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

FittaMamma

FittaMamma is an online retail company selling a range of maternity fitness wear. It was set up by Start Up Loans recipient and business woman Alexandra McCabe.

Start Up Loans

Smartzer

Karoline Gross always wanted to do her own thing and Start Up Loans helped her do just that.

Start Up Loans

hiSbe

Brighton sisters, Amy and Ruth Anslow, founded their independent supermarket, hiSbe, with the help of Start Up Loans.

Start Up Loans

Just Eat for Business

Stuart Sunderland started his business Just Eat for Business with a friend, a service delivering street food to businesses, with the help of a £10,000 Start Up Loan.

Start Up Loans

YorTours

The company provides bespoke driver guided tours of Yorkshire. We caught up with him to find out what the first year of trading has been like.

Start Up Loans

B-Tempted

Sarah Hilleary has always been motivated by the personal rewards of being her own boss, and this lead her to start gluten free snack company Birubi Ltd.

Start Up Loans

Pip and Nut

Standing out from the competition can be hard for a small business, especially when the number of competitors is constantly increasing.

Start Up Loans

Powerful Organic

Nisa Mendez used her Start Up Loan to develop her website design business Mendez Moment.

Start Up Loans

Atomica Gallery

Orla Bennett along with her co-founder Holly Lander, launched Atomica Gallery in 2012 as a pop-up in Shoreditch, East London.

Start Up Loans

The Paddock

Laura Burlison from Northumberland received her Start Up Loan 18 months ago and used it to start 'The Paddock – Fresh Food Delivered from the Land to your Hand.'

Start Up Loans

Office Pantry

Office Pantry deliver snack packs and fresh fruit to offices right across the UK, with an optional honesty box for school staff rooms and companies on tight budgets.

Start Up Loans

Thornley’s

Gail Brown started her natural food business, Thornleys, in May 2013 with the help of a Start Up Loan.

Start Up Loans

KupKase

With Kupkase it’s personal. They’re not just a pretty cake.

Start Up Loans

Pip Howeson London

Pip Howeson is dedicated to the rejuvenation of the British textile industry, offering a bespoke tailoring service of handcrafted coats and jackets.

Start Up Loans

Caffe Venecia

Tony Singh was unemployed before starting his own business, Caffe Venecia, in the centre of Huddersfield in November 2013.

Start Up Loans

Decorator’s Notebook

Decorator’s Notebook is an online shop selling design-led home accessories made by social enterprises, fair trade groups and artisanal co-operatives around the world. Their aim is to show that beautiful design and ethical production can go hand-in-hand.

Start Up Loans

Bird & Blend Tea Co.

Mike Turner and his partner Krisi started their Brighton-based tea mixology company, Bird & Blend Tea Co., with the help of a Start Up Loan.