The inspiring small businesses in the running for a game-changing TV ad
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Posted: Mon 23rd Jun 2025
Constant Contact and Enterprise Nation have launched one of the most exciting opportunities of the year for small businesses in the UK – the Small Business, Big Break competition.
With a share of £300,000 of Channel 4 advertising airtime, a £2,000 grant and tailored marketing support up for grabs, it's a chance for entrepreneurs to scale their impact in ways usually reserved for big brands.
After an inspiring round of entries showcasing the best in British innovation, purpose and passion, the finalists have been revealed. Each of these brilliant businesses is in the running to win professionally produced advertising and a place on prime-time TV.
The incredible shortlist
These inspiring finalists all bring something unique to the table – whether it's tackling food waste, promoting mental wellbeing, reimagining comfort or fusing style with sustainability. But what they all share is heart, grit and a clear vision for growth.
TV advert prize – finalists
Spice Kitchen
North West | Food manufacturing
Spice Kitchen is more than a spice company – it's a joyful celebration of food, heritage and family. Run by a mother and son duo, it handcrafts sari-wrapped spice tins that blend Indian and Kenyan traditions with smart innovation.
With huge ambitions for the next year, its upcoming product launches and focus on gifting make the business one to watch. A TV ad would shine a national light on the founders' love-powered story and help bring bold flavour into homes across the UK.
Umutoni
London | Luxury goods and jewellery
Rooted in reciprocity and driven by purpose, Umutoni is transforming what luxury jewellery means. With a gold-plating facility in Kenya and a mission to empower young artisans, it creates gold-plated pieces that are both stunning and socially conscious.
From Forbes to the National Portrait Gallery, Umutoni's cultural influence is rising – and a national TV campaign would cement its place in the luxury market, showing the power of African craftsmanship to millions.
Oatsu
London | Plant-based food manufacturing
From kitchen side hustle to supermarket shelves, Oatsu is making mornings easier with delicious, ready-to-eat overnight oats.
With listings launching in Ocado, Tesco and Sainsbury's, the company is set for serious growth. Its founder-led brand thrives on authenticity and community, with breakfast solutions made for real life.
A TV campaign could supercharge retail momentum and introduce its time-saving, nutrition-packed pots to the whole nation.
Stix Mindfulness
London | Health and wellness for children
Stix is changing the way families talk about – and support – children's mental health. Its screen-free, interactive mindfulness tools help kids manage big emotions through play and movement.
Born from personal experience, this product was designed for a younger brother struggling while on an NHS waiting list. The company's mission is to support 100,000 families by 2027, and a national campaign would offer much-needed hope and practical help to parents across the country.
Calla
North West | Fashionable footwear for foot conditions
For the one in three women living with bunions, Calla is a revelation. This all-female team designs stylish, orthopaedic-friendly shoes that don't compromise on confidence.
With celebrity fans like Dame Helen Mirren and a thriving online following, Calla is redefining fashion for women over 40 – one comfortable, beautiful step at a time. A TV ad would connect the business with new customers who've given up on finding footwear that truly fits.
helloSKIN
London | Vegan skincare
helloSKIN isn't just selling face masks – it's rewriting the script for inclusive, sustainable skincare. This Black-owned brand makes biodegradable hydrogel eye masks that hydrate, soothe and disappear after use – literally.
The company's commitment to affordable luxury, performance and purpose is resonating with beauty lovers and stockists alike. A TV ad would give it the cultural moment it deserves, helping it land in the homes (and on the shelves) of even more conscious consumers.
Snack Gusto
London | Healthy snacks from "wonky" fruit
On a mission to fight food waste and champion healthy snacking, Gusto Snacks transforms imperfect fruit into air-dried crisps bursting with flavour.
Its patented technology and bold brand voice have earned the company a viral following, and now it's ready for the next leap. A national TV spot would elevate its storytelling-driven growth and amplify its message: healthy snacks can be delicious and sustainable – and make a real difference.
UpCircle Beauty
London | Sustainable skincare with upcycled ingredients
UpCircle is the trailblazer behind by-product beauty. Its award-winning skincare products rescue ingredients like coffee grounds, fruit peels and even rose petals – turning waste into luxury.
Already stocked in over 55 countries, it's expanding into haircare and cosmetics, proving circular innovation has mainstream appeal. With one product sold every 90 seconds, the company is ready for TV exposure that matches its global ambition.
Marketing package prize winners
These two brilliant businesses aren't seeking a TV ad. But with their powerful missions, distinctive voices and clear plans for growth, they're more than ready for their big break.
Republic of Happy
South West | Eco-friendly homeware and gifts
Republic of Happy is on a mission to bring joy into homes through colour, pattern and original design.
Founded by Veronica Galbraith, a Colombian-born designer with nearly three decades of creative experience, the brand specialises in dopamine-boosting home décor – from bold cushions to playful kitchen textiles – crafted in small batches using sustainable materials.
With a loyal (and growing) following of colour lovers, Republic of Happy is ready to turn up the volume. Veronica's goal is to double website traffic and email subscribers, optimise messaging and convert browsers into brand fans.
The Small Business, Big Break marketing package would give her the tools and guidance to do exactly that – funding creative campaigns, boosting online visibility and, most crucially, helping this joyful brand reach more of the right people.
What sets Republic of Happy apart is the intention behind every piece: not just to decorate, but to uplift. With original, artist-designed prints, a deeply personal story and a strong sustainability ethos, this is a business with heart and hue in equal measure.
CORE Mental Health
West Midlands | Mental health education
CORE Mental Health delivers something uniquely powerful: an emotionally intelligent curriculum that empowers teachers, supports parents and helps children navigate life's hardest moments – from grief to anxiety to suicidal thoughts.
Created by Suzanne Allies, a psychotherapist, teacher and bereaved mother, CORE was built with the care, expertise and compassion that can only come from lived experience.
Over the next 12 months, CORE will launch a new Parent/Carer Companion Programme and scale its impact to schools nationwide. The marketing package would fuel this next phase – funding targeted campaigns, video content and platform upgrades to bring CORE's vital message to more educators and families across the UK.
CORE stands out because it doesn't treat mental health as a footnote. It places emotional wellbeing front and centre, offering trusted tools for prevention, understanding and resilience.
In a time of national mental health need, it offers something rare: a resource that's clinically grounded, educator-approved and human at its core.
Who will get their big break?
Three winners will be selected to receive a powerful business boost: professionally produced TV adverts, airtime on Channel 4 and exclusive marketing support to help their brand reach new heights.
Whichever businesses take the spotlight, one thing's for sure: the future of British business is bold, purpose-driven and brimming with creativity.
Follow Enterprise Nation to keep up with the finalists – and get ready to discover your next favourite brand on screen.
Want to know who wins?
This competition is now closed, but why not subscribe to the Enterprise Nation newsletter to stay updated on who wins. Sign up now
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