Milton Keynes business selected to represent UK start ups at Houses of Parliament event
Press release
Milton Keynes business-owner has been handpicked by the Government backed Start Up Loans Company as one of six ambassadors
- Business to attend launch event at Houses of Parliament on 8th June
- Start Up Loans has delivered almost £20million to South East businesses bringing its lending total to more than £210million in the country
A business-owner from Milton Keynes has been chosen to represent successful UK start ups by the Government backed Start Up Loans Company (SULCo) with the launch of its Ambassador Programme.
David O’Neal, founder of hair salon Shortcuts, is one of six start ups that will be showcased as one of the top success stories and inspiring businesses. The business will be honoured at a dedicated launch reception on 8th June, at the Houses of Parliament in London.
The Westminster reception will begin with a panel discussion chaired by Start Up Loans Company’s CEO Tim Sawyer. Tim will be joined by senior Ministers, who helped launch SULCo in 2012, alongside local MP’s and representatives from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
David originally started Shortcuts in 2014 with the support of a £15,000 Government-backed Start Up Loan. His salons are designed to make a trip to the hairdressers a fun experience for kids, with entertainment, toys and a ‘Hollywood Room’ for makeover parties. He now has three salons across the South East, employing 14 people in total. Last year, the business hit over £250,000 turnover and this looks set to increase by 20 per cent in the next 12 months.
Support from the Start Up Loans Company was fundamental in the launch of Shortcuts and since our very first day we’ve grown from strength to strength. It’s a real honour to be recognised as a standout business by an initiative that helps so many innovative and hardworking people turn their dreams into reality. Through my role as Ambassador I’ll be working with would-be business owners to encourage them to find out more about the range of funding and mentoring options out there to support them at every stage of their growth journey. - David O’Neal founder of Shortcuts
The launch of our Ambassador Programme is an opportunity to pay tribute to those entrepreneurial individuals who have taken the steps to launch their own businesses. Starting out on your own is no mean feat, but businesses like Shortcuts are proof that it can be done. What budding business owners in the UK need to remember is there are multiple support networks out there to make it a far less daunting experience, and provide the guidance and support necessary to help you make your start-up goals a reality. - Tim Sawyer CEO of Start Up Loans Company
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