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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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Project 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.

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Ashlia

A family-run occasion wear rental service has moved into a new boutique in Muir of Ord on the Black Isle, offering luxury outfits at a fraction of their retail price to hire for special events.

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Big Golf Tours

A 53-year-old self-taught golfer is hoping to share his newfound passion for the sport with other golf novices in an accessible, beginner-friendly format with the launch of a new business venture, Big Golf Tours.

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Ardmore Shepherd’s Hut

A Gen Z 23-year-old hotel worker is embarking on her own hospitality venture, after securing funding to purchase and restore a rustic shepherd’s hut on the North Coast 500.

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Metahelios

Physicists Charles Altuzarra and Yash D Shah, founders of Metahelios each received a £25,000 loan in July 2022 to kickstart their business. They are aiming to deploy the technology into space on a rocket from one of the UK’s spaceport sites, capturing data via a satellite that can be used to monitor climate change and orbiting space debris.

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Panther M*lk

Panther M*lk – an oat milk alcoholic cocktail brand based in Glasgow. The drinks business recently secured its first major retail listing, with bottles of the cocktail now stocked in 40 of Asda’s supermarkets across Scotland. Following an appearance on Dragon’s Den in 2022, Paul Crawford received a £17,500 loan through the Start Up Loans scheme to support his ambitious growth plans.

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DamGoodDrams

Glasgow-based DamGoodDrams, an ecommerce platform specialising in independent spirits, is gearing up to launch its own line of whisky and take its business overseas, following a successful first year.

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Pastéis Lisboa

In April 2022, Emma and Sebastian took out a loan of £20,000 each to set up Pastéis Lisboa, Scotland’s first specialist Pastel de Nata bakery, in the heart of Glasgow’s buzzing West End.

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The Whisky Chairmen

Proud Inverclyde local, Rory MacDonald, received a Start Up Loan of £13,000 through British Business Bank delivery partner Transmit in August 2018. This provided the essential tooling, materials, rent and insurances for Rory to open The Whisky Chairmen.

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Joanie's Music

The local community is at the heart of Joanie's Music, with the retro-inspired guitar shop in Stirling encouraging people to get back into music during the recent Covid-19 lockdown.

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My Language Connection

Glasgow-based Victoria Nicol was 28 when she received a Start Up Loan to help grow her language translation business, My Language Connection. With loan funding supporting investment in new technology, the organisation has since gone on to triple its headcount and expand its reach to serve international clients.

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Mistral

Julie Di Toro and her partner, Sam Barker, took out a Start Up Loan in two parts in August and September 2020 to launch Mistral, an independent wine shop.

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Healthy Nibbles

Sara Roberts used a £20,000 Start Up Loan to launch Healthy Nibbles, the UK’s first healthy vending machine company that offers healthy products and locally sourced snacks.

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Ty Melin

Helen Conway alongside her daughter Angharad and son-in-law Lance, launched their bakery business Ty Melin Bakery during coronavirus lockdown in March 2020. The trio had discussed starting a family venture for several years and had had an initial business plan drafted for over 2 ½ years.

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Shakehaus

Margarita Veberaite and fellow co-founders, Josefa Celestin and Fraser Stephen launched their business, Shakehaus in April 2016. A creative video and production agency based in Edinburgh. All three partners each received funding from Start Up Loans to help them launch the business.

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Pacific Quay Powerboats Glasgow

Created by John Hillis, alongside his brother Merrell and marine operations manager Terence McKibben, Pacific Quay Powerboats Glasgow offers high-speed power boat trips and water-sports on the river Clyde.

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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.

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Hamish Dobbie Silversmithing

Hamish Dobbie produces a wide range of fine silversmith and acrylic products that range from costing between £5-£11,000 and anywhere in-between.