We were delighted to be recognised as a winner of Small Business Sunday (SBS), one of the UK's most respected small business networks founded by Dragon's Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis.
SBS was created by Theo to champion small businesses across the UK. Every Sunday evening, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to share their story on social media using the hashtag #SBS. Entrants must summarise their business, achievements and ambitions in a single post during a designated submission window.
Thousands of businesses have taken part since the initiative began, making it one of the most competitive small business awards in the country. Each Monday evening, Theo personally reviews the entries and selects a handful of winners that have caught his attention. These businesses are then shared with his large online audience, providing valuable exposure and recognition.
When we submitted our entry, we joined hundreds of other small businesses hoping to stand out from the crowd. We were therefore thrilled to learn that Downton Distillery had been selected as one of the winners.
The recognition came during a period when we had adapted much of our work to support local communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Alongside producing award-winning spirits, we redirected part of our operation to assist with the production and supply of hand sanitiser when demand was at its highest. Being recognised for these efforts made the award particularly meaningful.
Winning SBS is about more than a social media mention. It provides access to a community of entrepreneurs, networking opportunities, educational events and ongoing support from fellow business owners across the country.
As a small independent distillery, recognition from programmes such as SBS helps raise awareness of what we do and the values that drive us. We are incredibly grateful to Theo Paphitis and the SBS community for welcoming us into the network and look forward to supporting other small businesses on their own journeys.
