Archive: this report describes Explore Buxton’s Small Business Sunday award in 2019.

Explore Buxton’s original report said it was chosen as a Small Business Sunday (#SBS) winner in early January 2019. Founder Jen Francis attended the winners’ event in Birmingham.

“I’m thrilled we’ve been picked as a winner as I’ve been entering the competition for four years! When I checked Twitter and saw the 99+ notifications I realised we’d won! I couldn’t believe it after all this time.”

Theo Paphitis started the initiative in 2010. The 2019 report quoted him as saying: “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 #sbs website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish Explore Buxton every success.”

The winners’ event took place at the ICC Birmingham on 12 February 2019. The original report named Sir Tom Hunter, Raja Saggi of Google and David Speed of Graffiti Life among the speakers.

In the 2019 report, Jen reflected on the support of the #SBS network:

“Being part of the #SBS network is fantastic, you can connect with other winners on social media. The support and encouragement from Theo though is what is so valuable. One thing that stood out for me at the event was when Theo talked about common sense and to focus on what you’re good at. It sounds cheesy and a bit of a cliché but it’s true. Theo said good entrepreneurs aren’t risk takers; they take considered risks so they use their common sense first and foremost. It’s so true I think. Theo is hugely inspirational and how he is so keen to help small businesses is brilliant”.

The original report said Explore Buxton had more than 25,000 monthly unique visitors in 2019. The Crescent reopened in 2020.

“We’ll soon be launching our new website too which is exciting!  With the Crescent due to open in Autumn, the redevelopment of the Pavilion Gardens and the Pump Room being the new visitor information centre, 2019 is going to be a fantastic year for Buxton.”

“Being self-employed isn’t easy. It can be lonely and although there’s a small team of us now at Explore Buxton, it’s nothing like working as an employee. The buck stops with you (or me rather) and there’s no comfort blanket of say a H.R department and no knocking off at 5 o’clock on the dot. The words of encouragement from Theo and the various speakers were phenomenal. If you’re just starting out in business, my advice is, when everything seems impossible and you come up against it or someone lets you down, get a cuppa,  take a breather but don’t give up. If you have a good idea and it’s working, then it’s working for a reason, don’t lose faith!”

Small businesses can now enter #SBS on X, Instagram or LinkedIn. See the official entry instructions for the current process.