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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

Kindhaus

Learn more about Kindhaus Family Club, a “home away from home” for modern families that combines indoor play for the kids with coworking space for busy parents.

Start Up Loans

Alchemist

Learn more about Alchemist, a specialty coffee shop in Northern Ireland.

Start Up Loans

Caru Spirits

A landscape architect turned liqueur maker from Skewen has established an artisanal liqueur business inspired by the slow food movement, linking the pleasure of using traditional methods, sustainable ingredients and slow consumption for maximum taste.

Start Up Loans

DamGoodDrams

Glasgow-based DamGoodDrams, an ecommerce platform specialising in independent spirits, is gearing up to launch its own line of whisky and take its business overseas, following a successful first year.

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Naturawell

Joezy and his business partner Amy, took out funding from Start Up Loans to set up Naturawell in 2021, a plant-based bar and restaurant serving healthy and delicious food and drinks.

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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.

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Bijimini Spices

Luke took out a loan of £21,000 Start Up Loan in January 2021 to launch Bijimini Spices, a company selling high protein spices made from crickets.

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This Charming Naan

Max Paley took out a loan of £15,000 in 2021 to launch This Charming Naan, a Smiths-inspired Indian Street Food business in Manchester. With 7 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, from restaurants to bars and music venues, Max had always dreamed of opening his own food business.

Start Up Loans

Scoopy Doo’s Ice Cream Parlour

Helen Langton, a secondary-school teacher for 12 years, and her partner Matthew Altham, an emergency care assistant for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, were seeking a better work-life balance. They specifically wanted to own a business that would let them apply their skills creatively.

Start Up Loans

Shahjees

Three female entrepreneurs used funding from Start Up Loans to launch an Indian restaurant and takeaway in Nottingham.

Start Up Loans

Tribal Milk

Rahma Ahmed Ali and Nura Nur secured a loan of £10,000 in July 2021 through delivery partner Financing Sharia Enterprise to start alternative dairy brand Tribal Milk.

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POP Pressed

Kayleigh Cooper took out a £15,000 Start Up Loan in December 2020 to launch POP Pressed – an organic and plant-based cold-pressed juice brand.

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The Whisky Chairmen

Proud Inverclyde local, Rory MacDonald, received a Start Up Loan of £13,000 through British Business Bank delivery partner Transmit in August 2018. This provided the essential tooling, materials, rent and insurances for Rory to open The Whisky Chairmen.

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Vinkind

Formerly a police officer of six and a half years, Alex Habachi founded his e-commerce business Vinkind in 2016 with a £6,000 Start Up Loan via delivery partner X-Emergency Services (X-ES).

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Vie’s Jamaican Rum Cakes

Vie’s Jamaican Rum Cakes is a recipient of the Start Up Loans programme. Founded by Elaine Remy and based in Kendal, it received a loan of £5,000 in January 2020.

Start Up Loans

Cod of Duty

Matthew Martin and his wife, Corina Martin, launched Cod of Duty, a mobile Fish and Chips food truck, in December 2020 using two £17,000 Start Up Loans.

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Ty Melin

Helen Conway alongside her daughter Angharad and son-in-law Lance, launched their bakery business Ty Melin Bakery during coronavirus lockdown in March 2020. The trio had discussed starting a family venture for several years and had had an initial business plan drafted for over 2 ½ years.

Start Up Loans

Northern Cure

After meeting while working as pizza chefs together, Alex McKay and Douglas Staton wanted to channel their strong passion for food into an idea for a business. Spotting a gap in the market for locally sourced, high-welfare, traditionally cured charcuterie meats, Alex and business partner Doug launched Manchester-based Northern Cure in early 2020.