We're shining a light on the women behind the businesses in the egg community, these are the founders who are growing, scaling, and doing things differently - supported by community, connection, and a whole lot of courage.
In each feature, we’ll dive into their journeys: what’s worked, what’s been hard, and how being part of egg has helped them along the way. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, consider this your go-to series for real stories, smart insights and serious inspiration.
From a successful career in banking to navigating motherhood, battling breast cancer at 39 and eventually launching her own business, Sarah Maguire has lived a life full of challenges, resilience and reinvention. Her journey is a testament to the power of perspective and the courage to follow your passion.
"My kids were just four and seven when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In that moment, it felt like my whole life flashed before my eyes," Sarah recalls. "I was lucky, we caught it early, but I faced a year of treatment. Stepping away from the corporate world gave me a chance to reflect. It made me rethink what truly mattered: finding joy, creating balance and doing something I genuinely loved. That was the turning point."
After her recovery, Sarah returned to work. But about 18 months later, following a company restructure, she saw an opportunity to take a different path. Over dinner one evening with her brother, they began exploring what she genuinely wanted to do, leading to the idea of launching Raison Home Edinburgh.
"As a kid, I was always drawing, I loved art and design. Turning ideas into designs has always been my passion. Life is too short not to follow what lights you up. Taking the leap wasn’t easy, but it felt absolutely right."
It’s been a whirlwind 3 years since Sarah launched Raison Home Edinburgh which specialises in kitchen, bedroom and bathroom renovations. She’s transformed countless spaces to reflect her clients' tastes and lifestyles – and worked with many, many eggs. Her favourite project so far? A beautiful shaker-style kitchen in Porty, with cashmere cabinets and a touch of green.
How has egg helped you from a marketing perspective?
"egg has been an incredible resource for me, both personally and professionally. So far, I’ve worked with over 40 clients who have found me through the egg channels. It’s a great place for recommendations, and the business-focused events have expanded my network immensely. Those connections have not only grown my business but also allowed me to collaborate with amazing people in the industry."
We know you're an active egg business club member. Tell us why.
"Building a network can be daunting. I'm naturally more of an introvert, and I used to find networking pretty intimidating but the atmosphere at egg events is always so warm and welcoming. Even if I turn up on my own, I know I’ll leave with new connections and a real sense of support. I really have found my community through egg."
"The egg events, especially the business-focused ones and co-working days, have been a game changer for my network and building my personal brand. At last year’s Summit, I had the chance to connect with Jenni McLuckie, who now handles my project photography, and I couldn’t be happier with her work. "
"Beyond that, egg has introduced me to talented professionals like architect Anya Wilson and skilled furniture creators such as AI Furniture and Natalie McClandish. These connections haven’t just expanded my network - they’ve led to incredible collaborations that have elevated my business. Working with such passionate and talented individuals has significantly enhanced the quality of service I provide to my clients."
Looking back, was entrepreneurship always in the stars?
"Maybe not written in the stars, but the signs were there. I was always the quiet, academic one in my family, but I had a strong work ethic. My first job at 13 was a ‘cream service’ run with a friend, selling dairy products door-to-door. We earned about 5p commission for every block of cheese we sold! After that, I waited tables at the local golf club and picked up jobs throughout school and university. I loved art and design as a child, and now I’ve come full circle. I'm doing what I love."
Sarah’s academic journey led her to the University of Edinburgh, where she studied Economics and Business Studies. “In our family, there was a bit of an unspoken rule, you went to university and got a ‘proper’ job,” she says. It set the stage for a successful career in banking, but when life forced her to pause, she found her true calling.
“Everything I learned in the corporate world (communication, resilience, relationship-building) has been invaluable in running my own business. Without those experiences, I wouldn’t be where I am now."
The early days of Raison Home Edinburgh were a whirlwind of learning. Sarah underwent intensive design training and pursued a diploma in professional interior design. Her first clients were friends and family, giving her a safe space to refine her process.
"I announced my new venture in the egg Facebook group, and the support was overwhelming. It gave me such a boost."
Today, Sarah thrives on the creativity and connection her business brings. Her mornings start with a quiet coffee before the house wakes up - a moment of calm in her busy routine. Support comes from her family and friends, who’ve been her champions and sounding boards since starting the business.
Financially, launching the business required an initial investment, but Sarah had the cushion of a redundancy package. "Cash flow was a learning curve, but I’m grateful for the support I had."
Must-have tools?
The Raison Home CRM system. “It helps me keep everything organised - client details, project stages, timelines and the overall health of the business. It means I can stay on top of the detail without getting totally bogged down in admin.
“But the real magic happens with my design software and virtual reality goggles. I honestly couldn’t do what I do without them,” Sarah adds.
Productivity Hack?
"Boomerang does a bunch of helpful things for my email. I can schedule emails to send later, set reminders to follow up, pause my inbox so that I’m not distracted, get AI suggesting for writing emails and add a live calendar link to emails so that clients can schedule meeting times with me. It helps me to manage my emails and my time!"
Biggest challenge so far?
“A key supplier going into administration during a kitchen project, which taught me the importance of a strong network.”
Ai - Yay or Nay?
It definitely has its place. I love that it saves me time…for example, I use Dext for managing my expense receipts. I take a photo of my receipts or invoices and Dext automatically reads, extracts and categorises the data.
It saves me hours of manual bookkeeping, because it links to my accountancy software and can automatically match up receipts and bank transactions. A godsend at VAT return time!
Greatest lesson so far?
“Passion and authenticity attract support. What you do is down to you."
Vision for the future?
“Growing Raison Home Edinburgh, expanding the team of talented designers and expanding into more full-home renovations. I'm always looking to build more partnerships with others in the property industry – from small house builders and developers to architects, estate agents and interior designers.
"I also want to make more time for myself, take more holidays, enjoy family time and more adventures. It’s about finding the right balance between work and personal life."
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Take the leap, even if it feels daunting moving to a new industry or being a business owner for the first time.
Trust that your experience has prepared you more than you think. Follow your passion, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Progress comes from showing up consistently, even when things feel uncertain. You don’t need to have it all figured out - just start, stay true to your values, and keep learning as you go.
Raison Home Edinburgh is an egg business member. To talk to Sarah about your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom renovation project - or to book a no obligation design consultation, email [email protected]. Refer a friend and choose £200 vouchers of your choice when their project is installed. Find out more here.
