Carmarthenshire based Sarah Lou Crafts receives small business award from Dragons’ Den’s, Theo Paphitis.

An Ammanford based crafter has received a small business boost from Retail Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. In September 2023, Sarah Skilton owner & founder of Sarah Lou Crafts, messaged Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’ and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet or repost by Theo to his over half a million X/Twitter and Instagram followers. The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has 4,000 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK. Sarah recently attend the annual SBS Event at the ICC in Birmingham along with over 1000 other winners to meet Theo Paphitis and be presented with her official SBS certificate. 

Business and retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo re-posted Sarah’s message to his over 500,000 Twitter and Instagram followers and as a result, @SarahLouCrafts has received 100s more followers on Instagram and extra orders for her sustainable eco-conscious handmade gifts. Sarah is also profiled on the #SBS website (www.theopaphitissbs.com) that is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners.

Sarah said, “I cannot believe that I have won the #SBS Small Business Sunday award from Theo Paphitis. It is an amazing opportunity for my small business and self development. I am excited to be a part of the networking community and for this next chapter of Sarah Lou Crafts”. I actually won the award in 2020 with my previous business Adventure Accessories, but never got the chance to meet Theo and get my certificate due to the coronavirus pandemic. To win for a second time with my new business Sarah Lou Crafts is a fantastic achievement that I intend to make the most of going forward as I would love to stock my notebooks in gift shops around Wales.  

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 or Instagram re-post 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 Sarah Lou Crafts every success.”

Anyone looking for a re‐tweet or re-post from Theo should tweet on X/Twitter or do an Instagram post to him about their business on Sunday between 5 PM and 7.30 PM and include the hashtag #SBS. Six lucky businesses are re‐tweeted/re-posted 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.

For further information, photos and product samples, please contact Sarah at SarahLouCrafts.co.uk.

For further information about Small Business Sunday please visit www.theopaphitissbs.com.