Independent North Devon-based business magazine, Business Action has been selected as one of 100 trail-blazing small businesses in the official count-down to Small Business Saturday, which takes place across the UK on 7 December 2019.
Business Action is one of this year’s ‘Small Biz 100’, a selection of small businesses drawn from every corner of the UK that reflect the vibrancy of the UK’s 5.6 million small businesses. In the 100 days running up to Small Business Saturday, the campaign will spotlight each of the Small Biz 100, as part of its mission to celebrate small business success and encourage the nation to ‘shop local’ and support British small businesses.
This year’s Small Biz 100 features a range of unique independent businesses each contributing to their communities and offering something different, including Business Action, founded in 2019 by Alan Williams and Robert Zarywacz
Business Action joins hundreds of previous Small Biz 100 businesses, which have been announced by the iconic campaign since its UK launch in 2013.
Day one of the Small Biz 100 count-down kicks off with The Butchers Social, from Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, with Business Action being placed in the spotlight on Sunday 15 September, where it will be celebrating by offering the opportunity for one lucky North Devon business to win a free 2-hour consultation on how to raise its business profile.
Business Action co-founder Alan Williams said: “Little did we think when we decided to produce Business Action magazine in October last year that it would receive such a great response in North Devon and achieve national recognition after just four issues.”
Co-founder and editor Robert Zarywacz added: “Being selected as one of Small Business Saturday’s SmallBiz100 adds a great boost to our mission to support businesses, especially small businesses, across the area. We are very grateful for being selected and want to share this opportunity so that all small businesses will benefit.”
Director of Small Business Saturday, Michelle Ovens MBE said: “Each year this campaign has grown in support from government, business and communities alike, and so we can’t wait to begin the annual 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday with the launch of the Small Biz 100 2019.
“Small Business Saturday’s increasing popularity means it was harder than ever to choose just 100 of this country’s incredible 5.6 million small businesses to showcase, but we believe those we have chosen are true representatives of the diverse, creative and inspiring heroes at the heart of our communities.”
In its seventh year, Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign, which last year saw an estimated £812 million spent in small businesses across the UK on the day, according to research commissioned by founder and principal supporter American Express.
This was up from the £748 million spent on Small Business Saturday in 2017, with 59% of people aware of the day saying they spent more than usual.
The #SmallBizSatUK campaign trended in the UK top 5 on Twitter on the day, reaching over 100 million people globally.
The Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Mayor of London were among those publicly supporting the campaign, alongside more than 90% of local councils.
Small Business Saturday also benefits from the backing of leading business organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses, Indeed and Dell. The campaign is alsosupported by Amazon, printed.com, Square and Xero.
Small Business Saturday 2019 is open to all businesses to participate in and will commence its regional bus tour roadshow across the UK during the autumn, to drum up further support.
About Small Business Saturday
A grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, Small Business Saturday was originally founded by American Express in the USA in 2010. American Express remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK, as part of its on-going commitment to encourage consumers to shop small.
The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices and in stores. Many small businesses take part in the day by hosting events and offering discounts.
More information on Small Business Saturday can also be found at:
Facebook: Facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturdayuk
Twitter: @SmallBizSatUk
