Andy Devaney
The SmallBiz100 list for 2025 has landed, and it’s packed with the kind of small businesses that make the UK tick. From tea that soothes you through menopause to dance classes tailored for children with special needs, the line-up celebrates the quirky, the creative, and the downright determined.
The campaign, part of the annual Small Business Saturday movement, showcases 100 of the country’s most inspiring entrepreneurs. And this year, the health and wellness crowd is well represented.
Among the names making the cut are:
- Alloa Ballet Company – Meghan Campbell’s West Lothian-based platform providing expert pre and postnatal programmes.
- Avo Activewear – Ally Patterson’s Bristol brand designing stylish kit specifically for women 5’3” and under.
- Dancing Miss Daisy – Daisy Gilder’s London studio making dance accessible for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
- Le Petit Velo Cycling Café – Davinia McGann’s Belgian-inspired haven in East Sussex, serving up coffee, waffles, and community.
- HotTea Mama – Witney’s Bethan Thomas and Kate Achilles creating teas and cacao blends to support women from pregnancy to menopause.
- Kate Rainford Coaching – A Teddington-based coach helping women build confidence and leadership impact through life’s big transitions.
Each of these businesses will be celebrated in the 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday on 6 December, a day that has grown into a nationwide push to back independent firms with our wallets, not just our words.
More Than Just a Pat on the Back
Britain’s 5.45 million small firms might be the backbone of the economy, but they’re still being asked to stand tall while wading through rising costs, shaky consumer confidence, and a few government shrugs for good measure. That’s why organisers insist public support matters more than ever as the festive period looms.
“Small businesses are the nation’s favourite businesses – bringing immeasurable value to our local communities and powering the wider economy,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.
She added: “From family-run cafés and local restaurants, to independent makers, services and traders, this year’s SmallBiz100 represent some of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. It is exciting to kick off this year’s campaign with so many fantastic businesses featured.
With small firms still facing lots of challenges, public support makes all the difference as independent firms enter their most critical quarter of the year.”
American Express Still in Their Corner
The campaign began in the U.S. back in 2010, founded by American Express, which remains its principal supporter here in the UK. Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said:
“Through our long-standing support of Small Business Saturday, American Express is proud to champion the nation’s small businesses. Congratulations to this year’s SmallBiz100, which once again showcases the incredible vibrancy and innovation of small firms and the valuable contribution they make to local communities.”
Confidence Creeps Back
There’s a flicker of optimism among small business owners. Research from American Express’ SME Barometer, conducted with Small Business Saturday, shows nearly seven in ten (69%) feel confident about the future of their company – up from 67% in 2023 and 65% in 2022. Even better, 57% expect stronger sales in Q4 compared with last year.
Why It Resonates
On 6 December, people across the UK will be urged to spend with small independents – not just retailers and restaurants, but the plumbers, accountants, and service providers that keep communities running. The campaign has become a rallying cry, winning backing from political heavyweights and over 90% of local councils last year, with social media buzzing all day long.
For those making the list, it’s more than a marketing boost – it’s validation. Heather Shrimpton, Owner of Alloa Ballet Company, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as part of the SmallBiz100.
Small Business Saturday is such an important campaign, shining a light on the passion, creativity and community spirit that small businesses like ours bring – for me, that means inspiring children, supporting families, and sharing the joy of dance with our community.”
With businesses like these in the spotlight, the SmallBiz100 isn’t just another list – it’s a reminder that small really is mighty.
👉 Learn more about this year’s winners at smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/small-biz-100
