A SOLIHULL businesswoman was invited to a special reception at the House of Lords to celebrate Small Business Saturday.
Joanne Budden, the founder of Leapfrog Sports, was one of 100 small businesses invited to the reception in recognition of her entrepreneurial journey.
Small Business Saturday, which was marked on December 2, celebrates small business success and encourages people to ‘shop local’ and support businesses in their communities.
In partnership with the campaign’s founder and principal supporter American Express, the event at parliament honoured Leapfrog Sports as part of this year’s SmallBiz100.
The SmallBiz100 is a line-up of 100 brilliant small businesses from all over the country, which have been spotlighted in the lead-up to Small Business Saturday
Leapfrog Sports has seen over 5,000 children get involved with physical activity and a range of sports in their multi-sports sessions.
Joanne said, “I am thrilled to have been invited to the House of Lords to celebrate being one of this years 100 small businesses.
“To make it extra special, I was able to take my son with me as my guest who was the reason I began my business nine years ago, which was a very memorable experience for both of us”
Small business owners from this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up and MPs from across the political spectrum came together at the reception, with both Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Technology and the Digital Economy Saqib Bhatti and the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy Jonathan Reynolds speaking at the event and meeting many entrepreneurs.
Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “We really enjoyed hosting this special event at the House of Lords and marking the successes of Leapfrog Sports, as well as seeing Small Business Saturday into its second decade in the UK.
“Small businesses are facing many challenges across the UK at the moment, and the aim of the campaign has always been to encourage entrepreneurs, boost support and highlight the hugely positive impact of these firms on society and the wider economy.”
