In February 2020, I met a dragon.
Now, before you think I’ve been smoking something, I’m talking about Theo Paphitis, from Dragons’ Den. For those who read my post in 2019, How Theo Paphitis Blew My Mind, you might recall I was chosen as one of his Small Business Sunday winners:
Pretty cool, huh?
But not only that, it meant I was invited to attend the winner’s event, #SBSEvent2020, at the ICC in Birmingham to pick up my certificate and meet the man himself.
The day I met a dragon.
I’ve gotta be honest, it’s felt like forever since I was chosen, but after ten months, the #SBSEvent2020 finally came around.
The day was full of fabulous people, from fellow SBS Winners to the fantastic stalls and drop-in sessions with Robert Dyas, iLaw, Western Union and fellow winners, The Charlalas (who won it the same week I did!)
And, after a lengthy morning of networking, it was down to business, with a host of businesses taking to the stage:
- Google – talking about getting your business seen on, well, Google
- NatWest – talking about how they can help start-ups and small businesses
- Mind – talking about wellbeing in the workplace
- LinkedIn – talking about how it’s no longer stuffy, but swerving why you’re penalised for posting images
What really delighted me, however, was that Theo Paphitis hosts the whole thing.
He doesn’t just pop up for a few minutes, he’s there throughout, directing the flow of the day and making sure as many people get their questions answered in the Q&A sessions as possible.
Then, the big one in the afternoon, a 90-minute fireside chat with Theo Paphitis and fellow Dragon, Sara Davies MBE.
Image: TheSBS_Crew
This, for me, was the highlight of the day (apart from what was still to come, that is). Although one of the new additions to Dragons’ Den, Sara Davies was completely down to earth. The story of how started her business and became the youngest Dragon at 34 was enthralling, and her generosity with advice to business owners was fantastic.
However, what you really want to see is the moment I met the man himself, right?
Well, even if you don’t, here it is:
Surreal!
Why your business should take part in #SBS.
Small Business Sunday celebrated its tenth year in 2020, and of all the entrants over those years, less than 1% have been chosen by Theo Paphitis – which makes winning that little bit more special.
If you run a small business, then taking part in #SBS is a must.
But how do you get involved?
It’s easy, all you have to do is log on to Twitter every Sunday between 5-7.30pm GMT and write a tweet about what makes your business so good with the #SBS hashtag at the end – and that’s it.
The following evening Theo picks six winners – and you’re a winner for life.
You can enter every week if you’re not chosen and if he picks you, you get loads of benefits, including:
- Being featured on Theo’s website TheoPaphitisSBS.com
- Winners badges to put on your website
- Gaining access to the #SBS winners Twitter hour
- Collecting your award from the man himself
My inbox exploded when I won, winning me clients among other winners, valuable contacts and it got me into the local paper.
And the best part?
It’s all completely free.
Yep, even at the event with all those high-end speakers, you don’t pay a penny for their expertise.
Oh, and speaking of free, the #SBSEvent2020 goodie bag is the absolute bollocks too:
So, there you have it.
A little self-indulgent post about me.
Sorry about that everyone.
Until next time,
