Lancashire based Blue Bear & Co. gets awarded SBS winner from Theo Paphitis.

 

A Preston based firm has received a business boost from Retail Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis.   Last week, Nici Robinson owner of Blue Bear & Co. tweeted Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’ and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet or repost by Theo to his half a million Twitter, 50k+ Instagram and almost 300k LinkedIn followers.  The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has over 4,000 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK.  2025 sees the 15th anniversary of #SBS Small Business Sunday, since Theo launched it in October 2010.

 

Business and retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo re‐shared Nici’s message to his combined 800,000 Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram followers and as a result, www.bluebearandco.co.uk has 100’s more followers and extra orders for their unique and bespoke teddy bears. They are also profiled on the #SBS website (www.theopaphitissbs.com) that is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners.

 

Nici said, “although my business was born out of grief following the loss of my son Charlie Robinson (aged just 5 years old in 2021), this project has become a real labour of love. Our business is very much in its infancy, although we are currently still working from our garden room, we have had a lot of support throughout our community from friends and family who have offered to help take receipt of stock and store stock. Local businesses have got on board to retail or display our products and the feedback has been amazing. 

 

Our smaller light blue bear is affiliated to the charity my husband and I set up in memory of our son “Thumbs up for Charlie”. This bears ear pin has the TUFC logo etched on it and a percentage of all profits with go directly to the charity. To mark brain tumour awareness month, throughout March we will be donating a light blue bear to families receiving respite from our charity for every light blue bear sold.

 

It has been amazing to have the support and recognition from Theo, it has undoubtedly helped to raise our public profile. Theo has seen the potential in the concept and branding of our luxurious keepsake teddies and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.

 

Our bears can be given for any occasion or no occasion. They may be a gift for a loved one or a gift for yourself. They are the perfect companion “bears for life”. 

 

Small business champion and Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue Chairman, Theo Paphitis, said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK.  My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club; like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings. The website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish Blue Bear & Co. every success.”

 

Anyone looking for a re‐post from Theo should post to him on X, LinkedIn or Instagram about their business on Sunday between 5 PM and 7.30 PM and include the hashtag #SBS. Six lucky businesses are re‐tweeted every Monday at 8 PM and then invited to enter their profile on the new website, attend the annual #SBS networking event and take advantage of the networking opportunities.

 

Blue Bear & Co.

Hedgerows, Preston Road, Inskip. 

www.bluebearandco.co.uk

 

For further information, photos and product samples, please contact Nici Robinson at Blue Bear & Co. at info@bluebearandco.co.uk