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

Hippy 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 Edmonds.

Start Up Loans

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.

Start Up Loans

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.

Start Up Loans

BKW CrossFit

A group of four friends have joined forces to launch BKW CrossFit, a new community-based gym in East Bristol, with the help of a Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank.

Start Up Loans

Vessel Ceramics

Learn how Jilly Russell started their business Vessel Ceramics with help from a loan from Start Up Loans.

Start Up Loans

Dreams Come True Parties

Hannah Ballinger from Gloucestershire used a £5,000 Start Up Loan, provided through BizBritain, to found Dreams Come True Parties. Hannah dresses up as one of seven well known princesses to bring a touch of magic and sparkle to any children’s event across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

Start Up Loans

Murphy Golf

Padraig Murphy, aged 24, is just one of the loan recipients in Northern Ireland aged under 25, who has taken his dream business and turned it into a reality.

Start Up Loans

Filmmaking Planner

In 2023, with the help of a £10,000 loan from Start Up Loans, my manifestations came into fruition and Filmmaking Planner was born.

Start Up Loans

Light Rave Studios

Aitanna set up her business in 2022 and took out a Start Up Loan of £14,500 this year to expand it due to its success.

Start Up Loans

Lemon Tree Soft Play Café

Lemon Tree Soft Play Café took out a Start up Loan of £25,000 creating a haven for children and families in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Start Up Loans

Anav

Pallavi decided to follow her dreams of becoming a business owner in April 2021 after the Coronavirus pandemic forced her to re-evaluate her priorities. She left a career in finance and took out a loan of £19,000 in 2022 to curate and share natural homewares crafted by rural artisans from around the world, drawing inspiration from her mother’s unwavering passion for home decor and sustainability.

Start Up Loans

Eagle Divers

Zee with help of Start up Loans opened up a scuba diving center in Northern Ireland offering scuba diving and snorkelling courses we offer activities such as water biking, paddle boarding and kayaking.

Start Up Loans

ink

An artist from Llandudno Junction is opening a contemporary gallery in Colwyn Bay aimed at breaking down barriers in the art world and reinvigorating North Wales’s cultural scene by incorporating the world of NFTs and the Metaverse.

Start Up Loans

Tide Climbing Centre

Sophie had visited, built, and worked in climbing facilities and centres all over the world and distilled their favourite parts from each to create the Tide Climbing Centre.

Start Up Loans

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.

Start Up Loans

Jo Boulton Photography

Joanne Boulton worked for five years as a photographer for a training company, before deciding to go it alone and start her own photography business.

Start Up Loans

Synergy Dance

Rachael Hurton has always had a passion for dance and performance and in 2014 she brought her dream to life by starting Synergy Dance – a dance fitness programme for children of all ages.

Start Up Loans

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.