Joy and Theo
A Staffordshire based small business has received a business boost from Retail Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. In July 2023, Joy Salt owner of JOYSOFGLASS, tweeted Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’ and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet by Theo to his over half a million Twitter and Instagram followers. The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has over 4,000 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK.
Joy was incredibly proud to be personally presented by Theo with her award, at the SBS Conference at the ICC in Birmingham.
Business and retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo re‐tweeted Joy Salt’s message to his over 500,000 Twitter and Instagram followers and as a result, https://www.joysofglass.co.uk has many more followers and extra orders for her stained and fused glass products. Her business is also profiled on the #SBS website (www.theopaphitissbs.com) that is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners.
Joy said, “I’m a small business, a glass artist, working from home in my garden studio (aka garage) doing what I love. Making stained glass suncatchers and fused glass jewellery and small decorative pieces. My name is Joy and glass is indeed my Joy ! I’ve been making my glass since 2008 when I attended a stained glass course at the WI Oxfordshire based, Denman Collage as part of an Awards for all scheme from my Leigh & District WI. A hobby soon became an absolute passion and I can be found at my glass work bench most days doing what I love so much. Fortunately, over the years I have built up a good online following for my glass and via my own JOYSOFGLASS website and my online shops I have a steady flow of lovely customers for my glass work. This means I can always find the excuse to make more. I have an extensive range of designs to hopefully ensure I have something for everyone, every taste and every occasion. I attend the occasional local event, craft and Christmas fairs as it is so lovely to meet my customers face to face but I mainly sell online.
On the British Crafthouse platform, which is curated / handmade in Britain so restricted to the very best of British, I have two shops: https://thebritishcrafthouse.co.uk/shop/joysofglass/ for stained glass and https://thebritishcrafthouse.co.uk/shop/joysofglass-FUSED/ for all my fused glass work. It was Susan Bonnar, the founder of the British Crafthouse who encouraged me to apply for the SBS award and I am absolutely delighted that she did and so very proud to have won it.
I also have shops on Folksy and on Buy Indie.
It is so wonderful to have support from Theo and the SBS community to raise my business profile and Theo has recognised my passion for my work and helped spread the word about what I do to his following.”
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 JOYSOFGLASS every success.”
Anyone looking for a re‐tweet from Theo should tweet on Twitter or do an Instagram post to him 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.
