Powys woman named as one of the UK’s 100 most inspiring female entrepreneurs

Retired geography teacher, Steph MacDonald, established Quabbs Cabin - https://quabbscabin.com/ - on a sheep farm at Rhos y Meirch, Knighton with her builder husband, Paul.

Offering guests a chance to unwind in nature while embracing sustainability and wildlife spotting, Quabbs Cabin has achieved a Quality Assured Glamping Site gold award from Visit Wales.

Now Steph will be featured alongside other leading female founders from across the country as part of Small Business Britain’s f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign, which celebrates UK female entrepreneur talent.

The campaign website - https://f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2026/ - states: “Steph is proof that life’s busiest seasons can also be its most meaningful. Managing the cabin, promoting sustainability, looking after the flock and tending the land with her husband.

“Out of this rhythm of resilience and love grew Quabbs Cabin, a sustainable, hand-built retreat crafted from reclaimed materials, designed for peace and seclusion.

“Steph’s entrepreneurial spirit lies in weaving beauty and purpose from challenge, offering guests not just a stay but a slower, deeper way of living. Her story shows that with vision, heart, and grit, anything can be built.”

Steph discovered the campaign last summer and was invited to write to Small Business Britain. She thought no more about it until she was informed last month that she had been selected in the top 100 female entrepreneurs in 2026, which were announced on Tuesday.

“Having had a full-time job for decades, working on my own is very different but I am enjoying running the farm and Quabbs Cabin,” she said. “Although I am surprised, it’s great to be selected in the top 100 female entrepreneurs.

“It can only be good to get recognition for women who quite often run a business alongside juggling family life, the school run and everything that goes with it!

“I would now love to support other female accommodation businesses by bringing them together for a cup of tea to share their stories.”

Sharing a love of nature, conservation and farm diversification, Steph and Paul designed Quabbs Cabin with eco-conscious travellers in mind, using repurposed materials and incorporating off-grid elements to create a rustic yet luxurious escape.

The MacDonalds also own a flock of 80 pedigree Zwartbles sheep on their 16-acre farm, which they purchased five years ago.

Quabbs Cabin is a member of MWT Cymru (Mid Wales Tourism), an independent membership organisation representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).

The f:Entrepreneur Campaign was launched by Michelle Ovens CBE from Small Business Britain on International Women’s Day 2017 to celebrate dynamic and inspirational businesses led by women in the UK.

The campaign aims to increase the number of female-owned businesses from 20% to 30% by 2030. Through events, content and story-telling, f:Entrepreneur showcases role models to help and inspire all small businesses.