Collecting My SBS Award: Reflections from Birmingham from Reading Dog Trainer

Earlier this month I shared that Barkshire Dog Training had won Small Business Sunday – an award created by Theo Paphitis from Dragon's Den.

Last week, I travelled to Birmingham to collect that award in person.

And honestly? It was even better than I imagined.

In this post, I want to share what the experience was like, the people I met, and what this recognition truly means as I continue to build Barkshire Dog Training.

The SBS Event Itself

Walking into a room filled with SBS winners from across the UK was overwhelming in the best possible way. The energy was electric, with so much positivity and friendliness as you rubbed shoulders with other winners across multiple sectors.

These weren't just business owners – they were bakers, bookshop owners, jewellery makers, charity organisations, craftspeople, and yes, dog trainers. Each one had been selected by Theo and his team for doing something special in their field. One standout moment was watching Evenly (Bra Inserts for Uneven Breasts) who pitched live in front of everyone on the day and was a worthy winner of a £7,500 grant from NatWest.

The fireside chat was with Katie Piper OBE - you could hear a pin drop as she shared her story and details of the foundation she created. Articulate and passionate, she shared how in the early days she set up her foundation after incident offering rehabilitation services in the UK to help others. With help from Simon Cowell (yes him of Britain's Got Talent fame), who offered her a job, which she turned down and asked for financial support to build the foundation instead. Simon is still part of the foundation today.

The energy in the room was incredible, everyone there understood what it meant to build something from scratch, to pour your heart into your work, and to keep going even when it's hard.

Fireside Chat -Katie and Theo

Meeting Theo Paphitis

Meeting Theo in person was a real highlight.

He was really personable, though we didn't get a chance to chat about Gladys the Cocker Spaniel – perhaps next time!

Theo was warm, genuine, and clearly passionate about championing small businesses. You could tell he genuinely cares about the people he's recognising, and that made the moment even more meaningful.

As Theo himself has said about SBS:

"#SBS Small Business Sunday is about more than recognition - it's about belief: belief in ideas, entrepreneurs and the power of community. Our network now includes more than 4,500 members, and none of it would be possible without our incredible partners who share that belief and champion small businesses every step of the way. For 15 years, #SBS has given entrepreneurs a platform to celebrate and grow. One of my highlights of the annual event is the certificate collection, during which I have the opportunity to meet new winners in person. When you back small businesses, you're backing people, families, and futures."

Theo and I SBS Event 2026

Sharing the Moment with Clare

One of the best parts of the day was sharing it with Clare Ware from Insight Hounds.

We've been collaborating for over three years – doing Facebook Lives together, supporting each other through the ups and downs of running a business, and genuinely cheering each other on.

To both be SBS winners and collect our awards together felt incredibly special. It reinforced something I've always believed: collaboration beats competition, every single time. Even better, Theo agreed to having an additional photo with each of us individually – that was a special moment when he said yes!

Collecting our awards from Theo

The SBS Community -importance as a Reading Dog Trainer

During the event, I had the opportunity to chat with Tracey from No Fuss Fill (hoping they will join us LIVE later this year) and caught up with Jo from Pippin Pets, who I refer clients to when they need support with dogs who have separation anxiety, to name a few.

The theme for this year's event was "Resilience Rocks" and anyone who has run their own business knows how much resilience is needed to get a business off the ground.

Theo shared that "when we look under the bonnet of SBS" – over the past 15 years of SBS, 80% of winners are women, and 40% have collaborated with other SBS winners. I'm proud to have collaborated with previous winners, My Anxious Dog and PupTalk on our Lives.

He went on to share that 54% of SBS winners are sole traders, and 70% of SBS winners have been going for over 4 years – remarkable when you consider that 50% of small businesses fail in the first 2 years of operation. Hearing about resilience and how the SBS community and crew help small businesses not just keep going but also thrive was truly inspiring.

I believe that I and those other winners have built something meaningful. We care about doing things properly, and we show up for our customers with integrity and passion.

Resilience Rocks

It was great to meet other business owners from all over the UK – each with their own story, their own challenges, and their own reasons for doing what they do. The conversations were inspiring, energising, and a reminder that small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities.

I left Birmingham feeling inspired and energised to bring this experience back to Reading and the Berkshire dog training community.

What I'm Taking Away as a Dog Trainer

This experience has reinforced a few important things for me:

Doing things properly matters – The businesses that get recognised are the ones that prioritise quality, ethics, and care over shortcuts and quick wins.

Showing up consistently counts – Success isn't about one brilliant moment; it's about showing up again and again, even when no one's watching.

Community is everything – Being surrounded by people who understand what it takes to build something meaningful is incredibly valuable.

My work matters – Whether it's training dogs, chatting to my network or helping a dog owner get the right support, when you do it with integrity and passion, people notice.

What This Means Going Forward

Winning SBS isn't a finish line – it's a reminder to keep going.

For me, that means:

• Continuing to provide ethical, force-free training that respects dogs and their humans

• Staying committed to ongoing learning and professional development

• Supporting other professionals in the dog training community – next week you can find me at the Tug-E-Nuff stand at Crufts on volunteering on Thursday 5th March 2026, meeting dog owners and answering their questions about how these fab toys can help their dog

• Showing up for my clients with honesty, empathy, and expertise

• Remembering why I started this journey in the first place

Thank You

This award wouldn't mean half as much without the people who've supported me along the way.

My clients, who trust me with their dogs. My fellow trainers, who share knowledge and encouragement, in particular Clare, who's been there through it all. And everyone who believed in what I was building, even in the early days.

Thank you.

And to anyone reading this who's building something of their own – whether it's a business, a skill, or a dream – keep going. Show up consistently, do it with integrity, and don't be afraid to let people see what you're creating.

You never know where it might lead.

P.S. If you've been thinking about starting training with your dog, or if you'd like to hear more about the SBS experience book a call – I'd love to chat!