Surlender Pendress, the co-founder of The Love Writing Co, is thrilled to have been chosen by Theo Paphitis, one of the original Dragons from Dragons’ Den, to be part of his #SBS (Small Business Sunday) promotion.
TV Dragon, Theo started the national weekly Twitter campaign, #SBS (standing for Small Business Sunday), over ten years ago and Surlender wanted her company to be a part of this social media community that supports small business owners.
Serial entrepreneur Theo invites small business owners to tweet him @theopaphitis between 5pm and 7.30pm on Twitter each Sunday and describe their business in a single tweet as well as including the now-famous hashtag #SBS.
Each Monday, Theo reviews the tweets and chooses six business owners to be retweeted to his substantial audience of nearly half a million followers.
On Monday 24th May, Theo tweeted: “Please congratulate my 6 #SBS winners for this week: @lovewritingco @bustleandharley @essenchuk @CSJ_Lisa @FudgieChunks @ClarasClothing. Go on, give them a RT.”
Surlender said: “Since being mentioned by Theo, we have received loads of new followers on Twitter as well as lots of interest in our Love Writing products and amazing feedback about what our business does.”
Surlender started her online business offering age-appropriate writing products for children with Mark Sherwood at the end of February 2019 and launched it via e-commerce in August 2019.
The company offers products specifically for small hands as both Surlender and Mark found that children were using pencils and crayons that simply did not fit their little hands. This can lead to many children becoming frustrated and disinterested with writing – in a world where handwriting is less and less common. Surlender and Mark knew that children needed writing products that are fun and easy to use.
The Love Writing Co’s latest product is a set of washable arty crayons that have a twist-barrel style, a smooth easy glide across the paper, are non-toxic, washable and come in 12 colours.
All the products in The Love Writing Co range, including the washable arty crayons, handwriting and alphabet practice books, writing and colouring pencil bundles, handwriting practice traceable birthday and thank you cards, are designed to inspire, encourage confidence, creativity and make a difference to children.
Surlender is planning to showcase her products at pop-up stalls in John Lewis stores in August as part of the Great British Pop-Up initiative. The Love Writing Co will be at the John Lewis store in Solihull, Birmingham on Tuesday August 3 and at the Oxford John Lewis store on Monday August 23.
“I am really looking forward to making the most of being in Theo’s huge network of over 3,000 small businesses,” said Surlender. “It is a great opportunity and has brought us exposure at a national level and is led by a recognised business icon.”
Theo Paphitis said: “I am always delighted to work with one of my #SBS winners – as that’s what it’s all about – supporting each other.”
For more information about The Love Writing Co products, email surlender@lovewritingco.com or hello@lovewritingco.com.