Success stories

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.

Leon Stapleton, founder of We Make Footballers Cardiff, a football training academy for children aged 4-12. Applying for a £15,000 Start Up Loan meant that Leon was able to launch the first We Make Footballers franchise in Wales.

Dan Levene is co-founder of Two Blues Solar, a solar panel installation business which addresses the growing demand for sustainable solutions to help drive the nation's net-zero agenda.

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.

27 year old TJ Bouchada, founder of private nail salon Moody Cow Nails. TJ took out her loan of £12,000, via Let’s Do Business Finance, to open her own private nail salon.

Phil enjoyed a 17-year career in the British Army. He met his Thai partner Chanisara seven years ago and that sparked their dream to open a restaurant together. Chanisara started serving her cuisine with a Thai food stall in the town’s central market and discovered that demand was high for her freshly made products.

Paul Connaughton, founder of JPC Specialist Motorsports, a motorsports business set up to raise vital funds for JPC Community Farm.

Laura Suominen, the founder of Ikigai, an eco-conscious and Japanese-inspired homeware store, Ikigai The store is located in Leamington Spa, specialises in sourcing Japanese imported homeware items, yukata and otaku products such as official Studio Ghibli Merchandise.

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.

Alexandra Perry, founder of H.E.R Bodywear, who designs and sells bodywear for women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer or cosmetic breast surgery.

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.

Eco-friendly household cleaning brand, Clevelli Bay, has been launched by a neurodivergent entrepreneur, inspired by Richard Branson’s stories about dyslexia and success, with the help of a £25,000 Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank.

Dorset-based sustainable plastics manufacturer, Circular11, has received a £21k Start Up Loan boost via SWIG Finance.

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.

A family-run raw milk micro dairy in Cornwall has received a boost thanks to the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, via Business Support Partner Business Enterprise Fund.

Restoration of Wales’ last working windmill sees sails turn again on Ynys Môn. Melin Llynon is restored to former glory following funding from Isle of Anglesey County Council and British Business Bank

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.

Moko Physiotherapy, a Derbyshire based physiotherapy and sports massage clinic, has secured £30,000 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, to refurbish its new premises.