Exmouth entrepreneur Grace Middleton, who co-founded an art print shop in February, has won the Devon Women in Business Female Start-Up of the Year Award 2023.

She was presented with the honour at the awards ceremony at Winslade Park on November 11.

The business, Grace’s Giclée Art Print Shop, is a premier service for artists and illustrators. Giclée printing uses colourfast inks that are finely sprayed onto high-quality paper, making professional-looking reproductions of the artwork.

The company was started by Grace in collaboration with her previous employer and former Exmouth resident Julia Gash, a highly successful illustrator whose map-like designs sell all over the world. Julia now lives in Sussex, but used her business and marketing experience to help Grace set up and run the company.

Grace said: “I am delighted to have received the Start-Up of the Year award from Devon Women in Business! It was such an amazing event, with many inspiring and empowered female entrepreneurs in the room.

"I’d like to thank everyone who has supported Grace’s Giclée Art Print Shop since we opened in February 2023. This award is testament to the hard work and dedication that I have put into the business, and I am so grateful for this personal recognition.

“And a huge thank you to my co-director Julia Gash for mentoring me to run a winning business and to Devon Women in Business for this wonderful opportunity and all that they offer for Devon’s female entrepreneurs. I cannot wait to see what 2024 brings for Grace’s Giclée!” 

Julia said: “This is such an amazing achievement for Grace and so well deserved. She has worked so hard and grown immeasurably over the last year. Bravo Grace!”

 

 

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