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2022: What an year! It's time for another colourful wrap-up full of unexpected joys.
It has been memorable for so many reasons. It hasn't been easy but when was 'easy', 'fun', right? One of our greatest freedoms in life is how we react to things. And I choose to celebrate all the awesome things that happened, personally and professionally, with you.
Why? Cause, they become even more awesome when shared!
Thank you:
For loving my handmade designs and shopping small
For being clients who read my emails
For being supporters. FULL STOP
TOP 13 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2022
13. Selected as one of the UK's Top 100 Female Entrepreneur for 2022 by The f:Entrepreneur #Ialso100 List 2022! We celebrated at the House of Lords on the International Woman's Day.
Launched in 2018, the f:Entrepreneur , #ialso100 campaign is now in its fourth year and celebrates a plethora of UK female entrepreneur talent. It is a campaign to highlight, celebrate and promote incredible female entrepreneurs and share their stories with the wider community.
This award and recognition makes a brilliant start of 2022 for us at Handmade by Tinni.
It is a true celebration of female entrepreneurship and I am greatly thankful to the f:Entrepreneur and Small Business Britain team, to select me as an inspiring female leader. I am so excited to meet the other winners and share mutual support, friendship and inspiration. This is am amazing platform full of opportunities to raise the profile of the entrepreneurs like me, giving them a greater voice and access to policy makers in order to contribute to key issues impacting female business owners. I simple cannot wait to get started.
The campaign recognises business owners who wear a many of ‘hats’. As well as being a Founder & Designer at Handmade by Tinni, I also (you can see how the name came about) work in Hospitality Sales & Marketing with 20+ years of experience in Hotel sector. Who says, you cannot have a job and also a passion!!
Check out my Linked In profile here.
12. I met two of my business idols in real life this year. The indomitable Holly Tucker, MBE & TV Dragon, Theo Paphitis! I was overwhelmed by their generosity and inspirational chats.
Theo Paphitis:
I had the honour of meeting Theo at the SBS event as one of the last years winners. The event was superbly organised and so inspiring to meet fellow entrepreneurs who were also winners from previous years.
We’ve only been in business 2 years and I still work out of my kitchen table. It is great to have support from Theo because it’s been tough trying to raise our profile and Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.
Theo was super kind and he even offered to hold my necklace stand so that I can hold and showoff my certificate. What a great man!
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 Handmade by Tinni every success.”
Holly Tucker:
I finally hugged my ultimate business idol.. Holly Tucker, MBE!!!
And I cannot tell you the overwhelming feeling of happiness. ❤️
👉Thoroughly enjoyed the keynote speech by Holly at SME EXPO organised by @evening.standard.
Holly you are truly an inspiration and as lovely as you are on screen. Thank you so much 😊
Holly kindly signed my ‘Do What You Love and Love what you Do’ book. Talk about an extra special early Christmas gift.🎁🌈
Key notes from Holly -
☀️Passion is the fuel
☀️The uniqueness of your brand is …. You
☀️Get comfortable with uncertainty
11. I got featured in a full page profile interview in Essex Life magazine.
As a Founder and Artist of Handmade by Tinni, I was proudly featured & interviewed in one of the most coveted national magazine - Essex Life. It is a full page interview covering our brand's journey, designer life in and around Essex, inspiration and what the future holds for Handmade by Tinni.
Essex Life is part of Archant Media Company.
If you love life in Essex, you'll love Essex Life.
It's the magazine that champions this thriving and diverse county where tradition meets innovation, while farming communities and pretty towns and villages dot the stunning landscape.
10. Exceptional things happened in my retail and wholesale journey and I am now proudly stocked at 10 + independent boutiques in US and in 20 + awesome indie shops in UK!
In 2022, our brightly coloured necklaces, earrings and more were popular in UK and US as they not only brighten up indie shops but also proved to be loved by shoppers and gift givers.
Most of the Handmade By Tinni designs are available for wholesale with discounted pricing options applicable on volume orders. We are always very pleased to work with Independent Boutiques & Stockists and bring more people to our jewellery and home decor.
You can stock our playful necklaces, statement earrings, eye-catching accessories and textile home decor in your shop. Contact us HERE!
09. In October, my double colour Poppy Necklace got featured in the Bloom Magazine - a luxury magazine for gardeners, plant admirers, curious explorers and outdoor adventurers.
Bloom is a magazine for modern nature lovers
Gardening - Nature - Inspiration
It's for gardeners, plant admirers, curious explorers and outdoor adventurers. It is beautiful and it works hard, and it looks to deepen our relationship with green spaces by being a part of them.
And to our biggest surprise, our Poppy Necklace was picked up by the editorial team this month as one of their 'Bloom LOVES'. We are super excited and chuffed to be part of the beautiful magazine.
Poppy Necklace is a versatile design for modern women. They are chunky colourful necklaces that are made to flaunt. Whenever you will be wearing this big bold unusual necklace, you will certainly turn heads.
And the best part is, They are handmade in London with sustainable materials.
Statement necklace at it's best.
08. As a community development work, I hosted a session as a speaker on - 'A guide to starting a business while you’re still employed' at StartUp 2022 Event in January hosted by Enterprise Nation.
StartUp 2022 was the UK’s biggest and best show for small business owners and budding entrepreneurs. It was a chance for discovery, learning and inspiration, where experts across 11 virtual stages have an opportunity to share their expertise on Friday 21 January.
Best part was, our Founder Paulomi Debnath hosted a session on ''A guide to starting your business while you're still employed'' on 21st of January.
07. I was requested to chair a panel of small businesses at the @ebay Business Roadshow in September along with Small Business Britain.
The Roadshow offered details of how to access VITAL FUNDING alongside a range of free workshops, talks, round-tables, discussion and tips from leading small business experts in a number of topics relevant to small business owners including digital skills, marketing, sustainability and scale up - and much more.
There was the opportunity to learn new skills as well as meet and mingle with your local community and throughout the event, Small Business Britain experts were on hand to answer questions, advise you on your business challenges and help you on your way to recovery and success.
I shared the stage with @humaniteadrinks@matthews_preserved and of course the brilliant hostess @michelle_ovens from @smallbizsatuk@britainsmallbiz
If you’re in the area of #southend pop into the @parkinnbyradisson for a day of small business events.
06. Got mentioned in Forbes! I contributed to a business article in Forbes as a small business owner.
Dated: November 14, 2022
By Forbes
I have contributed to an article in 'Forbes' regarding 'Staying Focused: Six Entrepreneurs Share Their Secrets' -
05. PR Coverage in 5 titles under Archant Magazines! Devon Life, Yorkshire Life, Somerset Life, Kent Life and Cotswold Life - ''How my necklaces that I finish with magnetic closures can be a fabulous gifts for older generations especially who are suffering from fine motor difficulties!''
PR Coverage in 5 titles under Archant Magazines!
Devon Life, Yorkshire Life, Somerset Life, Kent Life and Cotswold Life.
How my necklaces that I finish with magnetic closures can be a fabulous gifts for older generations especially who are suffering from fine motor difficulties!
Very Niche pitch and I am really glad they actually used my product. No images, unfortunately but I am very happy for the mentions.
If your Nan suffer from Fine Motor skills difficulty – Most of my pretty necklaces are finished with magnetic closures and that can be more easily put on by those with fine motor skills difficulty.
If your grandmother suffers from Arthritis – A gift for your grandparents who might be suffering from arthritis (which is so common in older people) our lightweight bright necklaces are ideal as they are very kind to frail hands.
04. In August, my little brand was selected as 'Small Biz 100', one of the nation’s 100 most inspiring small firms by the Small Business Saturday UK campaign, as it marks its ten-year anniversary. We celebrated at the House of Lords to mark the huge achievement.
Hear my interview here.
14th of December 2022: Paulomi Debnath founder/artist of Handmade by Tinni was one of hundreds of inspirational small businesses attending a special reception at the House of Lords on last Tuesday, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Small Business Saturday campaign.
Hosted by Small Business Saturday, in partnership with the campaign’s founder and principal supporter American Express, the event honoured Handmade by Tinni as part of this year’s SmallBiz100.
The SmallBiz100 is a line-up of 100 inspiring small businesses from all over the country, that are highlighted as part of the Small Business Saturday UK campaign. Handmade by Tinni was featured in recognition of her impressive entrepreneurial journey, which has seen them growing their fun biodegradable jewellery designs for fashionistas who love expressing their personality with unusual, statement jewellery pieces.
The House of Lords event kicks off a week of celebrations ahead of Small Business Saturday, which returned last weekend on 3 December. The campaign celebrates small business success and encourages people to 'shop local' and support businesses in their communities.
Paulomi said, “It is a true celebration of Britain’s Small business community, and I am greatly thankful to the Small Business Saturday UK and Small Business Britain team, to select my creative brand as a small business champion. I am also looking forward to meeting the other fellow winners and share mutual support, friendship, and inspiration. This is an amazing platform full of opportunities to raise the profile of the small business owners like me, giving them a greater voice and access to policy makers to contribute to key issues impacting small business owners!! Being selected as one of Britain’s 100 most inspiring small firms, will add immeasurable value to my brand’s success and this will certainly inspire to achieve even bigger dreams.’’
03. Handmade by Tinni got shortlisted as a finalist in the 'The Purpose before Profit Award’ by The Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards and I attended the Glittering Awards Ceremony in November 2022 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London.
Feeling proud to be a Finalist at the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence @bbexAwards which is taking place at the prestigious Grosvenor House. This is a celebration of the innovation, success & resilience of British businesses.
I went for a 'Finalist judging panel interview' in September and attended the Glittering Awards Ceremony in November 2022 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London.
I celebrated the success of hard work and dreaming BIG for my LITTLE creative business Handmade by Tinni. Here to the best of British business with the best of British business!
What an event! I already felt like a winner as I am in the top ten in my category ‘Purpose before Profit’.
I was over the moon. Truly humbled and grateful for this recognition.
02. I completed the Small & Mighty Program by Small Business Britain.
Small Business Britain organised the Small & Mighty programme to help grow small businesses with expert guidance and mentoring.
This six-week programme to supercharge sole traders and micro businesses, concludes with a growth plan to support the next year of business opportunity. It will be delivered entirely online, allowing access from anywhere in the UK with flexible learning enabling opportunities for all.
01. As a small business, I was invited by the META Business Events and Small Business Britain to 'Meta’s Small & Medium Business Christmas Reception' hosted at the Parliament on 13 December.
This event was an opportunity to speak to Meta, small businesses and directly to Members of Parliament about the experience of being a small business owner in the UK and feedback first hand what support is most useful. I was encouraged to invite my local MP to come down to the reception to hear more about my business too. And Andrew Rosindell, our local MP from Romford was able to send his associate to meet me at the event.
0. I kept the best one for the last!
I am truly humbled and honoured the number of Five Star reviews on my Website, Etsy and Google page.
Website - 84 Five Star Reviews - Check here Etsy - 178 Five Star Reviews - Check here Google - 29 Five Star Reviews - Just Google my page
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT!
