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A teddy bear business set up in memory of a five-year-old boy from Inskip has received a welcome social media boost from a TV entrepreneur.
Blue Bear and Co got the backing on X from retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis as part of his ‘Small Business Sunday’ initiative which sees one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet or repost to his huge social media following.
For Blue Bear and Co owner Nici Robinson it has provided hundreds of new social media followers and visits to her website and they are also profiled on the Small Business Sunday website.
And for Nici, the business has intensely personal beginnings.
She said: “Although my business was born out of grief following the loss of my son, Charlie Robinson, aged just five-years-old in 2021, this project has become a real labour of love. Our business is very much in its infancy and although we are currently still working from our garden room, we have had a lot of support throughout our community from friends and family who have offered to help take receipt of stock. Local businesses have got on board to retail or display our products and the feedback has been amazing.
“Our smaller light blue bear is affiliated to the charity my husband and I set up in memory of our son, called ‘Thumbs up for Charlie’. This bear’s ear pin has the TUFC logo etched on it and a percentage of all profits with go directly to the charity. To mark brain tumour awareness month, throughout March we will be donating a light blue bear to families receiving respite from our charity for every light blue bear sold.”
Charlie was diagnosed with a Grade 3 ependymoma aged just two and sadly passed away in 2021.
Following his death, a huge tractor run took place to honour Charlie’s life and raised thousands of pounds for charity, as Blog Preston reported at the time.
Small business champion Theo Paphitis, who starred on Dragons’ Den from 2005-2012, 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 Blue Bear & Co. every success.”
