From Handmade Galore to the NMTF National Finals 🏆✨
- Sophie Aris
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
When I started Handmade Galore, I never imagined that my little handmade business would take me all the way to the NMTF Young Trader National Finals — and I certainly never imagined I would come away as the People’s Choice Winner! ❤️
The journey has been incredible, challenging, exciting and, at times, nerve-wracking, but it is something I will never forget.
Starting the Journey
My Young Traders journey began at the Haverhill Heats, where I took Handmade Galore along and had the opportunity to showcase my business alongside other young traders.
Getting through to the East of England Regional Finals was already a huge achievement for me. It gave me even more confidence in my business and made me realise just how far Handmade Galore could go.
Then came the news that I had made it through to the National Finals!
Suddenly, I was preparing not just for another market, but for one of the biggest opportunities I had experienced as a young trader.
The National Finals
On Friday 28th and Saturday 29th August, I headed to The Waterside in Stratford-upon-Avon for the NMTF Young Trader National Finals.
I was surrounded by so many amazing young businesses and talented traders from across the country.
There were definitely nerves — especially knowing that I was trading alongside some incredibly talented people — but once my stall was set up, I focused on what I love doing: talking to customers, showcasing my products and telling people about Handmade Galore.
The whole weekend was an amazing experience.
I met fellow young traders, made new connections, spoke to so many customers and learned so much that I can take forward with my business.
Then Came the People’s Choice Award… ❤️
One of the biggest highlights of the entire weekend was finding out that I had won the People’s Choice Award! 🏆
This award is incredibly special to me because it was the public who chose me.
People visited the event, saw my stall, spoke to me and took the time to vote for Handmade Galore.
To know that my business and my stall connected with enough people for them to choose me as their People’s Choice Winner honestly means the world.
It wasn’t just a trophy — it felt like recognition for all the hard work, creativity and passion that goes into Handmade Galore.
More Than an Award
Winning People’s Choice has made me even more proud of what I have created.
Handmade Galore is built around products that I genuinely love making, and being able to share them with customers is one of my favourite parts of running my business.
The NMTF Young Trader competition has also taught me that being a young business owner isn’t just about making sales.
It’s about having confidence in yourself, learning from others, putting yourself out there and being brave enough to chase opportunities even when you’re nervous.
What Comes Next?
The National Finals may be over, but my journey with Handmade Galore definitely isn’t.
If anything, winning the People’s Choice Award has made me more determined to keep growing, creating, trading at markets and seeing just how far I can take my business.
From starting out at local markets, to reaching the NMTF National Finals, to becoming the People’s Choice Winner — I couldn’t be prouder of how far Handmade Galore has come.
A huge thank you to NMTF, everyone involved in the Young Traders competition, all the amazing fellow traders I met, and most importantly, every single person who voted for me.
Your support means more than you know. ❤️
This is just the beginning for Handmade Galore. ✨
Handmade Galore — handmade with love, created with passion. ❤️
Comments