VistaPrint has announced the winners of its latest Small Business of the Match (SBOTM) initiative in partnership with Liverpool Football Club.
As a result of the scheme, small businesses like ours will get the opportunity to reach millions of viewers through pitch-side advertising during Liverpool FC home games throughout the season. In total, 15 small businesses across the UK have been chosen after a rigorous selection process that saw 830 entries submitted.
Over the course of the Small Business of the Match initiative, millions of viewers have seen the winners showcased on pitch-side LED screens during Liverpool matches.
Among previously awarded businesses, one local barber found that their business went up by 20% over the two months following their selection as the Small Business of the Match. Furthermore, the number of people who downloaded their app also increased by 20%.
Louise Kissack, Winner and Founder of Liverpool Food Network, said: ““I couldn’t believe it! The network actually started as something of a passion project back in 2018, we supported businesses throughout the pandemic, and as the world returned to normal the creation of a more formal network seemed to be the logical next step. We launched our website in 2021 and we have new members signing up every week. We’re entirely self-funded and knowing that our network will be seen on such a prominent stage makes me feel so proud of what we’ve achieved. I know our members will be incredibly proud too when they see ‘their’ network’s name pitch side!”
Sabine Leveiller, Marketing Vice President for Europe at VistaPrint commented: “We’re extremely pleased to announce the winners of this season’s Small Business of the Match initiative. We want to make small businesses feel big, celebrate the amazing people behind them and bring them to the attention of a global audience. Small businesses play a massive role both in the community and the economy as a whole. We want to help them flourish through the kind of exposure they would otherwise not be able to attain. Through this incredible partnership with Liverpool FC, we are able to elevate these businesses to new heights, helping them unlock new opportunities. Previous winners have seen real business benefits from the initiative and we look forward to seeing success for this new crop of companies over the course of this season and beyond.”
Ben Latty, Commercial Director at Liverpool FC, said: “It’s fantastic to work with VistaPrint once again on the Small Business of the Match initiative, and we are excited to be announcing the 15 worthy winners for this season. The Small Business of the Match initiative has already made a tangible impact to previous winners, so we’re looking forward to celebrating and putting a spotlight on this year’s crop of small businesses. We’re proud to see the benefits not just for their businesses but their wider communities, as this is at heart of what we do as a club, and is a central part of The Red Way, our award-winning sustainability programme.”
All 15 winners of the Small Business of the Match initiative have now been notified, and you can find the full list below:
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· Bettyliciouscooks, an African, Creole, Soul Food, Plant based food company |
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· Yours Naturally Naturally Yours Limited, a Liverpool-based natural and organic cosmetics retailer |
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· Harvey’s Dog Grooming Salon, based in Carnforth |
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· The Gateway Collective, a social enterprise tackling loneliness and isolation with community building and support |
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· Desraj Designs, Punjabi-themed custom clothing designer based in Gravesend |
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· Liverpool Food Network, the city’s first dedicated network for food & drink suppliers and independent hospitality businesses |
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· Cheeky Nibble, which specialises in vegan and allergen-free granola, inspired by famous British desserts and drinks |
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· Into Music a Lincolnshire-based independent musical equipment retailer, specialising in drum kits |
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· CubeFun, an educational game designer and retailer based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
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· Tamed Minds, Qualified Meditation Coach & Mind Detox Practitioner |
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· Harris window cleaning, a window and gutter cleaning specialist in Liverpool |
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· Fischerco, a Liverpool based gardening services company |
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· Soldier On Coffee Co, a veteran-owned and operated online coffee shop and local coffee supplier, based in Ulster |
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· Deerheart Collective, a studio with 4 tattoo artists and 2 barbers in Lowestoft |
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· Enviro-Tree, Domestic & Commercial Arboricultural services across the North-West. |