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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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Cornerstone

Oliver Bridge is a remarkable man who started off working for an innovation consultancy company and managed to have his own business at the age of 15.

Start Up Loans

The Smart Bunker

Niall Greenan, CEO of Greenans Products, was inspired to set up his business based on an innovative idea initially designed to help his arthritic mother fill a coal bucket from a coal bunker.

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Old School BBQ Bus

Former steelworker Mark Fairley has launched his own traditional American BBQ business in a bright yellow high school bus.

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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.

Start Up Loans

Brew Cavern

Upon returning to his childhood home of Nottingham Matt Hinton, having developed a strong passion in real ale and all things hoppy soon discovered that unlike Sheffield, where he had moved from, there was a real gap in the market for a serious beer retailer.

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Jim Jams Spreads

Shocked at the amount of unnecessary sugar found in most breakfast spreads, mother of two Kellie Bath knew she wanted something healthier for her young children.

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Cocoa Amore

After working in the pub industry for 10 years Peter Gardner saw the company he worked for go under and he lost his job. Deciding to start over he taught himself how to make chocolate online and set up his first storeand with the support of £10,000 from the Start Up Loans Company – Cocoa Amore was born.

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Yorkshire Dama Cheese

After travelling from war torn Syria with her husband and three children Razan Al-Sous settled in Huddersfield, a far cry from her former home of Damascus.

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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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Chappuccino

Chappuccino is a café in the heart of Chapeltown, Sheffield, run by Olivia Fisher and her mum, Claire.

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Waterfall Ways

Having been made redundant after working with the King'sTrust for many years Christopher Evans decided to go it alone and start his own business venture.

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Can You Escape?

Alastair Watson opened his Edinburgh tourist attraction, Can You Escape, with the help of a £6,500 Start Up Loan. Prior to starting his business Alastair worked in the construction industry and for volunteering agencies at the Scottish Council.

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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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Plant & Play Wildlife Garden

Vikki Bustard had always wanted to be a teacher but had dreamt of teaching outside rather than in a traditional classroom situation. While working as a Horticultural Training Officer Vikki had the idea for Plant & Play Wildlife Garden and by chance she came across the perfect site to locate the business.

Start Up Loans

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.

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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.

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Cherry Tree Nursery

Roger and Angela Jennett have fulfilled their ambition of opening a friendly family-run day nursery in the heart of Lincoln.