Independent gift brand wins coveted industry award

Cheshire-based independent gift brand Let’s Make & Do has won the 2026 Not On The High Street Rising Star Award, less than 18 months after launching.

The brand, founded by Ella Broughton, was selected from more than 5,000 Not On The High Street partners as one of 30 nominees across its Small Brand Awards, before taking the Rising Star title at a ceremony in Birmingham on 4 September.

Let’s Make & Do creates giftable creative kits for children and adults, with each kit containing the materials, illustrated instructions and QR-code video tutorials needed to complete the project.

The business now works with around 150 independent stockists across the UK and internationally, alongside selling through Not On The High Street and its own online store.

Broughton previously worked in buying and product development roles with retailers including Fenwick, Paperchase and Oliver Bonas, experience which she has brought into developing the brand’s products.

Ella Broughton said: “Founding Let’s Make & Do has given me the opportunity to take everything I learned from that side of the industry and put it into my own products. Winning Not On The High Street’s Rising Star Award feels like a huge validation of what we’re building.

“I really wanted the whole experience to feel completely seamless. There’s nothing worse than opening a kit and then having to hunt around the house for a paintbrush that wasn’t included or trying to find the right tutorial video.

"Everything is there, and the videos are detailed enough that you can just get on with making. We’ve even designed them so that if you want to use the kits for something like a crafternoon or a birthday party activity, the tutorial can effectively be your host.”

As part of the award, Broughton will receive a six-month mentoring programme with entrepreneur and former Dragons’ Den investor Sara Davies MBE, who presented her with the award.

Image credit: letsmakeanddo.com