Key Points:
- Scottish DIY shop Dae it Yersel has been voted as Britain’s Best Small Business Name, beating 2,200 other small businesses and winning a £2,500 cash prize
- Shortlisted businesses included Kashmiri restaurant Balti Towers, Honey farm So Bee It and gardener Lawn and Order
- Research from small business insurer Simply Business has found that over half (51%) of consumers are more likely to shop at a business with a funny or witty name
Small business insurance provider Simply Business has announced that Dae It Yersel, a family-owned business in Dunoon, Scotland, has been named as winner of their Britain's Best Small Business Name 2025 Competition.
The competition, which celebrates the ingenuity of UK entrepreneurs, saw hundreds of businesses contend for the £2,500 prize. From Balti Towers, a Kashmiri restaurant in Halesowen, to So Bee It, a Lancashire Honey Farm, the competition highlighted the character of Britain’s independent businesses.
And it seems that funny business pays off - Simply Business research found that 65 per cent of consumers believe a witty business name indicates an imaginative and original company, and over half (51%) are more likely to shop at a business with a witty or funny name.
The full shortlist for the 2025 competition included:
Business Name | Business Type | Location |
Back To The Fuchsia | Landscaping specialist | Bromley, London |
Balti Towers | Kashmiri Restaurant | Halesowen, West Midlands |
WINNER: Dae It Yersel | DIY shop and Timber Yard | Dunoon, Scotland |
Damsel in This Dress | Seamstress | Harlech, Wales |
Lawn and Order | Gardencare | Watford |
Pietanic | Food truck | Birmingham |
So Bee It | Honey farm | Lancashire |
The Fast and the Furriest | Dog walker and trainer | Dundee, Scotland |
The Jobfather | Handyman | Ardingly |
The NoBody Inn | Pub and BnB | Exeter |
Helena McLay, co-owner of Dae It Yersel, shared her excitement: “I'll have to bake a cake to celebrate! We’ll definitely have to have a BBQ with our staff to thank them for being a part of the business.
“Dae it Yersel has been family-owned since my mother, father and then-20-year-old brother took over a tiny wee DIY shop in 1970. I've been around the shop since I was three and used to spend my after-school hours and school holidays here.
“The name is obviously the Glaswegian/Scots version of ‘Do It Yourself’. For both myself and my nephew, who took over running the shop with me when my brother passed away, the shop has always been a part of our lives - it is the heart and soul of the family. There have been many tough times, from losing my mum, dad, and brother to COVID, but there are far more rewarding times and lifelong friendships that have arisen from our years in Dae It Yersel. We couldn’t be more delighted to have won.”
The entries were judged in partnership with Harpreet Kaur, entrepreneur and winner of BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’.
Kaur commented: “It was so heartening to see the character woven into every single small business name we judged, reflecting the passion and dedication of the thousands of entrepreneurs who entered. Dae It Yerself should be incredibly proud to have won the public vote; it's a testament to their unique appeal and the genuine connection they've built with their local community.”
Julie Fisher, UK chief executive at Simply Business, added: “Simply Business are delighted to crown Dae it Yersel Britain’s Best Small Business Name 2025. It's clear from the voting that they are a hugely popular small business in their local community. We hope this recognition brings added positive attention for the business, and that our £2,500 cash prize helps them celebrate during what is a challenging period for many SMEs.
“Each year with this competition, we are reminded of the UK’s small business community’s remarkable creativity – and this year’s submissions have truly set a new standard. The names reflect the personality and entrepreneurial spirit that drive small businesses nationwide.”
