There’s something really special about recognising businesses right at the beginning.

Not when everything looks polished and confident on the outside, but when things are still being built quietly. When ideas are fragile, confidence wobbles, and progress is happening behind the scenes while life carries on at full speed.

That’s exactly why I’m so pleased to welcome Popolo Ceramico as sponsor of the New Business Award at the Class Business Awards 2026.

This category matters. A lot.

Why the New Business Award exists

Starting a class-based business takes courage. Real courage.

It’s often done alongside family life, financial pressure, self-doubt and a constant stream of decisions with no clear roadmap. And in the early stages, wins are rarely loud. They’re small, personal, and easy to overlook.

The New Business Award is here to change that.

It’s about recognising those early steps. The determination to begin. The commitment to keep showing up before results arrive. And the belief required to build something meaningful from the ground up.

As I’ve said before, “The awards part for me is like the cherry on the cake.” The real magic is in the storytelling. In spotlighting people who are brave enough to start, and helping them be seen for what they’re building.

A brand built on meaning, not mass production

Popolo Ceramico is a beautiful example of what thoughtful, values-led business looks like.

They specialise in capturing baby and children’s hand and footprints in paint, clay and plaster, transforming them into handcrafted ceramic keepsakes designed to be treasured for a lifetime. Each piece tells a story. A moment in time that families want to hold onto forever.

Founded with a passion for creativity, craftsmanship and meaningful work, Popolo Ceramico is built on a simple belief: memories matter.

Every product is individually crafted using high-quality ceramics and carefully controlled processes. Nothing rushed. Nothing mass-produced. Just care, attention to detail and pride in the finished result. And that commitment runs through every part of the business, from customer experience to franchisee support.

Supporting new businesses through lived experience

What makes this sponsorship especially powerful is that it’s personal.

The founder of Popolo Ceramico, Christina Taylor-Chisholm knows first-hand what it feels like to be at the very beginning. Winning a New Business award herself was a turning point, offering reassurance, confidence and belief at a time when it was needed most.

That’s why sponsoring this category feels so aligned.

As she shared:

“Starting out in business is hard. It’s lonely, overwhelming, and often done quietly behind the scenes while you’re juggling family life, self-doubt and a hundred unanswered questions. That award came at a time when I really needed reassurance that I was on the right path. It gave me confidence, belief, and the push to keep going.”

This is exactly what the New Business Award is about. Not just celebrating success, but acknowledging the courage it takes to begin and the resilience required to keep going.

Building confidence, not just trophies

The Class Business Awards 2026 has been designed as a 12-month storytelling and PR movement, not a one-night event. And for new businesses, that visibility can be transformational.

It’s about being seen. About recognising progress. About understanding that even if you don’t walk away with a trophy, your business will always win anyway through credibility, confidence and momentum.

That’s why categories like New Business matter so much. They help early-stage founders believe they belong in this space. They show others watching that it’s possible. And they remind the sector that every established brand once started with a single step.

A shared belief in beginnings

Popolo Ceramico’s work is rooted in capturing life’s earliest moments. So it feels incredibly fitting that they’re supporting businesses at the earliest stage of their journey too.

This partnership is about celebrating beginnings. Ideas in motion. Businesses being built with care, creativity and heart. As Christina says,

“Supporting new businesses now feels incredibly close to my heart. I know the courage it takes to start, the resilience it demands, and the determination required to keep showing up when results don’t come straight away.

Being part of recognising and celebrating those at the very beginning of their journey is an absolute privilege, and I can’t wait to cheer on this year’s finalists.”

I’m proud to have Popolo Ceramico supporting this category, and I can’t wait to spotlight the new businesses who step forward, share their stories and show what’s possible.

You can find out more about Popolo Ceramico on their website or follow them on social media at @popoloceramico.

The Class Business Awards 2026 is coming. And for those right at the start, this is your moment to be seen. Follow us on YouTube to follow the whole journey!