On Monday, December 2, Bolton resident Jignesh Madhavji, owner of Jiggi mobile barbershop, attended a special reception at the House of Lords.
This was part of the run-up to Small Business Saturday, which takes place today, Saturday, December 7 and encourages the public to support businesses.
The event, hosted by Small Business Saturday in collaboration with American Express, highlighted Jiggi mobile barbershop as one of the “SmallBiz100”.
This is a list of 100 small businesses across the UK recognised for their achievements.
Jiggi mobile barbershop was acknowledged for its “inspiring entrepreneurial journey”, having reached the final for small new business of the year in its first 18 months of trading.
Mr Madhavji said: “After seeing that my business was recognised as one of UK most inspiring businesses this year.
“I’d say believing in your business model, being consistent and not being afraid to be different in business has been the fundamentals.”
The reception at the House of Lords, which included small business owners and MPs from across the UK, was the first in a week of celebrations leading up to Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas MP also attended the event and met with many entrepreneurs.
Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Small businesses like Jiggi mobile barbershop deliver incredible value across their local community and the wider economy, so it is wonderful to have celebrated their contribution at the House of Lords.”
A not-for-profit campaign, Small Business Saturday was first established by American Express in the US in 2010 and aims to encourage consumers to support small businesses.
The campaign has been running in the UK for over a decade and sees “millions of people” showing their support for small businesses on the day, with “billions of pounds” spent with small firms.
Dan Edelman, general manager of UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “With the festive period fast approaching, it’s heartening that public support for small businesses remains strong.
“Small Business Saturday is a campaign which remains as important now as when it first began.
“That’s why American Express is proud to champion the nation’s much-loved independent businesses as a principal supporter, encouraging the nation to shop small.”
On Small Business Saturday, people across the UK are encouraged to support all types of small businesses, whether online, in offices or in stores.
This includes independent shops, restaurants, and small service and business-to-business operations such as accountants and plumbers.
Many businesses also host events, offer promotions, and collaborate with other small businesses in celebration of the day.
As the campaign continues to grow, the importance of public support for small businesses is continually emphasised.
Ms Ovens said: “Public support is absolutely vital for small businesses across the UK, so we urge everyone up and down the country to get behind them on Small Business Saturday and beyond.”
