This year, Theo Paphitis’s small business initiative, #SBS Small Business Sunday, will host its 10th annual #SBSEvent since the initiative launched in 2010 at the ICC in Birmingham on Friday, 24th February 2023.
#SBSEvent2023 will be a jam-packed day filled with must-have advice, workshops and lots more other opportunities, with over 1,000 small businesses expected to attend – all for free. Speakers lined up on the main stage include Google Digital Garage, NatWest, Sunday Times best-selling author Owen O’Kane and of course, Theo Paphitis. Theo’s fireside chat interview in the afternoon is with F1 Superstar and business entrepreneur, Mark Blundell, who will be sharing his insights on his journey from the race track to the boardroom.
For #SBSEvent2023, #SBS has partnered with Ryman, Robert Dyas, DHL, iLaw, Sum Up, Spring & Autumn Fair, NatWest and HP – without whom the event would not be possible.
Theo Paphitis, #SBS Creator, well-known retail entrepreneur and TV Dragon said: “It’s choppy waters out there at the moment, but initiatives like #SBS shows small businesses that even where there is chaos, there is still opportunity. Our partners, all fantastic examples of business in the UK and some globally, massively support the businesses in the community and lead them to opportunities to grow, through the right advice, products and services. They lead by example and ensure that the #SBS winners can attend the event for free – an invaluable day out of the office for them.”
James Powell, Regional Enterprise Director at NatWest, said: “As the UK’s leading business bank and the biggest supporter of start-ups, we’re committed to removing barriers to enterprise and providing more opportunities for companies to grow and thrive. Our Accelerator programme empowers business owners to scale their business to the next level, helping entrepreneurs to take their business much further and faster. This is why we’re delighted to support #SBS, which showcases the passion and energy of business owners, as well as highlighting the huge role that start-ups and businesses play in their communities and in the economy.”
Duncan Heron, VP, DHL Express UK: “As a long-standing partner of #SBS, DHL Express is committed to supporting small businesses with their international trade growth. Since joining the community, our International Specialists have worked with many small businesses who have gone on to achieve export success. Through our partnership and expertise we aim to inspire both our customers and the #SBS community to achieve their international growth potential.”
Mark Davitt – Retail Director, HP Inc. commented: “The rules of working have changed, but what has not changed is the passion from SMBs – for their company, their customers, their industry, and their growth. At HP, our focus is on how we can make SMB lives easier by investing in helpful technology and services that do not drain resources and allow businesses to focus on their growth and success.
We are pleased to be a key sponsor at #SBS for the 4th year in a row. Like many of the companies at this event, we started as a small business based out of a garage in Silicon Valley. 80 years on, today we’re passionate to share how our solutions can help businesses in their inception phase scale up in the new era of work.”
Chloe Danskin, Head of Marketing, Ryman: “#SBS is a very special community with a loud voice, and it has had a massive impact on small businesses and its winners over the last 12 years. The annual #SBSEvent is the perfect forum for us to talk to small businesses, understand what makes them tick and offer advice on how Ryman can help them. It is a small business network like no other and being involved in #SBS is a no-brainer for us”
Kate Squires, Head of Marketing, Robert Dyas: “#SBS Small Business Sunday is a unique and growing business community that Robert Dyas is delighted to be partnered with. Our team are inspired by the determination and passion of the brilliant small businesses within the network, and the annual #SBSEvent allows Robert Dyas to network with hundreds of small businesses, allowing us to develop our understanding of the needs and requirements of some of the brightest small businesses in the UK.”
The partners will also share invaluable sector-specific advice in breakout presentations, and #SBS winners Camp Doggy Tails Daycare, Nava and Rhea Freeman PR will be sharing some of their expertise and experiences with the group.
Winners are also given the option of having 1-2-1 advice sessions with the partners and having their professional photograph taken. New winners will also receive their certificate from Theo Paphitis and have a photo taken together.
Small businesses can enter to be part of #SBS every Sunday between 5-7.30pm on Twitter or Instagram by tweeting/posting @theopaphitis using the hashtag #SBS or commenting under his #SBS is open Instagram post and using the hashtag #SBS. Theo Paphitis retweets/reposts 6 small businesses a week to the growing network, now with over 3,750 #SBS winners.
