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

The Wine Hall

Learn how Vanessa Tortella started their business The Wine Hall with help from a loan from Start Up Loans.

Start Up Loans

Bliss Retreats

Learn how Joanne Jepson started their business Bliss Retreats with help from a loan from Start Up Loans.

Start Up Loans

EZ Hampers

Lisa Storey, founder of EZ Hampers, a sustainable gift company which sources sustainable products solely from positive impact businesses.

Start Up Loans

Zig and Zag Handmade

Learn how Jane Henderson Forrest started their business Zig and Zag Handmade with help from a loan from Start Up Loans.

Start Up Loans

ClelandRenwick

Learn how Alison McAtamney started their business ClelandRenwick with help from a loan from Start Up Loans.

Start Up Loans

Flowerhorn Brewery

Cardiff craft brewery blooms following second Start Up Loan. Best friends and co-founders of Flowerhorn Brewery look to expand offering.

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

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.

Start Up Loans

Cambridge Hydrotherapy Centre

Aimee Plumb, founder of Cambridge Hydrotherapy Centre, is a Start Up Loans recipient. In October 2021, Aimee took out a loan of £2,500 via Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services when she was 19 years old. The company, based in Great Abington in Cambridge, offers hydrotherapy for dogs, to help them through the rehabilitation process by building muscle and easing pain.

Start Up Loans

Clear For Men

Louis Watkins, 23, from Newport, founded his business Clear For Men. Clear For Men is a men’s mental health awareness and online skincare brand, encouraging men to ‘take five’ through their daily cleansing routine.

Start Up Loans

Layer’s Treats

Tom Newey, aged 22 helped start his business with a Start Up Loan. Established in 2020, his award-winning dessert business, Layers Treats offers handmade Belgian chocolate treats for all occasions

Start Up Loans

Limitless

Francis Harwood, founder of Limitless is a Start Up Loans recipient. Francis took out his first loan of £10,000 via Let’s Do Business group when he was 23 years old. He took out a second loan of £5,000 in October 2023, when he was 24 years old.

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

Revive Pro

William Tansley, aged 24, recently received £15,000 in September 2023 as part of the Start Up Loans programme for his family-run professional cleaning and restoration business, Revive Pro.

Start Up Loans

Techie Services

Cory Hibbin, aged 20, is just one of these recipients. He took out a loan in March 2023 of £14,500 to launch Techie Services. The company, based in Hastings, offers security solutions for residential clients, estates and corporate buildings, including CCTV, alarm systems and network management.

Start Up Loans

The Mixer

Joel Jones, 24, from Cornwall applied for a £20,000 Start Up Loan, provided through SWIG Finance, to convert a classic VW campervan into a mobile cocktail bar and launch his business, The Mixer, aimed at weddings and parties.

Start Up Loans

The Scran Man

Blake Bentley, aged 22, took out a £5,000 loan for his business, The Scran Man, in March 2021.The business, based in Great Barr in Birmingham, is dedicated to bringing customers authentic, fresh and tasty American street food such as Philly cheesesteaks, fried chicken and signature burgers.

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.