Spotlight on greetings contingent as Small Business Saturday campaign gears up
Small Business Saturday is getting ready to roll with the kick off of SmallBiz100 – and this year’s top one hundred companies includes six from the greeting card community.
Eleanor Tomlinson Art, Aunty Social, Little Roglets, Sunshine No1, PostBoxed and Wave Of Nostalgia have all been picked for the showcase of the most impressive small businesses from across the UK as part of the countdown to the big day on 7 December when consumers are encouraged to shop local and support companies in their community.
Starting on Friday, 30 August, one business is highlighted each day for the 100 days leading up to Small Business Saturday – this year’s full list can be found here – which is the focus of the grassroots non-commercial campaign that kicked off here in the UK in 2013 after being founded in the US by American Express in 2010.
“It’s great to celebrate these companies as part of this year’s campaign,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK.
“This year’s SmallBiz100 list shows the huge contribution small businesses make to their communities and the wider UK economy. Despite the economy turning a corner, the nation’s small businesses continue to feel the fallout of a challenging few years and still need significant support to get back on their feet.
“Small Business Saturday is all about getting the nation to come out in force and show its love for our local businesses.”
First up from the greetings contingent is Eleanor Tomlinson Art, a family-run company from East Yorkshire which will be featured on Friday, 6 September, showing off the cards, prints, stationery, homeware and gifts.
The business began in 2011 when Eleanor was just 13 with a Christmas card design, and her original artworks are now developed across a whole range of products, while she also work on commissions for private and commercial clients worldwide.
Community arts organisation Aunty Social’s date is 7 October when the wide variety of greeting cards, prints, homewares, books, dog treats and accessories, jewellery, badges, textiles, and ceramics from over 40 North West-based artists and makers will be championed.
Aunty Social sells both online as well as from its lifestyle store in Blackpool, where the volunteer-run group also organises workshops and a diverse programme of arts and cultural activities.
On 28 October it’s the turn of Little Roglets, the greeting card publisher founded by Lex Rogy just three years ago, and her watercolour paintings of animals have earned her two Henries Awards finalists’ spots this year, in The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist and Best Cute Range categories.
As well as the cards, where the greetings often come from things Lex wants to say to her friends and family, she also takes on bespoke work across shop window art, fabric design, school visits, interior projects and wall murals.
The work from artists and makers living in Scotland that are sold through Glasgow indie store Sunshine No1 will be in the spotlight on 6 November.
Founded and run by Suzi Nicol, the card and gift shop offers handcrafted products for modern living both instore and online, from more than 120 Scottish suppliers.
PostBoxed has a selection of letterbox-friendly gifts which are all presented in lovely giftwrap and sent with a personalised card to fit through the recipient’s door, and the London business will be featured on 9 November.
Last but not least for the greetings industry contingent in the 2024 SmallBiz100 will be Haworth’s Wave Of Nostalgia indie bookshop on 13 November.
Themed on strong women, owner Diane Park has books, cards and gifts along with her handmade children’s clothes on offer at the shop in the village that was home to the Bronte sisters.
Over the 11 years of SmallBiz100, the spotlighted businesses get exposure on Small Business Saturday’s social media channels and in local and national press, and they have also joined the campaign’s team in London at receptions in Downing Street, House Of Lords and the Treasury Drum with the Chancellor Of The Exchequer.
American Express is still the principal supporter of the campaign that has the mission of supporting and celebrating the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses, with many taking an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions. To get involved, click here.
