Ceramics start up crowned winners at Hounslow’s annual business competition

Hounslow Council, JCDecaux UK, and the West London Chambers of Commerce announced Small Ceramics as the winner of the latest Advance for Growth business competition.

This unique programme offers a Hounslowbased small business the opportunity to receive a year of premium digital advertising space with JCDecaux UK, as well as tailored business support from the Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

The winner, Small Ceramics, was revealed at the annual West London Chambers of Commerce Business Awards 2024. This year’s prize includes a full year of digital outof-home advertising, membership to the West London Chambers of Commerce, a feature and front cover in their Let’s Talk Business magazine, and expert business mentoring from Hounslow Council.

Stefano and Daisy, Small Ceramics team, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Advance for Growth prize! This opportunity has the potential to be truly transformational for our small business, and we are so grateful.”

Small Ceramics innovative approach to pottery has earned them recognition for their potential to grow and create jobs in Hounslow.

By shrinking the pottery experience without compromising the quality of a professional pottery wheel, they have unlocked the ability for all potters to create from the comfort of their homes—eliminating the need for a dedicated studio or large space.

Through the use of 3D printing technology, Small Ceramics has successfully accelerated their product launch timeline, enabling them to scale sustainably while reducing time-tomarket. They are now looking in extending their product line to offer even better tools for aspiring and professional potters. Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “A huge congratulations to Small Ceramics. This is an exciting moment for Hounslow as we continue to support local talent and businesses with the support they need to grow and thrive. Small Ceramics success reflects the strength of our borough’s entrepreneurial spirit, and we are proud to help them unlock their full potential.”

Runners-up, Sweat Lounge and PinkSeo, will also receive valuable mentoring and access to resources to support their business growth.

The Advance for Growth programme highlights the strength of partnerships between the Council, JC Decaux, and the West London Chambers of Commerce, fostering an environment where businesses can prosper and contribute to the borough’s wider regeneration goals.

Sally Smith, Chief Operating Officer, West London Chambers of Commerce said:

“West London Chambers is really proud to be part of the Advance for Growth competition, celebrating the diverse business community in the borough of Hounslow. We are thrilled that Small Ceramics are this year’s winners. They are a small and highly innovative company manufacturing small pottery wheels, in Brentford. They are one of the positives to come out of the pandemic. During the 2020 lockdown as keen ceramicists, they bought a cheap miniature pottery wheel online and it was not very good. So over the next four years they designed and built their own, which they now manufacture. I can’t wait to see the advertising campaign and the front cover of our business magazine, Let’s Talk Business, congratulations to Stefano and Daisy.”

Chris Collins, Co-Chief Executive Officer at JCDecaux UK said:

“We are delighted to be working with Hounslow Council and West London Chambers of Commerce to support local businesses to scale and grow in the third year of this competition. We look forward to working with this year’s winner Small Ceramics to help them build their brand using Out-of-Home’s ability to create fame and drive business outcomes. We’ve already seen the results of the prize package of tailored business guidance and Out-of-Home advertising for our previous winners Wild Chai and Hang, and I’m excited to see Small Ceramics take their business to the next level.”

Discover more about Small Ceramics and explore their innovative pottery wheel at www.smallceramics.com

For more information on business support in Hounslow, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/business-support

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Advance for Growth prize! This opportunity has the potential to be truly transformational for our small business, and we are so grateful.”