Laura Tenison is one of the UK's most respected entrepreneurs, recognised for building a market-leading retail brand from the ground up and inspiring business leaders through her resilience, innovation and customer-focused approach. As the former Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JoJo Maman Bébé and the Founder of Wonderful Escapes, Laura has demonstrated how determination, commercial instinct and a clear vision can transform a simple idea into an industry-leading business. Launching JoJo in 1993 with just £50,000 of investment and two members of staff, she grew the company into the UK's and Ireland's leading omnichannel parent and baby brand, earning a reputation as one of Britain's most successful female entrepreneurs.
Laura's entrepreneurial journey began with a determination to create products and shopping experiences that genuinely met the needs of parents. Through consistent innovation, careful expansion and an unwavering commitment to customer service, she developed JoJo Maman Bébé into one of the country's best-loved retail brands. Her leadership combined commercial success with a strong company culture, proving that sustainable growth is built through passion, adaptability and understanding customers. Following her success with JoJo, Laura founded Wonderful Escapes, continuing her entrepreneurial journey by applying her business expertise and creative vision to a new venture while inspiring others to pursue ambitious goals.
Laura's outstanding achievements have been recognised with numerous prestigious honours. She was appointed an MBE for services to business in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, becoming one of the youngest recipients for business services at the time. She was named Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year and has received the Harpers & Queen Entrepreneur of the Year award, Welsh Entrepreneur of the Year, Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the Fast Growth Business Awards, Innovator of the Year at the Every Woman in Retail Awards, Businesswoman of the Year at both the Women in Public Life Awards and the Leading Wales Awards, together with the Welsh Women Mean Business Lifetime Achievement Award. Her contribution to business has also been recognised through an Honorary Doctor of Business from the University of East London, an Honorary Doctorate from Cardiff Metropolitan University and Honorary Fellowships from Cardiff University and the University of Wales.
Laura is hired as a motivational speaker because she shares practical lessons from building a nationally recognised business through courage, perseverance and innovation. Audiences value her honest insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, overcoming setbacks and creating lasting success from modest beginnings. She demonstrates how vision, resilience and customer focus can overcome significant challenges while encouraging others to embrace change, think creatively and lead with purpose. Whether speaking to business leaders, entrepreneurs or future founders, Laura combines real-world experience with inspiring stories that empower audiences to pursue ambitious goals with confidence and determination.
