SBS Conference 2017

On Friday we headed off to the ICC in Birmingham to the annual #SBS Conference 2017. This is for all winners of Theo Paphitis' Twitter initiative to give use his influence to give small businesses a boost . This happens every Sunday evening between 5 - 7.30pm. If you are a small business I urge you to give it a go. It's very simple. On Twitter follow Theo and Tweet 1 tweet between these times about your business with the #SBS. A photo works wonders, he can see what you are about and if you can fit it in in the 140 characters, a web link is also really useful. Just think if you are one of the chosen 6 lucky winners one week, that tweet will get retweeted to ALL his followers and the great #SBS community will also retweet it loads. How much exposure could that bring your business?

Any how back to the conference. It starts at 9am but we are always a little later as I have a local networking event first. So we arrive around 11am when the first guests are on stage. Kypros Kyprianou who is CEO of Theo Paphitis Retail group kicks off proceedings. He introduces some of the sponsors who get to talk though what they are offering members.
The sponsors are:
Ryman Stationery
DHL
123.reg
iLaw
Red Letter Days
Robert Dyas

First off was a look at the #SBS shop. It has been a year of difficulties, showcasing so many different types of businesses all in one market place was never going to be easy, but hopefully things are moving forward and lots of lovely #SBS businesses are now online for you to shop with. From gifts to beds and wedding stationery to pet toys, please take a look if you are shopping online
http://www.shopsbs.co.uk/

Then on stage came the lady I was really looking forward to hearing Jodine Boothby of Gummee UK. Having seen some of her story within the #SBS family I was still amazed and inspired by her. After cheekily asking last year if there could be a chance to talk at the conference 'sometime in the future' here she was on stage sharing her experiences, warts and all for us. I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the house once she finished. For those who don't know Jodine, she invented a teething mitten for babies after looking for something for her baby and seeing a gap in the market. A link to her site is http://gummee.life/

Then it was time for lunch......sandwiches, quiche and chips with cakes and biscuits were this years offerings. Cups of tea, coffee, juice and water also available and a cash bar for those not driving!
After this was the question time panel - This includes Theo and this year Deborah Meaden and John Mills (Of JML fame). Here you get a chance to ask the panel your burning business question. You also tend to get an insight into how these people tick. They often have different ways of looking at a problem and especially with this years panel look at if from the pile it high sell it cheap (JML) angle to the best to sell less but make more profit.

After that, if you are a new winner, you get your chance to have your photo taken with Theo, a great honor and something you get to use in your marketing. Here's mine from 2 years ago.

As well as all that you can get to pitch to buyers of some of the sponsors, have workshops with others and generally have a great networking chance with lots of like minded businesses.

You also get a goodie bag with various items, this was this years selection.

Oh and did I mention that the whole day, within the conference, is completely free!! Yes it is all put on for us as a gift from Theo and the sponsors.

To find out more about this initiative have a look at the #SBS information page http://www.theopaphitissbs.com/

May be we will see you at the conference in 2018?

Sandra x