Brief Introduction of Sara Davies
Sara Davies MBE is a highly successful British businesswoman, entrepreneur, and television personality. She is widely recognized as the founder of Crafter’s Companion, a global arts and crafts retail business she ingeniously started from her university bedroom. Davies rose to mainstream prominence as the youngest-ever female investor on the popular BBC show “Dragons’ Den,” where her sharp business acumen and supportive approach to entrepreneurs made her a fan favorite. Beyond her entrepreneurial success, she has become a familiar face on British television, participating in “Strictly Come Dancing” and hosting other programs. Known for her down-to-earth personality and passion for championing women in business, Sara Davies has built an impressive empire from a simple crafting idea into a multi-million-pound enterprise, inspiring countless aspiring business owners along the way.
Sara Davies Overview
| Full Name | Sara Anne Davies |
| Date of Birth | 23 April 1984 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 41 |
| Birthplace | Coundon, County Durham, England |
| Profession | Businesswoman, Entrepreneur, Television Personality |
| Husband/Wife | Simon Davies |
| Family | Parents: Frank and Susan Davies; Sister: Helen |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Married |
| Net Worth | Approximately £37 million |
Early Life and Education of Sara Davies
Sara Davies was born on April 23, 1984, in Coundon, a small village in County Durham, England. Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, she was exposed to the principles of business from a young age. Her parents, Frank and Susan Davies, owned and operated a local painting and decorating shop, the Wear Valley Decorating Centre, for over three decades. This environment instilled in Sara a strong work ethic and an early understanding of commerce, as she and her sister, Helen, often helped out in the family store. She attended St John’s School and Sixth Form College in Bishop Auckland. Initially describing herself as a “middle of the road” student, her ambition ignited during her A Level years when she discovered a passion for Business Studies. This newfound drive led her to excel, ultimately securing a place at the University of York to study for a Business Management degree. It was during her time at university that the seeds of her future business empire were sown.
Sara Davies’s Career
Sara Davies’s remarkable career began while she was still a student at the University of York. During a placement with a small craft company, she identified a gap in the market for a tool that could create custom-sized envelopes for handmade cards. With the help of her engineer father, she designed a product called ‘The Enveloper’. In 2005, from her university bedroom, she founded Crafter’s Companion to launch this innovative product. Davies secured a spot on the TV shopping channel Ideal World, where The Enveloper became an instant success, selling 30,000 units in its first six months and generating a turnover of £500,000 by the time she graduated with a first-class honours degree.
Under her leadership, Crafter’s Companion expanded exponentially, evolving from a single-product venture into a global retailer of crafting supplies, including papercraft, sewing, and art materials. The company now employs over 200 people and exports its products to more than 40 countries, with a significant presence in the UK and the United States. At its peak, the business reported annual revenues of around £34 million. However, the company faced financial difficulties, leading to a restructuring in early 2025. Demonstrating her commitment, Davies personally reinvested and resumed the role of CEO to steer the company back towards stability.
In 2019, Davies’s public profile soared when she joined the cast of BBC’s “Dragons’ Den,” becoming the show’s youngest-ever female investor at the time. Her approach in the Den was characterized by a genuine desire to mentor and support budding entrepreneurs, investing in a diverse portfolio of businesses. In March 2025, she announced she would be stepping away from the show “for now” to focus on her primary business, Crafter’s Companion. Her television career also includes competing in the nineteenth series of “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2021 and hosting other BBC shows. In July 2024, she was appointed Chief Inspiration Officer for Avon UK, furthering her mission to empower women in business.
Sara Davies Personal Life & Family
Sara Davies is married to her childhood sweetheart, Simon Davies. The couple have been together since Sara was 15 and they tied the knot in September 2007. Simon has been an integral part of Sara’s business journey, joining Crafter’s Companion as its managing director and playing a crucial role in its operational management. Together, they have two sons, Oliver and Charlie. The family resides in Teesside, in the North East of England, allowing Sara to remain close to her roots. Despite her significant wealth, Davies is known for her grounded lifestyle and emphasizes the importance of hard work and financial responsibility, values she intends to pass on to her children. She has spoken about instilling the same work ethic she learned from her parents in her own sons, having them help out in the family shop. Sara has also been open about her health journey, including a diagnosis of gestational diabetes during her pregnancies, which motivated a significant weight loss.
Awards and Achievements of Sara Davies
- Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to the economy.
- Honorary Doctor of the University degree from the University of York in 2024.
- Outstanding Contribution to British Business Award at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards in 2019.
- Northern Power Women Award for Outstanding Contribution in 2021.
- Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category for Crafter’s Companion in 2020.
- Listed in startups.co.uk’s Young Guns Entrepreneurs of the Year class of 2015.
- Creative Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2014.
- Entrepreneur of the Year at the Shell Women of the Year Awards in 2013.
- International Stevie® Award for Women in Business in 2013.
- Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2010.
- Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards in 2010.
Sara Davies Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Sara Davies’s net worth is estimated to be approximately £37 million. Her primary source of wealth is her ownership of Crafter’s Companion, the global craft supply company she founded in 2005, which grew into a multi-million-pound enterprise. Her income is diversified through several other channels. Her role as an investor on BBC’s “Dragons’ Den” provided her with appearance fees and equity in the businesses she backed. She has made numerous investments through the show, including companies like Malaysian chilli paste brand Mak Tok and bathroom storage solution Shower Gem. Furthermore, her various other television appearances, including “Strictly Come Dancing” and presenting roles, contribute to her earnings. Brand endorsements, speaking engagements, and book deals for her autobiography “We Can All Make It” and “The Six-Minute Entrepreneur” also form significant parts of her income portfolio.
Legacy and Influence
Sara Davies has crafted a significant legacy as a relatable and inspiring figure in the world of entrepreneurship. Her journey from a university student launching a business from her bedroom to the head of a global company and a primetime television personality serves as a powerful testament to her vision, drive, and resilience. She has had a profound influence on the crafting industry, not only by innovating products but also by building a strong community around her brand. A passionate advocate for women in business, Davies actively mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and uses her public platform to encourage others, particularly those from the North East of England. Her role as the youngest-ever female Dragon on “Dragons’ Den” broke new ground and provided a role model for a new generation of business leaders. Her story demonstrates that success can be achieved through authenticity, hard work, and a genuine passion for one’s pursuits, leaving an enduring mark on both the business world and the public consciousness.
Interesting Facts about Sara Davies
- She was invited to pitch on “Dragons’ Den” in the early years of Crafter’s Companion but declined because the business was already profitable and didn’t need the investment.
- Her first product, The Enveloper, was developed with the help of her father, who is a retired engineer.
- She is a former contestant on “Strictly Come Dancing,” where she was partnered with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec in 2021.
- Despite her wealth, she is keen for her children to have a grounded upbringing similar to her own, including working for pocket money.
- Sara and her husband, Simon, were childhood sweethearts, having been together since she was just 15 years old.
- She wrote her autobiography, titled “We Can All Make It.”
- In July 2024, she was appointed as the Chief Inspiration Officer for Avon UK.
Controversies
Sara Davies has maintained a largely positive public image throughout her career. In early 2025, her company, Crafter’s Companion, entered a pre-pack administration to manage financial difficulties, a move aimed at restructuring the business for future stability. This was a significant business challenge rather than a personal controversy, and Davies was transparent about the situation, publicly reaffirming her commitment by reinvesting in the company and stepping back into the CEO role to lead its recovery.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – 408k followers
- Twitter – Information not disclosed
- YouTube – Information not disclosed
Final Words about Sara Davies
Sara Davies stands as a formidable and inspiring figure in British business. Her journey from a bright idea in a university dorm to leading a global brand is a powerful narrative of innovation, perseverance, and sharp business instinct. While her time on “Dragons’ Den” brought her nationwide fame, her core identity remains that of a passionate entrepreneur deeply rooted in her North East heritage. Having recently stepped back from the Den to refocus on steering Crafter’s Companion through a period of restructuring, her current focus is firmly on the business she built from the ground up. Sara Davies’s legacy is not just the financial success of her company but also her impact as a role model, a mentor, and a champion for aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that with creativity and unwavering determination, remarkable achievements are possible.