Celebrating small business success

Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, has paid tribute to a Wellington businesswoman who joined a special reception for small businesses at the House of Lords in the lead-up to Small Business Saturday.

A qualified therapeutic counsellor, Emma Gray founded Rainbow Hunting after her husband, a Royal Marine, died from cancer in 2016.

Her business provides one-to-one grief and life coaching, workshops, and her ‘Sadmin’ course – guiding people through bereavement, end-of-life admin, and navigating life changes.

A former wills and probate solicitor, Emma aims to blend legal expertise with lived experience, giving support and guidance to help clients find clarity after a loss.

The event in Westminster was hosted by Small Business Saturday, in partnership with the campaign’s founder and principal supporter, American Express, and it spotlighted Rainbow Hunting as part of this year’s SmallBiz100.

The 100 small businesses from all over the country are being highlighted as part of the Small Business Saturday UK campaign.

Emma said: “It was such an honour and a privilege to be chosen as one of the nation’s 100 small businesses this year and truly the opportunity of a lifetime to visit the House of Lords and 10 Downing Street. The most inspirational part was meeting other small business owners and realising that I’m not the only one turning my passion into a business!”

At the reception, Emma met Gideon, who praised her work.

He said: “It was great to meet Emma and hear more about her amazing business supporting people at one of the toughest times of life.

“Government should be doing a whole lot more to support our small businesses; they are the lifeblood of Wellington, as they are of Taunton, and the backbone of the economy, its single biggest sector nationally.

“Working with our Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP, we’ve devised a package to support small businesses like Emma’s with lower fuel bills alongside a cut rate of VAT for the High Street.

“Emma has shown just how valuable the personal touch that small businesses bring can be.”

Emma was also among the finalists in this year’s West Country Women Awards, which were held recently in Plymouth.

Gideon Amos MP, Emma Gray and her mum Anne Robinson pictured at the Small Business Saturday reception