ICE member Happus has been named as one of two South Wales businesses in this year’s Small Biz 100.
Happus, alongside Swansea’s Hygrove Homes will be representing small businesses in South Wales on a national level, with Small Business Saturday set to trend across the UK on the fifth of December. Happus will also be a part of the Welsh launch at Cardiff Castle on the 19th of October.
Every year the Small Business Saturday initiative select 100 businesses to profile as shining examples of the power of small business, promoting the role they play in the UK economy.
There are five Welsh businesses in the 100, with Carbon Zero Renewables and Recruit Packs representing North Wales and Receiptgiftbook.com from Mid Wales.
Managing Director of Happus, David Williams said, “It’s a great honour to be named as one of this year’s Small Biz 100. Small businesses have a huge part to play in the economy here in Wales, particularly for our customers. As a small business we have a lot more control over our service and the freedom to make decisions that we know will benefit our customers – because we speak to them every day. We aren’t a chain working for a head office in London, we are a part of our community, living and working amongst our stakeholders.
“We are hoping that the focus and attention that surrounds Small Business Saturday will really help highlight the issue of digital exclusion. We started Happus to help tackle the lack of affordable hardware and connectivity, now we want to help people get the skills they need to get online and be part of the digital world.
“The ethos here at Happus is that internet access is a right, not a privilege and that’s why throughout October we will be offering free support to anyone who feels they need help getting online.”
Small Business Saturday National Campaign Director, Michelle Ovens, said: “The first Small Business Saturday last year was an exceptional example of collaboration and co-operation with small businesses teaming up in communities around the UK.
“Although the campaign focuses on one day, the goal is to have a lasting impact on small businesses by changing mind-sets, so that people make it their mission to support small businesses all year round.”
Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign. Last year 16.5 million adults went out to support a small business on Small Business Saturday with 64% of the UK aware of the campaign. Between them, small businesses in the UK provide 60% of private sector jobs and nearly 50% of private sector turnover. Last year the campaign was featured by all major media, trended at number one on Twitter on the day and received around 3.5 million views on its Facebook page. This year Small Business Saturday carries the theme “5 million small businesses, 1 big day”.
Based in the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise in Caerphilly, Happus offer discounted hardware packages for anyone representing a charity or claiming benefits*, which combined with their exclusive TalkTalk deal and full customer support, means the team are a one stop shop for digital inclusion.
Happus want to reach out to anyone who feels they could benefit from being online but are unsure if they can afford it. You can contact the team via telephone on 03300 103300 or via their website.