Case Studies

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.

Katie had a genuine interest and passion for art, carpentry and upholstery. To enhance her talents she took a number of relevant courses at Glasgow College in 2013 and 2014 to secure a series of industry-recognised qualifications. This led to her submitting a piece into the Trades House Craftex competition in 2015 and was presented with the Marie Haring Prize for exceptional work and effort. Katie leveraged her customer service experience and years of various work experience to go solo, and launched The Krooked Kat in Perth, Scotland.

Almudena and Claudia, two childhood friends from Southern Spain, set up Bilingual Beats in October 2013. Bilingual Beats provides music language classes to children in London schools and nurseries, as well as hosting parties and family classes.

Michelle Forsbrey is a keen surfer, skier and swimmer. When she’s not working as a flight attendant she is drawn to the ocean, beach and water; a true Mermaid at heart.

Daniel launched his business, Escapism Manchester, in August 2016 and works full-time at the premises with six members of staff.

The Poptata story began in May 2015 with a temporary gazebo set up at London’s Portobello Road market over the weekend. Marco and Luca wanted to share their passion for Fries with Londoners, they knew they would love them.

Joel Griggs grew up fascinated with all things crime related. After spotting some abandoned caves along the Hastings waterfront -caves which turned out to have previously housed everything from hotel generators to druid groups at the turn of the 19th century- he immediately saw their potential.

EMA Training Ltd are a specialist Accountancy training provider based in Heanor on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. They also run other office based qualifications such as Business Administration and Social Media and Digital Marketing.

Diana Parkes is the founder of social enterprise The Women’s Sat Nav to Success Ltd.

William Ferrieira and his business partner, William Niven started up their independent creative agency, Unbxd in September 2015.

Christian Wilse launched Seniors Helping Seniors, and started trading officially in January 2014.

Inga Irvine opened her art gallery, North 55 Falmouth, with the help of a £6,500 Start up Loan.

Emma Evelyn Stone worked as a Transport Secretary before deciding to return to university and study a science degree.