A County Durham entrepreneur became one of the region's best recognised success stories following a university idea that became a global crafting empire, landing her a spot on Dragon's Den.
Born in Coundon near Bishop Auckland, Sara Davies founded Crafter’s Companion while studying at the University of York.
During a work placement, Davies spotted a gap in the market for a tool that could make envelopes for handmade cards and asked a local carpenter to design The Enveloper.
42-year-old Davies' net worth has been estimated at around £37 million. (Image: BBC)
She launched it on shopping channel Ideal World, selling 30,000 units within the business' first six months.
By the time Davies graduated, the business was generating £500,000 in revenue.
Crafter’s Companion has grown into one of the UK’s biggest crafting businesses, shipping tools and supplies to more than 40 countries in Europe and the United States.
Davies kept the company’s UK headquarters in her native region, at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.
The County Durham businesswoman was appointed an MBE in 2016 for services to the economy, joining the 17th series of BBC's Dragons’ Den three years later.
Marking the 10th anniversary of receiving her MBE, Davies wrote on social media: "To have all that hard work recognised with an MBE for services to the economy was something I was incredibly proud of."
Davies joined Dragon's Den as its youngest female investor. Speaking to the BBC in 2019, she said: "I've been a fan of the show since it started.
I was even invited to pitch on the show 13 years ago, so it feels like I've come a full circle."
She added: "It wasn’t all that long ago when I was in the position of the contestants so I really feel like I will be able to relate to their stories and their journeys so far.
I understand the highs and lows of building a global business from the ground and taking that initial product idea all the way to the market."
Her net worth was estimated at more than £34 million when she joined the programme.
Sara Davies is one of County Durham's most recognised success stories. (Image: Sara Davies and Helen Goddard)
She appeared on the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 but left in week eight. Afterwards, she lost more than 3st.
Davies credits Strictly with helping her enjoy exercise, alongside a high-fibre diet. She also said gestational diabetes during both pregnancies and warnings from hospital staff about her blood sugar influenced her decision.
"The doctor told me, ‘This is getting a little bit out of hand, by this time next year you’ll be pre-diabetic.’ It was the kick up the bum I needed,” Davies explained.
In December 2024, Davies returned to an active role in Crafter's Companion after it faced the risk of collapse.
Working with investment group Modella, she kept the firm operating and saved most of its jobs.
The following March, she announced she would step away from filming the next series of Dragons’ Den to focus on her business.
She stepped back from day-to-day management in August 2025 after appointing former CBI regional director Diane Sharp as managing director.
Davies joined Dragon's Den as their youngest ever female investor in 2019. (Image: SUPPLIED)
The 42-year-old remains a director and oversees the company’s strategy.
She lives in Wynyard, near Stockton, County Durham, with her husband and two sons. Davies has been with her husband Simon since she was 15, and the pair married in 2007.
In July 2026, she revealed she had been diagnosed with ADHD.
Davies recently launched the Mind Your Business podcast with her sister, Helen Goddard, which has inspired other County Durham locals to pursue their own dreams of entrepreneurship.