About Scruffy Little Cat

Hello, I’m Sharon, the founder of Scruffy Little Cat. What began in 2007 with a spark of encouragement has grown into a passion for creating personalised gifts, cards, and accessories packed with character and heart.

Taking the leap

Before Scruffy Little Cat, I spent around 17 years in travel management. But after having my daughter, Maisie Rose, in 2006, I knew I couldn’t go back to that old routine. I wanted to build something of my own to be there for my family.

With a small gift from my grandma, I took the leap in 2007 into a tiny room inside a local shop, hand-painting cards and wine glasses. Within six months, I was ready for my own shop.

For its opening in 2008, I needed to fill the empty shelves on a tight budget, so I hand-painted character designs onto plain jute bags. On opening night, every single bag sold in two hours. Those bags became a turning point for Scruffy Little Cat.

In 2010, my son Arthur James came along, and my world was complete.

My rock: my mum

When my marriage ended in 2012, I was suddenly navigating business and life as a single mum. It was tough, with late nights in the shop and takeaway dinners while we dressed the window and finished orders. Through it all, my mum was my ultimate rock. From keeping the shop sparkling clean to keeping the coffee flowing and helping with the kids, I couldn’t have done any of this without her.

Around 2013, I moved into a bigger shop. It gave me a fresh focus after my marriage ended and something positive to pour my energy into.

A cheeky name with heart

Taking inspiration from my dad, who used his initials for his business, I started with my own: SLC. My grandma used to lovingly call us "little cats", and that memory helped turn those initials into Scruffy Little Cat. It’s cheeky and playful, but the care behind every piece is anything but scruffy.

Moments to remember

As the brand grew, amazing opportunities followed:

Jacqueline Gold CBE & WOW Award: Winning a Women on Wednesday Twitter award led to a day of mentoring with Jacqueline Gold at Gold House and The Ivy. Her genuine enthusiasm for my business was deeply inspiring, and she is greatly missed.

Celebrity & High-Street Love: My hand-painted bags found their way onto the shoulders of Katie Price, Amy Childs and Chloe Sims. Along the way, my creative journey also included licensing agreements with Primark and Boohoo, appearances on Create and Craft, and stamp ranges with Crafter’s Companion.

Adapting & looking ahead

In 2018, life brought another wonderful twist when Trev and I became a couple. We’d worked together in a pub when we were 20!

When COVID hit, I pivoted from the shop to a commercial unit, kept afloat by my incredible, loyal customers. In 2026, I’ve taken the next big step: moving solely online into a fabulous new garden office built by Trev himself.

Nearly 20 years on, I’m still the person sketching, designing, and bringing ideas to life. Whether you’re choosing a personalised gift for someone special or a little treat for yourself, I hope you find something here that makes you smile.

Thank you for being part of a journey built on family, perseverance, and a few paintbrushes!

Sharon x

A few of my favourite memories from over the years.