From Pig to Product Launches: The Story of Jessica Vickers
How One Woman’s Leap into Agriculture Turned into a Nationally Recognised Business
“I had 0 experience with horses. If anything, I was absolutely petrified of them.”
At just 26 years old, Jessica Vickers is running a fast-growing agricultural business, raising two young children, managing a team, and carving out space in an industry where young women often find themselves underestimated.
She’s the co-founder of UNIBED, a company supplying high-quality, affordable horse bedding across the UK. But her journey into the equestrian world didn’t begin with horses—it started with sweetcorn.
A Summer Job, A Farm Shop, and an Unexpected Spark
Jessica’s first job title? Corn Ranger. At 16, fresh out of school, she worked in a farm shop that hosted events each summer, helping to run the corn maze. It wasn’t glamorous, but it sparked something. With no farming background (her dad worked in logistics, her mum in the civil service), she found herself drawn to the agricultural world.
When her mum warned her she’d have to work harder than most to be taken seriously, Jessica decided to prove her wrong—or right, depending on how you look at it.
“My glamorised idea of farming was quickly shot down…”
She picked up a Saturday job on a high-intensity pig farm, where the work was relentless and far from romantic. But rather than running the other way, she got stuck in. She credits her then-manager for encouraging her to keep learning, to come back, to try more. That encouragement led to a full college course in agriculture, and eventually, full-time hands-on experience in pig farming.
It was also where she had her first encounter with workplace misogyny—something she’s open about and willing to discuss. That environment became toxic enough that she had to walk away. But the lessons stayed with her, and so did her determination.
“Sometimes I think my lack of experience is actually what has contributed to our success.”
After a few more jobs in agriculture, Jessica and her partner Luke (who she met on the farm—she handled the pigs, he handled the arable side) found themselves taking over a family side-business: a small operation supplying straw-based bedding, known then as UNIBED.
The plan? Keep the machinery running and maybe cover the weekly shop.
The reality? They’ve now built it into a full-time business, with nationwide delivery, a growing team, and a strong brand known across the equestrian industry.
Winging It—But Doing It Well
Jessica didn’t know horses. She didn’t know business. But she did know how to tell a story—and how to make something feel accessible without compromising on quality.
She put UNIBED on Facebook Marketplace, posted a few photos from a friend’s stable, and made it look and feel premium—even when they were selling bales at £5 to keep it accessible for every kind of horse owner.
“The goal was simple: whether you were a professional rider or Jane down the road with a happy hacker—you deserved the same quality, the same experience.”
Her social-first approach worked. She took a punt, contacted the Horse of the Year Show (thinking they might stock UNIBED), and ended up with a trade stand instead. No experience, no blueprint—just sheer willingness to show up and try.
By the end of the event, she’d connected with the Chief Executive of British Showjumping. It was a chance encounter, but one that helped open doors.
Building a Business—and a Family—at the Same Time
Today, UNIBED is still based on a small pig farm, operating out of a converted shipping container. But that’s about to change.
In 2025, they’ll begin construction on their first purpose-built production facility—a major leap forward, and one that Jessica describes as the moment they’ll finally be able to “sit back and say we did it.”
But getting here hasn’t been easy. Running a business with your partner, raising two children, and managing growth from the ground up is no small feat. Jessica speaks openly about the personal side of that journey—the guilt, the second-guessing, and the pressure that so many women feel when building something of their own.
“I’m terrible at downplaying myself, and I think a lot of women do that. But we graft. We’ve built something real—and we’re just getting started.”
What’s Next for Jessica and UNIBED?
This year brings two big shifts: the new facility, and a brand-new product aimed at a part of the equestrian industry they’ve yet to crack. It’s ambitious—but so is Jessica.
She now leads the commercial and branding side of the business, managing everything from rider sponsorships and customer partnerships to social media and team operations. Her colleague Emma now handles customer service—freeing Jessica to focus on growth, strategy, and building the brand in her own, authentic way.
“Still Winging It” — And Why That’s Working
What makes Jessica’s story so powerful isn’t just the business success—it’s the honesty. She doesn’t pretend to be a polished CEO. She doesn’t claim to have a five-year plan. She openly admits to imposter syndrome and learning on the job.
But she’s doing it anyway. And for so many women watching from the outside—whether they’re building businesses, balancing kids, or just trying to make their way in a male-dominated space—that kind of transparency matters.
Don’t Miss the Podcast
Jessica will be joining me on The Equitas Podcast to share more of her journey and delve a little deeper. We’ll talk about business, motherhood, navigating challenges, and what it really looks like to build something when you start with nothing but a good idea and a whole lot of determination.
💬 “We built this on a pig farm, in a shipping container. And now we’re building a facility. I’m not sure what comes next—but we’re proud of what we’ve done.”
The Equitas Podcast
