Success stories

Jacqueline Hall from Essex decided to set up her own business, DALE Coaching Ltd, after she had been made redundant and turned down from various job interviews. Jacqueline is a self-motivated, strong and determined lady who wanted to offer coaching services in areas such as leadership, executive coaching and youth leadership in and around the Greater London area.

John Otagburuagu founded Black Cowboy Coffee in August 2015. As the name might suggest, the street cafe serves coffee and waffles (as well as smoothies and other foods). As for the black cowboy, well that’s John.

Michaela is truly the definition of an ambitious and hard-working woman. As a single mother with two children she has managed to maintain a part-time job and also start up her own business, Miles & Mia.

Michelle Forsbrey is a keen surfer, skier and swimmer. When she’s not working as a flight attendant she is drawn to the ocean, beach and water; a true Mermaid at heart.

Julian and his business partner, Toni, started their web design company after receiving funding from the Start Up Loans Company. MBJ London offers clients an affordable monthly subscription which provides them with a team of experts to guide them through the preliminary stages of branding, design and beyond.

Daniel launched his business, Escapism Manchester, in August 2016 and works full-time at the premises with six members of staff.

The Poptata story began in May 2015 with a temporary gazebo set up at London’s Portobello Road market over the weekend. Marco and Luca wanted to share their passion for Fries with Londoners, they knew they would love them.

Georgie Mitchell gave up her job as a university lecturer teaching Child Development and Counselling and used a £7000 Start Up Loan to launch The Nests Little Smallholding, a rare breeds farm in the Ribble Valley, near Burnley, Lancashire.

Joel Griggs grew up fascinated with all things crime related. After spotting some abandoned caves along the Hastings waterfront -caves which turned out to have previously housed everything from hotel generators to druid groups at the turn of the 19th century- he immediately saw their potential.

Robert runs a mobile based business, Monster Vehicle Care. Based at his home address in Manchester, He started by focusing on the Manchester area. But high demand has allowed Robert to expand the business across the North West.

EMA Training Ltd are a specialist Accountancy training provider based in Heanor on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. They also run other office based qualifications such as Business Administration and Social Media and Digital Marketing.

Hamish Dobbie produces a wide range of fine silversmith and acrylic products that range from costing between £5-£11,000 and anywhere in-between.

Farah Qureshi designs and makes jewellery in precious metals, ethical silver and gold. Jewellery had long been a hobby of hers and she had been taught jewellery design while she was at art college where she learnt 3D design and metal work. With the number of collections a year currently at two Farah sources her materials from Hatton Gardens and all of her products are ethical.

When Aimee began sewing clothes for her first born child, she didn’t envisage that it would turn into the company which Mommamakes is.

Discover Chilli Tuk Tuk, an Indian takeaway and delivery service based in North London with a difference.

Thomas Coppen, a Bristol-based entrepreneur, borrowed £5,000 to get his company ‘Keel Over Ltd’ off the ground.

Diana Parkes is the founder of social enterprise The Women’s Sat Nav to Success Ltd.

Deborah and Elena Melkis used a Start Up Loan to open their Meze Greek Restaurant in Ellesmere, North Shropshire, and work at the business full-time.