WOW what another fabulous event created by Theo Paphitis’s team which took place on Friday 21st February 2025 at the ICC in Birmingham. This was my sixth time attending, and I love it, and here’s why…

As a member of #SBS the event is free to attend – please don’t think it’s a chance for Theo to sell his products to us, and get a sausage roll and luke warm cup of tea thrown in. NO! This is one of the best organised and useful events I’ve been to (and I’ve been to loads over the years) – its sponsored by Google, Rymans Stationery, DHL, Robert Dyas, SumUp, Autumn Fair, iLaw, Hakim Group, Lifestyle, GS1, Free Agent and Nat West. Which means its professional and the presenters are world class.

Who did I meet?

• Kypros Kyprianou – Group CEO of Theo Paphitis Retail Group – Introduction to the Day
• Nat West – Unlocking the power of confidence
• Google – Upskilling for the future
• Imran Hakim – an entrepreneurs journey
• Jo Tutchener Sharp – Scamp & Dude owner & founder story
• Fireside Chat – Theo with Richard Harpin
• What else happens at the event?
• How to join #SBS
• Benefits of being a member

Main Stage

Introduction to the Theo and the day ahead…

The whole day was kicked off by Kypros, a friend and colleague of Theo’s. They first met many years ago when Kypros worked in a bank and Theo was his customer. Which proves the power of networking can lead to greater things. And that work ethic and customer service are paramount in any business regardless of size.

The aim of the event was “Helping Small Businesses Think Big” and to help us thrive, so the new word is 20, 20 Thrive (not 2025).

It’s the 15th anniversary of ‘Small Business Sunday’, lovingly known as #SBS which Theo started on 10/10/2010. You will know Theo from being a dragon on Dragons Den TV show and he’s also the Chairman of Rymans Stationery, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre.

Theo created #SBS to enable small businesses to pitch to him every Sunday evening between 5-7.30pm and there are now 4000 winning members.

• 52% are sole traders
• 80% female
• 59% have been running for 5+ years – which is brilliant as 50% of businesses fail in the first two years

Theo went on to say

“Your business journey and the scars you earn in the process are in many ways, just as important as the result”

Basically saying its not a waste of time or experience, as all these scars will help you get to where you are.

Nat West

Harinder Kunor, Junior Beaman and the fabulous Debbie Lewis spoke about our mindset and said we all have times when we have a wobble, but it’s how we get through the tricky times and build resilience.

Using neuroplasticity, Debbie talked us through a scenario using the power of our mind. In a nutshell, close your eyes, and imagine you’re in your kitchen, chopping lemons, the aroma, and then the taste. How did you feel? Use that same imagination to create success in your mind and it will help build confidence.

Junior talked about #I Am Remarkable – a workshop about reducing negative talk about ourselves and hiding our achievements – its not bragging if its based on facts. You can follow on Instagram and find out more https://www.instagram.com/iamremarkable_/?hl=en

Google

A great panel interview between, Kirstie Kavanagh (Google), Rhea Freeman (Rhea Freeman PR) and Zoe Chapman (Whizzer). Talking through the importance of technology, staying relevant, upskilling and AI.

There are loads of free resources available from Google such as this – Google AI Training

Imran Hakim – Hakim Group

An amazing success story! Imran started his working life flipping burgers and working in a supermarket and got sacked from both jobs in a short space of time. He realised quickly that he’s unemployable so started selling 386 and 486 computers. This led onto creating the iTeddy which was a talking teddy bear in simple terms. Imran took this product to Dragons Den and met Theo 18 years ago. Theo and Peter Jones invested £140k in the product.

You can read and see the pitch here – iTeddy Dragons Den Pitch

This led onto Imran creating a business providing back-end support for opticians – this business is now valued at a very impressive £1bn.

Imrans top tips are:

• Find your tribe and surround yourself with positive people
• Create a team of honest, ambitious, kindness/respect, Industrious (HAKIM)
• Find a product/service that you can develop and make even better

Jo Tutchener Sharp  – Scamp & Dude

As a female product entrepreneur, I found Jo’s story remarkable and inspirational.

Jo began her career in public relations but faced a health crisis when a pain in her eye was diagnosed as a brain tumour, necessitating surgery for its removal. Such a scary time as she had two young children (1 and 3) and she didn’t know if she would wake up. She would think about her legacy and what she had done for the world. So during her convalescence she came up with the idea for a ‘Super hero sleep buddy’ Sleep buddy Info with a little pocket to put a photo or note for her babies or other children who are going through treatment or bereavement and are away from their parents.

I have no idea how Jo had the energy after recovering from major surgery to create, make and sell them in Libertys store within 10 months – that’s absolutely incredible.

This led onto creating scarfs that were effectively a security blanket for grown ups – ladies who are going through chemo, radiotherapy etc – generally anyone having a really tough time and needed something bright and cheerful to wear. Every time a scarf is purchased, one is donated to charity to help women. How fantastic is that – considering 1 in 2 people will develop cancer at some point in their life, a gesture of a beautiful scarf can brighten their day.

Buy a scarf here – Superpower Scarves and donate to a woman in crisis.

The Superpower scarves have been a career highlight and helping women in crisis. How are you helping and benefitting the world?

Fireside Chat with Richard Harpin

Richard was the founder of HomeServe, an international home assistance company. He started the company with £50k and grew it to £4.1bn when he sold it in 2023.

He recounted a story from when he was a boy and he was sat on his father’s shoulders looking over a garden wall in the cul-de-sac he lived in and watched a helicopter land in a garden. He told his dad he wanted one, so his dad replied that he would need to have his own business to buy one. His dad was a civil servant, so the seed was sown, to become an entrepreneur.

The company was originally set up as A1 Fast Fix – so that they would get found first in the Yellow Pages (showing our ages now!).

By the end of his first year, he lost more money and advised to go and get a job. However, Richard dug deep and found a similar company operating in the south of the UK. He conducted market research into what people liked about that business and he took the best bits and applied them to his product and became a success.

There are 8 things Richard wished he had known earlier, so the new book is about creating a billion pounds using the 8 principles – here are the first 4…

• Character. After reading ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins, and look for the following characteristics – Resilience, Courage, Curiosity, Low ego and Humility.
• Copy & Pivot – look at your competitors and see what they’re doing well, and apply all the good things in your product/service to make it even better
• Coachment – find a coach and mentor to help you grow and develop personally and professionally
• Hire the right people. Put in a chief exec to work ‘in the business’ whilst you work ‘on the business’ and focus on your core services rather than ‘everything’

If you want to join Richard’s network “Business Leader”, you need to be the CEO, founder or MD of an organisation with between £3m and £150m in annual turnover. You should also have a growth mindset and a willingness to help and learn from other leaders. Click here for more info More information Richard Harpin

What else happens at the event?

There is so much going on and around the main stage…

• Head shot photography – who gets the time to get their photo taken for their website and social media? Get it done here, for free!
• Meet the experts – got a problem with PR or social media? Speak to the experts and get ideas and support with your questions
• Meet the sponsors – they have advice, offers and promotions for #SBS winners.
• Breakout sessions – useful seminars on a wide range of topics which vary every year and covers everything from legal advice, PR, Canva design, insurance, SEO etc
• Meet Theo’s team – book a 10 minute meeting with one of the businesses.

In previous years, I’ve met with people from Robert Dyas to talk about my Border in a Box ready-made garden design kits. When we first met, they told me my ‘baby is ugly’ and I was crest-fallen. However, it wasn’t said with malice, it was said to help me. It really got me thinking and so I changed the packaging and did a re-brand and sales increased. This conversation has led to meeting the team every year at the event and helped my business to develop.

And if all that wasn’t enough, there’s an amazing goody bag to collect on the way home which is always a treat! It’s filled to the brim with stationery and gifts from the sponsors.

How to join #SBS

Small businesses can enter to be part of #SBS every Sunday between 5-7.30 pm on X (Twitter) or Instagram and now LinkedIn

• X/Twitter: Winners can enter by tweeting Theo on @theopaphitis between 5-7.30 pm whilst describing their business and using the hashtag #SBS.  Theo Paphitis retweets 6 small businesses a week, to the growing network.

• Instagram: Winners can enter by posting on their feed or by commenting about their business under the #SBS is open Instagram post. Entrants must have tagged @theopaphitis and used the hashtag #SBS, whilst following @theopaphitis on Instagram. Instagram winners are reposted on @theopaphitis Instagram feed.

Its as simple as that!

Benefits of being a #SBS Winner

• Networking with like-minded businesses in a dedicated Facebook group
• Opportunity to join the NatWest bootcamp Nat West Bootcamp Info – 2025 dates will be announced shortly
• #SBS Invest – the opportunity to get investment to grow your business
• Spring & Autumn Fair – win a trade stand at the most prestigious event to show your products to a global audience of buyers at the NEC in Birmingham.
• Annual event at the ICC Birmingham and collect your certificate and have your photo taken with Theo. Which is great for press releases!

Conclusion

If you’re a small business, why wouldn’t you want to join this amazing group of entrepreneurs? I’ve made friends and connections who have helped me with my business conundrums. It’s a supportive group that have your best interests at heart. As a sole trader, it’s your tribe to grow with.

Me, Theo and my ‘ugly baby’ which has been transformed!!!