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.

Blueshift GP

Art and design

Nicholas Roe has been working on his company, Blueshift GP, for one and a half years, and (after extensive research, development, overcoming...

Education

Almudena and Claudia, two childhood friends from Southern Spain, set up Bilingual Beats in October 2013. Bilingual Beats provides music language...

Miles & Mia

Michaela is truly the definition of an ambitious and hard-working woman. As a single mother with two children she has managed to maintain a...

Food and drink

John Otagburuagu founded Black Cowboy Coffee and Waffles in August 2015. As the name might suggest, the street cafe serves coffee and waffles (as...

Arrea Limited

Antimo is the founder of Arrea Limited, a commercial science company situated in London, which is trying to find ways for people to tackle air...

Leisure and entertainment

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...

Technology and IT

Julian and his business partner, Toni, started their web design company after receiving funding from the Start Up Loans Company. MBJ London offers...

Leisure and entertainment

Ann Akin started her community interest company, Harts Theatre Company, with the help of a £3,200 Start Up Loan. Harts Theatre Company uses...

Food and drink

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...

The Nests Little Smallholding

Georgie Mitchell gave up her job as a university lecturer teaching Child Development and Counselling and used a £7000 Start Up Loan to launch The...

Leisure and entertainment

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

True Crime Museum

Joel Griggs grew up fascinated with all things crime related. After spotting some abandoned caves along the Hastings waterfront -caves which turned...

Travel

Robert runs a mobile based business, Monster Vehicle Care. Based at his home address in Manchester, He started by focusing on the Manchester area....

Leisure and entertainment

David is currently at the last stage of his application and business plan; it has been approved by NWES and has now been passed to SULCo for final...

Technology and IT

EMA Training Ltd are a specialist Accountancy training provider based in Heanor on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. They also run other...

Food and drink

Lorraine Phillips started her café in April 2016 after working as a nurse in the NHS for 25 years. She decided that it was time for a change and had...

Click2Recruit

Graham Ford started his business, Click2Recruit, with the help of a £10,000 Start Up Loan. Click2Recruit are a recruitment agency based in Tamworth....