Goodleaf Tree Climbing, based in Ryde, has been selected as 1 of 100 trail-blazing small businesses in the official count-down to Small Business Saturday, which takes place across the UK on 7th December 2019.
The ‘Small Biz 100’ are a selection of small businesses drawn from every corner of the UK that reflect the vibrancy of the UK’s 5.6 million small businesses. In the 100 days running up to Small Business Saturday, the campaign will spotlight each of the Small Biz 100 as part of its mission to celebrate small business success and encourage the nation to ‘shop local’ and support British small businesses.
This year’s Small Biz 100 features a range of unique independent businesses each contributing to their communities and offering something different, including Goodleaf Tree Climbing, founded in 2005 by Paul McCathie. Since 2005 Goodleaf has taken thousands of people into the canopy for a unique ‘mellow adventure’ encouraging a sense of enjoyment, fun and inspiration about the natural world.
Paul says:
“I am thrilled that the small seed of an idea I had a long time ago has grown into a sustainable business that provides so much fun for others.
“As befits a company whose ‘office’ is an oak tree, Goodleaf’s strategy has always been about slow, organic growth, focusing on the thing we do well – encouraging other people to get up close to and really experience and interact with our precious natural environment.
“We’re proud to be a very niche and very small business and it’s a total honour to be a part of the Small Biz 100 2019.”
Michelle Ovens MBE, Director of Small Business Saturday, said:
“Each year this campaign has grown in support from government, business and communities alike, and so we can’t wait to begin the annual 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday with the launch of the Small Biz 100 2019.
“Small Business Saturday’s increasing popularity means it was harder than ever to choose just 100 of this country’s incredible 5.6 million small businesses to showcase, but we believe those we have chosen are true representatives of the diverse, creative and inspiring heroes at the heart of our communities.”
In its seventh year, Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign, which last year saw an estimated £812million spent in small businesses across the UK on the day, according to research commissioned by founder and principal supporter American Express. This was up from the £748 million spent on Small Business Saturday in 2017, with 59% of people aware of the day saying they spent more than usual.
