Episode 153: Karen Campbell - Marketing Director, Small Business Britain

Karen Campbell - Marketing Director, Small Business Britain and founder of networking group Hotsy Totsy, is the latest guest on the Business Awards Show.

Karen is a ball of energy and a vital supporter of small businesses in the UK. She started out as a journalist, moving to London from her native Yorkshire to be the Arts & Entertainment correspondent for the Metro newspaper. From there, she moved into the fashion industry and then the Performing Rights Society. When the partying got too much, she decided it was time to start her own marketing business.

We track her journey through the early days of networking, to meeting Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain. The two hit it off, and led to Karen working with Michelle at SBB. We hear about the work this championing organisation does for UK small businesses. Discover the idea behind Small Business Saturday, The Small Business 100 and their awards programme, The Small Awards.

As an organisation, SBB champions opportunities for people with learning and physical difficulties. In addition, Karen explains the rationale behind the government-backed Lilac Review and why it touched her so deeply.

If you love podcasts, and we think you probably do as you're listening to us, you'll find another listen for your playlist. Karen and Michelle host the Small Business Britain Podcast, which covers many issues facing entrepreneurs but wrapped up in a fun conversation rather than dry business analysis.

Ultimately, this episode offers a wealth of tips on everything from networking to writing award entries to running your own business. Karen is such an entertaining guest and for anyone thinking of starting their own business, this may be a conversation that provides the inspiration to go and do it.

 

 

{1:50} Why Karen set up her own marketing business.

{5:18} Early experiences of networking.

{6:23} Hotsy Totsy - a different kind of networking.

{8:51} Networking while doing craft sessions.

{9:28} Getting involved with Small Business Britain.

{11:33} The importance of entrepreneurs.

{13:50} The Small Business 100.

{15:30} Supporting disabled entrepreneurs.

{18:24} The Small Awards.

{20:54} Karen's tips for successful award entries.

{22:16} Karen's podcast - The Small Business Britain Podcast.

{25:14} Karen's tips for anyone starting a business.

{27:17} Hotsy Totsy's 2025.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

                                        https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Karen:  https://karencampbellmarketing.com/

Small Business Britain: https://smallbusinessbritain.uk/index.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallbusinessbritain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BritainSmallBiz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallbusinessbritain/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@britainsmallbiz

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@smallbusinessbritain 

Hotsy Totsy: https://hotsy-totsy.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotsy_totsyers/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hotsy-totsy2021/

The Small Awards: https://thesmallawards.uk/

The Small Business Britain Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eobvkBdanzSmf5553Rmzl

f:Entrepreneur: https://f-entrepreneur.com/

Small Biz 100: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/small-biz-100