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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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Lords Automobiles

Lords Automotive, a mobile car detailing company based in Worcestershire, has landed £13,000 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme

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Murcott Energy

Worcester based Murcott Energy is an engineering company that designs and produces small wind turbines for temporary power application.

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Dandelion Coffee House

Former RAF Senior Aircraftman Emma Swiggs opened the Dandelion Coffee House thanks to a £6000 Start Up Loan from X-Forces Enterprise.

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Naked Ape Brands

Naked Ape Brands received their two Start Up Loans via SWIG Finance and were first attracted to taking out a Start Up Loan because it is government backed.

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Light Rave Studios

Aitanna set up her business in 2022 and took out a Start Up Loan of £14,500 this year to expand it due to its success.

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The Sustainable Kitchen

Rik is a chef with more than 22 years of experience and a background in human nutrition and psychology. The business was started as a chance for him to explore why veganism isn’t as accessible as it could be and what the barriers are to preventing people from taking up the lifestyle

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Amity Brew Co

Amity Brew Co is a local craft brewery, offering a range of draught and canned beers. They provide tours of the brewery, an outside terrace, inside bar and weekly events for the community. They also have their own merch for sale. The three directors took out their loans in April 2020, at £25,000 each.

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Hand-i-Craft

Leo Winstanley founded Hand-i-Craft, based in Formby, after losing the ability to use his dominant hand and arm in a car accident. Now, it is a successful woodworking shop, stocking handmade items, finishes and accessories that are sold online.

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Lemon Tree Soft Play Café

Lemon Tree Soft Play Café took out a Start up Loan of £25,000 creating a haven for children and families in Newcastle upon Tyne.

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Metahelios

Physicists Charles Altuzarra and Yash D Shah, founders of Metahelios each received a £25,000 loan in July 2022 to kickstart their business. They are aiming to deploy the technology into space on a rocket from one of the UK’s spaceport sites, capturing data via a satellite that can be used to monitor climate change and orbiting space debris.

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Anav

Pallavi decided to follow her dreams of becoming a business owner in April 2021 after the Coronavirus pandemic forced her to re-evaluate her priorities. She left a career in finance and took out a loan of £19,000 in 2022 to curate and share natural homewares crafted by rural artisans from around the world, drawing inspiration from her mother’s unwavering passion for home decor and sustainability.

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Lunia 3D

The pair were helped initially by a £2,000 Start Up Loan to invest in their first commercial 3D printer. Three years on, with 40 more printers and a further £12,000 recently received from the British Business Bank, Lunia 3D has cemented itself as a key player on the flourishing 3D printing stage.



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Eagle Divers

Zee with help of Start up Loans opened up a scuba diving center in Northern Ireland offering scuba diving and snorkelling courses we offer activities such as water biking, paddle boarding and kayaking.

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Finnegan's Whiskers

Shelley Smith, founder of Finnegan’s Whiskers, has opened Suffolk’s only cat café and feline foster home based in Sudbury. Shelley has partnered with local cat rescue centre, Mel’s Rescue, to home cats at the café and alleviate pressure on animal rescue centres. Visitors to the café will also have the option to adopt cats they interact with and participate in animal therapy sessions. These will be arranged at the café on an ongoing basis, along with events such as crafting and a book club.

Start Up Loans

Love of Lemons

Starting with an online business during the pandemic, Bex opened her first store in Nansledan near Newquay in 2021, selling hand-picked vintage items alongside sustainably produced new brands. She relocated to a brand new shop in Nansledan over the summer and has just opened a sister store, Love of Vintage, in the same complex.