Small businesses are the backbone of the UK. At the start of 2025, there were 5.7 million private sector businesses in the UK, and more than 99 in every 100 of them were small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Together, they employed around 13.1 million people, almost half of all private sector jobs.*
Behind every one of those businesses is someone who decided to take the leap. Small Business of the Week is our way of uplifting them: sharing their stories, helping them reach new followers and customers, and giving them the exposure they deserve.
This week, we’re meeting Gem Barrow, the founder of ME & CO, a jewellery studio in Hale. It’s a place where you design your own pieces, share the experience with your people and walk out with something nobody else has. Here’s her story, in her own words.
Meet the founder
Q: How did it all begin? What inspired you?
A: I’ve always loved jewellery, not just for how it looks, but for the memories, meaning and stories we attach to it.
During my travels in the US, I discovered a different approach to jewellery. It wasn’t simply about buying a piece. It was about the experience, the creativity and the connection. It got me thinking: why weren’t we doing more of this back home?
I took inspiration from those experiences and began imagining something entirely my own. Not another jewellery brand. A jewellery studio. An experience. A destination.
A space where people could come together, create, connect and discover the stories behind the jewellery they wear. The US sparked the inspiration. ME & CO brought my vision to life. And Hale became its home. No half measures. Apparently, that’s not my style!
Inside ME & CO
Q: Tell us about your business. What’s it all about?
A: ME & CO isn’t a traditional jewellery shop. It’s a jewellery studio — an experience and a destination.
There’s the Bead Bar, where you design and create personalised bracelets. Then there’s our Chain Bar: chains, charms and carabiners, curated and styled by you to make something entirely your own.
And then there’s The Vault — UNLOCK YOUR STORY. A luxe, intimate experience featuring my own designed range of bold, chunky statement jewellery, inspired by ancient symbols, talismans and the meanings they’ve carried for centuries.
The Vault is about more than jewellery. It’s an evening of storytelling for you and your CO: champagne in hand, music playing, as you discover the meanings behind each piece and listen to your own story unfold.
Across the studio we host children’s birthday parties, mum-and-daughter dates, girls’ nights, private events and personal styling experiences. Music, creativity, connection and a little bit of attitude. Everything is designed to feel personal.
Curated and styled by you. For you & yours.
Q: Why did you start the business?
A: Because I felt there was something missing.
We spend so much of our lives rushing around, shopping online and staring at screens. I wanted to bring back the experience of actually going somewhere, spending time with people and doing something together.
I also wanted to create a space where women could come with their friends, mums could bring their daughters, and different generations could connect through something creative.
Jewellery was the starting point. Bringing people together was always the bigger picture.
Q: Describe your business in five words.
A: Individual. Creative. Connected. Unapologetic. Personal.
Behind the scenes
Q: What have you found most challenging about being a small business owner?
A: Where do I start?!
You have this beautiful vision in your head, and then reality throws planning, builders, budgets, suppliers, staffing, technology and about a thousand decisions at you.
Opening a physical studio is not for the faint-hearted.
I’ve learned that you can plan everything down to the tiniest detail and something will still go completely sideways.
And when you’re the owner, everything ultimately lands on your desk. You’re the creative director, accountant, marketing department, customer service team and occasional cleaner!
The biggest challenge is probably learning to switch off. When it’s your own business, it’s never really out of your head.
But I wouldn’t change it. Well, maybe the building work!
Q: What’s the story behind the name?
A: ME & CO is really about two things.
ME — individuality. Your personality, your style, your story.
CO — your company. Your people. Your circle. The ones you share those stories with.
It’s about celebrating who you are while recognising the people who make you, you.
The jewellery is personal, but the experience is shared. That’s the whole idea behind ME & CO.
Q: Describe a typical day.
A: There genuinely isn’t one!
One minute I’m designing a new collection or talking to suppliers, the next I’m helping a ten-year-old decide which charm perfectly represents her best friend.
There are school runs, endless WhatsApps, deliveries, social media, bookings, events and usually a coffee that’s gone cold three times.
Then someone walks through the door, takes one look around and says, ‘Oh wow, what is this place?’ And suddenly I remember exactly why I started.
Why she does it
Q: What is your favourite part of the job?
A: The people. Without question.
Watching two friends laughing over their bracelets. A mum and daughter having a proper moment together. A group of women enjoying a night out. Or seeing someone in The Vault discover an ancient symbol that speaks to their own story, champagne in hand. That’s the magic of it for me.
It’s those little moments that make the whole thing worthwhile.
And I absolutely love seeing someone walk out wearing something they’ve created themselves. There’s a certain confidence that comes from knowing nobody else has quite the same piece as you.
Q: Anything else you’d like people to know?
A: I think there’s something to be said for taking a risk, especially when you’re a little older and supposedly meant to have everything figured out!
I’ve gone from a career in corporate IT to opening a jewellery studio, and although the journey has been completely chaotic at times, it’s also been one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done.
ME & CO is still very much at the beginning of its story. We’re constantly creating, experimenting and finding new ways to bring people together.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you start. Sometimes you just have to back yourself, take the leap and build the thing you wish existed.
AND FINALLY…
If you haven’t discovered us yet, come and say hello.
You don’t need an occasion. You don’t even need to know what you want to make. Just bring yourself and your CO. We’ll take care of the rest.
ME & CO | HALE, CHESHIRE
Instagram: @me_and_co_est • Curated & styled by you. For you & yours.
If Gem’s story has inspired you, give @me_and_co_est a follow on Instagram and support a small business. Every follow, share and visit makes a real difference.
Want your business featured next?
Small Business of the Week is our way of championing the people behind UK small businesses. If you’d like to share your story and put your business in front of a new audience, we’d love to hear from you. It’s completely free to take part.
Apply through the Small Business of the Week section in our Linktree, or email Emily at [email protected].
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*Source: Department for Business and Trade, Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2025.
