Jenette Spirovski, founder of Global Travel Group member Travel Options 4U, said she had experienced a “whirlwind week” since being plucked from hundreds of other independent firms on social media by magnate Theo Paphitis for his Small Business Sunday initiative.

Each week the multimillionaire Ryman owner invites small companies across the country to tweet him a description of their business to be considered for the scheme.

From the entries, Paphitis, who featured on Dragons’ Den for seven years, chooses his favourite six who he then retweets using #SBS aiming to showcase their expertise to more than 500,000 of his followers and industry contacts.

Selected companies become part of the Small Business Sunday network and have their products featured on a members-only online marketplace and invited to an annual conference during which delegates can meet Paphitis and hear his advice on succeeding in business.

Spirovski, who launched Travel Options 4U from her home in Bradford-upon-Avon, near Bath, in 2006 before opening a high street premises in June, said the agency’s Twitter account had acquired “hundreds more followers” within days of being chosen last week.

“We couldn’t believe it when we were picked by Theo and just the amount of people congratulating us and wanting to hear about the business has been amazing,” she told TTG.

Explaining the creation of the scheme on the Small Business Sunday website, Paphitis said: “I know I have been lucky in business and I am keen now to spread goodwill to others.

“My vision is that everyone who has ever won a #SBS retweet from me becomes part of a friendly club. Like-minded individuals can share successes and learnings.”

Spirovski said that she would look to use the recognition to help attract new clients and grow the agency’s profile.