CHAT WITH AN EXPERT 
Chantal Smith took out a £25,000 loan in April 2021 to launch Laughing Lama Cafe, a family-friendly bistro and cafe in Acum, York.
As a mum of two young children, Chantal wanted her shop to be a haven for both kids and their parents.
“I wanted to create a cafe that both kids and adults would love. We have a designated children’s area on the first floor with toys to keep children entertained, whilst parents get a welcomed break,” she said.
Setting up the cafe was a true labour of love. She acquired the space completely barren and enlisted the help of local builders to renovate l it.
All the hard work quickly paid off. Business has been booming since she started trading in May 2021.
“I’ve already built a good clientele, and the number of people I employ has grown from two to seven. In the future, I hope to open more locations in the area,” she said.
Find out more about Laughing Llama Cafe here.
