equipping a generation of women to lead with authenticity, courage, and balance.
Her impact is evident in the confident, connected leaders who emerge from her guidance, proof that nurturing just one person’s growth can send positive ripples through an entire community of others.
Rachael Parkinson: Fitness, Confidence, and Freedom for Women
For Rachael Parkinson, making a big impact starts with helping individuals transform themselves. Rachael is a personal trainer and the founder of Fit, Strong, Free Coaching, a business born in Kendal and fueled by her passion to see women thrive. In a golden-hour walk by Lake Windermere, Rachael shared how her own journey took an unexpected turn. She had been on track to become a lawyer, but after years of study she experienced a moment of clarity: her true calling was elsewhere. A transformative fitness experience revealed how powerful exercise and self-care could be, and she knew she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others through wellness. Rachael also opened up about her early run-ins with the diet and fitness industry, like an intense 12-week “body transformation” program that left her with an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise. Having seen the pitfalls of quick-fix fitness culture, she set out to do things differently and bring a more balanced, joyful approach to health for the women in her community.
Today, through Fit, Strong, Free, Rachael focuses on breaking down the barriers that often keep women away from the gym or a healthy lifestyle. She’s tailored her coaching specifically for women because she found her approach resonated most with those looking to connect fitness with mindset and well-being. Whether it’s gym intimidation, societal expectations, or past struggles with dieting, Rachael understands the hurdles and helps her clients overcome them one step at a time. Her philosophy isn’t about punishing workouts or restrictive diets, it’s about building sustainable habits and celebrating small wins. She often starts clients off with simple goals (think a 10-minute walk or adding an extra veggie to meals) to build confidence and momentum. It’s all geared toward a long-term lifestyle change, not a short-term fix.
Her ultimate aim is to “help women feel empowered in their bodies, confident in their capabilities, and free to pursue what makes them happy” and it’s definitely working for me! And indeed, the women she has coached emerge not just stronger and fitter, but more free, free from self-doubt, free from comparison, and free to enjoy life to the fullest. Rachael’s work shows that improving individual well-being can radiate outward, creating stronger and happier communities.
The Takeaway
Cumbria may be world-famous for its lakes and landscapes, but it’s also defined by people like Anne, Katy, and Rachael, women who have turned small businesses into powerful forces for good in their communities. Each of their stories began with a personal passion and a simple idea, yet each has touched countless lives: revitalising local towns, lifting up others to lead, and inspiring healthier lifestyles.
The podcast has shown me how purpose-driven small businesses ripple outward, through our homes, leaders and transforming our community.
For more everyday inspiration, wellbeing tips, and lifestyle insights, pop over to www.sukany4.com, where creativity meets real life.
