A Londoner has launched a subscription box that provides premium home decor and lifestyle products from small and independent UK businesses to help fellow entrepreneurs.

Helena Wiltshire, 24, is a fashion and marketing graduate who started her own mask-making business after the pandemic thwarted her chances of securing a job using her degree and now she’s helping other independent traders.

Helena, of Acton, began making and selling Covid-19 face masks in March 2020 after struggling to find a job in the fashion or marketing industries as opportunities dried up during the pandemic.

Now, a year on, she has launched Wiltshire & Willow which puts together gift boxes containing products made by other entrepreneurs to help promote them and generate sales.

“After graduating from Regent’s University London with a fashion and marketing degree during the pandemic there wasn’t a lot of options for me,” Helena said.

“I knew that I wanted to put my degree to practice so I set up a company making face masks and marketed them through Instagram.

“When I joined with Wiltshire Masks, not only did I realise how many small businesses exist on the platform but I was amazed by the talent and the community that was very welcoming and supportive.”

Helena was stunned at just how many creative and innovative businesses she discovered. She said: “I realised that if I didn’t know how to find these businesses before they must have such a tough time gaining attention.

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Description automatically generated”With mask sales declining as the pandemic went on, I decided to create the boxes for people like me – who loved small businesses but had no way to learn about and reach them. I’ve created a space where small businesses can reach an even bigger audience – where people don’t miss out on them and can discover them sooner.”

By contributing to every business that features in the box by purchasing directly from them, Wiltshire & Willow ensures that every purchase goes towards supporting a small businesses dream.

In the UK, it’s been reported by the Financial Times that the number of new businesses in the midst of the pandemic had risen by 30% in December 2020 compared to 2019.

With the ever-growing market becoming a tougher place for new businesses to break through, Wiltshire & Willow are a platform that connects keen consumers with ideas and products from innovative new businesses local to them.

Wiltshire & Willow boxes are delivered straight to the door every other month. Each box contains four to five full size, premium home decor and lifestyle products from small and independent UK-based businesses. The service assures customers that each month every box has a value way over the price tag.