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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Start Up Loans

Woof 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.

Start Up Loans

Turn Your Business Round

Learn how Brigitte Dove started their business Turn Your Business Round with help from a loan from Start Up Loans.

Start Up Loans

Amity Brew Co

Amity Brew Co is a local craft brewery, offering a range of draught and canned beers. They provide tours of the brewery, an outside terrace, inside bar and weekly events for the community. They also have their own merch for sale. The three directors took out their loans in April 2020, at £25,000 each.

Start Up Loans

The Singing Spice Company

The Singing Spice Company took out their loan of £6,000 in February 2023. The company aims to take the stress out of cooking by creating packs of spice blends that are hand blended to family recipes going back three generations.

Start Up Loans

D&K Accounting

With businesses continuing to launch during the pandemic, small firms such as D&K Accounting are well placed to offer a more personal accounting service to rural businesses looking to get established.

Start Up Loans

Lady Survivors

Melanie Luxton Brookes took out a £15,000 loan in September 2020 to launch her affordable range of swimwear brand Lady Survivors specifically designed for women with mastectomies.

Start Up Loans

Laughing Llama Cafe and Bistro

Chantal Charles-Smith took out a £25,000 loan in April 2021 to launch Laughing Llama Coffee and Bistro, a family-friendly destination in York.

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.

Start Up Loans

Celebrating Curves

Jane Palmer, 53, took out a £25,000 Start Up Loan in 2015 to launch Celebrating Curves, a bridal wear business for plus-size brides based in Sheffield.

Start Up Loans

Elphius Flux

Elphius Flux is an upcycling business, specialising in industrial and modern furniture. Based in Chesterfield, Jason and Gwen Hopkinson create bespoke, custom-made furniture from salvaged and reclaimed materials.

Start Up Loans

Equistone Equestrian

Emma Evelyn Stone worked as a Transport Secretary before deciding to return to university and study a science degree.

Start Up Loans

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.

Start Up Loans

Chappuccino

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

Start Up Loans

YorTours

The company provides bespoke driver guided tours of Yorkshire. We caught up with him to find out what the first year of trading has been like.

Start Up Loans

Caffe Venecia

Tony Singh was unemployed before starting his own business, Caffe Venecia, in the centre of Huddersfield in November 2013.