Introduction to the 24/25 Ambassadors from Richard Bearman, Managing Director, Small Business Lending
It’s not hard to see in the news constant reminders about how tough conditions are for smaller businesses just now. Starting up a business at any time requires resilience and hard work, but especially so in the current environment. Smaller businesses though are vital to our communities and our economy, and so it’s fantastic when you see people rising to the challenge of getting a business off the ground.
Our new Start Up Loans Ambassadors are as inspiring as ever, combining 14 unique personal stories and, as always, they come from all across the Nations and regions of the UK. We will have the chance at today’s event to hear more about them and what has motivated them to start a business. They are following their dream and we wish them all the best.
Diversity remains one of our core values and it’s great to see such representative business owners from across the whole UK here. This year’s Ambassadors for the first time include a Gen Z Ambassador category and an Armed Forces Veteran Ambassador category. This year as we approach £150m of financing to businesses started by entrepreneurs aged 50 and over, we’re delighted that no fewer than five of our incoming Ambassadors fit into this age group. We also have Ambassadors in their twenties and thirties, which we hope inspires a broad range of people who may want to start up or grow a business.
Download a transcript of the 2024/2025 Ambassadors video (.ODT, 7.12kb) opens in new window.
Our Ambassadors are also a fifty-fifty split between male and female. We are enormously proud to provide the finance, the support and the platform for so many people from different walks of life to succeed in starting a business, often from groups that might otherwise struggle to start a business.
I am constantly amazed at the sheer guts and determination that business owners show as they look to start and grow their businesses, not to mention the creativity and imagination they bring to bear in doing so. Our new Ambassadors provide great examples of this entrepreneurial spirit, and I hope they will be an inspiration to others in their Nation or region as they embark upon or start to think about their business journey.
Find out more about them below and on the dedicated web pages for each. We’ll update their stories as the businesses change and develop.
Meet this years ambassadors
Bang Bang Boxing
Jamie Parker, founder of Bang Bang Boxing, a community boxing gym in Devon. With the enthusiastic support of the local community, the army veteran transformed a derelict building, to create the first dedicated boxing gym in the heart of Crediton.
Meet the ambassador Bang Bank BoxingEZ Hampers
Lisa Storey, founder of EZ Hampers, a sustainable gift company which sources sustainable products solely from positive impact businesses.
Meet the ambassador EZ AmbassadorsH.E.R Bodywear
Alexandra Perry, founder of H.E.R Bodywear, who designs and sells bodywear for women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer or cosmetic breast surgery.
Meet the ambassador HER BodywearHippy Hut Pottery
Cally James, founder of Hippy Hut Pottery, a ceramics business that offers classes and commissions. Hippy Hut Pottery hosts intimate workshops and hands-on classes for up to eight people, at bespoke studio in Bury St Edmunds.
Meet the ambassador Hippy Hut PotteryIkigai
Laura Suominen, the founder of Ikigai, an eco-conscious and Japanese-inspired homeware store, Ikigai The store is located in Leamington Spa, specialises in sourcing Japanese imported homeware items, yukata and otaku products such as official Studio Ghibli Merchandise.
Meet the ambassador IkagaiJPC Motorsports
Paul Connaughton, founder of JPC Specialist Motorsports, a motorsports business set up to raise vital funds for JPC Community Farm.
Meet the ambassador JPC MotorsportsKrapow Thai Restaurant
Phil enjoyed a 17-year career in the British Army. He met his Thai partner Chanisara seven years ago and that sparked their dream to open a restaurant together. Chanisara started serving her cuisine with a Thai food stall in the town’s central market and discovered that demand was high for her freshly made products.
Meet the ambassador Krapow Thai RestaurantMoody Cow Nails
27 year old TJ Bouchada, founder of private nail salon Moody Cow Nails. TJ took out her loan of £12,000, via Let’s Do Business Finance, to open her own private nail salon.
Meet the ambassador Moody Cow NailsProject Harmless
Founder George Greer received a loan from the British Business Bank and Virgin StartUp in September 2022 to expand his line of sustainable dog waste bags, following a surge in demand from consumers in the USA.
Meet the ambassador Project HarmlessThe Scran Man
Blake Bentley, aged 22, took out a £5,000 loan for his business, The Scran Man, in March 2021.The business, based in Great Barr in Birmingham, is dedicated to bringing customers authentic, fresh and tasty American street food such as Philly cheesesteaks, fried chicken and signature burgers.
Meet the ambassador The Scran ManTwo Blues Solar
Dan Levene is co-founder of Two Blues Solar, a solar panel installation business which addresses the growing demand for sustainable solutions to help drive the nation's net-zero agenda.
Meet the ambassador Two Blues SolarVocus Vit
Vocus Vit offers premium activewear for ladies with a focus on sustainability. The range is made from recycled plastic bottles without compromising on comfort, fit and style. It’s founded by Omagh entrepreneur Sarah-Jane Murray. Sarah-Jane took out a loan of £10,000 to help fulfil her dream of launching sustainable activewear business.
Meet the ambassador Vocus VitWe Make Footballers
Leon Stapleton, founder of We Make Footballers Cardiff, a football training academy for children aged 4-12. Applying for a £15,000 Start Up Loan meant that Leon was able to launch the first We Make Footballers franchise in Wales.
Meet the ambassador We Make FootballersWoof The Yorkshire Dog Shop
Natalie Press is the founder of Woof The Yorkshire Dog Shop (Woof), which sells a wide range of organic, grain-free and sustainable pet products.
Meet the ambassador Woof The Yorkshire Dog ShopSign up for our newsletter
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