Check out our latest press release about Theo Paphitis and the #SBS Event on Friday 21st February 2025.

A Kent‐based firm has received a business boost from Retail Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. Last Friday, Emily Tanner from Herne Bay attended the SBS Event at Birmingham’s ICC headlined by Google following her Small Business Sunday win earlier in 2024.

In August 2024, Emily, owner of business Heart E Designs, appealed to Theo via Instagram about her start-up stationery company during ‘Small Business Sunday’ and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet or repost by Theo to his half a million Twitter, 50k+ Instagram and almost 300k LinkedIn followers. The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has over 4,000 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK. 2025 sees the 15th anniversary of #SBS Small Business Sunday, since Theo launched it in October 2010.

Business and retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo re‐shared Emily’s message to his combined 800,000 Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram followers and as a result, Heart E Designs has more followers, extra orders, increased connections with other business owners and greater social media presence for their products. They are also profiled on the #SBS website (www.theopaphitissbs.com) that is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners.

Emily said,  “What started as a hobby to regain my work-life balance after many years of primary school teaching, quickly turned into a profitable business and now I design, create & print quirky, bespoke and unusual stationery, invitations, venue décor and gifts for birthdays, weddings, celebration of life services, parties and events.  I’m an artist as well as a graphic designer so if a customer request requires much more of a personal touch than can be achieved digitally, I am always happy to go back to the drawing board - quite literally! And to think I applied for the competition on my late Grandma’s birthday - my original influencer for art - with nearly all my hand drawn designs done with her very own art pencil in my hand made this victory even more special.  3 years ago I left working in schools in an attempt to get a better work-life balance and even though I work more hours than I ever did in schools, I am beyond happy to be doing what I do!”

Small business champion and Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue Chairman, Theo Paphitis, said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK. My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club; like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings. The website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish Heart E Designs every success.”

Anyone looking for a re‐post from Theo should post to him on X, LinkedIn or Instagram about their business on Sunday between 5 PM and 7.30 PM and include the hashtag #SBS. Six lucky businesses are re‐tweeted every Monday at 8 PM and then invited to enter their profile on the new website, attend the annual #SBS networking event and take advantage of the networking opportunities.

www.heartedesigns.com

heartedesigns@gmail.com

instagram.com/heartedesigns

facebook.com/heartedesigns