Posted: 22nd May 2017
Applications for this year’s Small Biz 100 open on June 1 – and I’m passionate about seeing as many WiRE women as possible put forward their case to be featured this year.
The Small Biz 100 are chosen each year by the UK’s Small Business Saturday movement.
Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages people to support the small, independent businesses in their communities. Although the day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year – the campaign aims to change mindsets and have a lasting impact on small businesses all year round.
The Small Biz 100 are announced in a national newspaper and then, in the 100 days leading up to Small Business Saturday, each one gets a day in the national spotlight.
I was lucky enough to be chosen for the 2015 Small Biz 100 – and it gave my writing services business a massive boost. I got lots of support and publicity from the Small Business Saturday team but I also used my position in the 100 as a springboard to get my own publicity on radio, in newspapers and in magazines. In December 2015 I was invited to London for a Small Business Saturday celebration and met the then Chancellor George Osborne. Last year I was invited to the London launch of the 2016 campaign and I’ve been involved in lots of other events and promotional opportunities in the last two years.
I’ve organised a tweetup in my home town, Burton-on-Trent, on June 1 where I’ll also be offering advice and information to any local small businesses who want to apply for the 100 this year. Read more about that event here.
If you can’t get along to that event, I’d advise you to sign up for the Small Business Saturday newsletter to be among the first to hear about this year’s application process. Find out more on the Small Business Saturday website.
