Success stories

Emma Hamlett took out a £25,000 loan to open Collected, an independent bookshop specialising in work written by women.

Michael Hughes secured £7,000 from Start Up Loans – through The Hub – to launch a new service providing respite and mentoring sessions for young people with autism.

Father and son team, Trevor and Peter Jones, run the Eden Education Centre, the largest innovation education studio in Europe.

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.

Steve Wileman used funding from the Start Up Loans scheme to help co-found the eLearning consultancy business, Enlighten-Ac. Steve and his business partner Suzanne Edwards have a passion for educational solutions, and, along with their lead content developer Billy, and their technical knowledge they constantly exceed customer expectations. They offer eLearning solutions customised to each of their clients’ visions, which can include everything from course writing to augmented and virtual reality services.

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.

Jacqueline Hall from Essex decided to set up her own business, DALE Coaching Ltd, after she had been made redundant and turned down from various job interviews. Jacqueline is a self-motivated, strong and determined lady who wanted to offer coaching services in areas such as leadership, executive coaching and youth leadership in and around the Greater London area.

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.

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

Vikki Bustard had always wanted to be a teacher but had dreamt of teaching outside rather than in a traditional classroom situation. While working as a Horticultural Training Officer Vikki had the idea for Plant & Play Wildlife Garden and by chance she came across the perfect site to locate the business.

Sam Robson, an entrepreneur from Ipswich, is passionate about music and education.

Roger and Angela Jennett have fulfilled their ambition of opening a friendly family-run day nursery in the heart of Lincoln.