22/01/13…..Thame designer wins Dragons’ Den star’s approval

A THAME based, self-employed designer has received a business boost from TV Dragons’ Den star, Theo Paphitis. Last week Sam Osborne tweeted Theo about her business during ?Small Business Sunday?, an initiative set up by Theo that runs each week.

Sam?s business was chosen out of hundreds that entered and Theo re-tweeted her message to his 316,000 followers. As a result, her business www.sam-osborne.co.uk has 200 more followers and lots of extra orders in her online shop. They are also profiled on a new website www.theopaphitissbs.com that is exclusive to Small Business Sunday winners.

Sam is a graphic and surface pattern designer who started her own business two years ago designing branding for fellow small business owners, crafting beautiful wedding invitations, creating bold and bright pattern collections for licensing, and commissions. She also runs her own label selling prints, cards and homewares.

Sam said: ?I?m a bit overwhelmed to be honest. Last Sunday was my two year self-employed birthday so I thought that would be a great time to enter the SBS contest, but I didn?t really expect to be picked.

“To be chosen out of so many entries is a fantastic feeling and my website and online shop have been ‘crazy busy’ ever since. It is great to have support from Theo because it?s been tough trying to raise my profile and Theo has recognised my hard work over the last two years.?

Anyone looking for a re-tweet from Theo should tweet him about their business on Sunday between 5pm and 7.30 pm and include the hashtag #SBS. Six lucky businesses are re-tweeted every Monday at 8pm and then invited to enter their profile on the new website. This is done free of charge and the new website is sponsored by Ryman Stationery of which Theo is Chairman.

SOURCE: Contributed
PHOTO: Sam Osborne in her Thame studio