- Top prize awarded to Bromley-based business Star Wars Figures who took home £5,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to eBay’s Head Office in America
- Event hosted by former Dragons Den Star who celebrated in the 11 award-winning businesses’ success
London, 30th October 2019: Eleven small and medium-sized businesses from across the UK were crowned winners at the third annual eBay for Business Awards on Tuesday 29 October at an exclusive evening ceremony at the Ham Yard Hotel in London.
The awards recognise and celebrate the most inspiring sellers among eBay UK’s community of 300,000 small and medium-sized businesses. Winning businesses ranged from a sustainable vintage fashion brand, to a music technology business that counts Snoop Dogg among its fans.
Specially commended awards included The Prince’s Trust Young Entrepreneur Award, which celebrates a young individual who demonstrated real entrepreneurial skills and drive, and The Retail Revival Seller Award, which recognises one business who took part in eBay’s Retail Revival Programme in Wolverhampton. Distinguished guests from Wolverhampton City Council and the Prince’s Trust presented the winning businesses with their trophies.
The Grand Prize – as voted for by the audience on the night – was awarded to Star Wars Figures who took home a £5,000 cash prize and will be flown to eBay’s Headquarters in San Jose to meet with eBay’s leadership team and to learn even more about how to maximise opportunity on eBay.
The event follows a nationwide search for the best British businesses trading on the platform, with the shortlisted entries judged by an expert panel made up of eBay leadership and industry experts, as well as previous award winners.
Commenting on the winners Rob Hattrell, Vice President, eBay UK, said: “Both my grandfathers were entrepreneurs, so I fully appreciate the hard work and determination that goes into making a small business a success. It takes someone who’s not afraid of risk, who is open to innovate and who is prepared to challenge the way things have previously been done.
“The eBay for Business awards showcased these three skills in masses. I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to meet and celebrate the very best and brightest of
the small British businesses selling on our platform. It’s been inspiring to hear each of their unique stories and I feel privileged to celebrate with them. “
Special guest and former Dragon from BBC series Dragon’s Den Jenny Campbell was also in attendance to offer her advice as a serial entrepreneur to the lucky eleven SMEs.
Serial entrepreneur and Dragon from BBC Dragon’s Den Jenny Campbell who compered the awards added: “I have no doubt that all eleven of tonight’s award winners will be the bright sparks of British business for years to come. Each and every eBay entrepreneur has shown bags of resilience, determination and creativity – the makings of a true gamechanger. Their future is certainly bright and I can’t wait to see how their businesses grow and what they’ll do next!”
The winners of the eBay for Business Award 2019 were:
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The Family Business Award - Genuine Parts UK Ltd
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Sustainability Seller Award - Sheanies Vintage
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Green Shoots Seller Award - Star Wars Figures
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The ‘Be Your Own Boss’ Seller Award - Pegs and Pearls
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Specialist Seller Award - Direct Plants
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Large Seller of the Year Award - The Wright Buy
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The Prince’s Trust Young Entrepreneur Award - Into Music
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The eBay Bright Future Award - Gates Enterprises
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Retail Revival Seller Award -Just Because
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Charity Seller of the Year Award - Local Aid Charity
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The Innovation Seller Award - Editors Keys Ltd
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Grand Prize Award - Star Wars Figures
The winners of each category receive £1,000 from eBay to invest in their businesses, along with a free eBay Anchor Store subscription to support their eBay store.
In addition to the eleven award categories, all winners were also entered for the Grand Prize Award, which was voted for on the night by attendees. Star Wars Figures won the prize with the majority of votes, which includes a £5,000 cash investment for their business and an all-expenses paid trip to the USA.
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Notes to editors
About the award winners:
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Green Shoots Seller Award and winner of the 2019 Grand Prize - Star Wars Figures: A business selling LEGO and other collectible items from franchises such as Star Wars. The business was set up by a man with the ambition to provide for his ill parents and brother and £50 worth of stock, which he has since turned into £150,000 in sales.Family Business Award - G enuine Parts UK Ltd, genuine.parts.uk.ni-1: A rapidly growing business launched by two brothers from Northern Ireland following their gap year, selling automotive parts on eBay.
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Sustainability Seller Award - Sheanies Vintage, sheaniesvintage: A platform for buying, selling and trading second-hand clothing both on eBay and in their physical retail shop. It is owned by two brothers who started with a box clothes and turned it into a business with £100k annual turnover.
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‘Be Your Own Boss’ Seller Award - Pegs and Pearls, pegsandpearls: A business selling beautiful paper goods and invitations for all occasions. The owner started the business after leaving her management role in retail following the birth of her son, whilst suffering from postnatal depression.
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Specialist Seller Award - Direct Plants, directplants: A family business launched from a living room that is now a full-scale online mail order plant and tree nursery company, set to turnover a staggering £1.5m in 2019.
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Large Seller of the Year Award - The Wright Buy, thewrightbuyltd: Initially created in his parent’s house, Andrew Wright’s business (and now brand, Cookology) is one of the most popular, highly rated brands on eBay selling kitchen appliances.
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Prince’s Trust Young Entrepreneur Award - Into Music, *intomusic: A small business started by 18-year-old Jake Harris, who created a company that sourced quality, affordable music gear and serviced and repaired it before reselling it, all whilst studying at college.
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eBay Bright Future Award - Gates Enterprises, gates.enterprises: The 18 year-old who turned his life around after finding his passion for business by tapping into his family's heritage and selling antique jewellery on eBay.
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Retail Revival Seller Award - Just Because, justbec4use: An eBay shop selling decorative and gifting items, which the seller opened alongside her bricks and mortar store in Wolverhampton to gain access to an international customer base.
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Charity Seller of the Year Award - Local Aid Charity, Localaidwales: A charitable organisation that supports young people with learning difficulties. With four charity shops and an eBay store to help fund their projects, the organisation runs work placements to develop a range of Agored Cymru Accredited Skills, such as money-handling, retail and communications skills, as well as learning how to use eBay.
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Innovation Seller Award - Editors Keys Ltd, editorskeys: A specialist seller that produces shortcut keyboards and covers for creators. eBay was the first place the products were sold, and his initial £100 investment has now become a multi-channel business, predicted to turn over £750,000 this year, with customers including the BBC, ITV and rapper Snoop Dogg.