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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

Solo Coffee

Former baristas Theo Garcia, 24, and Alex Foss Sims, 29, met while working in a coffee shop in Gloucestershire. They started producing bottled, chilled coffee after noticing a growing demand for cold brew amongst coffee lovers.

Start Up Loans

Meltdown Cheese Café

Entrepreneur, Laura Lautrete, is bringing a new culinary concept to Chester with the launch of her grilled cheese café, Meltdown, thanks to a Start Up Loan provided via Delivery Partner GC Business Finance (formerly Business Finance Solutions).

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JimJams

A day in the life…running a health-conscious jams and spreads business. It’s often said that great business ideas solve a problem. I completely stand by this.

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Berry's Bakery

Robert D’Orville received a Start Up Loan of £25,000 in March 2015, enabling him to take ownership of Berry’s Bakery in Preston, Lancashire.

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Dalton’s Soda Co

Founded by Duncan O’Brien, Dalston Cola was established in response to a request from an organisation to make a cola that was not Coca Cola. With most of the market saturated by the big two players or cheap imitations, Duncan noticed a serious gap in the market and created Dalston Cola to fill it. Duncan had previously worked in the hospitality industry, including in the Caribbean and with the Orient Express Company, before moving on to the food and drink industry.

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40 St Pauls

Read 40 St Pauls's story and learn how Start Up Loans helped them.

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Pencil & Fork

David Sanchez is the founder and owner of Pencil & Fork, a business which provides an innovative approach to learning using food. Pencil & Fork was set up in 2013 and is situated in Worcester Park in Sutton, South London.

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Black Cowboy Coffee

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.

Start Up Loans

Poptata

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.

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The Nests Little Smallholding

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.

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Chilli Tuk Tuk

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

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Meze Greek Restaurant

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.

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Old School BBQ Bus

Former steelworker Mark Fairley has launched his own traditional American BBQ business in a bright yellow high school bus.

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Brew Cavern

Upon returning to his childhood home of Nottingham Matt Hinton, having developed a strong passion in real ale and all things hoppy soon discovered that unlike Sheffield, where he had moved from, there was a real gap in the market for a serious beer retailer.

Start Up Loans

Jim Jams Spreads

Shocked at the amount of unnecessary sugar found in most breakfast spreads, mother of two Kellie Bath knew she wanted something healthier for her young children.

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Cocoa Amore

After working in the pub industry for 10 years Peter Gardner saw the company he worked for go under and he lost his job. Deciding to start over he taught himself how to make chocolate online and set up his first storeand with the support of £10,000 from the Start Up Loans Company – Cocoa Amore was born.

Start Up Loans

Yorkshire Dama Cheese

After travelling from war torn Syria with her husband and three children Razan Al-Sous settled in Huddersfield, a far cry from her former home of Damascus.

Start Up Loans

Chappuccino

Chappuccino is a café in the heart of Chapeltown, Sheffield, run by Olivia Fisher and her mum, Claire.