Case Studies

Jeremy May secured Start Up Loans funding through Virgin StartUp in February 2020. He had worked in the food and drink industry and came up with the idea for NICE after discovering an American brand of canned wine on Instagram and became immediately obsessed with the concept.

The local community is at the heart of Joanie's Music, with the retro-inspired guitar shop in Stirling encouraging people to get back into music during the recent Covid-19 lockdown.

Joel Clayton from Cambridge received a loan through delivery partner Transmit Start-Ups in 2019, which he used to establish a record label, Trapped Animal Records, with two other musicians.

Dhruvin Patel took out a Start Up Loan of £500 through business support partner Virgin StartUp in 2015 to start his business Ocushield, an innovative line of products designed to protect eyes from the harmful blue light emitted by screens.

Previously working in marketing technology in London, but always having had a side-interest in naturally sourced products, when Joe left his London job in 2019 he decided it was the perfect time to pursue his dream of being his own boss.

Jane Palmer, 53, took out a £25,000 Start Up Loan in 2015 to launch Celebrating Curves, a bridal wear business for plus-size brides based in Sheffield.

Peter Rogers took out a loan of £10,000 in 2021 to launch Silverbirch Woodcraft, an online store selling bespoke and restored handmade furniture.

Helen Conway alongside her daughter Angharad and son-in-law Lance, launched their bakery business Ty Melin Bakery during coronavirus lockdown in March 2020. The trio had discussed starting a family venture for several years and had had an initial business plan drafted for over 2 ½ years.

Former baristas Theo Garcia, 24, and Alex Foss Sims, 29, met while working in a coffee shop in Gloucestershire. They started producing bottled, chilled coffee after noticing a growing demand for cold brew amongst coffee lovers.

After the loss of her brother in 2011 Tracy McAllister began to question if she was living life to the full. Losing her job in 2013 gave her the push she needed to follow her dreams and set up her coastal interiors boutique.

Brett’s Pets is a family-run pet shop, based in Chorley, Lancashire. It provides customers with a range of pet foods and products along with information and husbandry advice on most animals and exotic reptiles.

Rachael Hurton has always had a passion for dance and performance and in 2014 she brought her dream to life by starting Synergy Dance – a dance fitness programme for children of all ages.

JC Social Media, founded by Jodie Cook when she was 22, turns 6 years old in August 2017. Based in Birmingham city centre, their team of 14 provide social media training and management services to local and international clients, including the likes of Nandos and Mariott Hotels.

Margarita Veberaite and fellow co-founders, Josefa Celestin and Fraser Stephen launched their business, Shakehaus in April 2016. A creative video and production agency based in Edinburgh. All three partners each received funding from Start Up Loans to help them launch the business.

Alyssa launched her business, Peach Blossom, in March 2015. She works at the business full-time and currently employs an assistant on a part-time basis.

Read 40 St Pauls's story and learn how Start Up Loans helped them.

Stewart Hilton and his partner Rob White set up Zeal Creative, a promotional marketing company, after becoming frustrated with opportunities while working as part of a larger marketing agency.

Brian Stoneman secured a Start Up Loan of £6,600 in March 2017 to put towards the running of Academy ICT. The business provides IT solutions for schools via a range of different services.