Kate Rainford Coaching in Teddington has been named as one of the UK's 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025 by the Small Business Saturday campaign, as it kicks off its annual call to champion and support the nation's favourite businesses.

Kate Rainford Coaching, which supports women at career crossroads, was founded by Kate Rainford-Foakes in 2024.

Following a nationwide search, the Teddington firm has been selected as part of this year's SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases the most innovative and admired small businesses across the nation, as part of the count-down to Small Business Saturday on 6 December.

Running in the UK for over a decade, Small Business Saturday is the UK's most successful small business campaign, which celebrates small businesses and encourages the public to support and spend with small firms.

 Speaking about the news, Rainford-Foakes said: "Being recognised as part of the SmallBiz100 is a huge honour.

"It shines a light on the bold ideas, invisible labour, and untapped talent that often sit at the margins, especially among women balancing ambition with caregiving or navigating transitions in their working lives.

"Through my coaching work and upcoming platform, Foundher, I'm not just helping women grow careers; I'm supporting long-term economic participation, leadership diversity, and more human ways of working.

"I want to show that it's possible to build something meaningful on your own terms, without compromising what matters most."

Kate Rainford-Foakes is the founder of Kate Rainford Coaching (Image supplied)

Kate Rainford Coaching will be profiled by the campaign on 2 October as part of the 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday UK.

"Small businesses are the nation's favourite businesses – bringing immeasurable value to our local communities and powering the wider economy," said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.  

"Firms like Kate Rainford Coaching in this year's SmallBiz100 represent some of the UK's most-loved small businesses. It is so important that we encourage public support for small businesses up and down the country, as many are still facing a host of challenges as they enter this critical final stretch of the year."

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots non-commercial campaign that was originally founded by American Express in the US in 2010, and the brand remains the campaign's principal supporter in the UK.

Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: "Through our long-standing support of Small Business Saturday, American Express is proud to champion the nation's small businesses. 

"Congratulations to this year's SmallBiz100, which once again showcases the incredible vibrancy and innovation of small firms and the valuable contribution they make to local communities."

Over the decade it has been running in the UK Small Business Saturday has engaged millions of people and seen billions of pounds spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, with an impact that lasts all year round.

On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, from independent shops and restaurants to small service and b2b businesses like plumbers and accountants.

Many small businesses take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions. 

Last year, the campaign saw support from the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Over 90% of local councils also supported the campaign, which trended across social media on the day.  

Learn more about Small Business Saturday's SmallBiz100 here.

Kate Rainford Coaching supports women to lead with confidence and impact, without having to choose between their ambition and what matters most.

Founded after Rainford-Foakes' own transition from corporate leadership into motherhood, the business helps women at pivotal career moments: returning to work, stepping into senior leadership, or changing direction entirely.

Through 1:1 coaching, group programmes, and leadership circles, Kate helps women integrate their professional, personal, and parental identities so they can grow on their own terms.

Rainford-Foakes also facilitates a local Teddington leadership circle for working mums and mentors early-stage founders through Virgin StartUp. She is currently building Foundher - a new platform designed to support women building businesses together, starting with a co-founder matching service that proves two women with part-time hours can still build something powerful.

Her approach blends practical strategy with deep self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and space to reflect, helping women feel more visible, more valued, and in the driving seat of their careers.