SBS Event 2025: Our Exciting Key Takeaways from Birmingham

On Friday, 21st February 2025, we had the privilege of attending the Theo Paphitis SBS Event at the ICC in Birmingham. Now in its fifteenth year, this was our third time attending since winning 4 years ago, and as business owners, we continue to find immense value in being part of this thriving community. The SBS (Small Business Sunday) event is an incredible opportunity for business owners to gain insights, connect with others, and find inspiration to take their businesses to the next level.

Theo Paphitis, widely known for his role as a former investor on Dragon’s Den, founded SBS in 2010. This initiative started as a way for Theo to spotlight small businesses and offer them the opportunity to join an exclusive community. Each week, Theo selects six businesses to join the SBS network, and we were fortunate to be chosen in 2021 on our first attempt. Clearly, he saw something special in Cornelius Creative! The SBS community has been a huge part of our growth and development, and attending the annual event continues to provide invaluable insights. See if you can spot us in the crowd below!

SBS Event Highlights

The event was jam-packed with sessions that provided both practical advice and inspiration. The main stage featured a variety of speakers throughout the day, with each session followed by a Q&A, giving attendees the chance to directly engage with the experts. Some of the standout sessions for us included talks by Imran Hakim, founder of the Hakim Group, who shared his entrepreneurial journey after first appearing on Dragon’s Den 18 years ago with iTeddy (who made an appearance at the show!) His session was full of wisdom, offering insights into how he reverted to his original career path in Optometry but saw a gap in the market and has built an incredibly successful business. The ability to pivot quickly and embrace change is what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who fall behind. This really hit home for many business owners who face the constant challenge of staying competitive in an ever-evolving market.

Another highlight was the session with Jo Tutchener Sharp, founder of Scamp & Dude. Her message was equally impactful. Purpose is the foundation of everything. If your business isn’t built on something meaningful, you’re missing the true value. This is something we, as business owners, can certainly apply to our own work and reminds us to stay connected to the reasons we started our business in the first place.

Richard Harpin, the founder of Homeserve, also delivered an engaging presentation. Having started that business in 1993, Richard’s story of perseverance and innovation was a great reminder of the long-term commitment needed to build a successful business and how failure is an opportunity for learning and a reason to keep going.

Community Building

One of the most striking elements of the SBS event was the sense of camaraderie among the attendees. Small business owners from all over the UK gathered, and there was a palpable sense of mutual support and collaboration. The event wasn’t just about listening to speakers; it was about building lasting connections. We saw business owners chatting with one another, swapping stories, and offering advice in a way that only small business communities can.

Many people walked away with new contacts and potential partnerships, and this supportive environment made the event feel like a genuine community rather than just another business conference. There was a shared understanding of the challenges small business owners face, and everyone seemed eager to help one another succeed.

Networking Opportunities

Networking was another key highlight of the event. With attendees representing a wide range of industries, the opportunities for connecting with potential customers, partners, and collaborators were endless. Whether it was chatting with fellow entrepreneurs over lunch or visiting the stalls of event sponsors like DHL, Robert Dyas, and ilaw, there were numerous opportunities to expand our network.

The exhibitors, too, were actively engaging with attendees, offering valuable services and advice that could directly benefit small businesses. We took full advantage of the opportunity to meet with several potential partners and discuss collaboration ideas that could help us grow even further.

Practical Advice

Throughout the event, several practical strategies and actionable insights were shared, which we’re excited to implement into our own operations. For example, Google’s session focused on growing digital marketing skills, providing helpful tips on how small businesses can better optimise their websites and increase visibility online. NatWest Business also led a session on growth mindset and unlocking our potential as business owners.  

Impact on Business Growth

For small businesses, attending the SBS event isn’t just about inspiration – it’s about real, tangible growth. Whether it’s the marketing tips shared by Google, the advice from NatWest, or the connections made with other entrepreneurs, every aspect of the event offers a potential to enhance a business’s marketing, sales, and overall development.

By networking with other business owners, we gained new ideas for marketing campaigns and strategies for reaching a broader audience. The advice we received on streamlining operations and optimising our digital presence will undoubtedly help us improve our day-to-day processes and scale our business in the future.

Conclusion

In summary, the Theo Paphitis SBS Event 2025 was an incredibly valuable experience, offering a wealth of insights, networking opportunities, and practical advice for us as small business owners. The event highlighted the importance of community, adaptability, and focusing on what you do best. As always, it was an inspiring day full of actionable takeaways, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event!