HI, I’M RACHAEL
I didn’t start with a business plan. I started with a mop, a stack of flyers and the kind of stubbornness that refuses to accept ‘no’ as a final answer.
At 18, I founded Mrs Buckét from scratch in South Wales. No funding. No connections. No roadmap. Just a £20 investment, 60-hour weeks and the belief that if I worked hard enough and smart enough, something would grow. And it did.
What started as a domestic cleaning service became a commercial operation. By 21, I had a team and my first major industry recognition — Great British Young Entrepreneur of the Year. But the real education came after that: the financial pressure, the sleepless nights, the moments I wasn’t sure we’d make it through.
Where We Are Now
From a one-woman cleaning service to a team of over 500, and still growing.
Today, Mrs Buckét is a multi-million-pound, multi-award-winning commercial cleaning company employing over 500 people across Wales and the South West. Our clients include Panasonic, GE Aviation and DOW. In 2019, we completed a full transition into the commercial sector — a milestone I’m incredibly proud of, and one that set the foundation for everything that’s followed.
Beyond the Business
My story isn’t just about building a company. It’s about everything that running one demands of you: the resilience you develop when a recession hits, the clarity you find in a crisis, the identity you protect when the pressure is relentless. I’ve navigated a global pandemic, significant periods of change, and the very personal experience of growing a family while growing a business.
That’s why I speak. And that’s why I mentor. Because the conversations that actually helped me weren’t the polished ones. They were the honest ones.
Supporting the Next Generation
I’m committed to being visible, accessible and honest for founders and leaders who are walking the path I once walked alone. Through speaking, mentoring and advocacy for women in business and entrepreneurship in Wales, I try to be the person I needed when I was starting out. Not a guru. Not a highlight reel. Just someone who’s been through it and wants to share what they’ve learned.
KIND WORDS
"Rachael had the entire audience buzzing with inspiration—yet there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
What an incredible journey, and what an unforgettable speaker."
— Nigel Botterill, UK's Top Business Growth Expert and CEO of Entrepreneurs Circle
“Rachael shared her journey with honesty, passion, and insight.
She has the remarkable ability to connect with her audience through storytelling, leaving everyone feeling empowered to take action."
— Linda James, Founder and CEO at BulliesOut
“Rachael is a fantastic mentor. The impact on both me and the business has been invaluable to date.
She helps me step back, focus on what really matters, and make confident decisions that move things forward."
— Denise Lardner - Cleaner Care Commercial Cleaning
2005
Launch of Mrs. Bucket
2008
UK Young Entrepreneur of The Year
2010
1 million turnover
2011
Invited to Downing Street
2014
Wales Summit of NATO invited Rachael as a Welsh business leader
2019
Sold the domestic side of the business to focus 100% on commercial
A few things you might not know about me...
2026
£11 million and growing with 500+ staff!
2025
Entrepreneur in Residence at Swansea University