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Success stories

We've already helped tens of thousands of individuals to start and grow their business. Learn how with our library of 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.

 

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Ellison Gray Bridal

Caroline took out a Start Up Loan in May 2020 to realise her dream of opening a luxury bridal boutique. Ellison Gray Bridal was born after Caroline took the decision to leave her well-paid job in communications and engagement after becoming disillusioned with corporate life.

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Peregrine and Cheshire Quality

With a background in the Navy, Sam Jeffs – along with partner John-Paul “JP” Jeffs – launched two businesses in rapid succession – and both soared during lockdown, despite being very different ventures.

Start Up Loans

Love & Love

Love & Love is a recipient of the Start Up Loans programme. Founded by Manuela Montenegro Moreira Baraad and based in Leeds, it received a loan of £15,000 in January 2020. The company manufactures and sells unique, high-quality, vegan handbags. Its products are aimed at females looking for style, sustainability and empowerment when shopping for cruelty-free fashion.

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Maldon Books

Olivia Rosenthal, 28, from Maldon in Essex took out a loan of £25,000 in December 2019 to launch Maldon Books – an independent bookshop for adults and children. She now offers a delivery service so people outside of Maldon can order books, and she’s launched a pop-up hut in the local park.

Start Up Loans

London Sock Company

Ryan Palmer took out a loan of £25,000 in 2014 to launch the London Sock Company, a premium sock brand founded with the mission “to inspire everyone to Walk Brighter, embracing that uplifting moment when you pull your socks up each and every morning”.

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Floris

Aoife Doherty set up her business in November 2020 after graduating from the University of Reading with a BA Hons in Graphic Design.

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BOXD Health

Double act, Jamal Ramsay and Jamal Ayton-Brown, took out two loans of £24,988 each in June 2020 to launch BOXD Health, a business selling sustainable protein and wellness shakes specifically designed for women.

Start Up Loans

BTS Concept Store

After the loss of her brother in 2011 Tracy McAllister began to question if she was living life to the full. Losing her job in 2013 gave her the push she needed to follow her dreams and set up her coastal interiors boutique.

Start Up Loans

Brett’s Pets

Brett’s Pets is a family-run pet shop, based in Chorley, Lancashire. It provides customers with a range of pet foods and products along with information and husbandry advice on most animals and exotic reptiles.

Start Up Loans

Christian Benedict

Christian McAleenan started his business, Christian Benedict, in February 2017. Currently operating from his home in Manchester, he provides a subscription service for shirts, where customers can sign up to have a fresh, high-quality shirt delivered to their home address every 30, 60 or 90 days.

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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 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.

Start Up Loans

Farah Qureshi

Farah Qureshi designs and makes jewellery in precious metals, ethical silver and gold. Jewellery had long been a hobby of hers and she had been taught jewellery design while she was at art college where she learnt 3D design and metal work. With the number of collections a year currently at two Farah sources her materials from Hatton Gardens and all of her products are ethical.

Start Up Loans

Gabby’s World

Kerry-Ann Graham decided to set up her business, Gabby’s World; a business whose founding principle is encouraging diversity and equality through play; where values, social norms are learnt and reinforced.

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Ellie Stickland Jewellery

Ellie Stickland studied Jewellery design at Central Saint Martins, and worked in the industry for a number of years as well as a stint in the finance industry which then propelled her to setting up on her own in January 2013.

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The Sewing Room

Jacqueline Moran, a mum and entrepreneur based in Wirral, used her Start Up Loan to set up The Sewing Room, which offers expert clothes fitting and alterations.

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Meame

Meame is design performance fashion for both fashion conscious and discerning cyclists. Founders Megan Aylott and husband Stephen Azancot wanted to create clothing that was both functional and fashionable for the wearer.

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Bow Wows at No. 7

After 14 years working at House of Fraser and 10 years at the Body Shop, Karen Hassan was made redundant in 2014. She was a dog lover and owned two but found herself struggling when searching for treats and accessories for them, which gave her the idea for her own business.

Start Up Loans

Utta Nutta

Palm tree plantations have a big environmental impact and this is one of the main reasons Katie decided to develop her own recipe, one which didn’t use this ingredient.