I started Flotsam Flo at the end of 2021. With the help of Cultivator Cornwall and the encouragement of my Mentor at the time, Clive Kessell, I then entered the Cornwall Sustainability Awards. I was pleased to be a part of this but, being such a small, new business and up against much larger and more established organisations, I thought I would just end up going for an evening out. How wrong I was! The judges were “really impressed with a new emerging business and wanted to commend them for their excellent work, with closing the loop on waste such as broken paddling pools, unwanted banners and old wetsuits.”

Flotsam Flo received a judges’ commendation award for Circular Economy at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards. I was so overwhelmed and pleased. A night I will never forget and one that has given me more confidence to grow.

In 2023, Flotsam Flo made it to the semi finalist stage of The West Country Women Awards in the Green Business of the Year category. I did not expect this at all, it was just so amazing. This is a huge award and from businesses and organisations based in the whole of the South West. Out of a massive 1428 nominations in total, Flotsam Flo was 1 of 107 semi finalists!

What I can’t believe more than being a semi finalist is being told why I have been nominated. Reading this me feel incredible (which is very hard to do!), and makes me realise it’s all very much worth while. Just reading and knowing this is enough, because sometimes you just have to be told.

Thank you These are the words from the person who nominated me: “Kate's ethos is to collect material from within Cornwall and then source sustainable and reusable packaging to ensure the green concept runs right through the business. As a result, this concept has developed its own mini circular economy within the Duchy. Aside from this, Kate is also the most inspirational person I have ever met. Kate's outlook on life is one of pure positivity, her passion to enhance the Cornish environment shines through so clearly, and her attitude towards helping others is incredible. All this after suffering a bleed on the brain a few years ago forcing her to follow her dreams. Kate stands out as an innovator of the highest calibre with a desire and will to force an environmental change. Flotsam Flo may only be in its second year but it will become a powerhouse business which will continue to capture imagination and inspire people to make better choices.”

In Janurary 2023, Flotsam Flo was gifted a studio by Biffa at their Redruth offices. There was an overhaul of pink, sparkly items and in February 2023, the grand opening of the new Flotsam Flo studio happened. Opened by Pauline Giles BEM of Cornwall Council and with a grant for industrial sewing machines from Cultivator Cornwall, the new studio was created. Flotsam Flo even received a grant from Superfast Cornwall to create this website. I am so grateful for all of this. 2023 was definitely a year of big changes for Flotsam Flo.