A Biggleswade-based businesswoman has received a boost from retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis.

Emily Hayes, owner of online jewellery company Scintilla Sunrise, tweeted Theo about her business during his national initiative day Small Business Sunday and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet by Theo to his 500,000 Twitter followers.

The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010 and supports small businesses in the UK. Theo personally presented Emily with a certificate recognising her achievements at a prestigious annual SBS Event at the Birmingham International Conference Centre.

Emily said: “I started my business when I struggled to find work to fit around school hours, and I’m so glad I took the plunge.#

“Theo’s message was loud and clear – being small is not an obstacle to being successful, and I’m really looking forward to taking my business to the next level.”