Small awards
9 April, 2025 – 2:12 pmAt the end of February, I filled in an application for a small business award, I entered three categories as I thought that there is no harm in trying.
I am excited to announce that I am one of 8 finalists in the Sole to Sole Category.
As a small business it is very difficult to remain present, to be noticed and to keep going. It’s hard work, no-one else can do your work for you. I am very lucky that I have an amazing partner and my family to give me support and an extra pair of hands when I need it. But ultimately it is down to me.
To push myself out there, to keep on top of advertising, to do the social media and to smile and chat even when I’m tired and unhappy, I need to keep on top of my work, even with a broken ankle. Source the correct stone, fulfil my commissions and keep on top of making interesting and unique things for people to buy.
This year I am celebrating 20 years in business and what an exciting thing, just to be shortlisted, but I can dare to dream that I could maybe win.
Here is the press release;
Carrie Horwood of Cat’s Eye Carving in Sandwich in Kent SHORTLISTED FOR SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
Local firm Cat’s Eye Carving has been shortlisted for Britain’s best Sole to Sole business.
09/04/2025: Cat’s Eye Carving based in Sandwich in Kent has been chosen as a finalist for the Sole to Sole at this year’s Small Awards.
Now in its ninth year, The Small Awards is a nationwide search for the UK’s greatest small firms, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions and supports the nation’s 5.5 million small firms.
Carrie has been running Cat’s Eye Carving since 2005 and celebrates 20 years in business this year. She has been selected as one of just eight finalists for the Sole to Sole award for best self employed small business owner, and celebrates the resilience and drive it takes to grow a business alone.
This year sponsored by marketing solution Constant Contact, the Small Awards celebrate the successes of Britain’s small businesses, with eleven different awards for small firms leading the way across everything from sustainability to digital adoption, and showcasing all types of small businesses including social enterprises, family-owned businesses, sole traders and start-ups.
“Every year, the Small Awards celebrate the UK’s most inspiring small business owners, who are the heart of their communities, and are fuelling the nation’s economic growth,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain.
“The awards are a great opportunity to recognise the success and contributions of so many small businesses -Carrie Horwoodis extremely deserving of being a finalist, and we look forward to celebrating together in May.”
Erika Robinson, UK General Manager at Constant Contact, said: “SMEs represent over 99 per cent of the business population in the UK, so they play a vital role in boosting the British economy, and deserve to have their tenacity and success celebrated.
“Constant Contact is committed to helping small businesses succeed, so we’re delighted to support The Small Awards this year and help celebrate the best of British SMEs.”
Carrie is so excited to be a finalist in this category, it has been a roller-coaster ride, but what a way to celebrate 20 years in business.
Judged by a panel of industry experts, the winners of all categories, including the overall winner of the Small Business of the Year award, will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 22 May 2025.
The ceremony will this year be held at St Mary’s Church in London, with plans underway for a fun-filled night of celebration, entertainment, and inspiration for guests.
The Small Awards is run by Small Business Britain, the UK’s leading champion of small businesses, supporting all 5.5 million small businesses in the UK – no matter their location, their sector, or their ambition level.
Through a series of reports, events and campaigns, Small Business Britain champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK to foster growth and increased confidence.
https://smallbusinessbritain.uk
Facebook: @thesmallawards
Instagram: @thesmallawards
About Cat’s Eye Carving
Carrie was the first single honours sculpture graduate from Canterbury Christ Church, after completing her degree, she took up work experience with Canterbury Cathedral, sadly their apprenticeship had already been filled, encouraged by the cathedral masons, Carrie applied for one of two apprenticeships at Gloucester Cathedral, with just a small suitcase, Carrie’s journey into the creativity and discipline of stonemasonry began. Carrie was the oldest apprentice at 25 and the first female at Gloucester Cathedral.
Unfortunately just 6 months into her apprenticeship, she suffered a career ending injury when a 70kg block of stone smashed the fingers of her left hand. Although she completed her apprenticeship and spent 3 more years working as a stonemason, the struggle was too much and although she considered giving it all up, something kept her going and in November 2005 she decided to start her own business.
Her business name and mason’s mark, the Cat’s Eye come from her A-level sculpture project.
She worked out of Craft centres in Gloucestershire for 18 years before the call of family and home became too strong.
Carrie returned to Sandwich in August 2023 after being offered a shop to rent in the heart of this medieval town. Since returning, her business has blossomed and her most recent commission was a compass rose commissioned by Dover District Council.
She is the stonemason in residence for the recently renovated Maison Dieu in Dover and has carved some pieces for their museum. In 2026 she is organising a stonemason festival for them to celebrate their re-opening.
She is the official letter-cutter for the Worshipful Company of Founders in London and a Yeoman Mason for the Worshipful Company of Masons, a title bestowed upon her in recognition for her charity stonemason festivals that she organises.
Carrie works on her own, but has been helped out and supported by her partner and her family.
She hopes to help train the next generation of stonemasons in the future, but for now she has a healthy commission schedule to work through.
Carrie is celebrating 20 years in business this year.
Find out more of Carrie’s story on her website; https://www.catseyecarving.co.uk
Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/acestonecutter
Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/catseyecarving
YouTube; https://youtube.com/channel/UCPZsvFF24X8njfVrfLnTGTw
