The Power of Small Business: A Day with Theo Paphitis

Attending SBS Winners Day was an early highlight of 2025! The energy in the room was buzzing, with so many passionate small business owners coming together to learn, share, and celebrate. Events like this remind me just why small businesses matter so much.

A True Community

Kypros Kyprianou, CEO of Theo Paphitis Retail Group, summed it up the SBS community perfectly:

“#SBS has become one big family—you get advice, exposure, collaboration, and so much more!”

And that’s exactly how it felt. I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful business owners, each with their own unique stories and ambitions, including some of the gang from the Milton Keynes NatWest Accelerator. From families running businesses together to SBS winners who have even ended up getting married, this community is something special.

Theo Paphitis: 15 Years of SBS

Theo took to the stage to reflect on how SBS started as an idea at his kitchen table and has now become a huge network:

  • Only 1% of businesses that enter actually win.
  • 52% of SBS winners are sole traders, making this community even more valuable.
  • Over 4,000 businesses are now part of SBS.

His biggest advice?

  • Optimism is key—but do your research before making big decisions.
  • SBS winners beat the odds—while 50% of small businesses fail within two years, 59% of SBS winners are still thriving after five, so community matters!

Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re lessons. Get back up and try again.

Jo Tutchener Sharp: A Masterclass in Determination and Creativity

One of the standout sessions for me was Debbie Lewis’s interview with Jo Tutchener Sharp, founder of Scamp & Dude. Jo’s story—from surviving a life-changing brain haemorrhage to building a brand with real purpose—was deeply inspiring.

She didn’t just create a clothing brand. She created a movement. Her superhero-inspired designs help people feel strong, and her ‘buy one, donate one’ model ensures that children and cancer patients receive a boost of confidence when they need it most.

Her biggest takeaways?

  • Profit matters more than turnover—chasing big numbers doesn’t always mean success.
  • Be careful with growth—scaling too fast can be overwhelming.
  • Community is everything—her loyal ‘Duders’ have played a huge role in her success.
  • Outsource sooner—she wishes she had hired help before she was up until 2am packing orders!
  • Purpose has to be real—it’s not just a tick-box exercise.

The Power of Confidence: NatWest Business Accelerator

Debbie Lewis, Junior Beaman, and Harinder Kunor led a brilliant session on why confidence is crucial in business.

  • Mindset is everything—whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re probably right.

Self-promotion isn’t bragging—it’s essential. The ‘I Am Remarkable’ movement is all about encouraging business owners to own their achievements.

Digital Growth: Insights from Google

Kristie Kavanagh’s panel with SBS winner Rhea Freeman and Zoe Chapman was full of great insights into digital success.

  • Never stop learning—Google’s Digital Garage courses are an incredible resource.
  • Social media can transform your business—but you need a strategy.

AI is a tool, not a threat—used correctly, it saves time and enhances content.

Imran Hakim: The Right People Make the Difference

Seeing Imran Hakim on stage again—18 years after his Dragons’ Den success with iTeddy—was another highlight. His journey from toy inventor to multi-million-pound business owner is impressive, but his biggest focus? People – and hiring the right team (hurray!)

His advice?

  • Surround yourself with positive, driven people—they’ll lift you up when things get tough.
  • Know your values and hire accordingly—his business, The Hakim Group, runs on five key values:
    • H – Honesty
    • A – Ambition
    • K – Kindness
    • I – Industrious
    • M – Meticulous
  • Your team is your superpower—you can’t do everything alone.

Richard Harpin’s 8 Secrets to Business Success

The founder of HomeServe, Richard Harpin, shared his golden rules for building a billion-pound business:

  1. Copy and pivot—you don’t have to be first, just better.
  2. Find an investor—the right one brings funding and guidance.
  3. Get a mentor—learning from others is invaluable.
  4. Bricks and clicks matter—online and offline both play a role.
  5. Hire your replacement—growth means letting go.
  6. Go global with local expertise—understanding new markets is key.
  7. Evolution, not revolution—small improvements work better than drastic changes.

Have a NOT-to-do list—focus is everything.

Why Small Businesses Matter

SBS Winners Day proved once again that small businesses are the backbone of the UK. They create jobs, bring character to industries, and drive innovation. But most importantly, they’re built by real people with real stories, putting their heart and soul into what they do.

A massive thank you to Theo Paphitis and the entire team for putting on such an impactful event! Can’t wait for next year!

If you run a small business, remember:

  • You’re part of something bigger than yourself.
  • Your community is your strength—lean on it.
  • Success isn’t just about business—it’s about making a difference.

So, what’s your next step?

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Author

Marianne Page

Marianne is the author of three books, and is currently working on her fourth, whilst regularly writing her blog, we hope you enjoy it :-)

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