An artist and businesswoman in Liskeard is hoping for a sales boost after her work was recognised by a celebrity entrepreneur.

Kirsty Freeman’s business, MonChic Mosaics, has been awarded membership of Theo Paphitis’s Small Business Sunday group which aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs.

Best known for his appearances on the BBC television series, Dragon’s Den, multimillionaire retail magnate Theo runs a weekly competition giving small businesses the opportunity to be promoted to his half-a-million followers on Twitter and Instagram, and to be profiled on his Small Business Sunday website. 

Mother-of-two Kirsty, who met up with Theo at a special networking event in Birmingham, said: “I’m hugely grateful to Theo for his support. 

“This is such an exciting opportunity to gain a huge audience for my work.  

“It was great to meet other entrepreneurs at the event in Birmingham. 

“It inspired me with so much energy and so many ideas.”

Kirsty, who set up her business creating handcrafted mosaic artworks and gift items last year, is a member of the Market Makers group of creative enterprises, run by Liskeard Town Council and supported by Cornwall Council and European structural and investment funds. 

She has recently been accepted as a member of the South West Mosaic Artists group, and in November one of her works was presented by Mayor of Liskeard Simon Cassidy to his French counterpart on a visit to Liskeard’s twin town of Quimperle. 

Her mosaics are exhibited in galleries in Perranporth and in shops in Liskeard, Fowey and Tavistock.

Kirsty’s business mentor, Market Makers manager Dr Alec Charles, said: “We’re all so proud of Kirsty’s achievements. 

“She’s not only an extraordinarily-talented artist – she’s also a highly-skilled businessperson. 

“She’s got a brilliant future ahead of her.”