Luce and Bear sisters shortlisted for family business award

Clare and Lucy Bulmer, founders of lifestyle brand Luce and Bear, are finalists in the Family Business category at the 2026 Enterprise Vision Awards, which celebrate women in business across the UK.

The national recognition carries personal meaning for the sisters, who grew up in Northallerton, where their late father, Trevor Bulmer, ran Smirthwaites garage.

Clare, left and Lucy, right celebrate being Finalists in the EVA Awards (Image: Supplied)

They said: “He taught us the importance of hard work, getting to know your customers, treating everyone with respect, and always taking pride in what you do.

“Those lessons have stayed with us throughout our lives.”

The sisters, who launched Luce and Bear during the pandemic, say the award nomination feels like a continuation of their father’s legacy.

Now based in Harrogate, they credit values learned during childhood visits to Smirthwaites and time spent with their father for shaping their approach to business.

Clare, left, and Lucy, right at the House of Lords (Image: Supplied)

Their nomination for the Enterprise Vision Awards was submitted confidentially by someone who believed their story deserved wider recognition.

It highlighted not only the business success they’ve achieved, but also Lucy’s determination to grow the brand while living with chronic illness.

As part of the awards process, Clare and Lucy attended a Westminster Reception at the historic House of Lords, where they joined female entrepreneurs from across the UK.

There, they enjoyed afternoon tea on the terrace and heard from high-profile speakers, including Theo Paphitis of Dragons’ Den.

A train breakdown almost kept them from attending, but they managed to arrive in time despite the disruption.

Clare said: “Our train broke down before we even got to York.

“We ended up racing across London on one of the hottest days of the year and only just made it through the airport-style security at the House of Lords in time.

“The setting was incredible; we had drinks on the terrace overlooking the Thames followed by a very fancy afternoon tea.

“It’s a day we’ll never forget.”

The sisters will now interview with a judging panel ahead of the awards ceremony in October.

Lucy said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be named finalists.

“To be up for Best Family Business means so much because we had strong family values instilled into us from a young age and these have always been at the heart of everything we do.

“We’re incredibly proud of our Northallerton roots and of the legacy left by Dad.

“We hope he would be proud to see us carrying those same values forward in our own way.”

Luce and Bear has grown a loyal community of customers who appreciate the brand’s warmth, grit, and humour.

Their signature SOS (Story of Sisters) design was inspired by Lucy’s experience living with late stage Lyme Disease and has become a symbol of strength and hope for many customers.

The business has attracted plenty of recognition in the past year.

It was named Best Women’s Style in Yorkshire at the Muddy Stilettos Awards, won a Small Business Sunday Award from Theo Paphitis, and received the Judges’ Choice Award at the national Woman Who Achieves Awards.

Judges praised the sisters’ positivity and proclaimed “we predict a very bright future for this dynamic duo.”

The 2026 Enterprise Vision Awards ceremony will be held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on October 2.

The sisters said: “The best bit is that whatever happens, we get to put our glad rags on and go to the awards ceremony.

“We’ll definitely be raising a glass to Dad, our hero, a man of great, quiet dignity, who truly hated fuss, but deserves all our thanks.”

Luce and Bear products are available online and at regular pop-up events across Yorkshire.

Upcoming appearances include the North Yorkshire County Agricultural Show on June 21.

The sisters use their social media pages to announce new product launches and event dates.

Their brand is built on spreading encouragement and “good old-fashioned customer service.”

They said: “Our aim has always been to design products with positive messages, that hopefully make people smile, even on the tough days

“We are also big believers in good old fashioned customer service and that laughter really is the best medicine! We’re just so happy the judges can see potential in our small brand.”