Cardiff entrepreneur named one of 2025’s most impressive female founders
Cardiff has been crowned one of the UK’s most impressive female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s ‘f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100’ campaign.
Dawn Bates, who founded DBI in 2016, is the author and publisher of 21 critically-acclaimed books detailing true life stories of social justice and the impact on the mental health of society, and is being profiled among 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of the campaign to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK today.
The f:Entrepreneur ‘#IAlso100’ line-up particularly showcases trailblazing female founders who lead purpose-driven businesses alongside a roster of other responsibilities, such as volunteering, mentoring and community support.
Indeed, Dawn also made finalist in the National Business Women’s Award for Social Impact and is set to attend the Great British Businesswomen’s Awards Party in London as a finalist for SME Role Model of the Year.
On being featured in the #ialso100 lineup, Alison said: “In today’s business climate where everyone is seeking to be an author for credibility, those of us who make a living from writing are often overlooked as ‘just another author’, so, to be recognised by these three prestigious organisations for my work is truly humbling.”
Launched in 2017 by Small Business Britain – the leading champion of small businesses in the UK – the f:Entrepreneur campaign aims to raise greater awareness of the impact of incredible female business owners across the country, and help provide inspiration and role models to the wider small business community.
The campaign offers a host of events, training, and networking opportunities to boost skills, capability, and confidence.
“It’s wonderful to have Dawn from DBI feature in this year’s #IAlso100 – all of the female entrepreneurs in this year’s line-up are simply phenomenal,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain.
“It is vital that we recognise the impressive contribution of the UK’s female business owners and do all we can to support and encourage them throughout their entrepreneurial journey, from start-up to scale-up. As well as making a huge economic contribution to the UK, female entrepreneurs also create a wider positive impact that ripples across society and local communities too.”
To see the full line-up of the 100 women featured in this year’s f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign visit: https://f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2025/