Member Article

Dragons Den Theo backs North East entrepreneur

Dragons Den star Theo Paphitis has given his backing to North East businessman Mick McCabe.

Mick – a dad of one - was thrilled when Theo recognised the potential of his business Kids Like New during a Sunday night Twitter networking event.

Not only did Theo highlight Mick’s business to his 350,000 Twitter followers but he gave him a place in the Dragon’s highly-coveted Small Business Sunday Club.

Mick’s business is an online marketplace dedicated to selling pre-loved children’s items.

Kids Like New is now among an elite group of companies to gain a place on the Small Business Sunday website - a significant feat for a business in its early stages.

To catch the eye of Dragon Theo, business owners must describe their company in 140 characters with the hashtag #SBS.

Mick’s entry beat off competition from scores of other businesses, all keen to be noticed by Theo.

And since the Twitter spotlight fell on Kids Like new, Mick says there has been increased interest in his business.

Kids Like New allows parents to sell children’s items at knock down prices instead of them gathering dust in the garage or being thrown away.

Not only does the venture reduce the number of items going to landfill it will boost the funds of three children’s charities as a percentage of every sale is donated.

The site currently donates to three children’s charities - Cash For Kids, Children’s Heart Unit Fund and the Evening Chronicle’s Sunshine Fund.

The business intends to increase that number.

Mick also wants the website www.kidslikenew.com to become an online community, complete with a blog and forum offering support and advice to parents.

Everything will be for sale at a fixed price - set by the seller and including postage.

Listings are free and the site operates a ‘no sale no fee policy’. The site takes a commission from each item sold.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lottie King .