Success Stories

Success Stories

We've already helped tens of thousands of individuals to start and grow their business. Read on for the full story on some of our most inspiring loan recipients: why they became their own boss, the challenges they faced and overcame along the way and how a Start Up Loan helped them to achieve their dreams.

Pacific Quay Powerboats Glasgow

Leisure and entertainment

Created by John Hillis, alongside his brother Merrell and marine operations manager Terence McKibben, Pacific Quay Powerboats Glasgow offers...

My Locker World

Danielle and a close friend launched My Locker World in July 2016. With support and funding from Start Up Loans they were able to make their dream...

Food and drink

Founded by Duncan O’Brien, Dalston Cola was established in response to a request from an organisation to make a cola that was not Coca Cola. With...

Launch22

Eddie has run his own businesses since the age of 16, and when he turned 19 he received funding from the Princes Trust to start a property service...

Food and drink

Inspired by the London foodie scene, Mechelle’s recent redundancy spurred her on to launch her own business, Melt Aberdeen. Melt Aberdeen has...

Technology and IT

Mitchell first started his business, Inferno Media, a social media agency, when he was 17 years old. When he turned 18 he was able to get funding...

Art and design

Keisha has run her own laser cutting service since April 2015. She used her £9,600 loan from Start Up Loans to help start up her business and...

Leisure and entertainment

Altum Designs is a London based company, run by Mr. Daniel Varney. He designed, manufactured and now markets a unique and pioneering bike tool,...

Food and drink

Amanjot Johal was struck by the quality of bars he found in the capital as he set up a bar for another company in 2011. Great cocktails were...

Amanda Alexander Luxury Weddings

Amanda Alexander plans, designs and manages luxury weddings and bespoke events which include personal celebrations and corporate events. The company...

Health and fitness

Lifeline24 is a national telecare provider based in Norwich which supplies personal alarms to frail, elderly and disabled people living across the...

Art and design

Stewart Hilton and his partner Rob White set up Zeal Creative, a promotional marketing company, after becoming frustrated with opportunities while...

Pencil & Fork

David Sanchez is the founder and owner of Pencil & Fork, a business which provides an innovative approach to learning using food. Pencil &...

Enlighten-Ac

Steve Wileman used funding from the Start Up Loans scheme to help co-found the eLearning consultancy business, Enlighten-Ac. Steve and his business...

Food and drink

Victoria Corney-Young’s creative development of Ettie, her 1957 Citroen H Van, and launch of The Street Pantry is going from strength to strength....

Obvious Arts

Obvious Arts is a one-man show, set up in June 2016 by Fergus Ryan, which specialises in therapeutic activities, arts in education and performance....

Technology and IT

In June 2010, whilst researching headphone amplifiers, Garry Wise, spurred on by his passion for both hi-fi and music, decided to build his very...

The Krooked Kat

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...

Education

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...