Pictured above: Stuart Walton with Business for
Breakfast Mascot Ted the Bear
An octogenarian teddy bear has become an unlikely on-line
icon.
Ted has built a fan base on Twitter after being adopted as a
mascot by a growing business network.
Eighty year old Ted is owned by well known Staffordshire
businessman Stuart Walton who launched the Staffordshire arm of the
Business for Breakfast network in April, 2010.
"Ted has been in the family throughout his long life," said
Stuart. "When I decided to take on the area's B for B franchise, I
mentioned Ted to B for B founder John Fisher and we decided to
adopt him as the group's mascot.
"He now has his own Twitter account - TedtheBforBBear - with
around 170 followers.
"He attends Business for Breakfast meetings and has his photo
taken with members which are then posted on the social networking
site."
Ted has even won civic recognition, having his photograph taken
with the Mayors of Stafford and Stone at a recent awards
ceremony.
Stuart, of Milford, near Stafford, launched Business for
Breakfast Staffordshire at the Moat House, Festival Park,
Stoke-on-Trent, in April.
Two groups are now running in Stoke-on-Trent, together with a
group at the Hatherton Hotel, Penkridge. A fourth group will launch
at the Holiday Inn Express, Acton Trussell in June and further
venues are being sought for more groups in towns throughout
Staffordshire.
Stuart Walton is well known on the Staffordshire business scene.
He was Finance Director at Areva, Stafford, for five years and has
been President of the Stafford Chamber of Commerce since 2009.
He said: "Business for Breakfast got off to a great start at the
Moat House, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent. Our launch was so
oversubscribed that we had to organise a second group.
"I am a firm believer that good networking is the fastest and
most cost effective way of growing your business," said Stuart.
"Our members are business owners and senior executives and we cater
for all sizes of business from one man bands to large
companies.
"Members meet fortnightly and the emphasis is on building up
contacts and discussing ways of working in partnership. Business
for Breakfast is not a vehicle for direct selling, sales come
naturally as members get to know each other and refer them to other
trusted contacts."